2 Chronicles 9:9 kjv
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices great abundance, and precious stones: neither was there any such spice as the queen of Sheba gave king Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9:9 nkjv
And she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great abundance, and precious stones; there never were any spices such as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9:9 niv
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9:9 esv
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There were no spices such as those that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9:9 nlt
Then she gave the king a gift of 9,000 pounds of gold, great quantities of spices, and precious jewels. Never before had there been spices as fine as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
2 Chronicles 9 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 10:10 | And she gave the king a hundred and twenty talents of gold... | Parallel account of the gifts. |
| 1 Ki 10:23 | So King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. | Confirms Solomon's unparalleled wealth and wisdom. |
| 2 Chr 1:12 | wisdom and knowledge are granted to you... and I will give you riches and wealth... | God's promise to Solomon regarding his blessings. |
| Mt 12:42 | The queen of the South will rise up... and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon... | Jesus affirms Queen's journey to hear Solomon. |
| Lk 11:31 | The queen of the South will rise up... and condemn this generation; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon... | Jesus reiterates the Queen's earnestness. |
| Isa 60:6 | All those from Sheba shall come; they shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall bring good news... | Future prophecy of nations bringing gifts to God. |
| Hag 2:7 | And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory... | Nations' treasures filling God's house. |
| Rev 21:24 | And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honor into it. | Kings bringing glory to the New Jerusalem. |
| Gen 4:4 | Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions... | Emphasizes bringing the best and choicest. |
| Pro 3:9 | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. | Principle of giving to God from abundance. |
| Lk 21:4 | ...this poor widow has put in more than all of them, for she contributed out of her poverty. | Emphasizes heart behind the gift's value. |
| 1 Ki 8:41-43 | Concerning the foreigner who is not of your people Israel... hear in heaven... that all the peoples of the earth may know your name... | Solomon's prayer for foreigners recognizing God. |
| Isa 2:2 | In the latter days the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established... and all nations shall stream to it. | All nations drawn to Zion (God's presence). |
| Zec 8:22 | Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem... | Many nations seeking the Lord. |
| Jer 6:20 | To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? | Mentions incense from Sheba. |
| Ezek 27:22 | The merchants of Sheba and Raamah, they were your merchants: they occupied in thy fairs with chief of all spices... | Sheba as a source of prime spices. |
| Deu 4:32 | Has anything so great as this ever happened? Has anything like it ever been heard of? | Rhetorical question emphasizing uniqueness of God's acts. |
| Exo 11:6 | And there shall be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has never been... | Describing something unprecedented in magnitude. |
| 2 Sam 7:22 | Therefore you are great, O Lord God. For there is none like you... | God's unmatched nature. |
| Psa 147:20 | He has not dealt thus with any other nation... | Israel's unique favor by God. |
2 Chronicles 9 verses
2 Chronicles 9 9 Meaning
This verse details the magnificent gifts brought by the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. It highlights the vast quantity of gold and precious stones, but specifically emphasizes the unprecedented and superior quality of the spices she presented, underscoring the exceptional nature of Solomon's reign, blessed by God.
2 Chronicles 9 9 Context
This verse is situated within the account of the Queen of Sheba's renowned visit to King Solomon in Jerusalem, as described in 2 Chronicles chapter 9 (paralleled in 1 Kings chapter 10). The Queen had journeyed from her distant land to personally witness Solomon's extraordinary wisdom and wealth, which had been widely reported. Upon seeing the magnificence of Solomon's court, his provisions, his wisdom in answering all her difficult questions, and the administration of his kingdom, she was overwhelmed, acknowledging that the reports had fallen short of the reality. Verse 9 then meticulously lists her reciprocated gifts, emphasizing their lavishness and the unmatched quality of the spices. This event serves to demonstrate God's profound blessing upon Solomon and, by extension, upon Israel, making Jerusalem a global center of attraction, reflecting divine glory. Historically, Solomon's reign marked the pinnacle of Israel's unified kingdom, characterized by peace, prosperity, and international renown, largely attributed to his God-given wisdom.
2 Chronicles 9 9 Word analysis
- And she gave: This action signifies the queen's recognition and appreciation for Solomon's wisdom and glory, acting as a tribute or homage. It indicates a reciprocal exchange following Solomon's generosity towards her (2 Chr 9:12).
- the king: Refers to King Solomon, the central figure in this narrative and the recipient of this extraordinary honor and wealth, illustrating his preeminent status.
