2 Chronicles 3:6 kjv
And he garnished the house with precious stones for beauty: and the gold was gold of Parvaim.
2 Chronicles 3:6 nkjv
And he decorated the house with precious stones for beauty, and the gold was gold from Parvaim.
2 Chronicles 3:6 niv
He adorned the temple with precious stones. And the gold he used was gold of Parvaim.
2 Chronicles 3:6 esv
He adorned the house with settings of precious stones. The gold was gold of Parvaim.
2 Chronicles 3:6 nlt
He decorated the walls of the Temple with beautiful jewels and with gold from the land of Parvaim.
2 Chronicles 3 6 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:8 | "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst." | God's desire for a dwelling |
| Ex 28:15-21 | Detailed description of the high priest's breastplate adorned with precious stones. | Precious stones in sacred attire |
| Ex 40:34-35 | "Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle." | God's glory filling the sanctuary |
| 1 Ki 6:21-22 | "Solomon overlaid the inside of the house with pure gold... the whole house he overlaid with gold..." | Extensive use of gold in the temple |
| 1 Ki 7:51 | "Thus all the work that King Solomon did for the house of the Lord was finished..." | Completion of temple works |
| 1 Chr 29:2 | "Now I have made preparation... for the house of my God: gold for the things of gold, silver for the things..." | David's provision for temple materials |
| 1 Chr 29:8 | "And whoever possessed precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the Lord..." | People's offering of precious stones |
| Isa 60:13 | "The glory of Lebanon shall come to you... to beautify the place of my sanctuary..." | God beautifying His sanctuary in future |
| Hag 1:4 | "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?" | Critique for neglecting God's house |
| Zec 6:12-13 | "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch... he shall build the temple of the Lord... and shall wear royal honor." | Christ as Temple builder/crowned |
| Mal 3:10 | "Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house." | Blessing from supporting God's house |
| Psa 96:6 | "Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary." | Attributes in God's sanctuary |
| Psa 26:8 | "O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells." | Love for God's dwelling |
| Lam 4:1 | "How the gold has grown dim, how the most fine gold has changed!" | Lament over ruined temple's former glory |
| Rom 12:1 | "Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." | Spiritual offering of one's body |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?" | Believers as God's spiritual temple |
| 2 Cor 6:16 | "For we are the temple of the living God..." | Christians as God's dwelling |
| Eph 2:20-22 | "built on the foundation... Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone... a holy temple in the Lord." | The Church as the spiritual temple |
| Heb 9:11-12 | "But when Christ appeared as a high priest... He entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of..." | Christ entered the true heavenly sanctuary |
| Rev 21:18-21 | Description of the New Jerusalem adorned with gold and all kinds of precious stones. | Future heavenly city adorned for God's glory |
2 Chronicles 3 verses
2 Chronicles 3 6 Meaning
2 Chronicles 3:6 details the lavish ornamentation of Solomon's Temple, stating that he adorned the sacred structure with precious stones specifically for their magnificent beauty and that the significant amount of gold used for this purpose came from Parvaim, a place known for its high-quality gold. This act underscores the immense value placed on the dwelling place of God, reflecting royal dedication and the intention to honor Yahweh with the utmost splendor.
2 Chronicles 3 6 Context
The Book of 2 Chronicles, written primarily after the Babylonian exile, emphasizes God's covenant with David, the centrality of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the importance of proper worship. This specific verse (2 Chr 3:6) is part of a detailed account of Solomon's construction and decoration of the First Temple. Chapters 2-4 describe the extensive preparations, the skilled workers, and the magnificent materials used for the building. The Chronicler particularly highlights the unparalleled glory and expense dedicated to God's house, far more than the book of Kings. This lavishness was not merely for aesthetic appeal but served as a testament to the immense honor due to the Almighty and the deep devotion of the king and people. For the post-exilic audience, this account of former glory would serve as an encouragement, reminding them of God's dwelling among His people and the blessings associated with faithfulness to Him and His sanctuary. It also subtly reinforces the ideal for the future second temple.
2 Chronicles 3 6 Word analysis
- He adorned (וַיְשָׁבֵץ, vayshavets): Derived from the root שׁבץ, meaning to "set," "interweave," or "mount" (gems). It implies careful placement and skillful arrangement to enhance beauty and value, not merely a haphazard scattering. This denotes meticulous craftsmanship befitting a holy edifice.
- The temple (הַבַּיִת, haBáyith): Literally "the house," referring specifically to God's sacred dwelling, Solomon's Temple, distinct from a human dwelling. Its uniqueness demanded unparalleled magnificence.
- With precious stones (בְּאֶבֶן יְקָרָה, bəʾeven yəqārâ):
- אֶבֶן (ʾeven): Stone, rock.
- יְקָרָה (yəqārâ): Precious, costly, rare, valuable. The phrase emphasizes the high monetary and aesthetic value of these gems. Such stones were symbols of divine beauty, holiness, and permanence in the ancient world and within biblical tradition (e.g., breastplate of the high priest, descriptions of heavenly glory).
- For decoration (לְתִפְאָרָה, ləthip̄ʾārâ):
- תִפְאָרָה (tifʾārâ): Glory, splendor, beauty, honor, adornment, magnificence. This word conveys more than mere ornamentation; it suggests that the stones were arrayed to enhance the overall glory and honor of the Temple, making it truly majestic and awe-inspiring, a fitting tribute to God.
- And the gold (וְהַזָּהָב, vəhazZāhāḇ): Gold, a highly precious and non-corroding metal, was extensively used throughout the Temple (1 Ki 6-7). Its use symbolized purity, wealth, enduring value, and divine presence.
- Was gold from Parvaim (זָהָב פַּרְוָיִם, zāhāḇ Parwáyim):
- פַּרְוָיִם (Parwáyim): A location unknown definitively to modern scholars, leading to various proposals (e.g., in Arabia, India, or another distant, exotic source). Its obscure nature actually highlights the fact that this was an especially prized, likely high-quality, and perhaps abundant source of gold, indicating Solomon's vast resources and determination to spare no expense for God's house. This specific detail underscores the immense dedication and unique provision for the temple.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "He adorned the temple with precious stones for decoration": This phrase emphasizes that the embellishment of the Temple was not just an addition but an enhancement of its sacred purpose, intended to manifest glory (tifʾārâ) fitting for God's dwelling. The stones symbolize divine beauty, light, and enduring value, contributing to a sense of holiness and majesty.
- "and the gold was gold from Parvaim": This highlights the extraordinary source and presumably exceptional quality and quantity of the gold. It implies global reach and immense resources commanded by Solomon, all directed towards the construction of God's house, demonstrating a king's unreserved dedication.
2 Chronicles 3 6 Bonus section
The chronicler's specific mention of "gold of Parvaim," while leaving its exact location uncertain, functions to further underscore the Temple's unique and unmatched grandeur. Unlike the book of Kings, which tends to focus more on the political implications and practical details, the Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community, emphasizes the unparalleled expense and divine provision, likely to inspire confidence and reverence for God's enduring promises connected to His house. This detail would have served as an evocative testament to the magnificent dedication of Solomon, suggesting the bringing of riches from far and wide, beyond the typical regional trade, symbolizing the Temple as a repository of the finest the world could offer for the glory of Yahweh. The focus on splendor and materials is a consistent theme throughout Chronicles, aligning with its theological aim of showing God's blessings upon the faithful and the importance of generous support for His sacred institutions.
2 Chronicles 3 6 Commentary
2 Chronicles 3:6 powerfully conveys the extraordinary reverence and dedication shown by Solomon in constructing the Temple for God. The act of "adorning" with "precious stones for decoration" signifies not mere embellishment but an intentional act of enhancing the dwelling of the Most High with ultimate splendor. The choice of the term tifʾārâ for "decoration" elevates the ornamentation beyond superficiality to an expression of glory, honor, and majesty appropriate for the Divine presence. These valuable gems, often associated with light and purity in biblical thought, would have visually emphasized the sanctity and divine presence within the Temple. Furthermore, specifying "gold from Parvaim" highlights the immense resources committed. This was not just any gold, but likely an especially esteemed variety from a distant or notable source, reflecting the king's vast wealth and his willingness to deploy it without reservation for God's glory. This verse serves as a reminder of the biblical principle of giving one's best to the Lord, honoring Him with excellence and sacrificial generosity in worship and service. The magnificence of the physical structure was a reflection of the invisible glory of the God who resided there, providing a tangible place for His presence among His people, reinforcing the value placed on worship and His holy Name.