2 Chronicles 5 2

2 Chronicles 5:2 kjv

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

2 Chronicles 5:2 nkjv

Now Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel, in Jerusalem, that they might bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD up from the City of David, which is Zion.

2 Chronicles 5:2 niv

Then Solomon summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel, all the heads of the tribes and the chiefs of the Israelite families, to bring up the ark of the LORD's covenant from Zion, the City of David.

2 Chronicles 5:2 esv

Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the leaders of the fathers' houses of the people of Israel, in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion.

2 Chronicles 5:2 nlt

Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of tribes ? the leaders of the ancestral families of Israel. They were to bring the Ark of the LORD's Covenant to the Temple from its location in the City of David, also known as Zion.

2 Chronicles 5 verses

2 Chronicles 5 2 Meaning

2 Chronicles 5:2 details the grand convocation initiated by King Solomon in Jerusalem, where he gathered all the leading figures of Israel – including the elders, tribal heads, and patriarchal family leaders. The singular purpose of this vast assembly was to bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from its temporary dwelling in the City of David, also known as Zion, into the newly completed Temple. This act was pivotal, signifying the centralization of worship and the establishment of God's visible dwelling place among His people within the magnificent structure built for His glory.

2 Chronicles 5 2 Context

This verse sets the stage for one of the most significant events in ancient Israelite history: the dedication of Solomon's Temple. It follows the detailed description of the Temple's construction (2 Chr 2-4) and precedes the grand dedication ceremony where the glory of the Lord fills the Temple (2 Chr 5:11-14). Historically, this event centralized Israel's worship in Jerusalem, moving it from the portable tabernacle to a magnificent, permanent structure. Culturally, the gathering of all Israel's leaders for such a sacred purpose underscores the national importance of the Temple and the Ark as symbols of God's covenant presence. The Chronicler, writing for a post-exilic audience, emphasizes this unity and proper religious procedure as a model for their own restoration of worship and national identity, implicitly encouraging adherence to God's chosen place and methods of worship, perhaps subtly polemicizing against decentralized or improper worship practices.

2 Chronicles 5 2 Word analysis

• Then Solomon assembled: (וַיַּקְהֵל שְׁלֹמֹה - Vayaqhel Shlomo)

  • Then: Connects this pivotal action directly to the completion of the Temple, indicating the next crucial step in its inauguration.
  • Solomon: (שְׁלֹמֹה - Shlomo) Meaning "peaceful" or "his peace." The son of David, the designated builder of the Temple. His act of assembling is a display of royal authority and spiritual leadership, consistent with his role as God's chosen instrument for the Temple.
  • assembled: (וַיַּקְהֵל - Vayaqhel) From the root קָהַל (qahal), meaning "to gather, convoke." It denotes a formal, deliberate, and official gathering, often for religious or political purposes. It is a powerful word indicating a comprehensive national convocation, similar to an ecclesia.

• the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes, the chief fathers of the children of Israel:

  • This is a comprehensive and expansive listing of Israelite leadership, designed to emphasize that all of Israel, through its established leadership, was present and represented. It speaks to national unity and consent.
  • elders of Israel: (זִקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל - Ziqnei Yisrael) The seasoned, wise, and respected leaders who traditionally represented their communities and held judicial authority. Their presence legitimizes the event.
  • heads of the tribes: (רָאשֵׁי הַמַּטּוֹת - Rashei haMattot) Literally "heads of the staffs" or "branches," referring to the leaders of the twelve tribal divisions. They held authority over the distinct tribal territories and their inhabitants.
  • chief fathers of the children of Israel: (נְשִׂיאֵי הָאָבוֹת - Nesiei haAvot) Also "princes of the fathers" or "chiefs of the ancestral houses." This refers to the patriarchs or leaders of major family clans within the tribes, indicating representation down to the foundational family units.
  • Significance: The repetition of distinct leadership categories ("elders," "heads of tribes," "chief fathers") is a rhetorical device emphasizing the broad, encompassing, and total representation of all Israel, not just a select few. It reinforces the idea that the Ark's installation was a national, unified endeavor, not just Solomon's project. This was key for the Chronicler to establish legitimacy and divine approval.

• to Jerusalem: (אֶל-יְרוּשָׁלִַם - el Yerushalaim) The city chosen by God (Deut 12:5) and established as the capital by David. Its designation here highlights its status as both the political and spiritual center of Israel, the natural place for such a sacred assembly and for the Temple.