- a hundred and twenty talents of gold: This is כִּכַּר זָהָב (kikkar zahav) in Hebrew. A talent was a large unit of weight, approximately 75 pounds (or about 34 kg). Thus, 120 talents equals about 9,000 pounds (or approximately 4,080 kg) of gold, a staggering sum representing immense wealth. It signifies the immense riches available and traded during Solomon's time, confirming the fulfillment of God's promise to make Solomon wealthier than any king.
- and of spices: The Hebrew word is בְּשָׂמִים (besamim), referring to various fragrant resins, oils, or powders derived from plants, such as frankincense and myrrh, which were highly valuable commodities in the ancient world for perfume, medicine, sacred rituals, and embalming. These were major exports from the Arabian Peninsula, likely the Queen of Sheba's homeland.
- a very great store: The Hebrew הַרְבֵּה מְאֹד (harbeh me'od) is a superlative expression emphasizing an exceedingly abundant quantity. It underscores the lavishness and opulence of the gift, not just in quantity but implicitly in its exceptional quality.
- and precious stones: This is וְאֶבֶן יְקָרָה (ve'even yeqarah) in Hebrew, denoting valuable gems and minerals. These were rare and highly coveted items, often used for royal adornment, currency, and decorating sacred structures, highlighting the grandeur of the gift.
- neither was there any such spice: The Hebrew phrase וְלֹא הָיָה כָּאֵלֶּה הַבְּשָׂמִים (velo hayah ka'eleh habeshamim) explicitly states that the quality and possibly the quantity or variety of these particular spices were unmatched. This hyperbole emphasizes the superlative nature of the gift, signifying that no comparable spices had ever been seen in Israel before. This distinction serves to highlight the unique favor of God upon Solomon and the unmatched glory of his kingdom.
- as the Queen of Sheba gave King Solomon: This phrase firmly attributes the unparalleled gift to its specific giver and recipient, sealing the historical and cultural significance of the event and providing the defining moment for this unique instance of extraordinary giving.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And she gave the king... gold, ...spices..., and precious stones": This opening part details the categories of lavish gifts—metals, aromatics, and gems—all commodities of immense value and prestige in the ancient world. It catalogues the physical representation of her profound respect and Solomon's elevated status.
- "...a hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices a very great store, and precious stones": This group highlights the immense value and abundance of the gifts. The specific mention of gold quantity and the general term for spices and stones underscore a presentation of unparalleled royal wealth and high-value international trade goods. It's a statement about Solomon's economic preeminence under God's blessing.
- "neither was there any such spice as the Queen of Sheba gave King Solomon": This conclusive phrase, distinct from the enumeration of other gifts, elevates the spices to an almost mythical status. It implies that these were not just abundant but of an unprecedented quality or rarity. The Chronicler uses this superlative language to underscore the divine favor on Solomon, making his kingdom an exceptional manifestation of God's blessing and glory that no one had ever witnessed before.
2 Chronicles 9 9 Bonus section
The chronicler's account of the Queen of Sheba's visit, particularly the superlative description of her gifts, aims to validate Solomon's reign as a peak moment of Israelite glory. This glory is presented as divinely ordained and globally acknowledged, attracting even distant pagan rulers to marvel at the wisdom bestowed by the Lord upon Solomon. The precise and somewhat hyperbolic language of the Chronicler reinforces that the source of Solomon's wisdom and wealth was Yahweh, making the gifts a tribute not only to the king but also, implicitly, to the God of Israel who exalted him. The extensive travel and dangerous journey undertaken by the Queen underscore the unparalleled reputation of Solomon and the reverence he inspired through God's wisdom. This account indirectly contrasts with any other contemporary kingdom's lesser achievements or any reliance on idols for prosperity, focusing solely on the unmatched blessings derived from the one true God.
2 Chronicles 9 9 Commentary
2 Chronicles 9:9 recounts a pivotal moment reflecting the divine blessing on King Solomon: the Queen of Sheba's overwhelming tribute. Her gifts, especially the "hundred and twenty talents of gold" and "precious stones," signify staggering wealth and Solomon's unmatched prosperity, which was directly attributed to God's promises. However, the unique emphasis on the "spices"—stated to be like none ever seen—points beyond mere quantity to a profound qualitative superiority. This detail accentuates the extraordinary nature of God's favor and the universal recognition of His wisdom dwelling in Solomon. The unparalleled quality of the spices underscores that Jerusalem, under God's anointed king, had become a center of excellence and a repository of the world's finest, all as a testament to God's glory.