King James Version
What Does 2 Chronicles 27:3 Mean?
“He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. Ophel: or, the tower”
Context
1
Jotham was twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Jerushah, the daughter of Zadok.
2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.
3
He built the high gate of the house of the LORD, and on the wall of Ophel he built much. Ophel: or, the tower
4
Moreover he built cities in the mountains of Judah, and in the forests he built castles and towers.
5
He fought also with the king of the Ammonites, and prevailed against them. And the children of Ammon gave him the same year an hundred talents of silver, and ten thousand measures of wheat, and ten thousand of barley. So much did the children of Ammon pay unto him, both the second year, and the third. So: Heb. This
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(3) **He built.**—*He it was that built* (pronoun emphatic). He “built,” *i.e.,* restored and beautified. The same statement occurs in 2Kings 15:35.
**The high gate.**—Rather, *the upper gate; i.e.,* the northern gate of the inner or upper court (Ezekiel 9:2). The north being the holy quarter (Isaiah 14:13; Psalm 48:2), the north gate would be the principal entrance.
**And on the wall of Ophel he built much.**—The southern slope of the Temple hill was called the Ophel, *i.e.,* “the mound.” Its wall would be the line of fortifications connecting Zion with Moriah, on which Uzziah had already laboured (2Chronicles 26:9), with the same object of securing the city against attacks from the south and east. Neither this detail nor the next three verses are found in the parallel account. The style and contents of the passage indicate a good ancient source.
**Much.**—*Larōb, “*to much;” one of the chronicler’s favourite words.
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 27:3 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 27:3
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge