2 Chronicles 9:17 kjv
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
2 Chronicles 9:17 nkjv
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
2 Chronicles 9:17 niv
Then the king made a great throne covered with ivory and overlaid with pure gold.
2 Chronicles 9:17 esv
The king also made a great ivory throne and overlaid it with pure gold.
2 Chronicles 9:17 nlt
Then the king made a huge throne, decorated with ivory and overlaid with pure gold.
2 Chronicles 9 17 Cross References
Verse | Text | Reference |
---|---|---|
1 Ki 10:18-20 | Moreover, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold... no such throne was ever made in any kingdom. | Parallel account of Solomon's throne. |
2 Chr 1:12 | "...I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as no king... has had... | God's promise of unparalleled wealth to Solomon. |
2 Chr 9:22 | So King Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. | Reinforces Solomon's unsurpassed wealth. |
Ps 9:7 | But the Lord sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment. | God's eternal throne of justice. |
Ps 89:4 | ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build up your throne for all generations.’ | God's covenant with David for an enduring throne. |
Isa 6:1 | In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up... | Vision of God's majestic heavenly throne. |
Jer 17:12 | A glorious throne set on high from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary. | God's holy temple as a symbolic throne. |
Mt 19:28 | "...you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel." | Disciples' future authority in Christ's kingdom. |
Mt 25:31 | "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne." | Jesus' future reign and judgment. |
Heb 1:8 | But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever...” | Christ's eternal divine kingship. |
Heb 4:16 | Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace... | Access to God's presence and mercy. |
Rev 3:21 | "The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne." | Believers sharing Christ's authority. |
Rev 4:2 | "...and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne!" | John's vision of God's sovereign throne. |
Rev 20:4 | Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom authority to judge was committed. | Thrones representing authority and judgment. |
Gen 41:40 | "...Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” | Pharaoh acknowledging Joseph's delegated authority. |
Ex 25:11 | You shall overlay it with pure gold, inside and outside, and you shall make on it a molding of gold. | God's command for Tabernacle items using pure gold. |
1 Ki 6:20-21 | He overlaid the inner sanctuary with pure gold... covered it with gold. | Temple's inner sanctum adorned with gold. |
Song 5:14 | His body is a carved ivory work, overlaid with sapphires. | Ivory and precious materials symbolize beauty. |
Rev 18:12 | ...merchandise of gold, silver, precious stones, pearls, fine linen, purple cloth, silk, scarlet cloth, all kinds of scented wood, all kinds of ivory articles... | Worldly wealth and luxury. |
Rev 21:18 | The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, like clear glass. | The ultimate splendor of the New Jerusalem. |
Deut 17:17 | And he shall not acquire many horses for himself... or acquire much silver and gold for himself. | Caution against excessive royal accumulation (a king's heart not turning away from God). |
Ps 72:1-20 | Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! | Prophetic description of an ideal, righteous, prosperous king. |
Dan 7:9 | "As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat..." | Vision of God's judicial throne. |
Hag 2:23 | "On that day, declares the Lord of hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel my servant... and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you...” | God raising a servant to a position of authority. |
Prov 20:8 | A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters all evil with his eyes. | Kingly responsibility for justice. |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 17 Meaning
2 Chronicles 9:17 describes a prominent feature of King Solomon's opulence and power: a magnificent throne made of ivory and overlaid with pure gold. This verse highlights the unparalleled wealth and artistic sophistication achieved during Solomon's reign, directly attributed to God's blessing and wisdom granted to him, as recounted throughout this chapter and book. The throne, as the seat of royal authority and judgment, symbolizes the stability and glory of Solomon's kingdom.
2 Chronicles 9 17 Context
2 Chronicles Chapter 9 elaborates on the unparalleled splendor of King Solomon's reign, focusing on his wisdom, vast wealth, and global reputation. The chapter details the Queen of Sheba's visit, her awe at Solomon's wisdom and prosperity, and the gifts exchanged. Verses 13-28 specifically describe the extraordinary abundance of gold and exotic materials flowing into Jerusalem during Solomon's rule, a direct fulfillment of God's promise to him (2 Chr 1:12). Verse 17, depicting the ivory and gold throne, is central to portraying the sheer magnificence of his royal seat, emphasizing its uniqueness (as elaborated in 2 Chr 9:18-19). This depiction serves to underscore that God's blessing was tangible and manifested in material glory, validating the Davidic covenant and the wisdom bestowed upon Solomon. Historically, this period represents the zenith of Israel's unified kingdom, economically and politically, under divine favor.
