2 Chronicles 3:5 kjv
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
2 Chronicles 3:5 nkjv
The larger room he paneled with cypress which he overlaid with fine gold, and he carved palm trees and chainwork on it.
2 Chronicles 3:5 niv
He paneled the main hall with juniper and covered it with fine gold and decorated it with palm tree and chain designs.
2 Chronicles 3:5 esv
The nave he lined with cypress and covered it with fine gold and made palms and chains on it.
2 Chronicles 3:5 nlt
He paneled the main room of the Temple with cypress wood, overlaid it with fine gold, and decorated it with carvings of palm trees and chains.
2 Chronicles 3 5 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 6:15 | He built the walls of the temple on the inside with boards of cedar... from the floor of the temple to the joists of the ceiling, and he overlaid the floor of the temple with cypress wood. | Parallel description of interior materials. |
| 1 Kgs 6:21 | So Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold, and he drew chains of gold across before the oracle, and overlaid it with gold. | General use of gold and chains. |
| 1 Kgs 6:29 | He carved all the walls of the house all around with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, in the inner and outer rooms. | Palm tree motif in the temple. |
| 1 Kgs 7:49 | the lampstands of pure gold, five on the right side and five on the left, before the inner sanctuary; and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold; | Prevalence of pure gold. |
| Exod 25:11 | You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside you shall overlay it, and you shall make on it a molding of gold around it. | Tabernacle furniture covered with gold. |
| Exod 36:34 | and overlaid the posts with gold, and their hooks of gold; and cast for them five bases of bronze. | Tabernacle's lavish use of gold. |
| Ps 96:6 | Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. | Describes beauty in God's dwelling. |
| Isa 60:13 | “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane tree, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary, and I will make the place of my feet glorious. | Prophetic beautification of God's sanctuary. |
| Ezek 41:18 | It was carved with cherubim and palm trees, a palm tree between cherub and cherub. Every cherub had two faces: | Ezekiel's temple vision includes palm trees. |
| Rev 21:18 | The material of its wall was jasper, and the city was pure gold, like clear glass. | Heavenly Jerusalem depicted with pure gold. |
| Rev 21:21 | And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, like transparent glass. | Ultimate heavenly city made of pure gold. |
| Hag 2:7 | and I will shake all the nations, so that the treasures of all nations will come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the Lord of hosts. | Prophecy of a more glorious latter temple. |
| Hag 2:8 | The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the Lord of hosts. | God owns all precious materials. |
| Lev 23:40 | On the first day you shall take the fruit of splendid trees, palm branches... and rejoice before the Lord your God seven days. | Palm branches symbolize joy and triumph. |
| Jn 1:14 | And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. | Christ as the dwelling/tabernacle of God. |
| Jn 2:21 | But he was speaking about the temple of his body. | Jesus referring to Himself as the true Temple. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? | Believers as the temple of God. |
| Heb 9:11-12 | But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation), he entered once for all into the holy places... | Christ as high priest in a superior heavenly tabernacle. |
| Col 2:17 | These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. | Old Testament temple elements as shadows pointing to Christ. |
| Mal 3:1 | "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming," says the Lord of hosts. | God's eventual presence in His temple. |
| Ps 48:1-2 | Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, his holy mountain. Beautiful in its soaring height, the joy of all the earth, is Mount Zion, in the far north, the city of the great King. | God's dwelling place is beautiful and glorious. |
| Phil 4:8 | Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. | Embracing excellence and beauty in service. |
2 Chronicles 3 verses
2 Chronicles 3 5 Meaning
2 Chronicles 3:5 describes the opulent interior of the Solomonic Temple's main hall (nave), emphasizing its lavish use of fir (cypress/juniper) wood overlaid with the purest gold. The verse also highlights intricate ornamental details of carved palm trees and decorative chains, symbolizing the beauty, perfection, and sacredness dedicated to the worship of God.
2 Chronicles 3 5 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 3 details Solomon's construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This verse falls within the specific description of the building's dimensions and interior ornamentation, following the preparations mentioned in chapter 2 and the general dedication of the site. Historically, the building of the Temple was a monumental undertaking for the nation of Israel, signifying a stable, permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the presence of the Lord, unlike the nomadic Tabernacle. Culturally, while other ancient Near Eastern temples were also adorned, the Israelites' Temple was distinctive in being dedicated solely to Yahweh, the one true God, and its grandeur underscored His supreme sovereignty and worthiness above all pagan deities, implicitly refuting idolatry by dedicating such wealth and artistry to Him alone. Verse 3:5 describes the interior of the nave (the main hall), which was accessible to priests, contrasting it with the inner Most Holy Place (vv. 8-10), emphasizing the sacred beauty of the house of God.
2 Chronicles 3 5 Word analysis
- And the greater house: הַבַּיִת הַגָּדוֹל (habBayit hagGadol). "House" (בַּיִת, bayit) universally refers to the Temple. "Greater" (גָּדוֹל, gadol) here specifically designates the main hall or nave of the Temple, distinct from the smaller, innermost sanctuary, the Most Holy Place, described later in verses 8-10. This was the largest section where the lampstands, showbread table, and altar of incense were located. The magnitude of this space underscored the grand scale of Solomon's vision for God's dwelling.
