2 Chronicles 8:3 kjv
And Solomon went to Hamathzobah, and prevailed against it.
2 Chronicles 8:3 nkjv
And Solomon went to Hamath Zobah and seized it.
2 Chronicles 8:3 niv
Solomon then went to Hamath Zobah and captured it.
2 Chronicles 8:3 esv
And Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and took it.
2 Chronicles 8:3 nlt
Solomon also fought against the town of Hamath-zobah and conquered it.
2 Chronicles 8 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 4:21 | And Solomon was sovereign over all the kingdoms from the River... | Solomon's widespread dominion |
| 2 Chron 9:26 | He ruled over all the kings from the River to the land of the Philistines. | Solomon's dominion and extent of rule |
| Gen 15:18 | "To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt...Euphrates." | God's promise of extensive land to Abraham |
| Num 34:7-9 | "This shall be your north border: from the Great Sea you shall mark...Hamath" | Hamath defining northern promised border |
| Josh 13:5 | "...all the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon toward the sunrise, from Baal-gad below Mount Hermon to Lebo-hamath." | Hamath as a boundary of Israel's territory |
| Judg 3:3 | The five lords of the Philistines and all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites who lived on Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal-hermon as far as Lebo-hamath. | Hamath defining a regional limit |
| 2 Sam 8:3 | David also struck Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went... | David's previous defeat of Zobah |
| 1 Chron 18:3 | David also struck Hadadezer king of Zobah, as far as Hamath, as he went... | Parallel account of David subduing Zobah |
| 1 Kgs 8:65 | "from Lebo-hamath to the Brook of Egypt." | Solomon's kingdom extent, echoing borders |
| Ps 72:8 | May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! | Prophecy of the King's vast dominion |
| Ps 72:11 | May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him! | Kings and nations serving the ideal king |
| Isa 11:12 | "He will raise a signal for the nations... and from the four corners of the earth." | Future kingdom gathering nations (messianic echo) |
| Ezek 47:16 | "The border shall be Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim..." | Hamath as a future northern border in vision |
| Zech 9:2 | "Hamath also, which borders on it; Tyre and Sidon, though they are very skillful." | Prophecy mentioning Hamath |
| 1 Kgs 9:15 | This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house...and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer. | Solomon's building/fortification efforts elsewhere |
| 2 Chron 8:4-6 | "He also built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities...and fortified cities, with walls and gates and bars." | Solomon's extensive building activities |
| 1 Kgs 10:28-29 | And Solomon's import of horses was from Egypt... and the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Aram acquired them by his hand. | Control of trade routes via Hamath-zobah |
| Ps 89:25 | "I will set his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers." | King's dominion over strategic areas |
| Prov 29:4 | By justice a king builds up the land... | A king establishing and securing his kingdom |
| Rom 15:12 | "...The root of Jesse will come...in him will the Gentiles hope." | Jesus as the fulfiller of global dominion |
| Phil 4:7 | And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts... | Securing peace, a theme of Solomon's reign |
| Luke 19:27 | "But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them..." | Conquest as an act of asserting kingship (parable) |
| Rev 11:15 | "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever." | Ultimate expansion of God's kingdom |
2 Chronicles 8 verses
2 Chronicles 8 3 Meaning
The verse indicates that King Solomon launched a military expedition to Hamath-zobah and successfully gained control of the territory. This act demonstrates his continued expansion of the kingdom's influence and authority, solidifying Israel's northern borders and securing vital strategic and trade routes, contributing to the peace and prosperity of his reign.
2 Chronicles 8 3 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 8 primarily details Solomon's construction projects, workforce organization, and continued administration after building the temple and his palace. Following a note about Hiram's exchange of cities in verse 2, verse 3 immediately describes a military action: Solomon going to Hamath-zobah and capturing it. This specific act highlights Solomon's assertion of authority beyond the core Israelite territories. It precedes an extensive list of cities he built or fortified, showcasing his dominion over strategic economic and military sites, linking this acquisition to the broader security and prosperity of his kingdom. Historically, Hamath was an important city-state in Syria, located on the Orontes River, while Zobah was a powerful Aramean kingdom previously subdued by King David. Solomon's action reaffirms control over a vital northern region, securing trade routes and expanding the kingdom's reach toward its promised borders.
