2 Chronicles 3:5
2 Chronicles 3:5 in Multiple Translations
He paneled the main room with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains.
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.
And the greater house he ceiled with fir-wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and wrought thereon palm-trees and chains.
And the greater house was roofed with cypress-wood, plated with the best gold and ornamented with designs of palm-trees and chains.
He paneled the main room with cypress overlaid with fine gold, with images of palm trees and chains.
And the greater house he sieled with firre tree which he ouerlayd with good golde, and graued thereon palme trees and chaines.
And the large house he hath covered with fir-trees, and he doth cover it with good gold, and causeth to ascend on it palms and chains,
He made the larger room with a ceiling of cypress wood, which he overlaid with fine gold, and ornamented it with palm trees and chains.
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set on it palm trees and chains.
And the greater house he ceiled with deal boards, and overlaid them with plates of fine gold throughout: and he graved in them palm trees, and like little chains interlaced with one another.
Solomon’s workers used panels/boards of pine wood to line the main hall of the temple. Then they covered those panels with very thin sheets of pure gold. Then they decorated the walls with carved images of palm trees and designs that resembled chains.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 3:5
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 3:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵ֣ת
הַ/בַּ֣יִת
הַ/גָּד֗וֹל
חִפָּה֙
עֵ֣ץ
בְּרוֹשִׁ֔ים
וַ/יְחַפֵּ֖/הוּ
זָהָ֣ב
ט֑וֹב
וַ/יַּ֧עַל
עָלָ֛י/ו
תִּמֹרִ֖ים
וְ/שַׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת
וְ/אֵ֣ת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/בַּ֣יִת
bayith
H1004
place
Art | N-ms
הַ/גָּד֗וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
Great (Sea)
Art | Adj
חִפָּה֙
châphâh
H2645
to cover
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
tree
N-ms
בְּרוֹשִׁ֔ים
bᵉrôwsh
H1265
cypress
N-mp
וַ/יְחַפֵּ֖/הוּ
châphâh
H2645
to cover
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
זָהָ֣ב
zâhâb
H2091
gold
N-ms
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
pleasant
Adj
וַ/יַּ֧עַל
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
עָלָ֛י/ו
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep | Suff
תִּמֹרִ֖ים
timmôr
H8561
palm
N-fp
וְ/שַׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת
sharshᵉrâh
H8333
chain
Conj | N-fp
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 3:5
וְ/אֵ֣ת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | 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.
הַ/בַּ֣יִת
bayith
H1004
"place"
Art | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
הַ/גָּד֗וֹל
gâdôwl
H1419
"Great (Sea)"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means something or someone great, whether in size, age, or importance. It appears in descriptions of the Great Sea and the Philistines. The word is used to convey a sense of magnitude or grandeur.
Definition: adj great Also named: pe.lish.ti (פְּלִשְׁתִּי "(Sea of the )Philistines" H6430I)
Usage: Occurs in 499 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very. See also: Genesis 1:16; Joshua 7:26; 1 Kings 20:13.
חִפָּה֙
châphâh
H2645
"to cover"
V-Piel-Perf-3ms
To cover something, like a roof or a secret, is what this word means in the original Hebrew. It appears in Exodus 26:14, describing the covering of the tabernacle. This concept is also seen in 1 Kings 7:3.
Definition: 1) to cover, overlay, wainscotted, covered with boards or panelling 1a) (Qal) to cover 1b)(Niphal) to be covered 1c) (Piel) to cover, overlay
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: ceil, cover, overlay. See also: 2 Samuel 15:30; Esther 6:12; Psalms 68:14.
עֵ֣ץ
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
בְּרוֹשִׁ֔ים
bᵉrôwsh
H1265
"cypress"
N-mp
A cypress tree or a type of evergreen is what this word refers to, also used to make objects like lances or musical instruments, as seen in the KJV translation 'fir tree'.
Definition: 1) cypress, fir, juniper, pine 1a) a noble tree (lit.) 1b) of stateliness (fig.) 1c) material for temple
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: fir (tree). See also: 2 Samuel 6:5; Isaiah 14:8; Psalms 104:17.
