2 Chronicles 3 4

2 Chronicles 3:4 kjv

And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

2 Chronicles 3:4 nkjv

And the vestibule that was in front of the sanctuary was twenty cubits long across the width of the house, and the height was one hundred and twenty. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.

2 Chronicles 3:4 niv

The portico at the front of the temple was twenty cubits long across the width of the building and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.

2 Chronicles 3:4 esv

The vestibule in front of the nave of the house was twenty cubits long, equal to the width of the house, and its height was 120 cubits. He overlaid it on the inside with pure gold.

2 Chronicles 3:4 nlt

The entry room at the front of the Temple was 30 feet wide, running across the entire width of the Temple, and 30 feet high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.

2 Chronicles 3 verses

2 Chronicles 3 4 Meaning

2 Chronicles 3:4 details the dimensions of the porch, or vestibule, of Solomon's Temple. It specifies that its length was twenty cubits, aligning perfectly with the main sanctuary's width, and astonishingly, its height was one hundred and twenty cubits. This latter dimension highlights the monumental scale intended for God's dwelling place, often seen as representing immense grandeur and challenging simple architectural reconciliation with other Biblical accounts.

2 Chronicles 3 4 Context

This verse is situated within 2 Chronicles chapter 3, which vividly describes Solomon's detailed construction of the Lord's Temple in Jerusalem. Having laid out the precise location on Mount Moriah in the preceding verses, the narrative proceeds to outline the magnificent dimensions and lavish ornamentation of this sacred structure. The Chronicler emphasizes the Temple's immense scale and splendor, reinforcing its centrality to Israel's national and religious identity. Historically, this account comes during Solomon's prosperous reign, a period of unprecedented peace and divine blessing that allowed for such monumental undertakings, demonstrating Israel's dedication and the glory attributed to Yahweh, the one true God, dwelling among His people.

2 Chronicles 3 4 Word analysis

• And the porch (אֻלָם, 'ulam): Refers to the vestibule or hall at the entrance of the Temple, leading into the Holy Place. It was not merely an entrance but a significant, ornate transitional space designed to impress and instill awe upon those approaching the sanctuary. Its grandeur emphasized the solemnity and sacredness of the divine presence within.
• that was in the front of the house (עַל־פְּנֵי הַבַּיִת, al-pəney habbayith): This phrase specifies the porch's immediate placement directly before the main structure of the Temple. It highlights its function as the principal gateway and visual prelude to the sacred sanctuary.
• the length thereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits: The porch's horizontal dimension (length) matched the width of the Temple's main sanctuary, twenty cubits. This consistency signifies architectural harmony and adherence to a meticulous, symmetrical divine design, aligning with God's perfect order.
  • cubits (אַמָּה, 'ammah): An ancient unit of length, generally the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. For the Temple, the "long cubit" or "royal cubit" (approximately 20-21 inches or 0.52m), likely used, suggests that the twenty cubits (around 35-40 feet or 10-11 meters) indicated a considerably impressive size.
• and the height was an hundred and twenty: This astonishing height (around 180-240 feet, depending on the cubit) is one of the most debated dimensions in Temple studies.
  • height (קוֹמָה, qomah): Refers to the vertical dimension, indicating how tall something stands. The sheer scale attributed to the porch's height in this verse is unparalleled in direct biblical architectural comparisons for a porch.
  • This dimension significantly contrasts with 1 Kings 6:2, where the entire Temple's height is stated as 30 cubits. Scholars offer several interpretations for this difference:
    • Architectural Feature: It could refer to a towering super-structure or an exceptionally high gate and tower over the porch, which reached the absolute highest point of the Temple complex. This would be consistent with massive gate towers found in other ancient Near Eastern temples or ziggurats, adapted for Israelite worship.
    • Scribal Variation: Some suggest a potential scribal error, where a small numerical value (like '20' or '30') was mistaken for '120' in transcription due to similar-looking Hebrew letters or a misplaced dot.
    • Hyperbole/Symbolism: The Chronicler may have used this larger number to emphasize the Temple's magnificent glory and unique sacredness. It could be symbolic of the Temple reaching heavenward, signifying God's transcendence and His glorious presence above all things, a visible testament to the King of the universe.
    • Total Temple Height: It's plausible it refers to the height of the entire complex, including upper stories or specific towers, perhaps an interpretation of the Temple's "total height" rather than just the porch, which could be taken literally in the context of chronicler's narrative.

2 Chronicles 3 4 Bonus section

• The Chronicler often uses hyperbolic language and emphasizes greater numbers to portray a more magnificent picture of Judah's history, especially regarding the Temple and King David's lineage. This height may be one such example, emphasizing God's greatness over pragmatic dimensions.
• Ancient Near Eastern temple structures, particularly in Mesopotamia, sometimes featured tall towers or ziggurats that symbolized a connection between heaven and earth. While the Temple of Yahweh differed fundamentally in its theological purpose (God chose to dwell within rather than being limited to the highest point), its physical height might have communicated similar awe-inspiring grandeur to contemporary cultures.
• The meticulous detailing of the Temple's construction by Solomon reflects not just his wisdom and wealth, but the immense communal effort and divine provision. Every measurement and material chosen conveyed honor to God.

2 Chronicles 3 4 Commentary

2 Chronicles 3:4 unveils the grandeur of Solomon's Temple porch, a key architectural element introducing the divine sanctuary. The twenty-cubit length of the porch, perfectly mirroring the main sanctuary's width, underscored the meticulous and symmetrical design of God's house, emphasizing order and perfection. The striking detail, however, is the stated height of one hundred and twenty cubits. This exceptional measurement, far exceeding the 30-cubit height for the entire Temple recorded in 1 Kings 6:2, represents either a massive towering structure that elevated the porch as the pinnacle of the Temple, a deliberate numerical emphasis by the Chronicler, or a textual variation. Regardless of the precise architectural interpretation, the verse's emphasis on such monumental scale reinforces the Chronicler's central message: the Temple was not merely a building but an extraordinary edifice designed to reflect God's magnificent glory, transcendence, and his condescension to dwell among His people. It served as a visible manifestation of Israel's reverence and the immense value placed on the worship of Yahweh. The awe inspired by such a structure encouraged humility and devotion among those approaching the divine presence.