2 Chronicles 1:5 kjv
Moreover the brazen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
2 Chronicles 1:5 nkjv
Now the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD; Solomon and the assembly sought Him there.
2 Chronicles 1:5 niv
But the bronze altar that Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the LORD; so Solomon and the assembly inquired of him there.
2 Chronicles 1:5 esv
Moreover, the bronze altar that Bezalel the son of Uri, son of Hur, had made, was there before the tabernacle of the LORD. And Solomon and the assembly sought it out.
2 Chronicles 1:5 nlt
But the bronze altar made by Bezalel son of Uri and grandson of Hur was there at Gibeon in front of the Tabernacle of the LORD. So Solomon and the people gathered in front of it to consult the LORD.
2 Chronicles 1 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex. 27:1-8 | And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood... four square... Thou shalt make the horns of it upon the four corners thereof... | Detailed instructions for the bronze altar's construction. |
| Ex. 38:1-7 | And he made the altar of burnt offering of shittim wood... and the brasen grate... | Fulfillment of the altar's construction by Bezalel. |
| Lev. 4:1-35 | Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a soul shall sin... | The altar's purpose as the site for sin offerings. |
| Num. 16:39-40 | ...for they were hallowed: that they might be a sign unto the children of Israel. | The altar's sacred nature, hallowed by God. |
| Heb. 13:10 | We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle. | Christian parallel to Christ as our spiritual altar. |
| 1 Kgs. 3:4 | And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar. | Parallel account of Solomon's large sacrifice at Gibeon. |
| 2 Chr. 1:3 | So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the Lord had made in the wilderness. | Immediate context: Solomon's move to Gibeon and the Tabernacle. |
| Ex. 31:1-5 | See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God... to devise cunning works... | Divine appointment and gifting of Bezalel. |
| Ex. 35:30-35 | ...See, the Lord hath called by name Bezaleel... and hath filled him with the spirit of God... and in understanding, and in all manner of workmanship; | Emphasis on Bezalel's Spirit-filled skill. |
| Ex. 29:36-37 | And thou shalt offer every day a bullock... and shalt cleanse the altar, when thou hast made an atonement for it... | The altar as a continuous place of atonement. |
| Ex. 40:6-7 | And thou shalt set the altar of the burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation... | Placement of the altar before the tabernacle entrance. |
| Ex. 40:29 | And he put the altar of burnt offering by the door of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation, and offered upon it the burnt offering and the meat offering; as the LORD commanded Moses. | Moses setting up the altar at the Tabernacle's completion. |
| Lev. 1:1-17 | When any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord... he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. | Ritual of offerings for atonement on the altar. |
| Ps. 9:10 | And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. | Seeking the Lord implies trust and faithfulness. |
| Isa. 55:6 | Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: | Exhortation to seek God earnestly. |
| Jer. 29:13 | And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. | Emphasizes the heart's posture in seeking God. |
| Matt. 6:33 | But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. | Prioritizing seeking God's kingdom and righteousness. |
| Hos. 5:6 | They shall go with their flocks and with their herds to seek the Lord; but they shall not find him; he hath withdrawn himself from them. | A warning about seeking God without a repentant heart. |
| John 4:23-24 | But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. | Shifting focus from physical altar to spiritual worship. |
| Eph. 5:2 | And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. | Christ as the ultimate, perfect sacrifice. |
| 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. | Christian response: offering one's life as a spiritual sacrifice. |
| Phil. 3:9 | And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: | Righteousness found in Christ, prefigured by atonement. |
2 Chronicles 1 verses
2 Chronicles 1 5 Meaning
2 Chronicles 1:5 describes the location of the bronze altar, made by Bezalel, before the Tabernacle of the Lord in Gibeon. It highlights the significant act of Solomon, along with the entire assembly of Israel, actively seeking the Lord through this ordained place of sacrifice, demonstrating their devotion and desire for God's presence and favor at the beginning of Solomon's reign. This action underscored the continued centrality of atonement and worship in Israelite faith.
2 Chronicles 1 5 Context
This verse is situated at the very beginning of Solomon's reign, immediately following his accession to the throne after David (2 Chr. 1:1) and the divine reaffirmation of his kingdom (2 Chr. 1:2). Chapters 1:3-4 describe how Solomon, along with all the leaders of Israel, went to Gibeon. Gibeon, at this time, housed the Tabernacle of the Lord, which Moses had built in the wilderness. It was the central place of worship before the Temple was constructed in Jerusalem. The mention of the bronze altar being present and its specific purpose as the place where "Solomon and the congregation sought unto it" sets the stage for Solomon's grand sacrifices there, culminating in God's appearance and offer of a blessing to him (2 Chr. 1:6-12). It highlights the critical importance of divine blessing and atonement at the commencement of his leadership.
2 Chronicles 1 5 Word analysis
- Moreover: Connects this action to the previous verses, signifying a continuation or additional detail regarding Solomon's actions at the beginning of his reign, specifically following his and the congregation's journey to Gibeon (2 Chr. 1:3).
