2 Chronicles 8 5

2 Chronicles 8:5 kjv

Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;

2 Chronicles 8:5 nkjv

He built Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars,

2 Chronicles 8:5 niv

He rebuilt Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon as fortified cities, with walls and with gates and bars,

2 Chronicles 8:5 esv

He also built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars,

2 Chronicles 8:5 nlt

He fortified the towns of Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, rebuilding their walls and installing barred gates.

2 Chronicles 8 verses

2 Chronicles 8 5 Meaning

This verse describes King Solomon's strategic building projects, specifically the fortification of Beth-horon the Upper and Beth-horon the Nether. These were crucial gateway cities located along a vital ascent from the coastal plain to the central hill country of Judah. Solomon fortified them with strong walls, sturdy gates, and reinforced bars, transforming them into secure strongholds to protect his kingdom. This initiative showcases his comprehensive approach to governance, combining administrative skill with foresight in national defense.

2 Chronicles 8 5 Context

This verse is part of 2 Chronicles Chapter 8, which details the culmination of Solomon's extensive building projects following the completion of the Temple and his royal palace. After twenty years of major construction (2 Chr 8:1), Solomon continued to expand and secure his kingdom's infrastructure. The preceding verses (2 Chr 8:2-4) list other cities Solomon conquered, restored, or built for various purposes—tribute, store cities, and cavalry cities. Verse 5 specifically focuses on the fortification of Beth-horon the Upper and Nether, emphasizing their defensive importance. This period represents the zenith of Israelite power and prosperity under God's blessing, facilitated by Solomon's divinely granted wisdom. Historically, Beth-horon controlled a critical ancient route, the "Ascent of Beth-horon," linking the coastal plain (Philistia, Gezer) to the heart of the Judean mountains (Jerusalem). Fortifying these cities ensured control over movement, protected Jerusalem from western threats, and secured trade routes, reflecting Solomon's astute understanding of geopolitics and military strategy for the peace of his kingdom.

2 Chronicles 8 5 Word analysis

• Also he built (וַיִּבֶן - vayiven): Derived from the Hebrew root banah (בָּנָה), meaning "to build, to establish, to reconstruct." This highlights not just simple construction but the act of laying a foundation and establishing something substantial and enduring. It signifies deliberate and significant developmental action by Solomon.
• Beth-horon the Upper, and Beth-horon the Nether (בֵּית חוֹרוֹן הָעֶלְיוֹן וּבֵית חוֹרוֹן הַתַּחְתּוֹן - Bet Horon Ha'elyon u'vet Horon HaTachton): "House of Horon." "Horon" might relate to an ancient deity, though here it refers to a specific geographic location. "Upper" (עֶלְיוֹן - elyon) signifies its higher elevation, and "Nether" (תַּחְתּוֹן - tachton) denotes the lower one. These two locations strategically commanded a crucial pass, forming a formidable choke-point on a main thoroughfare. Their dual mention underscores comprehensive control over this vital route.
• fortified cities (עָרֵי מִבְצָר - arei mivtzar): Arei (cities) and mivtzar (fortress, stronghold, fortified place). This phrase explicitly describes the cities' primary function. They were not just settlements but military strongholds, built for defense and protection. This denotes a deliberate investment in national security infrastructure.
• with walls (חוֹמוֹת - chomot): Chomot refers to defensive walls, typically thick, high structures enclosing the city. These were primary defenses in ancient warfare, providing protection from invasion and indicating the status and security of the city.
• gates (דְּלָתוֹת - dlatot): Dlatot means "doors" or "gates." City gates were the main entry points, often massive and made of wood or metal, allowing control over who entered or exited. They were also vital for defense, often featuring towers and guardhouses, and could be quickly closed against attack.
• and bars (וּבְרִיחִים - u'v'richim): u'v'richim refers to strong wooden or metal beams or bars used to lock and reinforce gates from the inside. This final detail completes the description of robust fortifications, emphasizing maximum security and an impenetrable defense, signifying Solomon's thoroughness in fortifying these strategic points.

Words-group analysis:

• "he built Beth-horon the Upper, and Beth-horon the Nether": This phrase emphasizes Solomon's control over both the elevated and lower sections of this critical strategic pass. It shows his foresight in establishing command over the entire defile, a key entrance to the heartland of Judah.
• "fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars": This composite phrase thoroughly details the defensive features Solomon implemented. It indicates a complete and comprehensive system of protection for these cities, demonstrating the king's commitment to the security and stability of his kingdom. It highlights his engineering capabilities and strategic planning for national defense, leveraging the best available technologies of the era for impregnability.

2 Chronicles 8 5 Bonus section

The choice of Beth-horon for significant fortification reflects its long-standing strategic importance in the biblical narrative, predating Solomon's time. It was a site where Joshua achieved a pivotal victory against the Amorite kings (Josh 10). Solomon's decision to heavily invest in these particular locations underscores the continuity of defensive concerns for the promised land and the wisdom that God bestowed upon him, allowing him to discern and act upon such crucial national security needs. This comprehensive building program across his kingdom—from the capital to remote outposts and strategic passes—was instrumental in maintaining the extraordinary prosperity and stable environment that permitted the full worship of God and the thriving of Israel as a unified kingdom.

2 Chronicles 8 5 Commentary

2 Chronicles 8:5 succinctly portrays King Solomon as a master builder and astute strategist, extending his wisdom beyond temple architecture and state administration to military defense. By fortifying Beth-horon the Upper and Nether, Solomon secured a geographically critical gateway to the kingdom's interior. This act was not merely about constructing physical structures but about solidifying the borders and ensuring the peace that characterized his reign—a peace directly attributed to God's blessing (1 Ki 4:25). The meticulous detail of "walls, gates, and bars" highlights the thoroughness of these defenses, signifying an unyielding resolve to protect the Lord's chosen people and the land promised to them. It underscores that true peace in God's kingdom involves both spiritual integrity and diligent stewardship of temporal resources for protection.

Examples for practical usage:

• Christians are called to be "watchful" (1 Pet 5:8), spiritually fortifying their lives with faith, truth, and righteousness, analogous to city walls, gates, and bars protecting against spiritual assaults.
• Like Solomon strategically protected key passes, believers are to guard their hearts and minds (Prov 4:23, Phil 4:7), which are vital spiritual "gates" where sin or deception might enter.