2 Chronicles 4:7 kjv
And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
2 Chronicles 4:7 nkjv
And he made ten lampstands of gold according to their design, and set them in the temple, five on the right side and five on the left.
2 Chronicles 4:7 niv
He made ten gold lampstands according to the specifications for them and placed them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north.
2 Chronicles 4:7 esv
And he made ten golden lampstands as prescribed, and set them in the temple, five on the south side and five on the north.
2 Chronicles 4:7 nlt
He then cast ten gold lampstands according to the specifications that had been given, and he put them in the Temple. Five were placed against the south wall, and five were placed against the north wall.
2 Chronicles 4 7 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 25:31-40 | "And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work..." | Original instructions for the Tabernacle menorah |
| Ex 26:35 | "...the candlestick over against the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south..." | Tabernacle lampstand placement |
| Lev 24:1-4 | "And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying... for a continual lamp before the Lord." | Instructions for maintaining the lamp's light |
| Num 8:2 | "Speak unto Aaron, and say unto him, When thou lightest the lamps..." | Ceremony of lighting the lamps |
| 1 Ki 7:49 | "And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left..." | Parallel account of lampstands in 1 Kings |
| 2 Chr 4:19-20 | "And the candlesticks with their lamps... for they were of pure gold." | Reiteration of the lampstands' material |
| Pss 119:105 | "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." | God's Word as spiritual light |
| Prov 6:23 | "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light..." | Wisdom and law as sources of light |
| Isa 60:1-3 | "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee." | Prophecy of God's light in the future |
| Zec 4:2-3 | "I have looked, and behold a candlestick all of gold, with a bowl upon the top..." | Vision of a lampstand, symbolic of divine Spirit |
| Zec 4:6 | "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." | Significance of the lampstand's spiritual power |
| Jn 1:4-9 | "In him was life; and the life was the light of men." | Jesus as the true light |
| Jn 8:12 | "Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world..." | Jesus declares Himself the Light of the World |
| Matt 5:14-16 | "Ye are the light of the world... Let your light so shine before men..." | Believers as lights in the world |
| Rev 1:12-13 | "...seven golden candlesticks; and in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man..." | Vision of Christ among the churches (lampstands) |
| Rev 1:20 | "The mystery of the seven stars... and the seven golden candlesticks are the seven churches." | Churches symbolized as lampstands |
| Rev 2:5 | "Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen... else I will remove thy candlestick out of his place." | Warning to a church to maintain its light/witness |
| Heb 8:5 | "Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished... according to the pattern..." | Earthly worship follows a heavenly pattern |
| Acts 2:46-47 | "Continuing daily... breaking bread from house to house..." | Early church light, communal worship |
| 1 Cor 10:31 | "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." | All actions to glorify God, like the lampstands' purpose |
| 1 Pet 2:9 | "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation... that ye should shew forth the praises of him..." | Believers commissioned to declare God's light |
| Eph 5:8-9 | "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light..." | Christians as 'children of light' |
| Phil 2:15-16 | "...ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life..." | Believers' role in a dark world |
| Deut 4:6 | "Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding..." | Obedience to divine law, reflects its wisdom |
2 Chronicles 4 verses
2 Chronicles 4 7 Meaning
2 Chronicles 4:7 describes the construction and placement of ten golden lampstands, known as menorot, within the Holy Place of Solomon's Temple. These were crafted according to a divinely established pattern, indicating their sacred purpose and adherence to God's specific instructions. Five were placed on the south (right) side and five on the north (left) side, ensuring pervasive illumination throughout that sacred area, symbolizing God's continuous presence, truth, and guidance.
2 Chronicles 4 7 Context
This verse is part of 2 Chronicles Chapter 4, which comprehensively details the many vessels and furnishings Solomon constructed for the Temple. Following the grand architectural blueprint in Chapter 3, Chapter 4 focuses on the practical implements for worship, such as the bronze altar, the great bronze Sea, the ten bronze lavers, and here, the ten golden lampstands. This array of highly valuable and divinely specified items underscores the magnificent scale of Solomon's Temple, contrasting with the smaller, movable Tabernacle. Historically, the construction and dedication of this Temple marked the pinnacle of Israel's national glory and represented the permanent dwelling place of God's presence among His people in Jerusalem. It replaced the mobile wilderness Tabernacle, symbolizing a new era of stability and established worship for the Israelite nation. The specific mention of their being "according to the form prescribed" connects them directly to the divine blueprint given by God, first for the Tabernacle, and implicitly for the Temple.
