2 Chronicles 2:8 kjv
Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
2 Chronicles 2:8 nkjv
Also send me cedar and cypress and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and indeed my servants will be with your servants,
2 Chronicles 2:8 niv
"Send me also cedar, juniper and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants are skilled in cutting timber there. My servants will work with yours
2 Chronicles 2:8 esv
Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. And my servants will be with your servants,
2 Chronicles 2:8 nlt
"Also send me cedar, cypress, and red sandalwood logs from Lebanon, for I know that your men are without equal at cutting timber in Lebanon. I will send my men to help them.
2 Chronicles 2 8 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 5:6 | Now therefore command that they cut for me cedars from Lebanon... and my servants will be with your servants, that I may pay you for your servants... | Solomon's request for cedars from Hiram, parallel account. |
| 1 Ki 9:11 | ...King Solomon had supplied Hiram with twenty thousand cors of wheat... | Solomon compensating Hiram for timber and services. |
| 2 Chr 2:3 | Then Solomon sent word to Hiram king of Tyre, saying, "As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedars to build him a house..." | Recalling past alliance and Hiram's help to David. |
| Isa 60:13 | The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the box tree, and the pine together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary... | Prophetic vision of nations bringing resources for God's house. |
| Neh 3:7 | ...and Melatiah the Gibeonite and Jadon the Meronothite, men of Gibeon and Mizpah—these were under the authority of the governor of Beyond the River. | Foreign aid and collaboration in rebuilding projects. |
| Ezr 3:7 | So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and Tyrians to bring cedar logs from Lebanon... | Similar foreign assistance in the second temple's construction. |
| Ex 31:1-5 | The Lord said to Moses, "See, I have called by name Bezalel...and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill...to devise designs..." | God equipping individuals with special skills for His sanctuary. |
| Ex 35:30-35 | And Moses said to the people of Israel, "See, the Lord has called by name Bezalel... and has filled him with the Spirit of God..." | Divine empowerment for skilled craftsmanship for the tabernacle. |
| Isa 41:6-7 | Everyone helps his neighbor and says to his brother, "Be strong!" The craftsman encourages the goldsmith... | The cooperation of skilled laborers in construction. |
| Mt 8:11 | I tell you, many will come from east and west and recline at table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven... | Gentiles joining God's people in His dwelling place. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets... | Believers, including Gentiles, built together as a spiritual dwelling for God. |
| 1 Pt 2:5 | ...you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house... | Believers as integral parts of God's spiritual house. |
| 1 Co 3:9-10 | For we are God's fellow workers...Like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation... | Believers as God's co-laborers in spiritual building. |
| Ps 29:5 | The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. | Lebanon's famous cedars, implying strength and quality. |
| Ezek 27:5-6 | They have made all your planks of fir trees from Senir; they have taken a cedar from Lebanon to make you a mast. From the oaks of Bashan... | Mention of high-quality wood from Lebanon used in shipbuilding. |
| Hab 2:17 | For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you... | Natural resources and their connection to broader contexts. |
| Zech 11:1 | Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! | Lebanon's trees and their symbolic use in prophecy. |
| Hag 1:8 | Go up to the hills and bring wood and build the house, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the Lord. | Call to gather materials and build God's house. |
| Isa 44:14 | He cuts down cedars for himself, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest... | Trees chosen for building materials. |
| Jer 22:7 | I will prepare destroyers against you, each with his weapons, and they shall cut down your choicest cedars and throw them into the fire. | Destruction involving the cutting down of fine cedars. |
2 Chronicles 2 verses
2 Chronicles 2 8 Meaning
Second Chronicles 2:8 records King Solomon's request to King Hiram of Tyre for specific types of timber—cedar, cypress, and algum wood—from Lebanon, along with skilled craftsmen to help prepare it for the building of the Lord's Temple in Jerusalem. This verse emphasizes the collaboration between nations for a divine purpose and acknowledges the specialized skills required for such a grand project.
2 Chronicles 2 8 Context
Second Chronicles 2 describes King Solomon's preparations for building the Temple for the Lord in Jerusalem. This chapter immediately follows Solomon's reaffirmation of his intent to build the Temple, a task entrusted to him by his father David. Verse 8 is part of Solomon's detailed message to King Hiram of Tyre, a skilled Phoenician king known for his alliance with David and his kingdom's abundant natural resources and craftsmanship. Solomon's letter specifies the scale of the Temple and his need for Hiram's unique expertise and resources. The broader historical context is a period of relative peace and prosperity in Israel, enabling such a massive building project, relying on diplomatic ties and commercial agreements with neighboring kingdoms like Tyre. This collaboration was crucial, as Israel itself lacked the specialized knowledge and natural resources of high-quality timber found in Lebanon.