וַ/יְחַפֵּ֖/הוּ
châphâh
H2645
"to cover"
Conj | V-Piel-ConsecImperf-3ms | Suff
To cover something, like a roof or a secret, is what this word means in the original Hebrew. It appears in Exodus 26:14, describing the covering of the tabernacle. This concept is also seen in 1 Kings 7:3.
Definition: 1) to cover, overlay, wainscotted, covered with boards or panelling 1a) (Qal) to cover 1b)(Niphal) to be covered 1c) (Piel) to cover, overlay
Usage: Occurs in 10 OT verses. KJV: ceil, cover, overlay. See also: 2 Samuel 15:30; Esther 6:12; Psalms 68:14.
זָהָ֣ב
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
ט֑וֹב
ṭôwb
H2896
"pleasant"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means good or welfare, describing something that is beneficial or pleasing, like a good deed or a happy time. It is used in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms. This word is often translated as 'good' or 'beautiful'.
Definition: adj 1) good, pleasant, agreeable 1a) pleasant, agreeable (to the senses) 1b) pleasant (to the higher nature) 1c) good, excellent (of its kind) 1d) good, rich, valuable in estimation 1e) good, appropriate, becoming 1f) better (comparative) 1g) glad, happy, prosperous (of man's sensuous nature) 1h) good understanding (of man's intellectual nature) 1i) good, kind, benign 1j) good, right (ethical) Aramaic equivalent: tav (טָב "fine" H2869)
Usage: Occurs in 521 OT verses. KJV: beautiful, best, better, bountiful, cheerful, at ease, [idiom] fair (word), (be in) favour, fine, glad, good (deed, -lier, -liest, -ly, -ness, -s), graciously, joyful, kindly, kindness, liketh (best), loving, merry, [idiom] most, pleasant, [phrase] pleaseth, pleasure, precious, prosperity, ready, sweet, wealth, welfare, (be) well(-favoured). See also: Genesis 1:4; Ruth 2:22; 2 Chronicles 3:8.
וַ/יַּ֧עַל
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
עָלָ֛י/ו
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
תִּמֹרִ֖ים
timmôr
H8561
"palm"
N-fp
In the Bible, this word refers to a palm tree or a decorative column shaped like a palm, often used in architecture. It symbolizes peace and victory, as seen in the tabernacle's design. Exodus describes palm trees in the wilderness.
Definition: palm tree figure (as ornament)
Usage: Occurs in 16 OT verses. KJV: palm tree. See also: 1 Kings 6:29; Ezekiel 40:31; Ezekiel 41:26.
וְ/שַׁרְשְׁרֽוֹת
sharshᵉrâh
H8333
"chain"
Conj | N-fp
This word also means a chain, but can also describe a decorative garland. It is used in the Bible to describe a series of connected items.
Definition: chain
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: chain. See also: Exodus 28:14; 1 Kings 7:17; 2 Chronicles 3:16.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 3:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Chronicles 3:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 3:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 3:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:5
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:5
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 3:5
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 3:5
Context — The Temple’s Interior
3The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard.
4The portico at the front, extending across the width of the temple, was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold.
5He paneled the main room with cypress, which he overlaid with fine gold and decorated with palm trees and chains.
6He adorned the temple with precious stones for beauty, and its gold was from Parvaim. 7He overlaid its beams, thresholds, walls, and doors with gold, and he carved cherubim on the walls.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 6:15–17 | He lined the interior walls with cedar paneling from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and he covered the floor with cypress boards. He partitioned off the twenty cubits at the rear of the temple with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form within the temple an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. And the main hall in front of this room was forty cubits long. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 6:21–22 | So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. So he overlaid with gold the whole interior of the temple, until everything was completely finished. He also overlaid with gold the entire altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary. |
2 Chronicles 3:5 Summary
In 2 Chronicles 3:5, we see King Solomon decorating the main room of the temple with beautiful cypress wood, fine gold, palm trees, and chains. This shows us that our worship should be characterized by excellence and beauty, just like the temple. As we read in Psalm 29:2, we are to give God the glory due to His name and worship Him in the beauty of holiness. Just as the temple was a special place for God's presence, our lives can be a 'temple' where God dwells, and we can honor Him with our thoughts, words, and actions, as seen in 1 Corinthians 3:16-17.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of using cypress in the main room of the temple?
