King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 2:12 Mean?

2 Chronicles 2:12 in the King James Version says “Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a w... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. endued: Heb. knowing prudence and understanding

2 Chronicles 2:12 · KJV


Context

10

And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

11

Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.

12

Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. endued: Heb. knowing prudence and understanding

13

And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,

14

The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hiram of Tyre's letter to Solomon: 'Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.' This Gentile king's blessing of YHWH as Creator ('made heaven and earth') and provider of wisdom demonstrates God's glory reaching the nations through Israel's golden age. The recognition that Solomon's wisdom comes from God ('who hath given') not human training shows even pagans could perceive divine gifting. This fulfills Abraham's promise that through his seed all nations would be blessed (Genesis 22:18), ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Hiram's correspondence (c. 967 BCE) established the Phoenician-Israelite alliance that provided crucial resources (cedar, skilled craftsmen) for temple construction. This diplomatic relationship demonstrated Israel's influence on surrounding nations during its peak under Solomon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How is God's glory made known to unbelievers through the wisdom and blessing evident in your life?
  2. What opportunities do you have to demonstrate God as Creator and gift-giver to those who don't know Him?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיֹּאמֶר֮1 of 27

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חוּרָם֒2 of 27

Huram

H2361

churam, the name of an israelite and two syrians

בָּר֤וּךְ3 of 27

moreover Blessed

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

לַֽיהוָ֔ה4 of 27

be the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵ֣י5 of 27

God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל6 of 27

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֔ה8 of 27

that made

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת9 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם10 of 27

heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְאֶת11 of 27
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הָאָ֑רֶץ12 of 27

and earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר13 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

נָתַן֩14 of 27

who hath given

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְדָוִ֨יד15 of 27

to David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

הַמֶּ֜לֶךְ16 of 27

the king

H4428

a king

בֵּ֣ן17 of 27

son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

חָכָ֗ם18 of 27

a wise

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

יוֹדֵ֙עַ֙19 of 27

endued

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

שֵׂ֣כֶל20 of 27

with prudence

H7922

intelligence; by implication, success

וּבִינָ֔ה21 of 27

and understanding

H998

understanding

אֲשֶׁ֤ר22 of 27
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יִבְנֶה23 of 27

that might build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וּבַ֖יִת24 of 27

an house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לַֽיהוָ֔ה25 of 27

be the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּבַ֖יִת26 of 27

an house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לְמַלְכוּתֽוֹ׃27 of 27

for his kingdom

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion


Study Guide

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 2:12 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 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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