2 Chronicles 2 8 Word analysis
- Also send (שְׁלַח־לִי gam-shalakh-li): "send me". This denotes a direct and specific request from Solomon to Hiram, highlighting a continued need for specific resources. The prefix 'gam' (also/moreover) connects it to previous requests, signifying an ongoing dependence.
- me (לי li): Direct object, emphasizing that these specific materials are for Solomon's, and ultimately God's, building project.
- cedar (אֶרֶז ’erez): A highly prized, durable, and aromatic timber from Lebanon, symbolizing strength and majesty. Widely used for major constructions, it was known for its rot-resistant properties. Its deep roots made it hard to obtain, adding to its value.
- cypress (בְּרוֹשׁ bĕrôsh): Another significant coniferous tree, often associated with cedars in biblical texts (e.g., Isa 60:13), suitable for temple building, frequently used for flooring or interior panels due to its strength and pleasant scent. Sometimes referred to as fir.
- and algum trees (וְעַלְגּוּמִּים vĕ-‘algummîm): This specific wood, often equated with "sandalwood" (as in 1 Ki 10:11-12's 'almug' or 'algum'), was highly valued for its fragrance and decorative qualities. It was not native to Lebanon but was imported from Ophir (1 Ki 9:28, 10:11). Its inclusion here (unique to Chronicles as explicitly requested) highlights Solomon's desire for the finest and rarest materials, likely for the ornate decorative elements within the Temple or for musical instruments as mentioned later in 2 Chr 9:11. This suggests a sophisticated and global acquisition network for Solomon's projects. The textual variation 'almug' (1 Ki) and 'algum' (2 Chr) is minor and refers to the same precious wood.
- from Lebanon (מִן־הַלְּבָנוֹן min-hal-lĕbānōn): Specifies the geographic origin of these prized timbers, renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its vast and superior forests. This directly links the source of the materials to Hiram's dominion.
- for I know (כִּי יָדַעְתִּי kî yāda‘tî): Solomon expresses certainty about Hiram's expertise and the abilities of his people. This declaration acts as both a compliment and a rationale for his specific request. It underscores divine wisdom at play, as God orchestrated this partnership.
- that your servants (כִּי עֲבָדֶיךָ kî ‘ăvādêḵā): Refers to the people of Tyre, renowned for their skills.
- know how to cut timber (יֹדְעִים לִכְרֹת עֵצִים yōdĕ‘îm likĕrōṯ ‘ēṣîm): This emphasizes the specialized skill set of the Tyrians. "Cut timber" (likĕrōṯ ‘ēṣîm) refers not just to felling but also to dressing and preparing wood for construction, a complex process involving knowledge of various woods, seasoning, and carpentry.
- My servants will be with your servants: Solomon offers cooperation, providing laborers to assist and learn from Hiram's expert team, showcasing Israelite willingness to collaborate and acquire skills for the Temple work. This arrangement implies shared effort and transfer of knowledge.
2 Chronicles 2 8 Bonus section
The interchangeability and subtle distinctions between 'algum' and 'almug' wood (as seen in 1 Kings) in various biblical texts highlight both scribal tradition and potentially specific sources or qualities of imported woods. The inclusion of 'algum' specifically in Chronicles' account of Solomon's request underscores the chronicler's interest in the magnificence and extraordinary resources dedicated to the Temple. It elevates the material opulence of God's house, hinting at the vastness of Solomon's wisdom in acquiring the best from far-off lands for the Lord. This detail reflects God's desire for excellence in worship and His ability to provide bountifully. The cooperation between Israel and Tyre also serves as an example of a peaceful, divinely purposed alliance between nations for the building of God's dwelling, contrasting with the warfare and conquests common to that era.
2 Chronicles 2 8 Commentary
2 Chronicles 2:8 provides a vivid glimpse into the strategic partnership necessary for the construction of the First Temple. Solomon, despite his immense wealth and kingdom's resources, understood and acknowledged the superior skills of the Tyrians, particularly in timber felling and preparation, and their access to the famed forests of Lebanon. This was not a mere transaction but a profound theological lesson: God often uses foreign nations, their resources, and their specific gifts, to accomplish His divine purposes. The mention of specific wood types (cedar, cypress, and the rare algum) underscores the high quality and grandeur envisioned for the Temple, making it a fitting dwelling place for the Most High. The collaborative spirit, with Solomon’s men working alongside Hiram’s, prefigures a time when people from all nations will contribute to God's spiritual kingdom, emphasizing unity and diverse contributions in fulfilling God's architectural and redemptive plans. This verse implicitly suggests divine providence in making these specific resources and skills available for His sacred house.