King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 5:10 Mean?

2 Chronicles 5:10 in the King James Version says “There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with th...” — study this verse from 2 Chronicles chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. when the LORD: or, where, etc”

2 Chronicles 5:10 · KJV

Salvation

Context

8

For the cherubims spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

9

And they drew out the staves of the ark, that the ends of the staves were seen from the ark before the oracle; but they were not seen without. And there it is unto this day. there: or, they are there

10

There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt. when the LORD: or, where, etc

11

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place: (for all the priests that were present were sanctified, and did not then wait by course: present: Heb. found

12

Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)

Read 2 Chronicles 5 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
There was nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put therein at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of Egypt.

This verse contributes to the narrative of Solomon's reign, specifically focusing on God's presence dwelling with His people. The Chronicler presents Solomon's faithfulness in temple building and worship as paradigmatic for post-exilic Israel. Unlike the Kings account which includes Solomon's failures, Chronicles emphasizes his positive example during his faithful years.

Theologically, the passage demonstrates that wholehearted seeking of God results in His manifest blessing and presence. The temple construction and dedication represent the climax of God's dwelling with Israel, foreshadowing the incarnation when God would dwell among humanity in Christ. The elaborate preparations and careful adherence to divine pattern emphasize that worship must occur on God's terms.

Cross-references to the tabernacle (Exodus 25-40), Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7, 1 Chronicles 17), and Messianic prophecies illuminate how Solomon's temple points toward Christ as the true meeting place between God and humanity. The material glory of Solomon's kingdom anticipates the greater glory of the Messianic age.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The reign of Solomon (970-930 BCE) represents Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity. The temple construction began in Solomon's fourth year (966 BCE), exactly 480 years after the Exodus according to 1 Kings 6:1. The Chronicler writes from a post-exilic perspective (450-400 BCE), emphasizing themes relevant to the restored community: temple worship, Levitical service, and covenant faithfulness.

Archaeological evidence confirms Solomon's extensive building projects and international trade relationships. The temple's design incorporated Phoenician architectural elements, evidenced by parallel structures discovered in Syria and Lebanon. Solomon's alliance with Hiram of Tyre provided both materials (Lebanese cedar) and craftsmen for the construction.

The post-exilic audience, having returned from Babylonian captivity to rebuild the temple, needed encouragement that God's presence and blessing could be restored through faithful worship. The Chronicler presents Solomon's reign as paradigmatic—when leaders and people seek God wholeheartedly, He dwells among them and prospers them.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse deepen understanding of God's presence as the source of true blessing and success?
  2. What does this passage teach about the importance of following God's prescribed patterns in worship and service?
  3. How does Solomon's example in Ark Brought to Temple point forward to Christ as the ultimate fulfillment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
אֵ֚ין1 of 17
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בָּֽאָר֔וֹן2 of 17

“There was nothing in the ark”

H727

a box

רַ֚ק3 of 17
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

שְׁנֵ֣י4 of 17

“save the two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

הַלֻּח֔וֹת5 of 17

“tables”

H3871

probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal

אֲשֶׁר6 of 17
H834

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

נָתַ֥ן7 of 17

“put”

H5414

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

מֹשֶׁ֖ה8 of 17

“which Moses”

H4872

mosheh, the israelite lawgiver

בְּחֹרֵ֑ב9 of 17

“therein at Horeb”

H2722

choreb, a (generic) name for the sinaitic mountains

אֲשֶׁ֨ר10 of 17
H834

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

כָּרַ֤ת11 of 17

“made”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

יְהוָה֙12 of 17

“when the LORD”

H3068

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

עִם13 of 17
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בְּנֵ֣י14 of 17

“a covenant with the children”

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל15 of 17

“of Israel”

H3478

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

בְּצֵאתָ֖ם16 of 17

“when they came out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃17 of 17

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 5:10 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 5:10 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 9:4Deuteronomy 10:2-52 Chronicles 6:11Exodus 24:7-8Exodus 19:5Deuteronomy 29:10-14

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
Mount HorebMountain · Modern: Jebel Musa · 28.54°N, 33.97°E17 verses across 6 books
View all places in 2 Chronicles 5 →

Test Your Knowledge

2 Chronicles 5 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter2 Chronicles Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 2 Chronicles 5 with CommentaryAll 2 Chronicles ChaptersComplete 2 Chronicles QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes