2 Chronicles 4 14

2 Chronicles 4:14 kjv

He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;

2 Chronicles 4:14 nkjv

he also made carts and the lavers on the carts;

2 Chronicles 4:14 niv

the stands with their basins;

2 Chronicles 4:14 esv

He made the stands also, and the basins on the stands,

2 Chronicles 4:14 nlt

the water carts holding the basins;

2 Chronicles 4 verses

2 Chronicles 4 14 Meaning

2 Chronicles 4:14 lists several vital liturgical items, specifically the large pots for handling altar ashes, shovels for removing debris, and basins (or bowls) for collecting and sprinkling sacrificial blood and other liquids. These meticulously crafted bronze vessels, along with "all their utensils," were fabricated by Huram, the skilled master craftsman from Tyre, commissioned by King Solomon, specifically for sacred service within the House of the Lord in Jerusalem. The verse emphasizes the completeness and dedication of the Temple's furnishing for divine worship.

2 Chronicles 4 14 Context

2 Chronicles 4 describes in detail the creation of the bronze furnishings for Solomon's Temple, immediately following the description of the larger structures like the great altar and the molten sea (or bronze basin). The Chronicler’s account, written centuries after Solomon’s reign for a post-exilic audience, meticulously emphasizes the grandeur, sacredness, and meticulous divine specifications adhered to in the construction of the First Temple. This section, particularly verses 11-18, focuses on Huram's craftsmanship in producing the numerous specialized bronze articles. These items were not merely decorative; each served a specific, often ritualistic, purpose in the prescribed worship of Yahweh, symbolizing the meticulous purity and order required in the presence of a holy God. The emphasis on "the house of the Lord" reinforced the Temple as the singular, divinely ordained place for worship in Jerusalem, contrasting with pagan practices or idolatrous shrines prevalent in the ancient Near East, which often contained images of gods and used vessels for impure rituals. The mention of specific items like "basins" underscores the central role of sacrifice and blood atonement in Israelite worship.

2 Chronicles 4 14 Word analysis

• Also the pots (הַסִּירוֹת - hassîrôṯ): Refers to large caldrons or vessels. In the Temple context, these were likely used for collecting ashes from the burnt offerings on the great bronze altar or for boiling sacrificial meat for the priests. Their presence signifies the practical necessities for continuous worship and sacrifice.
• the shovels (וְהַיָּעִים - wəhayyāʿîm): Instruments designed for scooping or clearing. In the Temple, these were specifically for removing ashes and other residue from the altars, maintaining cleanliness and ensuring the perpetual fire. This highlights the practical and symbolic importance of purity in service.
• and the hooks (וְהַמִּזְרָקוֹת - wəhammizrāqôṯ): The Hebrew word mizrāqôṯ most accurately translates to "basins," "bowls," or "libation bowls," not "hooks." These were crucial for ritual practices, primarily for catching the blood of sacrificed animals (Lev 1:5, 4:5), which would then be sprinkled upon the altar or specific areas of the sanctuary. They were also used for liquid offerings. The true meaning underscores the central role of blood sacrifice and atonement in the Temple liturgy.
• and all their utensils (וְכָל־כֵּלָיו - wəḵol-kēlāw): This comprehensive phrase denotes all other necessary tools, implements, and vessels for the various services and functions within the Temple. It speaks to the vast array of specialized equipment required for every aspect of Levitical worship and maintenance, demonstrating a complete and meticulously furnished sanctuary.
• did Huram (חוּרָם - ḥûrām): The master bronze craftsman from Tyre, a Phoenician city renowned for its skilled artisans and metalworking capabilities (as described in 2 Chr 2:13-14). His involvement underscores the high quality and foreign expertise sought for the sacred project.
• his father (אָבִיו - ʾāḇîw): In this context, "father" is not literal parentage but an idiomatic expression often indicating a "master," "chief," or "counselor." It designates Huram as an exceptional, highly respected, and authoritative figure in his craft. In parallel accounts, he is called Huram-abi (2 Chr 2:13), suggesting a respected title, similar to an honored foreman or the head of a guild, who instructed and oversaw the work. This highlights his esteemed position and skill.
• make (עָשָׂה - ʿāśâ): The simple verb "made" or "did." It indicates the completion of the creative work.
• for King Solomon (לַמֶּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה - lammělěḵ šəlomoh): Indicates Solomon's commission and patronage of the project, acknowledging his role in fulfilling David's vision to build the Temple.
• for the house of the Lord (לְבֵית יְהוָה - ləḇêṯ Yahweh): This crucial phrase states the ultimate purpose and dedication of all these articles: they were solely for God's dwelling place. It highlights the sacredness and consecrated nature of the Temple and all its components, reserved exclusively for the worship and service of the Holy One of Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "the pots, the shovels, and the basins": These three specific items represent a class of implements directly associated with the sacrificial system—handling the remnants, preparing the altar, and collecting/applying the very symbol of atonement (blood). Their explicit mention underscores the fundamental purpose of the Temple as a place of sacrifice and cleansing.
• "and all their utensils did Huram his father make": This phrase links the particular items to the overarching "all their utensils," emphasizing the comprehensive and integrated nature of Huram’s work. The appellation "his father" speaks to his unmatched skill and authority in metalworking, making him the ideal craftsman for such a vital and extensive sacred project.
• "for King Solomon for the house of the Lord": This final phrase clearly articulates the dual commissioning and ultimate destination of the finished articles. They were made under Solomon's authority, but their final purpose was exclusively for God's House, emphasizing the consecrated nature of the items and the entire Temple endeavor.

