2 Chronicles 2 18

2 Chronicles 2:18 kjv

And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

2 Chronicles 2:18 nkjv

And he made seventy thousand of them bearers of burdens, eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountain, and three thousand six hundred overseers to make the people work.

2 Chronicles 2:18 niv

He assigned 70,000 of them to be carriers and 80,000 to be stonecutters in the hills, with 3,600 foremen over them to keep the people working.

2 Chronicles 2:18 esv

Seventy thousand of them he assigned to bear burdens, 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 as overseers to make the people work.

2 Chronicles 2:18 nlt

He assigned 70,000 of them as common laborers, 80,000 as quarry workers in the hill country, and 3,600 as foremen.

2 Chronicles 2 verses

2 Chronicles 2 18 Meaning

2 Chronicles 2:18 (KJV) details the specific allocation of Solomon's vast labor force for the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. From the total conscripted resident aliens residing in Israel, 70,000 were assigned to transport materials as common laborers, 80,000 were dedicated to quarrying stone in the mountains, and 3,600 highly skilled overseers were appointed to manage and direct the immense workforce, ensuring efficiency and progress on the grand project. This verse highlights the unprecedented scale of the undertaking and Solomon's meticulously organized administrative system.

2 Chronicles 2 18 Context

The immediate context of 2 Chronicles 2:18 lies within Solomon's preparations for constructing the First Temple in Jerusalem. After his father David's elaborate preparations, Solomon assumed the monumental task. This chapter details his administrative genius, specifically his census of "strangers" or resident aliens (v. 17) found within Israel. These non-Israelite populations, descendants of peoples not completely displaced during the conquest, were levied for mandatory service, forming the backbone of the immense labor force required for the unprecedented building project. Historically, this aligns with ancient Near Eastern practices of corvée labor, but crucially, Mosaic Law distinguished between Israelite and foreign servitude (Lev 25:39-46; Deu 20:10-11), permitting foreign bond-service. The verse describes Solomon's efficient categorization and assignment of this vast labor pool into specialized roles, highlighting his divine wisdom in managing such a massive national undertaking for God's glory.

2 Chronicles 2 18 Word analysis

• And he set: Signifies Solomon's deliberate and authoritative action in deploying his resources. This demonstrates his kingly power and strategic planning.
• threescore and ten thousand: Refers to the significant number of 70,000 men. In Hebrew, shiv'im elef (שִׁבְעִים אֶלֶף), emphasizing the vast human resource available for this undertaking, suggesting a divinely provided abundance or blessing on Solomon's reign that facilitated such large-scale projects.
• of them: Refers to the "strangers" (resident aliens) identified in the preceding verse (2 Chr 2:17). This distinction is crucial; it highlights that Israelite citizens were generally exempt from such forced labor (1 Kgs 9:22), reinforcing the unique covenant relationship and God's law regarding His chosen people.
• to be bearers of burdens: Translates from Hebrew lĕsabbālîm (לְסַבָּלִים), indicating common laborers responsible for transporting heavy materials like stone and timber. This was foundational, arduous work requiring sheer manpower for logistical support, akin to the tasks of Egyptian slavery but here administered by a divinely chosen king for God's house.
• and fourscore thousand: Represents 80,000 men. This large group dedicated to the extraction of materials underlines the magnitude of raw materials needed for the temple.
• to be hewers in the mountain: From Hebrew wĕḥōṭĕbê bāhār (וְחֹצְבֵי בָהָר), referring to skilled stonecutters working in quarries. This specific detail highlights the specialized labor required, often involving techniques to extract large, precisely shaped stones that would be assembled at the temple site. It shows foresight in material preparation.
• and three thousand and six hundred overseers: From Hebrew ûpĕqîdîm šĕlōšet ʾălāpîm wāšēš mēʾôṯ (וּפְקִידִים שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וְשֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת), these pĕqîdîm (פְּקִידִים) were "appointed ones," supervisors, or foremen. Their relatively large number, a ratio of approximately one overseer for every 41-42 workers (150,000/3600), reflects a highly structured and meticulous organization necessary to manage such a vast and diverse workforce across multiple sites. This ensured order, productivity, and coordination.
• to set the people a work: Literally, "to make them work" or "to preside over the work" (lĕhaḥăzîq bam-milʾāḵāh). This defines the core function of the overseers: to organize, direct, and enforce the labor, ensuring that tasks were carried out effectively and efficiently towards the completion of the temple.

2 Chronicles 2 18 Bonus section

The consistent reporting of these large numbers across 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles for Solomon's laborers and supervisors emphasizes their authenticity within the biblical narrative, serving to highlight the unprecedented scale of the Temple project and the remarkable wealth and administrative capacity God bestowed upon Solomon. While slight variations in supervisor numbers exist (e.g., 3,300 in 1 Kgs 5:16 vs. 3,600 here, or 250 in 2 Chr 8:10), these are generally understood as different classifications of officers or slightly different accounting methods rather than contradictions, underscoring the multiple tiers of oversight. The use of "foreigners" also serves as a polemical statement against other Near Eastern empires which frequently conscripted their own citizens for massive building projects, underscoring Israel's unique relationship with God that exempted its people from such servitude. Furthermore, this highlights the principle of order and efficiency in undertaking God's work, implying that even large, complex tasks require meticulous planning, clear roles, and effective management to succeed.

2 Chronicles 2 18 Commentary

2 Chronicles 2:18 vividly illustrates the logistical and administrative genius inherent in Solomon's reign, empowered by divine wisdom. The sheer numbers—70,000 burden-bearers, 80,000 stonecutters, overseen by 3,600 foremen—speak to the monumental scale of the First Temple project, unparalleled in Israel's history. Importantly, the text reiterates that these laborers were "strangers" or non-Israelite resident aliens, allowing Solomon to accomplish God's grand building mandate without violating the laws protecting Israelite citizens from such compulsory labor. This organization of labor reflects Solomon's systematic approach, ensuring efficiency through hierarchical supervision. It contrasts with instances of forced labor in Egypt where Israelites were oppressed; here, non-Israelite subjects contributed to a holy endeavor for the glory of God. The diligent division of labor and structured oversight ultimately ensured the timely and magnificent completion of God's dwelling place on Earth.