King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 3:8 Mean?

“And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.”

Context

And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim. garnished: Heb. covered

He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.

And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.

And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

And in the most holy house he made two cherubims of image work, and overlaid them with gold. image: or, (as some think) of moveable work

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(*c*) **THE HOLY OF HOLIES, OR CHANCEL, WITH THE CHERUBIM AND THE VAIL** (2Chronicles 3:8-14). (8) **The most holy house.**—*The chamber of the Holy of holies,* or *chancel,* called also the *oracle* (*Dĕbîr*)*,* 1Kings 6:5. (So 2Chronicles 3:10.) **The length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits.**—*Its* *length before the breadth of the house was twenty cubits.* (See Note on 2Chronicles 3:4.) **And the breadth thereof twenty cubits.**—1Kings 6:20 adds that the height also was twenty cubits, so that the chamber formed a perfect cube. **Six hundred talents.**—The weight of gold thus expended on the plating of the walls of the inner shrine is not given in Kings. Solomon’s whole yearly revenue was 666 talents (1Kings 10:14).

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 3:8 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.