2 Chronicles 4 14 Bonus section

The items listed in this verse, and generally the "bronze work" of the Temple, primarily signify aspects of cleansing, sacrifice, and the ongoing worship rituals that were conducted in the outer courts or around the bronze altar. The materials (implicitly bronze, from Huram's known skill as a bronzeworker and context from earlier verses like 2 Chr 4:2) convey strength, durability, and resilience—qualities essential for the laborious and continuous service within the Temple. Bronze was less precious than gold or silver but immensely functional and often used for heavy-duty, outdoor items associated with purification and sacrifice (like the bronze altar itself or the Laver). This deliberate choice of material further illustrates that every aspect of the Temple, from its grand structure to its smallest utensils, was carefully designed according to God’s holy standards and specific liturgical needs, serving to facilitate a clean and ordered pathway for God’s people to approach Him through sacrifice and service.

2 Chronicles 4 14 Commentary

2 Chronicles 4:14 provides a concise yet significant detail about the extensive array of instruments crucial for the functioning of the Solomonic Temple. It emphasizes not only the abundance of resources devoted to the worship of God but also the meticulous attention to practical, ritualistic needs. The specific mention of "pots," "shovels," and critically, "basins" (misidentified as "hooks" in some older translations) highlights the physical infrastructure supporting the core function of the Temple: sacrifice and ritual purity. These mundane-looking implements facilitated profound spiritual acts, from managing the sacred altar's perpetual fire to collecting and applying the atoning blood of sacrifices.

The involvement of Huram, the master craftsman from Tyre, reflects God's broader providence, utilizing exceptional skill, even from foreign sources, to bring His purposes to fruition. His designation as "his father" (meaning master craftsman) underscores the excellence and reverence for craftsmanship demanded by divine projects. Every piece, though functional, was consecrated, specifically designed "for the house of the Lord," affirming the holiness of God's dwelling place and the absolute distinction of objects set apart for divine service from ordinary use. This meticulousness served as a visible testament to Israel’s unique covenant relationship with Yahweh, contrasting with the often less precise or ritualistically focused pagan worship around them. The verse subtly teaches that proper worship involves thorough preparation and the use of dedicated instruments, underscoring that all things used in God's service should be of the highest quality and consecrated for His purposes.