• to bring up: (לַעֲלוֹת - la'alot) From the root עָלָה (alah), meaning "to ascend, go up." This verb is highly significant. It implies a sacred procession, an act of elevated importance, and literally an ascent to the elevated location of the Temple on Mount Moriah (2 Chr 3:1). It evokes pilgrimage and reverence.

• the ark of the covenant of the Lord: (אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְהוָה - Aron Berit Yahweh)

  • ark: (אֲרוֹן - Aron) The sacred chest. Not merely a container, but the symbolic throne and footstool of God (Ps 132:7; Isa 60:13), representing His invisible presence among His people.
  • covenant: (בְּרִית - Berit) Refers to God's solemn agreement with Israel, initiated at Sinai, signifying His faithfulness and Israel's obligations. The Ark contained the tablets of the Law, symbolizing the very heart of this covenant.
  • of the Lord: (יְהוָה - Yahweh) The personal, covenant name of God, emphasizing His relationship with Israel. The Ark is exclusively associated with Yahweh, reinforcing monotheism and His unique authority. Polemic: In contrast to other ancient Near Eastern peoples who had statues or idols to represent their gods, Israel’s God was transcendent and invisible, yet chose to symbolize His presence in a unique way through the Ark, emphasizing His non-corporeal nature.

• from the City of David, which is Zion: (מֵעִיר דָּוִיד הִיא צִיּוֹן - me'Ir David hi Tsiyon)

  • City of David: (עִיר דָּוִיד - Ir David) The original Jebusite stronghold in Jerusalem captured by David (2 Sam 5:7) and named after him. It became the location of the Ark after David brought it there (2 Sam 6).
  • Zion: (צִיּוֹן - Tsiyon) A poetic and often symbolic name for Jerusalem, particularly its elevated sacred part, often synonymous with the holy city, God's dwelling place, or His people. Its inclusion reinforces the divine election of this location for God's permanent presence. This specific phrasing highlights the Ark's move from its previous, albeit revered, temporary location, to its destined, permanent home in the newly completed Temple.

2 Chronicles 5 2 Bonus section

• The careful distinction between "City of David" and "Zion" can refer to specific geographical sections within ancient Jerusalem. The City of David was the original stronghold, while "Zion" in some contexts might specifically refer to the Temple Mount area where the Ark was being taken, further emphasizing the sacred final destination.
• The meticulous detailing of the leadership structure highlights the well-organized Israelite society at this point, reflecting the sophisticated governance under Solomon's reign, mirroring the order that God establishes in His people.
• The phrase "ark of the covenant of the Lord" serves as a crucial identifier, differentiating Israel's God, Yahweh, from the deities of surrounding nations, whose "thrones" were often physical idols. The Ark, housing the Law, underscored God's governance through righteous statutes, rather than through visible representations.
• This verse is the prelude to the manifestation of the Shekinah glory (2 Chr 5:13-14), indicating God's powerful acceptance of the Temple as His earthly abode. The physical movement of the Ark culminates in the spiritual reality of God's presence filling the newly built house.

2 Chronicles 5 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 5:2 initiates the climactic event of the Chronicler's narrative: the solemn dedication of Solomon's Temple. This single verse is rich in theological and historical significance. The careful enumeration of leadership—elders, heads of tribes, and chief fathers—underscores the full representation of all Israel, reflecting the Chronicler’s overarching theme of national unity centered on God and His worship. This universal participation not only lent immense authority and legitimacy to the Temple's inauguration but also served as a paradigm for future generations of unified worship.

The Ark of the Covenant, Israel's most sacred object, embodying God's presence and the terms of His covenant with His people, was the focal point of this entire assembly. Its journey from the City of David, a testament to David’s spiritual legacy, into the magnificent, permanent Temple, marked a profound shift. It symbolized the transition from a transient, wilderness worship system to a centralized, permanent structure—a theological anchoring of God’s dwelling place on earth. The use of "bring up" (לַעֲלוֹת) is key, conveying not merely movement but a sacred, ascending procession, aligning with Jerusalem's topography and its elevated spiritual status.

The dedication of the Temple and the installation of the Ark solidified Jerusalem's identity as the heart of Israelite faith and established the foundational theology that God Himself had chosen this place for His Name to dwell. This event demonstrated God's faithfulness to His promises to David (2 Sam 7) and His enduring presence among His people, confirming the Temple as the singular, divinely sanctioned center of Israelite worship. The gravity of this moment would have resonated deeply with the Chronicler's original audience, emphasizing the continuity of God's covenant and the importance of adhering to proper worship in His chosen dwelling.