King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 3:1 Mean?

2 Chronicles 3:1 in the King James Version says “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his f... — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. where: or, which was seen of David his father

2 Chronicles 3:1 · KJV


Context

1

Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. where: or, which was seen of David his father

2

And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.

3

Now these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits. instructed: Heb. founded


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The temple's location is theologically significant: 'Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where the LORD appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.' Identifying this as Mount Moriah connects to Abraham offering Isaac (Genesis 22:2), suggesting the temple site is where God provided the ram in Isaac's place. The mention of David's theophany and the threshingfloor where plague stopped (1 Chronicles 21:18-28) layers meaning - this is the place of sacrifice, divine appearance, and mercy. Ultimately, this points to Christ sacrificed in Jerusalem, the true temple where God's glory dwells.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Beginning construction in Solomon's fourth year (c. 966 BCE) on the threshingfloor David purchased fulfilled his vision. The Moriah identification (unique to Chronicles) theologically connects the temple to Abrahamic covenant and substitutionary sacrifice.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple built on the site of sacrifice point you to Christ's sacrifice and the true temple?
  2. What significance does location have in your understanding of where and how God meets His people today?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
וַיָּ֣חֶל1 of 20

began

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה2 of 20

Then Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

לִבְנ֤וֹת3 of 20

to build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת4 of 20
H853

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

בֵּית5 of 20

the house

H1004

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

יְהוָה֙6 of 20

of the LORD

H3068

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

בִּיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם7 of 20

at Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בְּהַר֙8 of 20

in mount

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הַמּ֣וֹרִיָּ֔ה9 of 20

Moriah

H4179

morijah, a hill in palestine

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 20
H834

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

נִרְאָ֖ה11 of 20

where the LORD appeared

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

דָּוִ֔יד12 of 20

that David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

אָבִ֑יהוּ13 of 20

his father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲשֶׁ֤ר14 of 20
H834

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

הֵכִין֙15 of 20

had prepared

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

בִּמְק֣וֹם16 of 20

in the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

דָּוִ֔יד17 of 20

that David

H1732

david, the youngest son of jesse

בְּגֹ֖רֶן18 of 20

in the threshingfloor

H1637

a threshing-floor (as made even); by analogy, any open area

אָרְנָ֥ן19 of 20

of Ornan

H771

ornan, a jebusite

הַיְבוּסִֽי׃20 of 20

the Jebusite

H2983

a jebusite or inhabitant of jebus


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 3:1 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 3:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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