The use of cypress in 2 Chronicles 3:5 may symbolize durability and strength, as seen in Isaiah 44:14, where cypress is used to build a lasting house.
Why did Solomon overlay the cypress with fine gold?
Overlaying the cypress with fine gold, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 3:5, was likely a demonstration of the wealth and splendor of King Solomon, as well as a symbol of the divine presence, similar to the golden furnishings in Exodus 25:31-40.
What are the palm trees and chains in 2 Chronicles 3:5?
The palm trees and chains in 2 Chronicles 3:5 may be decorative elements, symbolizing victory, peace, and unity, as seen in Psalm 92:12, where the righteous flourish like palm trees, and in 1 Kings 7:17, where chains are used to adorn the temple's pillars.
How does the decoration of the temple in 2 Chronicles 3:5 relate to our worship today?
The decoration of the temple in 2 Chronicles 3:5 reminds us that our worship should be characterized by beauty, excellence, and a sense of reverence, as seen in Psalm 96:9, where we are called to worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
Reflection Questions
- What does the attention to detail in the temple's decoration reveal about God's character and our relationship with Him?
- How can I, like Solomon, use my resources and talents to create a 'temple' of worship in my own life, where God is honored and glorified?
- In what ways can I balance the desire for beauty and excellence in my worship with the importance of humility and simplicity, as seen in Matthew 23:25-26?
- What are some ways I can, like the palm trees and chains, symbolize my commitment to peace, unity, and victory in Christ, as seen in Galatians 5:22-23?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 3:5
[See comments on 2 Chronicles 3:1].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 3:5
And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains. The greater house - i:e., the holy places, the front or outer chamber (see the note at 1 Kings 6:17).
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:5
The greater house, i.e. the holy place, which was thrice as large as the lesser house, or the holy of holies, which is called the most holy house, Deuteronomy 8. See Poole "".
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:5
2 Chronicles 3:5 And the greater house he cieled with fir tree, which he overlaid with fine gold, and set thereon palm trees and chains.Ver. 5. Which he overlaid with fine gold.] As the parts of this temple were not seen naked, so neither must our souls be seen without faith, love, and other golden graces.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3:5
(5) The greater house.—Or, the great chamber, i.e. the Holy Place, or nave. (Comp. 1 Chronicles 28:11.) He cieled with fir tree.—He covered with planks of fir; or, panelled with fir. To ciel, or rather seel (from syle or cyll, a canopy: Skeat, Etymol. Dict. s.v.) a room, meant in old English to wainscot or panel it. (Comp. 1 Kings 6:15-16.) Which he overlaid with fine gold.—And covered it (the chamber) with good gold. The cypress wainscoting was plated with gold. And set thereon palm trees and chains.—Brought up on it (i.e., carved upon it) palms and chain-work (1 Kings 7:17). (For the palms, see 1 Kings 6:29; Ezekiel 41:18.) The chain-work must have consisted of garland-like carvings on the fir panels. 1 Kings 6:18 omits mention of it; LXX., “carved on it palms and chains”; Syriac, “figured on it the likeness of palms and lilies”; Vulgate, “graved on it palms and as it were chainlets intertwining.”
Cambridge Bible on 2 Chronicles 3:5
5–7 (cp. 1 Kings 6:15; 1 Kings 6:21; 1 Kings 6:29-30). The Temple 5. the greater house] It was forty cubits long (1 Kings 6:17), whereas the shrine was twenty (1 Kings 6:16; 1 Kings 6:20). he cieled] i.e. lined or boarded. The same Hebrew word is translated overlaid in this same verse. set thereon] R.V. wrought thereon, perhaps in the form of reliefs. palm trees and chains] The “chains” perhaps connected one palm tree with another. In 1 Kings 6:29, “cherubim and palm trees and open flowers.”
Barnes' Notes on 2 Chronicles 3:5
The greater house - i. e., the holy place, or main chamber of the temple, intervening between the porch and the holy of holies (so in 2 Chronicles 3:7).