2 Chronicles 2:7 kjv
Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
2 Chronicles 2:7 nkjv
Therefore send me at once a man skillful to work in gold and silver, in bronze and iron, in purple and crimson and blue, who has skill to engrave with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
2 Chronicles 2:7 niv
"Send me, therefore, a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, and in purple, crimson and blue yarn, and experienced in the art of engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem with my skilled workers, whom my father David provided.
2 Chronicles 2:7 esv
So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
2 Chronicles 2:7 nlt
"So send me a master craftsman who can work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as with purple, scarlet, and blue cloth. He must be a skilled engraver who can work with the craftsmen of Judah and Jerusalem who were selected by my father, David.
2 Chronicles 2 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exod 26:1 | "Moreover, you shall make the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen and blue and purple and scarlet yarns..." | Specifies the use of precious colored fabrics in the Tabernacle. |
| Exod 28:6 | "They shall make the ephod of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet yarns..." | Details the use of specific materials for priestly garments. |
| Exod 31:1-6 | "See, I have called by name Bezalel...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill...to devise artistic designs..." | Highlights God-given skill for sacred craftsmanship. |
| Exod 35:30-35 | "See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel...He has filled him with the Spirit of God...and He has put in his heart to teach..." | Reinforces the divine source of artistic and building skill. |
| 1 Kgs 5:6 | "Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me..." | Solomon's initial request to Hiram for materials. |
| 1 Kgs 7:13-14 | "King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre. He was a widow's son...skilled in all kinds of bronze work..." | Describes Hiram of Tyre, a craftsman specifically mentioned for temple work. |
| 1 Kgs 7:15 | "He cast two bronze pillars, each eighteen cubits high..." | Illustrates Hiram's skill in bronze work for the Temple. |
| 1 Chr 22:2-4 | "So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he set masons to cut dressed stones for building the house of God." | David's preparations and gathering of resources for the Temple. |
| 1 Chr 22:15 | "Besides, you have an abundance of workmen: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and all kinds of skilled men for every kind of work." | David acknowledges existing craftsmen for the Temple project. |
| 1 Chr 28:11-19 | "Then David gave Solomon his son the plan of the vestibule of the temple..." | David's detailed preparations and plans for Solomon. |
| 1 Chr 29:2-5 | "I have made preparations for the house of my God: gold for the things of gold...silver...bronze...iron...wood...onyx..." | David's personal contributions and gathering of precious materials. |
| Neh 3:32 | "And between the upper chamber of the corner and the Sheep Gate the goldsmiths and the merchants did repairs." | Mentions goldsmiths' role in post-exilic rebuilding, continuity of craft. |
| Rom 12:4-6 | "For as in one body we have many members, and all the members do not have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ..." | Spiritual gifts and diverse functions within God's body (church). |
| 1 Cor 12:7-11 | "To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom..." | Diverse gifts for ministry, echoing the need for varied skills. |
| Eph 2:10 | "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." | Believers are God's creation, equipped for service, similar to craftsmen. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | "And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry..." | God equips believers with varied roles for building up the church. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | "You yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house..." | New Testament parallel to physical temple building: the church. |
| Isa 60:17 | "Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver, and instead of wood, bronze, and instead of stones, iron..." | Prophecy of future glory involving rich materials, divine enhancement. |
| Ezek 28:13 | "You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone was your covering, sardius, topaz, and diamond...your settings and your engravings were made of gold..." | Illustrates the ancient valuing of fine metals and engravings, even metaphorically for Tyre. |
| Jer 10:9 | "Silver from Tarshish is brought, and gold from Uphaz. They are the work of the craftsman and of the hands of the goldsmith..." | Acknowledges the human skill involved in working precious metals. |
2 Chronicles 2 verses
2 Chronicles 2 7 Meaning
In 2 Chronicles 2:7, King Solomon, embarking on the monumental task of building the Lord's Temple, sends a crucial request to Hiram, the King of Tyre. He asks for a master craftsman, someone exceptionally skilled in various metallurgical arts—gold, silver, bronze, and iron—as well as in working with precious fabrics dyed in purple, crimson, and blue, and highly adept at intricate engraving. This expert is specifically needed to work alongside the existing skilled artisans already present in Judah and Jerusalem, who were brought together or nurtured during King David's reign. The verse underscores the necessity of high-level expertise, collaboration, and the continuity of preparations made by David for God's sacred dwelling place.
