2 Chronicles 8 17

2 Chronicles 8:17 kjv

Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

2 Chronicles 8:17 nkjv

Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the seacoast, in the land of Edom.

2 Chronicles 8:17 niv

Then Solomon went to Ezion Geber and Elath on the coast of Edom.

2 Chronicles 8:17 esv

Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Eloth on the shore of the sea, in the land of Edom.

2 Chronicles 8:17 nlt

Later Solomon went to Ezion-geber and Elath, ports along the shore of the Red Sea in the land of Edom.

2 Chronicles 8 verses

2 Chronicles 8 17 Meaning

This verse states that King Solomon traveled to Ezion-geber and Eloth, two key port cities situated at the head of the Gulf of Aqaba, which is an arm of the Red Sea, within the territory of Edom. It signifies Solomon's strategic control over crucial maritime trade routes, essential for the expansion and prosperity of his kingdom.

2 Chronicles 8 17 Context

This verse appears in 2 Chronicles chapter 8, which primarily details Solomon's extensive building projects beyond the Temple and his own palace. It describes his fortified cities, store cities, and chariot cities, as well as his administrative organization of the labor force drawn from non-Israelite inhabitants. Within this chapter, verses 13-17 provide a summary of Solomon's systematic approach to Temple service and then his key actions regarding his external enterprises, specifically his involvement with shipping. The historical context for this verse is Solomon's golden age, a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and territorial expansion for Israel. Having inherited a unified kingdom from David who had subdued Edom, Solomon could focus on developing a vast trading network. His control over Ezion-geber and Eloth at the head of the Red Sea was paramount to this, allowing him to conduct lucrative maritime trade with distant lands like Ophir, which brought immense wealth into Jerusalem and cemented Israel's international standing. This strategic move highlights the peak of Israel's national strength under Solomon, demonstrating a near-fulfillment of the land promises made to Abraham.

2 Chronicles 8 17 Word analysis

• Then went Solomon:
  • "Then" (`ʔāz`, אָז) denotes a sequential action, following the administrative and religious actions previously mentioned by the chronicler. It signals a shift back to Solomon's broader external activities.
  • "Solomon" (`Shĕlōmōh`, שְׁלֹמֹה) means "peaceful." His reign, largely free from major wars due to David's prior conquests, allowed him to dedicate resources to ambitious building projects, internal organization, and expansive international trade, as highlighted in this verse. His proactive movement "went" underscores his direct involvement and control.
• to Ezion-geber:
  • (`ʻĒṣyôn Geḇer`, עֶצְיוֹן גֶּבֶר), possibly meaning "giant's backbone" or "tree of the mighty man." This was a significant port city situated at the northern end of the Gulf of Aqaba, the eastern arm of the Red Sea. Its mention immediately identifies a critical strategic asset under Solomon's command, crucial for maritime trade routes that connected Israel to resource-rich lands in the south.
• and to Eloth:
  • (`ʼÊlōṯ`, אֵילוֹת), also spelled "Elath" or "Eilat," meaning "terebinths" or "oaks." This city was located adjacent to Ezion-geber on the Gulf of Aqaba. Its inclusion emphasizes Solomon's complete control over this vital bottleneck, ensuring unfettered access for his commercial and naval fleets. These two cities often function as a geographical pair, underscoring Israel's dual port capability at this critical junction.
• at the sea side:
  • (`ʻal pi yam`, עַל־פִי יָם) literally means "at the mouth/edge of the sea." This phrase specifies the precise geographical placement of Ezion-geber and Eloth, affirming their function as maritime ports. It distinguishes them from inland settlements and highlights their direct access to naval commerce via the Red Sea.
• in the land of Edom:
  • (`bə-ʼereṣ ʼĕdōm`, בְּאֶרֶץ אֱדוֹם), literally "in the land of Red/Red One." Edom refers to the descendants of Esau, historically often adversaries to Israel. The explicit mention of these key ports being within Edomite territory underscores the extensive reach and subjugation of previously independent regions under Solomon's empire. This strategic control, inherited from David's earlier conquest of Edom, was fundamental to Israel's unprecedented prosperity during Solomon's reign, allowing them safe passage and operation in foreign lands.

2 Chronicles 8 17 Bonus section

• The strategic importance of Ezion-geber and Eloth transcended Solomon's era. Later in Israel's history, King Jehoshaphat also attempted to utilize Ezion-geber for building a fleet, but his venture failed due to his unholy alliance (2 Chron 20:36-37), demonstrating that divine favor and adherence to God's commands were paramount for success, regardless of the king's resources or geographical advantage.
• Solomon's actions here fulfilled aspects of the promise to Abraham, specifically regarding the expansion of Israel's territory "from the River [Euphrates] to the sea" (1 Ki 4:21). His control over Red Sea ports illustrated Israel's reach in all four cardinal directions.
• The historical significance of these ports also connects to the exodus, where the Israelites passed near Elath and Ezion-geber after bypassing Edom, showcasing their ancient presence in biblical narrative even before Solomon's dominion.
• This verse subtly highlights the intricate balance between spiritual blessings and material prosperity in God's covenant with Israel, where faithfulness could lead to such an extensive and prosperous kingdom.

2 Chronicles 8 17 Commentary

2 Chronicles 8:17 encapsulates the peak of King Solomon's geopolitical influence and economic ambition. By venturing to and controlling the Red Sea ports of Ezion-geber and Eloth, located in Edomite territory, Solomon effectively established Israel as a formidable maritime power. This strategic move was not merely exploratory but foundational to his legendary wealth, facilitating lucrative trade with distant lands, most famously Ophir. The chronicler emphasizes not just the act of "going," but Solomon's firm grip on these vital arteries of commerce, which provided the immense influx of resources that allowed him to make silver as common as stones in Jerusalem (2 Chron 9:27). This control over previously adversarial Edomite land serves as a testament to God's blessing on Solomon's reign and the fulfillment, however partial, of God's land promises to Abraham, depicting an era where Israel's boundaries and influence were at their zenith under the Davidic king.