2 Chronicles 2 14

2 Chronicles 2:14 kjv

The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.

2 Chronicles 2:14 nkjv

(the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre), skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to make any engraving and to accomplish any plan which may be given to him, with your skillful men and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.

2 Chronicles 2:14 niv

whose mother was from Dan and whose father was from Tyre. He is trained to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, and with purple and blue and crimson yarn and fine linen. He is experienced in all kinds of engraving and can execute any design given to him. He will work with your skilled workers and with those of my lord, David your father.

2 Chronicles 2:14 esv

the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. He is trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, blue, and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and to do all sorts of engraving and execute any design that may be assigned him, with your craftsmen, the craftsmen of my lord, David your father.

2 Chronicles 2:14 nlt

His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.

2 Chronicles 2 verses

2 Chronicles 2 14 Meaning

2 Chronicles 2:14 describes Huram-Abi, a highly skilled craftsman recruited by King Huram of Tyre to assist King Solomon in building the Temple in Jerusalem. He is presented as possessing exceptional wisdom and expertise across a wide range of materials and artistic techniques, including working with metals, stone, timber, textiles, and engraving. His skill ensures that he can execute any design perfectly, and he is to collaborate with existing craftsmen in Judah. This verse highlights the provision of divine wisdom and human skill for a monumental sacred task.

2 Chronicles 2 14 Context

Chapter 2 of 2 Chronicles details Solomon's preparations for building the Temple. Following David's earnest desire and comprehensive plans, Solomon now initiates the actual construction. He writes to King Huram (Hiram in 1 Kings) of Tyre, requesting timber (cedar and cypress) and a skilled craftsman, like those who worked for David. Solomon emphasizes the greatness of God and the magnificent nature of the Temple, stressing that the structure is not for God to inhabit (as He cannot be contained), but as a dwelling for His Name, a place of worship and sacrifice. King Huram responds with this verse, assuring Solomon that he has found just the right individual—Huram-Abi, an incredibly gifted artisan. The need for foreign expertise underscores the specialized and intricate nature of the Temple's construction, going beyond the skills readily available within Israel, yet still used for God's purposes.

2 Chronicles 2 14 Word analysis

• Huram-Abi: A composite name. "Huram" likely means "my brother is exalted" or "noble brother." "Abi" (אָבִי, ’ābî) meaning "my father," is commonly interpreted here not as a direct familial link but as an honorific title for a master craftsman, signifying supreme skill, leadership, or authority in his trade, much like a "father" of a guild or a principal artisan. This contrasts slightly with 1 Kings, which typically calls him Hiram. His specific identification ensures there is no confusion with King Huram.
• Son of a Danite woman: Indicates his mother was from the Israelite tribe of Dan. This highlights his mixed heritage—half Israelite, half Gentile (Phoenician). This lineage is significant, as it shows God uses individuals from various backgrounds, even those with mixed parentage, for His sacred work. The tribe of Dan was known for ingenuity and for migration.
• And his father was a man of Tyre: His father was a Tyrian, identifying him as a Phoenician craftsman. Tyre was renowned in the ancient Near East for its advanced metallurgy, especially in bronze, and skilled artisans. This dual heritage bridges two significant cultures, Israel and Phoenicia, for God's glory.
• Skillful in working: The Hebrew term is often derived from a root meaning "wise" or "understanding" (חָכְמָה, ḥāḵəmâ). It signifies not just technical proficiency but also intellectual capacity, creative insight, and comprehensive understanding of the materials and designs—a "wise-hearted" artisan.
• Gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, timber: An exhaustive list covering primary construction and artistic materials. This demonstrates Huram-Abi's versatility and mastery across various mediums, from soft woods to hard metals and stones, necessary for the elaborate Temple.
• Purple, blue, fine linen, crimson fabrics: These were extremely valuable and specific dyes and luxurious materials, particularly used in royal and sacred garments and coverings for the Tabernacle and Temple. His skill extended to textile work and likely tapestry, embroidery, or dyeing, adding to the opulence and sacred beauty of the Temple.
• Also in the art of engraving: The Hebrew תַבְרִישׁ (tavrîš) or תָּרָב (tārāb) implies deep and intricate cutting, carving, and chasing of metals and stones, crucial for detailed ornamentation, cherubim, and other symbolic designs in the Temple.
• And of carrying out any design committed to him: This highlights his ability to interpret, produce, and perfectly execute architectural or artistic plans. It indicates reliability, precision, and a complete mastery that could translate complex visions into tangible realities, essential for a divinely inspired blueprint.
• With your craftsmen and with the craftsmen of my lord, David your father: Emphasizes collaboration. Huram-Abi's expertise was meant to complement and integrate with the skilled laborers already within Solomon's kingdom, continuing the legacy of craftsmanship from David's time. This implies a transfer of knowledge and a joint effort for the immense project.

2 Chronicles 2 14 Bonus section

The mention of Huram-Abi's mother being a "Danite woman" (2 Chr 2:14) compared to the parallel account in 1 Kings 7:14, where she is a "widow of the tribe of Naphtali," presents a minor discrepancy. This could be due to variations in regional traditions regarding the individual's full tribal connection, or perhaps through later intermarriages within these northern tribes. Both tribes (Dan and Naphtali) were in northern Israel, near Tyre, making either lineage geographically plausible. The emphasis remains on his dual heritage (Israelite mother, Tyrian father) and extraordinary skill. His title "Abi" ("my father") also highlights the great respect he commanded as a master of his craft, transcending mere worker status to one of profound authority and wisdom in his field, making him indispensable for the project.

2 Chronicles 2 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 2:14 introduces Huram-Abi, a pivotal figure in the construction of Solomon's Temple. King Huram's response to Solomon's request is not just a promise of timber but the invaluable gift of this master craftsman. His comprehensive skill set across metals, stone, wood, and textiles, combined with his aptitude for engraving and faithfully executing designs, underscores his immense value. The details of his mixed Danite and Tyrian heritage are significant; they illustrate God's capacity to utilize individuals from diverse, even unexpected, backgrounds and nations for His sacred purposes. Huram-Abi embodies the intersection of divine provision (as such unique skill is ultimately from God), human talent, and international collaboration for the glory of God. He was not just a laborer but an artisan of profound wisdom ("skillful" often deriving from the root for "wisdom"), capable of transforming Solomon's (and God's) vision into tangible reality, emphasizing the meticulous detail and quality demanded for God's dwelling place on earth.