- he ceiled: וְאֶת־הַבַּיִת וַיְצַף (vᵉ’et-haBbayit vayyaṣaf) - though "ceiled" is used, the Hebrew וַיְצַף (vayyaṣaf) means "he overlaid" or "plated." This indicates that the fir wood planks served as the base covering for the interior, extending over walls and ceiling, forming a complete shell over the masonry, and then they were covered with gold. The covering was extensive and continuous.
- with fir wood: בְּרוֹשִׁים (bᵉrōshîm). Refers to cypress or juniper wood. This type of wood was prized for its durability, resistance to decay, pleasant aroma, and its suitability for construction, often imported from Lebanon alongside cedar (1 Kgs 5:8, 10). Its selection highlights the quality and lasting nature intended for God's sanctuary.
- which he overlaid: The repeated verb "overlaid" (וַיְצַף, vayyaṣaf) stresses the thoroughness of the application. It implies a thick plating or complete encasing rather than a thin leafing of gold, indicating immense wealth and devotion.
- with fine gold: זָהָב סָגוּר (zāhâḇ sāḡūr). "Fine gold" signifies pure, refined gold of the highest quality. This term, meaning "shut up" or "closed," implies gold that has been purified or selected as supreme. The choice of the finest materials was paramount, reflecting the supreme worth of God to whom the Temple was dedicated, leaving no expense spared.
- and set thereon: Indicates the attachment or placement of the decorative elements directly onto the golden-plated fir wood surfaces.
- palm trees: תִּמֹרוֹת (timōrōt). These were stylized, carved ornamental representations of palm trees. In ancient Near Eastern symbolism and Israelite context, palm trees frequently represented prosperity, fruitfulness, beauty, triumph, and righteousness (e.g., Ps 92:12, Ezek 41:18-20). Their inclusion transformed the architectural space into a symbolic garden, reminiscent of Eden, implying life and the presence of divine blessing within God's dwelling.
- and chains: שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת (sharšərōt). These were ornamental chains, likely made of gold as well (implied by the preceding "fine gold" and parallel accounts in 1 Kgs 6:21). Their exact function is debated; they could have been decorative garlands, symbolic divisions, or integrated architectural elements adding to the splendor and intricate detail of the Temple's interior. In other contexts, chains are used to mark off holy areas.
- The greater house he ceiled with fir wood, which he overlaid with fine gold: This phrase emphasizes the overwhelming lavishness and sanctity of the Temple's main hall. It indicates a meticulous, full overlaying of premium wood with the purest gold, suggesting the creation of a resplendent, unified, golden interior. The visual effect would have been one of brilliant, warm light emanating from every surface, an earthly reflection of divine glory. This signifies God's absolute worthiness of the best human effort and resource.
- and set thereon palm trees and chains: This group of words describes the artistic embellishments. Beyond mere functional building, the addition of intricate carvings and chains points to an aesthetic purpose, creating a sense of beauty and awe. The symbolism of palm trees (life, victory) and the refined artistry of the chains speak to the detail-oriented craftsmanship devoted to making the Temple a truly magnificent and purposeful house for the Lord, embodying an atmosphere of reverence and holy splendor.
2 Chronicles 3 5 Bonus section
The amount of gold used throughout the Temple, as described in this chapter and parallel accounts, was truly immense, reflecting not only the nation's wealth under Solomon but also the depth of dedication. Some historical estimates for the value of the gold in the Temple run into the billions of modern currency, making it arguably the most expensive building ever constructed. The visual effect of a massive hall fully plated in gold, reflecting the light from its numerous golden lampstands (1 Kgs 7:49), would have been breathtaking, intended to overwhelm the senses with a manifestation of divine glory and splendor. The detailed decorations like the palm trees also speak to the theological concept of bringing the "outside" (nature's beauty and order) "inside" into the consecrated space, integrating creation with the worship of the Creator. This dedication to excellence in craftsmanship and material foreshadows the ultimate spiritual dwelling of God among His people in the New Jerusalem (Rev 21), which is described in similarly lavish terms of pure gold, jasper, and precious stones.
2 Chronicles 3 5 Commentary
2 Chronicles 3:5 describes the immense cost and exquisite craftsmanship poured into Solomon's Temple, specifically the nave. It paints a picture of unparalleled luxury, with the main hall's structure of fir wood entirely enveloped in the purest gold, adorned with artful palm tree carvings and decorative chains. This was not mere human extravagance but a purposeful act of worship, reflecting Israel's deep reverence for Yahweh and His supreme worthiness. The extensive use of fine gold signified purity, holiness, and the glory of God. The chosen wood (cypress/juniper) represented durability and divine provision. The motifs of palm trees, common in ancient Near Eastern sacred art, in the Temple took on specific Israelite theological meaning, possibly signifying righteousness, prosperity, or even an echo of the Garden of Eden. Every detail served to consecrate the space and fill it with sacred beauty, reminding all who entered of God's majesty and holiness. This elaborate dwelling underscored God's omnipresent glory yet His condescension to dwell among His people, setting apart a sacred space for covenant fellowship.