1 Chronicles 29:7 kjv
And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
1 Chronicles 29:7 nkjv
They gave for the work of the house of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
1 Chronicles 29:7 niv
They gave toward the work on the temple of God five thousand talents and ten thousand darics of gold, ten thousand talents of silver, eighteen thousand talents of bronze and a hundred thousand talents of iron.
1 Chronicles 29:7 esv
They gave for the service of the house of God 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze and 100,000 talents of iron.
1 Chronicles 29:7 nlt
For the construction of the Temple of God, they gave about 188 tons of gold, 10,000 gold coins, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 3,750 tons of iron.
1 Chronicles 29 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 25:2 | "Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering... of every man that giveth it willingly..." | Willing offerings for the Tabernacle. |
| Exod 35:29 | "The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD..." | Parallel willing contributions. |
| Deut 8:18 | "But thou shalt remember the LORD thy God: for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth..." | God is the source of all wealth. |
| 1 Chr 29:3 | "Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good..." | David's personal, generous example. |
| 1 Chr 29:9 | "Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with a perfect heart they offered..." | The heart behind the offering. |
| 1 Chr 29:14 | "But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee." | God is the ultimate owner and giver. |
| Hag 1:8 | "Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it..." | Divine command and purpose for building God's house. |
| Zech 4:7 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." | God enables great works through His Spirit. |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in my house..." | Divine expectation for material giving. |
| Psa 24:1 | "The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein." | God's sovereign ownership of everything. |
| Ezra 1:4 | "And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods..." | Later contributions for rebuilding the Temple. |
| Neh 7:70-72 | Lists specific amounts of gold and silver given by heads of houses for temple work during restoration. | Donations for subsequent Temple building. |
| Matt 6:21 | "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." | Heart's connection to material giving. |
| Acts 2:44-45 | "And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need." | Early Church generosity and shared resources. |
| 2 Cor 8:2-3 | "How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. For to their power, I bear record, yea, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves..." | Willingness despite lack. |
| 2 Cor 9:7 | "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." | Principles of cheerful and intentional giving. |
| Phil 4:18-19 | "But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. But my God shall supply all your need..." | Sacrificial giving as acceptable worship. |
| Heb 13:16 | "But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased." | Good deeds and sharing as acceptable sacrifices. |
| Prov 3:9 | "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:" | Honoring God with material blessings. |
| Rom 12:1 | "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." | Presenting oneself fully to God. |
| Luke 21:1-4 | The poor widow's two mites. | Value of sacrificial giving, not just quantity. |
| Exod 36:3-7 | People continued to bring more than needed for the Tabernacle. | Overwhelming abundance of voluntary offerings. |
1 Chronicles 29 verses
1 Chronicles 29 7 Meaning
1 Chronicles 29:7 details the immense material contributions offered voluntarily by the people of Israel for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. These vast quantities of gold, silver, brass, and iron represent a collective, abundant, and heartfelt provision of resources dedicated to the service and glory of God's house, under the inspiration of King David's example and vision.
1 Chronicles 29 7 Context
1 Chronicles 29:7 is situated at the climax of King David's preparations for the building of the Temple by his son, Solomon. In this chapter (1 Chr 29), David convenes all the leaders of Israel, charging Solomon publicly to build the House of God (vv. 1-2). David then declares his own extensive personal contribution to the project, demonstrating his deep commitment and love for God's house (vv. 3-5a). He then challenges the gathered people to offer willingly for the project (v. 5b). Verse 7 records the immediate and overwhelming response to this call, showcasing the generosity and unity of the people. This generosity culminates in a great communal rejoicing and worship, followed by Solomon's establishment as king. Historically, this period marks the transition of power from David to Solomon, emphasizing the continuity of the divinely ordained monarchy and the centrality of the Temple in the national life and worship of Israel, as compiled by the Chronicler likely during or after the Exile, highlighting faithfulness and blessings.
