King James Version
What Does 2 Chronicles 8:16 Mean?
“Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.”
Context
14
And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded. so had David: Heb. so was the commandment of David the man of God
15
And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.
16
Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.
17
Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom. Eloth: also called, Elath, Deut.2.8.
18
And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships , and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.
Commentary
Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers(16) **Now.**—*And,* here equivalent to *so.*
**Prepared** = *completed.* (2Chronicles 29:35; 2Chronicles 35:10; 2Chronicles 35:16; a late use of the word *nākôn.*)
**Unto the day of the foundation . . . until it was finished.**—Solomon’s activity is apparently divided into two periods, viz., the preparations which he made before and up to the foundation of the Temple (2 Chronicles 2), and secondly, the prosecution of the work to its completion (2Chronicles 3:1 to 2Chronicles 5:1). (The Heb. Is, unto *that* day of the foundation,” i.e., that memorable day, see 2Chronicles 3:1-3.) All the versions, however, understand *from* the day of the foundation unto the completion of the Temple, and perhaps *‘ad ha-yôm* is, in the chronicler’s Hebrew equivalent to *lĕmin ha-yôm,* expressing the *terminus a quo.*
**So the house of the Lord was perfected.**—Omit *so,* and comp. 1Kings 9:25, “and he finished [same root as *perfected*] the house.” The verse thus closes the entire account of the building and inauguration of the Temple.
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 8:16 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 8:16
Cross-references from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge