2 Chronicles 2:17
2 Chronicles 2:17 in Multiple Translations
Solomon numbered all the foreign men in the land of Israel following the census his father David had conducted, and there were found to be 153,600 in all.
¶ And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
And Solomon numbered all the sojourners that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found a hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
Then Solomon took the number of all the men from strange lands who were living in Israel, as his father David had done; there were a hundred and fifty-three thousand, six hundred.
Solomon had a census taken of all the foreigners in the land of Israel, like the census his father David had conducted, and found there were 153,600.
And Salomon nombred al the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the nombring that his father Dauid had nombred them: and they were found an hundreth and three and fiftie thousand, and sixe hundreth.
And Solomon numbereth all the men, the sojourners who [are] in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father numbered them, and they are found a hundred and fifty thousand, and three thousand, and six hundred;
Solomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, after the census with which David his father had counted them; and they found one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred.
And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering with which David his father had numbered them; and they were found a hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
And Solomon numbered all the proselytes in the land of Israel, after the numbering which David his father had made, and they were found a hundred and fifty-three thousand and six hundred.
Solomon told his workers to count all the people from other countries who were living in Israel, similar to what his father David had done. There were 153,600 of them.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 2:17
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Chronicles 2:17 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
מֵ/הֶ֜ם
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
אֶ֨לֶף֙
סַבָּ֔ל
וּ/שְׁמֹנִ֥ים
אֶ֖לֶף
חֹצֵ֣ב
בָּ/הָ֑ר
וּ/שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת
אֲלָפִים֙
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
מֵא֔וֹת
מְנַצְּחִ֖ים
לְ/הַעֲבִ֥יד
אֶת
הָ/עָֽם
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֵ/הֶ֜ם
Prep | Suff
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
seventy
Adj
אֶ֨לֶף֙
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
סַבָּ֔ל
çabbâl
H5449
burden
N-ms
וּ/שְׁמֹנִ֥ים
shᵉmônîym
H8084
eighty
Conj | Adj
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
חֹצֵ֣ב
châtsab
H2672
to hew
V-Qal
בָּ/הָ֑ר
har
H2022
mountain
Prep | N-ms
וּ/שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
three
Conj | Adj
אֲלָפִים֙
ʼeleph
H505
thousand
Adj
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
six
Conj | Adj
מֵא֔וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
מְנַצְּחִ֖ים
nâtsach
H5329
to conduct
V-Piel
לְ/הַעֲבִ֥יד
ʻâbad
H5647
to serve
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 2:17
וַ/יַּ֨עַשׂ
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
מֵ/הֶ֜ם
""
Prep | Suff
שִׁבְעִ֥ים
shibʻîym
H7657
"seventy"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means the number seventy, like the seventy disciples Jesus sent out in Luke 10:1. It appears in phrases like threescore and ten. The KJV Bible uses it to describe groups of seventy people.
Definition: seventy
Usage: Occurs in 90 OT verses. KJV: seventy, threescore and ten ([phrase] -teen). See also: Genesis 4:24; Judges 9:2; Psalms 90:10.
אֶ֨לֶף֙
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
סַבָּ֔ל
çabbâl
H5449
"burden"
N-ms
This word describes a person who carries burdens, like a porter, and is translated as 'bearer of burden' in the KJV. It refers to someone who physically or emotionally supports others.
Definition: burden-bearer
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: (to bear, bearer of) burden(-s). See also: 1 Kings 5:29; 2 Chronicles 2:17; Nehemiah 4:4.
וּ/שְׁמֹנִ֥ים
shᵉmônîym
H8084
"eighty"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means eighty or eightieth, used in numbers and counting. It appears in the Bible to describe quantities and ages. In Genesis and other books, it is used to count people, animals, and years.
Definition: 1) eighty, fourscore 1a) eighty (as cardinal number) 1b) eightieth (as ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: eighty(-ieth), fourscore. See also: Genesis 5:25; 2 Kings 19:35; Psalms 90:10.
אֶ֖לֶף
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
חֹצֵ֣ב
châtsab
H2672
"to hew"
V-Qal
To hew means to cut or carve wood, stone, or other materials, like the skilled laborers who built Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings. This word is used to describe various tasks, from quarrying to engraving.
Definition: 1) to dig, cleave, divide, hew, make, cut out, dig out, cut down, quarry, hewer, mason 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to hew out, dig 1a2) to hew 1a2a) stone 1a2b) wood 1a3) to hew in pieces (metaph.) 1a4) to divide, cleave 1b) (Niphal) to be cut, be hewn, be engraved 1c) (Hiphil) to hew into pieces, cut up into pieces 1d) (Pual) to be cut from, be hewn from
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: cut, dig, divide, grave, hew (out, -er), made, mason. See also: Deuteronomy 6:11; Nehemiah 9:25; Psalms 29:7.
בָּ/הָ֑ר
har
H2022
"mountain"
Prep | N-ms
A mountain or hill, sometimes used to describe a spiritual high point. In the Bible, it can refer to a real mountain or a figurative one. The word is often translated as hill or mount.
Definition: : mount/hill hill, mountain, hill country, mount
Usage: Occurs in 486 OT verses. KJV: hill (country), mount(-ain), [idiom] promotion. See also: Genesis 7:19; Deuteronomy 3:12; Judges 18:13.
וּ/שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת
shâlôwsh
H7969
"three"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means three or thrice, and is used to describe quantities or repetitions in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including three, third, and thirteen.
Definition: 1) three, triad 1a) 3, 300, third Aramaic equivalent: te.lat (תְּלָת "three" H8532)
Usage: Occurs in 381 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:22; Joshua 1:11; 2 Kings 9:32.
אֲלָפִים֙
ʼeleph
H505
"thousand"
Adj
A thousand, as in Exodus 20:6 where God shows love to thousands of people. It represents a large number or a company of people under one leader, like an army or a group of soldiers.
Definition: : thousand 1) a thousand 1a) as numeral 2) a thousand, company 2a) as a company of men under one leader, troops
Usage: Occurs in 390 OT verses. KJV: thousand. See also: Genesis 20:16; Joshua 3:4; 2 Kings 18:23.
וְ/שֵׁ֣שׁ
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
מֵא֔וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
מְנַצְּחִ֖ים
nâtsach
H5329
"to conduct"
V-Piel
To conduct or oversee, this word describes a leader or chief musician. In the Bible, it is used in the book of Psalms to describe the role of a music director. The word implies a sense of leadership and guidance.
Definition: 1) to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring 1a) (Niphal) enduring (participle) 1b) (Piel) to act as overseer or superintendent or director or chief Aramaic equivalent: ne.tsach (נְצַח "to distinguish oneself" H5330)
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: excel, chief musician (singer), oversee(-r), set forward. See also: 1 Chronicles 15:21; Psalms 49:1; Psalms 4:1.
לְ/הַעֲבִ֥יד
ʻâbad
H5647
"to serve"
Prep | V-Hiphil-Inf-a
To serve or work is the meaning of this verb, which can also imply slavery or bondage, as seen in the story of the Israelites in Egypt. It is used to describe various types of work or service, including serving God or other people. The word has different forms and meanings in different contexts.
Definition: : serve[someone] 1) to work, serve 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to labour, work, do work 1a2) to work for another, serve another by labour 1a3) to serve as subjects 1a4) to serve (God) 1a5) to serve (with Levitical service) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be worked, be tilled (of land) 1b2) to make oneself a servant 1c) (Pual) to be worked 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to compel to labour or work, cause to labour, cause to serve 1d2) to cause to serve as subjects 1e) (Hophal) to be led or enticed to serve
Usage: Occurs in 262 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, [phrase] husbandman, keep, labour(-ing man, bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve(-ing, self), (be, become) servant(-s), do (use) service, till(-er), transgress (from margin), (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper, See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 28:14; Psalms 2:11.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הָ/עָֽם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Art | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 2:17
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Chronicles 2:17 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 2:17
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 2:17
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 2:17
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 2:17
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 2:17
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 2:17
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 2:17
Context — Hiram’s Reply to Solomon
15Now let my lord send to his servants the wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine he promised.
16We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and we will float them to you as rafts by sea down to Joppa. Then you can take them up to Jerusalem.”
17Solomon numbered all the foreign men in the land of Israel following the census his father David had conducted, and there were found to be 153,600 in all.
18Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Chronicles 22:2 | So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 5:13–16 | Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel. He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, not including his 3,300 foremen who supervised the workers. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 8:7–8 | As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to destroy—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day. |
| 4 | 2 Chronicles 2:2 | So he conscripted 70,000 porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors. |
| 5 | 1 Kings 9:20–21 | As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction —Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day. |
2 Chronicles 2:17 Summary
This verse tells us that Solomon counted all the foreign men in Israel, and there were 153,600 of them. He did this to know how many workers he had available to help with his building projects, like the temple. This shows us that Solomon was a good planner and organizer, but it also reminds us to trust in God's sovereignty over all things, as seen in Psalm 24:1 and Psalm 103:19. Just like Solomon, we can use the resources God has given us to accomplish great things, but we must always remember to trust in Him and not just in our own abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Solomon conduct a census of the foreign men in Israel?
Solomon conducted a census of the foreign men in Israel, following the example of his father David, to determine the number of laborers available for his building projects, as seen in 2 Chronicles 2:17 and 1 Chronicles 22:2.
What was the purpose of numbering the foreign men in the land of Israel?
The purpose of numbering the foreign men was to organize and allocate them to various tasks, such as serving as porters, stonecutters, and supervisors, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 2:18 and Exodus 1:11.
How does this verse relate to the broader biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations?
This verse highlights God's sovereignty over nations, as seen in Acts 17:26, where it is written that God has determined the boundaries of nations and the times of their existence, and in 2 Chronicles 2:17, where Solomon is able to utilize the foreign laborers in Israel for his building projects.
What can we learn from Solomon's example of utilizing the resources available to him?
We can learn from Solomon's example the importance of being a good steward of the resources God has provided, as taught in Matthew 25:14-30 and 1 Corinthians 4:2, and of trusting in God's sovereignty over all things, as seen in Romans 11:36.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I can be a good steward of the resources God has provided for me, just like Solomon was with the foreign laborers in Israel?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty over my life and circumstances, even when I don't understand what is happening?
- What are some areas in my life where I can apply the principle of utilizing the resources available to me, just like Solomon did with the foreign men in Israel?
- How can I balance the need to plan and organize with the need to trust in God's sovereignty, as seen in 2 Chronicles 2:17 and Proverbs 3:5-6?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 2:17
And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel,.... Which, according to Kimchi, were the remains of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites, see 2 Chronicles 8:8,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 2:17
And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 2:17
Wherewith David his father had numbered them; for David had not only numbered his own people, for which he smarted, 2 Samuel 24; but afterward he numbered the strangers, not out of vanity, but that Solomon might have a true account of them, and employ them about his buildings, as he saw fit. Yet Solomon thought fit to number them again, because death might have made a considerable alteration among them since David’ s numbering of them; and it behoved him to have an exact account of them.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 2:17
2 Chronicles 2:17 And Solomon numbered all the strangers that [were] in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.Ver. 17. After the numbering.] See 1 Chronicles 22:2.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 2:17
(17, 18) Solomon’s levy of Canaanite labourers. (A return to the subject of 2 Chronicles 2:2.)
Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 2:17
17, 18 [16, 17, Heb.] (cp. 2). Bearers and Hewers 17. David his father] See 1 Chronicles 22:2.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 2:17
The strangers are the non-Israelite population of the holy land, the descendants (chiefly) of those Canaanites whom the children of Israel did not drive out.