2 Chronicles 8 3 Word analysis
And Solomon (וַיֵּלֶךְ שְׁלֹמֹה - vayyelekh Shĕlomoh): "And he went, Solomon." The consecutive waw indicates a sequential action following previous accounts of his building projects. Solomon's name (Shlomo) means "peaceful" or "peace-full," contrasting slightly with this active military undertaking, yet this action likely contributes to the overall peace and security of his kingdom.
went (וַיֵּלֶךְ - vayyelekh): From the Hebrew root הָלַךְ (halakh), meaning "to go" or "to walk." While it literally means "went," in this context, when combined with capturing a territory, it signifies leading a military expedition or assertion of authority over an area. It implies purposeful action and dominion.
to Hamath-zobah (חֲמָת צוֹבָה - Ḥămāṯ Ṣōḇāh): This is a specific geographic reference combining "Hamath" and "Zobah."
- Hamath (חֲמָת - Ḥamāṯ): A significant Aramean city-state on the Orontes River in central Syria, marking the traditional northern boundary of the land promised to Israel (Num 34:8). It was strategic for trade and defense.
- Zobah (צוֹבָה - Ṣōḇāh): A powerful Aramean kingdom whose king, Hadadezer, was decisively defeated by King David (2 Sam 8:3; 1 Chron 18:3). The combined term "Hamath-zobah" suggests a specific region or perhaps a part of Zobah's former territory that was near or associated with Hamath. Solomon's move secures a long-term strategic interest established by David.
and captured it (וַיַּחֲזִק בָּהּ׃ - vayyaḥăzîq bah): "And he seized/held firm to it."
- captured (וַיַּחֲזִק - vayyaḥăzîq): From the root חָזַק (hazaq), meaning "to be strong, seize, lay hold of, strengthen." In a military context, it signifies taking possession by force, subjugation, or establishing a strong foothold. It suggests more than mere occupation; it implies establishing lasting control and dominion, consolidating the rule.
- it (בָּהּ - bāhh): Feminine singular suffix, referring to Hamath-zobah.
Words-group analysis:
- "Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and captured it": This concise phrase illustrates the assertion of Solomon's sovereign power. Unlike David's initial aggressive conquest of Zobah, Solomon's act might signify a re-establishing or reinforcing of control over a territory previously subdued, or the securing of a vital northern corridor. It shows that even during his peaceful reign, strategic military or diplomatic actions were necessary to maintain the kingdom's integrity and extend its influence. This action expands Israel's sphere of influence to its historical, promised northern boundaries, thus contributing to the kingdom's overall security and prosperity.
2 Chronicles 8 3 Bonus section
The Chronicler's emphasis on Solomon's actions in Hamath-zobah serves several purposes. It reinforces the theme of Solomon's vast and blessed kingdom, fulfilling the promised dominion to Israel. This event showcases that Solomon was not just a king of peace and wisdom, but also capable of military and political action when needed to secure his realm. While 1 Kings focuses more on Solomon's internal administration and wisdom, 2 Chronicles frequently highlights aspects of his reign that directly relate to the covenant, the temple, and the expansive nature of the kingdom, often mirroring David's achievements. The acquisition of Hamath-zobah thus aligns Solomon with the strong, divinely-favored kings who expanded and secured the land of Israel according to God's purpose.
2 Chronicles 8 3 Commentary
2 Chronicles 8:3 is a brief but potent statement demonstrating King Solomon's effective reign beyond mere temple building and administration. His initiative to go to Hamath-zobah and capture it reveals a strategic mind focused on solidifying the borders and extending the reach of his kingdom. This act ensured control over critical trade routes that passed through this northern territory, contributing directly to the immense wealth and logistical capabilities for which Solomon's reign was renowned. It also fulfilled the ancient promises of God to Abraham and David concerning the vastness of Israel's territory (Gen 15:18, 1 Kgs 8:65), showing divine blessing upon a king who walked in God's ways. This expansion cemented Solomon's reputation as a powerful and astute ruler, whose wisdom extended to both diplomacy and territorial security. It highlights that true peace, especially for a nation, often requires strength and strategic positioning.