King James Version

What Does 2 Chronicles 8:11 Mean?

“And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come. holy: Heb. holiness”

Context

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.

And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers , even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.

And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come. holy: Heb. holiness

Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,

Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.

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Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11) **And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh.**—See 1Kings 9:24, which is much briefer than the present notice. The chronicler has not mentioned this princess before (comp. 1Kings 3:1; 1Kings 9:16), and mentions her here only in connection with Solomon’s buildings. (See Note on 2Chronicles 12:2.) Solomon’s Egyptian consort was probably a princess of the XXII. Bnbastite Dynasty, founded by Shishak, which was of Semitic origin. **For he said.**—The motive here assigned is wanting in the other text, and is characteristic of the chronicler both in thought and language; though it is too much to say with Thenius that the princess *could* not have lived anywhere else than in the old palace of David, until the new one was built. 1Kings 3:1 says only that Solomon brought her “into the city of David.”** King of Israel.**—In contrast with the Egyptian origin of the princess. **Because the places are holy.**—For *a holy thing is that unto which,* &c. (The plural pronoun *hēmmāh*, “they,” is equivalent to a neuter-sing, in the usage of the chronicler.)

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 8:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.