2 Chronicles 4 7 Word analysis
- He made: Refers to Solomon, indicating his orchestrating role in the construction. However, the actual skilled labor was performed by Huram (2 Chr 2:13-14) and his craftsmen, acting under Solomon's authority and wisdom. This highlights divine inspiration and human execution working in concert for God's purposes.
- also: Connects this furnishing (lampstands) with the other items described immediately prior (e.g., the bronze altar, the Sea, the lavers in 2 Chr 4:1-6). It signifies the continued provisioning of the Temple.
- ten candlesticks: The Hebrew word is מְנֹרוֹת (mĕnōrôt), which correctly translates to "lampstands" or "menorahs," not candles, as ancient lamps used oil. The most famous "candlestick" was the single menorah in the Tabernacle (Ex 25:31). The presence of ten in Solomon's Temple marks a significant increase from the Tabernacle's one. This multiplicity signifies an abundant supply of light and may reflect the expansive glory and permanent establishment of God's presence, rather than a transient dwelling. The number ten often represents completeness or divine order in biblical contexts (e.g., Ten Commandments).
- of gold: Indicates extreme preciousness, purity, and enduring value. Gold is consistently associated with divinity, royalty, and items in God's immediate presence in Scripture (e.g., Ark of the Covenant, cherubim, golden altar). Its use reflects the highest reverence for God and the sacredness of the Temple.
- according to the form prescribed: This is a crucial phrase. The Hebrew root for "form" or "fashion" here can be related to mishpat (manner/regulation) or tabnît (pattern). It signifies that the lampstands were not designed arbitrarily by Solomon or his craftsmen but conformed to a specific, divine instruction or model. This aligns with the command given to Moses for the Tabernacle furnishings (Ex 25:9, 40) and underscores the importance of worshipping God precisely as He commands. This directly contrasts with the worship practices of surrounding pagan nations, where human invention and syncretism often dictated the form and nature of idols and rituals.
- and set them in the temple: Refers to their installation within the Holy Place (the heikal or main hall), which was directly outside the Most Holy Place (the Debir). They were placed for practical illumination and symbolic presence.
- five on the right hand, and five on the left: "Right hand" typically signifies the south side and "left hand" the north side when facing east (the Temple's orientation). This symmetrical arrangement highlights order, balance, and completeness. The distribution ensured that the Holy Place was bathed in an extensive and abundant glow.
2 Chronicles 4 7 Bonus section
The multiplication of lampstands from one (in the Tabernacle) to ten (in the Temple) reflects a transition from a provisional, mobile sanctuary to a permanent, grander house of God. This growth signifies not only a physical expansion but also a deeper establishment of divine order and presence. While the Tabernacle represented God's journeying with His people, the Temple represented His settled abode among them, signifying a complete and abundant provision of light and revelation. The Temple, unlike the mobile Tabernacle, had vast space; thus, ten lampstands were needed to fill the sacred space with light, reflecting an increase in divine manifestation. Furthermore, in contrast to the single lampstand representing a collective national witness, the ten might also symbolize a comprehensive and all-encompassing witness, spreading light in every direction within the sacred precinct. This serves as a foretaste of the global reach of the Gospel message.
2 Chronicles 4 7 Commentary
2 Chronicles 4:7 encapsulates a profound truth about worship and divine presence. The ten golden lampstands were not merely decorative objects but functional necessities for illuminating the Temple's interior, enabling the priests to perform their duties. Beyond their practical use, they were rich with symbolism: constructed of pure gold, they spoke of the inestimable value and purity of God's presence. Their multiplicity (ten instead of the Tabernacle's single lampstand) suggested an increase in the glory and permanent dwelling of God's light among His people, rather than a transient experience.
Crucially, the detail "according to the form prescribed" underlines God's precise and authoritative revelation concerning His worship. This emphasizes obedience to divine pattern over human innovation, setting Israelite worship apart from pagan practices, which often involved self-contrived rituals or idols. The light provided by these lampstands, though physical, symbolized spiritual light, divine truth, and the ongoing presence of God's Word, which guides and illuminates the path of His people (Pss 119:105). For ancient Israel, the shining of these lamps daily was a constant reminder of God's illumination and their role as a beacon to the nations. In the New Testament, this imagery is carried forward: Jesus is the "Light of the World" (Jn 8:12), and believers, as "children of light," are called to reflect that light in the world (Matt 5:14-16), serving as lampstands for His truth (Rev 1:20).