- the brasen altar: Hebrew: mizbach hanechoshet (מִזְבַּח הַנְּחֹשֶׁת). This refers to the Altar of Burnt Offering, constructed of acacia wood overlaid with bronze. Its large size (approximately 7.5 feet square and 4.5 feet high, Ex. 27:1-8) symbolized the immense sacrifice required for atonement. Bronze was associated with judgment and enduring strength, suggesting that all who approached God must do so through the means of atonement for sin. It was the initial point of entry into God's presence for worship and reconciliation.
- that Bezaleel: Hebrew: Betzalel (בְּצַלְאֵל). This name means "in the shadow of God" or "in the protection of God." He was supernaturally gifted by God's Spirit with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship for the Tabernacle's construction (Ex. 31:1-5; 35:30-35). His mention here authenticates the altar's divine origin and sacred nature, underscoring its continuity from Moses' time.
- the son of Uri, the son of Hur: Traces Bezaleel's lineage, providing additional authentication and grounding his identity in the tribe of Judah. Hur was a companion of Moses and Aaron (Ex. 17:10, 12).
- had made: Indicates a completed work from a previous era, emphasizing that this sacred object, crafted under divine inspiration, endured and remained central to Israel's worship, connecting the new generation of Israel with their Exodus history.
- he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: Refers to the physical placement of the bronze altar immediately in front of the entrance to the Tabernacle (Ex. 40:6, 29). This positioning signifies that atonement was the necessary precursor for accessing God's dwelling place. No one could enter the Holy Place without the means of sacrifice provided at this altar. The "Tabernacle of the LORD" (Hebrew: Mishkan Yahweh - מִשְׁכַּן יְהוָה) denotes the portable sanctuary where God manifested His presence among His people, reinforcing the sacredness and divine purpose of the location.
- and Solomon and the congregation: Denotes a collective act of national worship and devotion. Solomon, as the newly appointed king, leads the nation in seeking God. The "congregation" (hakahal) includes all the people of Israel, their leaders and tribes, underscoring the communal nature of their relationship with God and the shared understanding of the need for sacrifice.
- sought unto it: Hebrew: darash (דָּרַשׁ). This verb means "to seek," "to inquire," "to consult," or "to worship." It implies a purposeful and earnest engagement with God through the established ritual means—sacrifice upon the altar. It's not merely going to a place, but an active, spiritual pursuit of God's favor, guidance, and blessing, indicating a turning towards Him. It suggests that they came for atonement, communion, and divine revelation.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel... had made: Establishes the altar's historical context, divine craftsmanship, and enduring importance. It connects Solomon's worship back to the very origins of Israel's national identity and covenant relationship with God through the wilderness tabernacle.
- he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: Pinpoints the altar's crucial liturgical location, serving as the required pathway to God's presence, highlighting the concept that access to God is on His terms, through the prescribed means of atonement.
- and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it: Emphasizes both the royal leadership and national participation in this fundamental act of worship. It indicates a unified national turning to God for favor and guidance, demonstrating piety and reliance on the divine at a pivotal moment in the kingdom's history. This seeking was through the atoning sacrifices offered upon the bronze altar.
2 Chronicles 1 5 Bonus section
The chronicler's specific mention of the bronze altar and Bezaleel’s craftsmanship in Gibeon helps to underscore continuity between the Tabernacle era and the upcoming Temple. While the ark of the covenant was in Jerusalem at this time (2 Chr. 1:4), the altar, the crucial site for expiation, remained with the Tabernacle. This setup reinforces the unique, divinely ordained nature of these sacred vessels and places, and the consistent demand for sacrifice. This focus on the altar's provenance and the collective act of seeking God through it might also implicitly highlight the legitimacy of Solomon's worship practices, aligning them with Mosaic tradition amidst the context of Gibeon being a "high place" (1 Kgs. 3:4), distinguishing it from illicit foreign worship. The bronze altar, receiving numerous blood offerings, foreshadows the once-for-all sacrifice that would perfectly satisfy divine justice, an event in New Testament history (Hebrews 9:26-28).
2 Chronicles 1 5 Commentary
2 Chronicles 1:5 encapsulates the essence of Israel's covenant relationship with God at a critical juncture – the commencement of Solomon's reign. The specific mention of "the bronze altar, that Bezaleel... had made," firmly grounds the new administration in the divine precedents established during the Exodus and wilderness wanderings. This altar was not just a historical relic; it remained the active, designated point for atonement and reconciliation with God. Its placement "before the tabernacle of the LORD" emphasized that access to God's presence was contingent upon the prescribed rituals of sacrifice. Solomon, leading "the congregation," underscores a corporate desire to begin his rule, and the kingdom's future, under divine favor. Their act of "seeking unto it" denotes a deep spiritual engagement—a fervent turning to God through His ordained means. This action implicitly acknowledges human sinfulness and the absolute necessity of God's provision for covering sin. In the Christian theological framework, this bronze altar, demanding a blood sacrifice for atonement, beautifully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, whose shed blood on the cross is the true means of reconciliation between God and humanity. The physical seeking at the altar by Solomon and Israel points to the spiritual seeking of God through faith in Christ.