1 Chronicles 29 7 Word analysis
And they gave: This phrase underscores the voluntary nature of the contributions. It was not a tax or forced labor, but a free-will offering, demonstrating the people's love and devotion towards God and His house. This emphasizes communal unity and generosity in response to God's work.
for the service of the house of God: Clearly states the purpose of the vast donations. The materials were not for personal gain or prestige, but explicitly for the sacred work and construction of the Temple, God's dwelling place among His people, where His Name would dwell.
five thousand talents of gold: (Hebrew: kikkar זָהָב - zahav) A talent (kikkar) was a massive unit of weight, not a coin, generally estimated to be around 75 pounds (or 34 kg) of metal. Five thousand talents of gold represent an immense and almost incomprehensible fortune, emphasizing the sheer scale of the devotion and wealth accumulated. It symbolizes immense dedication to God.
and ten thousand drachmas of gold: (Hebrew: adarkon אֲדַרְכֹן - translated as daric by many versions, instead of drachma which is a Greek term) The term "daric" refers to a Persian gold coin that did not exist in David's time. This is understood as a linguistic update by the Chronicler, writing centuries later, who used contemporary currency terms understandable to his post-exilic audience to convey the magnitude of the gold. It was a well-known, high-value gold coin, showing a specific, fine quality of gold, in addition to the raw talent weight.
and ten thousand talents of silver: (Hebrew: kesef) Silver was valuable, but less precious than gold. This quantity, double that of gold in weight (though much less in monetary value), indicates the broad range and abundance of the contributions needed for various parts of the Temple, from its foundations to its decorative elements and priestly vessels.
and eighteen thousand talents of brass: (Hebrew: nekhoshet) Often translated as "bronze," a strong and durable alloy essential for implements, altars, pillars, and various structural components of the Temple. This large quantity highlights the practicality and foundational aspects of the building.
and an hundred thousand talents of iron: (Hebrew: barzel) Iron was crucial for tools, infrastructure, and strengthening parts of the Temple structure. This enormous amount (the largest by weight) signifies the sheer volume of material needed for the practical, robust construction and instruments, indicating great forethought and thoroughness in preparation.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And they gave for the service of the house of God": This initial phrase encapsulates the essence of biblical stewardship – cheerful giving, purposeful donation, and God-centered work. It emphasizes that resources are entrusted to humanity by God for His divine purposes, specifically here for corporate worship and the establishment of His dwelling place.
- "five thousand talents of gold, and ten thousand drachmas of gold": The specific and staggeringly large amounts of gold (both by weight and by coinage equivalent) convey not only the unprecedented wealth gathered but also the exceptionally high value and sacredness placed on the Temple. This immense provision indicates an extraordinary level of devotion and perhaps a type of first-fruits offering for the holiest undertaking of the nation.
- "and ten thousand talents of silver, and eighteen thousand talents of brass, and an hundred thousand talents of iron": The detailed list of materials highlights the comprehensive nature of the offerings. It speaks to every facet of construction, from the most precious metals for adornment and sacred vessels to bulk materials for structure and tools. This portrays a total national effort where all needed resources, both valuable and utilitarian, were provided abundantly and willingly, symbolizing completeness and full commitment to God's project.
1 Chronicles 29 7 Bonus section
The chronicler’s detailed account of these immense contributions emphasizes not just the wealth of the kingdom under David but, more importantly, the overwhelming and joyful generosity of the people. This spirit of willing contribution (Hebrew: nadab), noted extensively in verses 6 and 9, is a recurring theological theme in the Chronicler’s narrative, linking back to the Tabernacle offerings (Exo 35-36) and anticipating later Temple reconstructions. The astronomical figures convey not merely literal quantities, but also symbolically illustrate the scale of devotion that such a holy undertaking commanded. It sets a precedent for God's people to offer beyond what is merely necessary when building for His kingdom, echoing the New Testament principle that God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7) and that even abundant grace overflows into rich generosity. The contrast with pagan temple construction, often built through forced labor, is implicitly made, highlighting the freedom and joy inherent in true worship of Yahweh.
1 Chronicles 29 7 Commentary
1 Chronicles 29:7 provides a vivid picture of unparalleled generosity from the people of Israel towards the building of God's Temple. It is a powerful demonstration of how King David's leadership and personal sacrificial giving inspired an entire nation to give with a full and willing heart. The sheer volume of precious metals and useful materials listed signifies the immense devotion and unity present within the community. This verse underscores several key theological truths: firstly, God's projects are worthy of our utmost and most precious resources. Secondly, when God's people are unified under godly leadership, great things can be accomplished. Thirdly, all wealth ultimately belongs to God (as David articulates in v.14), and giving back to Him from what He has provided is the appropriate and joyful response of a grateful heart. The contributions were not coerced but flowed from a willing spirit (v. 9), marking them as true worship and setting a timeless example of generous giving for God's purposes.
Examples of practical application today include:
- Christians contributing financially to church building projects, demonstrating dedication to local ministry spaces.
- Believers donating resources, time, or skills to missionary work or humanitarian aid efforts.
- Individuals prioritizing giving to ministries over personal luxuries, recognizing God's ownership of all possessions.