2 Chronicles 9 17 Word analysis
- Furthermore (Hebrew: וְעוֹד,
wᵉ‘ôḏ
): This adverb connects the preceding description of Solomon's vast gold revenue (2 Chr 9:13-16) with the construction of his throne, indicating a continuation and addition to the list of his riches. It signals that the following description is another example of his unparalleled opulence. - the king (Hebrew: הַמֶּלֶךְ,
hammeleḵ
): Refers specifically to King Solomon, emphasizing his royal identity and agency in commissioning this grand piece. As the divinely chosen king, his actions, particularly in acquiring such wealth and crafting such symbols of power, are presented as a direct outcome of God's favor. - made (Hebrew: עָשָׂה,
‘āśâ
): Signifies active creation, construction, or commissioning. It highlights Solomon's role in planning and overseeing this monumental artistic endeavor, which required significant resources, skill, and an aesthetic vision reflecting his divine wisdom. - a great throne (Hebrew: כִּסֵּא גָּדוֹל,
kissēʾ gāḏôl
): "Throne" (kissēʾ
) is the fundamental symbol of royal authority, power, judgment, and kingship. Its "greatness" (gāḏôl
) signifies not only its physical size and impressive appearance but also its symbolic importance as the seat of a king blessed by God, unrivaled in splendor among nations. This "greatness" foreshadows the divine throne, which is the source of all true authority. - of ivory (Hebrew: שֵׁן,
šēn
, literally "tooth"): Referring to elephant ivory. This was an exotic and incredibly expensive material, highly prized for its beauty and the difficulty of acquiring it, requiring extensive trade networks, possibly through Ophir, as mentioned in 2 Chr 9:21. Its use emphasizes Solomon's global reach and luxurious taste. Ivory was also valued for its smooth finish and potential for intricate carvings (as further described in 2 Chr 9:18-19). - and overlaid it (Hebrew: וַיְצַפֵּהוּ,
wayyĕṣapêhû
): This verb means "to plate," "to cover," or "to overlay." It implies that the gold was applied as a layer over the ivory structure, a common and lavish decorative technique for valuable objects, enhancing their appearance and increasing their worth. - with pure gold (Hebrew: זָהָב סָגוּר,
zāhāḇ sāgûr
): "Gold" (zāhāḇ
) is universally symbolic of wealth, permanence, value, and royalty. The addition of "pure" (sāgûr
), also translated as "refined" or "fine," signifies the highest quality gold, often implying it was from the best sources or had undergone extensive purification. This choice of material underscores the ultimate level of luxury and excellence Solomon employed in the construction of his throne, further elevating its significance as a unique symbol of God's favor.
2 Chronicles 9 17 Bonus section
The detailed description of Solomon's throne, particularly its materials (ivory and gold), is strategically placed by the Chronicler. Ivory was notably imported and luxurious, requiring extensive international trade, much of which Solomon controlled. Gold, especially "pure gold" (from Ophir, 2 Chr 9:10), was a marker of unparalleled opulence. The choice of these specific materials also draws a direct link to the furnishing of the Temple (e.g., Ex 25:11), implying that Solomon's throne, like the Temple, possessed a sacred-like grandeur, symbolizing his role as God's representative. This throne implicitly polemicizes against other Near Eastern kings who, despite their power, did not possess the level of divinely sanctioned and obtained wealth. This specific throne, later referenced in 1 Ki 10, signifies the zenith of an earthly kingdom’s material prosperity under God's blessing, serving as an ideal against which later, less faithful kings of Israel would be implicitly compared. The repeated emphasis on Solomon's unprecedented wealth (e.g., 2 Chr 9:22) reinforces the idea that this grandeur was divinely enabled and not simply human ambition.
2 Chronicles 9 17 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:17 vividly portrays a specific aspect of Solomon's extraordinary wealth and the unmatched splendor of his reign, rooted in God's covenant blessings. The ivory and pure gold throne stands not merely as a luxurious artifact but as a powerful visual emblem of the divine wisdom and prosperity bestowed upon Solomon. It was designed to impress both Israel and foreign nations, fulfilling the promise that no king before or after him would possess such riches. This unparalleled throne, described further in the subsequent verses with its six steps and twelve lions, reflects an ideal kingship under YHWH, where abundant wealth serves as a testimony to God's faithfulness when a ruler walks in wisdom. It's a snapshot of a peak period of earthly glory for Israel, intended by the Chronicler to inspire hope and faithfulness among the post-exilic community by pointing back to what God could and did do for His people when His covenant was honored.