King James Version
What Does 2 Chronicles 1:16 Mean?
“And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. Solomon: Heb. the going forth of the horses which was Solomon's”
Context
14
And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem.
15
And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the vale for abundance. made: Heb. gave
16
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. Solomon: Heb. the going forth of the horses which was Solomon's
17
And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means. means: Heb. hand
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(16) **And Solomon had horses brought out . . .**—Rather, *And the outcome* (export) *of horses for Solomon was from Egypt, and the company of the king’s merchants*—*a company* (of horses) *they would fetch at a price.* The same is read in Kings, only that the word *company* (*miqwē*) is there spelt in the ancient fashion (*miqwēh*)*,* and two words are transposed (“they would fetch a company”). *Miqweh* means *gathering, collection* (Genesis 1:10 [of the waters]). The repetition of this term constitutes a kind of artless play on words, such as is common in the Old Testament. (Comp. Genesis 15:2; Judges 15:16.) Both here and in Kings the Vulg. renders the word as a proper name, “from Coa.” So also the LXX. in Kings “from Thekkoue” (Tekoa); and the Syriac of Chronicles, “from the city of the Aphelāvē.” These variations only prove that the text was felt to be obscure. The “linen yarn” of the Authorised version is a guess based upon the likeness of the word *miqweh* to *qaw,* “rope,” and *tiqwāh, “*line*”* (Joshua 2:18), and upon the fact that much linen was made in Egypt.
Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of 2 Chronicles. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
2 Chronicles 1:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.
Cross-References
Verses related to 2 Chronicles 1:16
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge