2 Chronicles 3:2 kjv
And he began to build in the second day of the second month, in the fourth year of his reign.
2 Chronicles 3:2 nkjv
And he began to build on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.
2 Chronicles 3:2 niv
He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.
2 Chronicles 3:2 esv
He began to build in the second month of the fourth year of his reign.
2 Chronicles 3:2 nlt
The construction began in midspring, during the fourth year of Solomon's reign.
2 Chronicles 3 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kings 6:1 | In the fourth year of Solomon's reign...he began to build the house... | Parallel account of temple building start date. |
| Exod 40:2 | On the first day of the first month...set up the tabernacle... | Divine command and precise timing for sanctuary. |
| Num 9:11 | In the second month, on the fourteenth day...keep it [second Passover]. | Shows precedence for significant events in second month. |
| Hag 1:1 | On the first day of the sixth month...came the word of the LORD... | Prophetic emphasis on specific dates for building. |
| Ezra 3:8 | In the second month of the second year...began to rebuild... | Second Temple's foundation also laid in second month. |
| 2 Sam 7:13 | He shall build a house for My name... | God's promise to David about Solomon building the Temple. |
| 1 Chron 22:7-10 | David's desire and God's instruction for Solomon to build the house. | The divine charge to Solomon to build. |
| 1 Chron 28:11-19 | David giving Solomon the plan for the temple according to divine design. | Importance of following God's architectural blueprint. |
| Psa 127:1 | Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. | Emphasis on divine initiation for all significant works. |
| Zech 6:12-13 | Behold, the Man whose name is the BRANCH...shall build the temple... | Prophetic future Messianic builder of the Temple. |
| Isa 2:2-3 | In the latter days...the mountain of the house of the LORD...established. | Future vision of God's dwelling and worship. |
| Acts 7:47-48 | Solomon built Him a house. However, the Most High does not dwell in temples. | Stephen's acknowledgment, spiritual vs. physical. |
| John 2:19-21 | Jesus answered...destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. | Jesus speaks of His body as the True Temple. |
| 1 Cor 3:16-17 | Do you not know that you are God's temple...? | Believers as the spiritual dwelling place of God. |
| Eph 2:19-22 | Built on the foundation...a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. | The church as God's spiritual temple in the New Covenant. |
| Rev 21:22 | I saw no temple in the city, for the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb... | The New Jerusalem where God and the Lamb are the Temple. |
| Lev 23:5-6 | Passover and Unleavened Bread in the first month. | Context of previous significant observances, timing. |
| 1 Kings 5:15-16 | Solomon's preparation of materials and laborers for the building. | Pre-building preparations highlight the planning. |
| 1 Kings 9:1-3 | The Lord appearing to Solomon after the Temple's completion and dedication. | God's acceptance and validation of the completed Temple. |
| Neh 1:4 | Grieved about the desolate state of the temple after its destruction. | Significance of the temple to the people's faith. |
2 Chronicles 3 verses
2 Chronicles 3 2 Meaning
2 Chronicles 3:2 precisely records the exact moment King Solomon commenced the building of the Lord's Temple: on the second day of the second month, during the fourth year of his reign. This detailed timing underscores the event's historical accuracy and immense significance as a divinely ordained project for God's dwelling among His people.
2 Chronicles 3 2 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 3 initiates a detailed account of King Solomon's construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem, building upon the foundational plans and resources provided by his father, King David. Verse 1 establishes the sacred site—Mount Moriah, the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, where the Lord had appeared to David. This specific location connects the Temple directly to past divine encounters and an act of worship. Verse 2 immediately follows by providing the precise historical markers for when the massive undertaking officially commenced. The construction of the Temple was the central and most significant project of Solomon's reign, fulfilling a generations-long anticipation for a permanent dwelling place for the Lord among His chosen people, marking a transition from the nomadic Tabernacle to a fixed sanctuary.
2 Chronicles 3 2 Word analysis
- And he began to build: The Hebrew verb is wayyāḥel (וַיָּחֶל), "and he began/initiated." This marks the definitive start of a major endeavor, signifying Solomon's personal leadership and commitment to the task. It emphasizes that this was an active, deliberate undertaking.
- in the second day: The Hebrew bāh-yōm haš-šēnî (בַּיּוֹם הַשֵּׁנִי). This specificity provides precise historical detail, lending credibility to the narrative. It also underscores that the timing was intentional, not haphazard.
- of the second month: The Hebrew baḥōdeš haš-šēnî (בַּחֹדֶשׁ הַשֵּׁנִי). This is the month of Ziv, often referred to in 1 Kings 6:1, which signifies "brightness" or "blossom," marking a pleasant season in the ancient Near East for construction. It indicates that the Passover festivities and Feast of Unleavened Bread, which occurred in the first month (Nisan), had already concluded. This delay may have allowed for post-festival cleansing rituals or final preparations before such a holy undertaking.
- in the fourth year: The Hebrew biš-naṯ hā-ʼarba' (בִּשְׁנַת הָאַרְבַּע). This is the fourth year "of his reign" (as specified later). This timeframe indicates that Solomon had spent a significant period (three full years) consolidating his rule, establishing peace, securing alliances (like with Hiram of Tyre), and gathering the vast resources and skilled laborers necessary for this monumental project, demonstrating thorough planning and preparation under divine guidance.
- of his reign: The Hebrew malḵūṯō (מַלְכוּתוֹ), "his kingdom/reign." This phrase ties the commencement of the Temple directly to Solomon's sovereign leadership, making it a pivotal event within his historical tenure as king, and linking his obedience to the fulfillment of God's promise to David.
2 Chronicles 3 2 Bonus section
- The chronological meticulousness seen here is characteristic of the Chronicler, emphasizing God's ordering of history and Israel's obedience to His commands. This precise date allows for clear historical alignment with parallel accounts in 1 Kings and demonstrates divine providence over human endeavors.
- The site, Mount Moriah, connected to Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac (Gen 22) and David's altar in response to a plague (2 Sam 24; 1 Chron 21), imbues the Temple's starting point with deep theological and redemptive significance, indicating God's chosen location for worship and reconciliation.
- The start of the Temple construction represented a profound shift from the nomadic tabernacle, signifying Israel's establishment as a settled nation under God's covenant, with a fixed point of access to His presence.
2 Chronicles 3 2 Commentary
2 Chronicles 3:2, though brief, carries immense weight, marking the divinely ordained commencement of the Temple. The precision in dating (the second day, of the second month, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign) is not incidental; it highlights the event's historical certainty and monumental significance within God's unfolding plan for His people. This specificity reinforces the Temple as a deliberate fulfillment of God's promises, contrasting with uninspired human endeavors. The timing after Passover may suggest a deliberate sequence, either for spiritual preparation following the great festival or practical readiness. Solomon, in his fourth year, demonstrates a disciplined approach, embarking on this task after solidifying his kingdom, ensuring resources and order. This specific date sets the stage for a period of intensive, dedicated work, serving as a powerful example of obedience and faithfulness in executing God's grand design for His earthly dwelling place.