2 Chronicles 2 7 Context
The verse is part of King Solomon's extensive preparations for constructing the first Temple in Jerusalem, as commanded by God and desired by his father, King David. Chapters 1 and 2 of 2 Chronicles set the stage, emphasizing Solomon's divinely granted wisdom (2 Chr 1:7-12) and his resolve to build a magnificent Temple for the Lord (2 Chr 2:1). He dispatches messengers to Hiram, King of Tyre, recalling the established friendly relations and past assistance provided to David (2 Chr 2:3). Solomon explains the immense scope and significance of the Temple (2 Chr 2:5), justifying the need for the best materials and specialized foreign expertise. This particular verse, 2 Chronicles 2:7, details the precise skill set required, showcasing Solomon's practical wisdom and administrative acumen in identifying the need for a highly specialized foreign craftsman to complement and perhaps lead the existing, locally available artisans for such an intricate project.
2 Chronicles 2 7 Word analysis
- Now send me: Solomon's direct and urgent request to King Hiram, emphasizing the immediate need for this specific expertise.
- a man skillful: Hebrew: ish chakham (אִישׁ חָכָם). "Ish" means "man," and "chakham" means "wise" or "skillful/expert." It implies not just practical ability but also discernment and understanding in his craft. In the Bible, skill for divine service is often depicted as a God-given gift (Exod 31:3-6, Bezalel and Oholiab).
- in working with gold, silver, bronze, and iron: These are the primary metals used extensively in the construction and ornamentation of the Tabernacle and Temple.
- Gold: Symbolizes purity, divinity, royalty, and immense value. Used for inner sanctuary, sacred vessels.
- Silver: Used for offerings, a medium of exchange, and various adornments, often representing redemption or purification.
- Bronze: A durable metal, used for the altar of burnt offering, pillars, and structural elements; signifies strength and judgment.
- Iron: Known for its strength and hardness, useful for tools and structural support.
- and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics: These highly prized and expensive dyes were exclusive, used for royal garments, and significantly, for the sacred veils, curtains, and coverings of the Tabernacle and Temple (Exod 26:1; 28:5-6).
- Blue (תְּכֵלֶת - t'khelet): Often symbolizes heaven, the divine, holiness, and priestly garments.
- Purple (אַרְגָּמָן - argaman): Associated with royalty, wealth, and power, due to its rarity and costly extraction.
- Crimson/Scarlet (כַרְמִיל - karmil): Can symbolize life, sacrifice, or vitality. Its vibrant red also suggests wealth.
- and trained in engraving: Hebrew: u-phatueach petuach (וּפַתּוּחַ פִּתּוּחַ). The double form emphasizes mastery and precision in engraving. This intricate skill was essential for decorative details, inscriptions, and setting precious stones (Exod 28:9-11). It speaks to the demand for not just structural work but also fine artistic embellishment befitting God's dwelling.
- to be with the skillful craftsmen who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem: Solomon recognizes and values the existing talent pool in his kingdom, acknowledging David's legacy (1 Chr 22:15). The foreign expert is not replacing, but augmenting and perhaps leading or collaborating with, the local artisans, combining different schools of craftsmanship.
- whom David my father provided: Acknowledges the diligent preparations, foresight, and spiritual devotion of King David in accumulating resources and assembling skilled workers even before Solomon's reign (1 Chr 22:2-4; 29:2-5). This highlights the continuity of God's work across generations and honors David's foundational efforts.
2 Chronicles 2 7 Bonus section
The highly specialized skills described in 2 Chronicles 2:7, particularly working with precious metals, rare dyes, and engraving, would have been passed down through generations of artisans within specific families or guilds, much like spiritual gifts are given for building up the body of Christ (1 Cor 12). The foreign craftsman, in this case, a potential Hiram Abif from 1 Kings, signifies the principle that God often uses people and resources from "outside" for the completion of His will, demonstrating His sovereignty over all nations. The mention of expensive fabrics (blue, purple, crimson) and precious metals elevates the Temple construction beyond mere utility to a statement of luxurious reverence for the Creator. This reflects the theology that the Lord, being King of kings, deserves the most glorious and excellent dwelling place on earth, anticipating the future glory of His kingdom.
2 Chronicles 2 7 Commentary
2 Chronicles 2:7 beautifully illustrates the convergence of human skill and divine purpose in building God's dwelling. Solomon, though blessed with wisdom, understood the practical need for unparalleled craftsmanship for the Temple, a structure intended to reflect God's glory. His specific request for a specialist from Tyre underscores the high value placed on expertise in the ancient world and the global collaboration necessary for such a sacred project. The verse's enumeration of diverse materials—metals and fabrics—highlights the richness and intricate nature of the Temple, symbolizing the majesty and multi-faceted glory of the God it served. It reflects that for God's work, the best is always required. The emphasis on David's provision reminds us that God's work is a continuous endeavor across generations, building on the foundation laid by predecessors. Practically, this verse implies that effective ministry and kingdom work often require identifying specific needs, seeking specialized skills, fostering collaboration, and leveraging the resources and preparations of those who came before.