2 Chronicles 3:9 — Word Study
WLCוּמִשְׁקָ֛ל לְמִסְמְר֥וֹת לִשְׁקָלִ֖ים חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים זָהָ֑ב וְהָעֲלִיּ֖וֹת חִפָּ֥ה זָהָֽב׃
BSAThe weightmishqâl [heaviness, full measure] of the nailsmaçmêr [pegs, clasps] was fiftychămishshîym [a quantity of] shekelssheqel [units of gold, coins] of goldzâhâb [a valuable metal] He also overlaidchâphâh■ [covered, plated] the upper roomsʻălîyâh with goldzâhâb [a precious metal]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּמִשְׁקָ֛ל | and [the] weight | Conjunction, noun common masculine singular absolute |
| לְמִסְמְר֥וֹת | of nails | Preposition, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| לִשְׁקָלִ֖ים | to shekels | Preposition, noun common masculine plural absolute |
| חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים | fifty | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
| זָהָ֑ב | gold | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
| וְהָעֲלִיּ֖וֹת | and the upper rooms | Conjunction, particle, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| חִפָּ֥ה | he overlaid | Verb, Piel, perfect third person masculine singular |
| זָהָֽב׃ | gold | Noun common, masculine singular absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper area with gold. |
| KJV | And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. |
| ASV | And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. |
| YLT | and the weight of the nails [is] fifty shekels of gold, and the upper chambers he hath covered with gold. |
| WEB | The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid the upper rooms with gold. |
| BBE | And fifty shekels weight of gold was used for the nails. He had all the higher rooms plated with gold. |
Where they part company is זָהָב — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence consists of two main clauses, each detailing different aspects of the temple's construction.
6 commentators on this verse
Jamieson, Poole, Trapp, Ellicott & more — read them ›
clause
verbחָפָה
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 2 Chronicles 3:9
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — Solomon's Temple Constructiongenerated
2 Chronicles 3:9 describes the specifications for the construction of the temple, focusing on the materials used and their weights. This verse emphasizes the lavish use of gold in the temple's design, reflecting the importance of the temple in Israelite worship and its representation of God's presence among His people. The surrounding verses detail other aspects of the temple's construction, showing the grandeur and significance of this sacred space.
Cross References
The Key Word — מִשְׁקָל, u.mish.Kalgenerated
The noun מִשְׁקָל (mishqal) refers to weight or heaviness, derived from a root that implies weighing. It indicates a standard measure, often used in trade, as seen in other biblical texts.
In this verse, it specifically quantifies the weight of the nails, emphasizing their significance in the construction process. The parsing as a noun in the singular form indicates a specific measurement rather than a general concept.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb חִפָּה (he overlaid) governs the sentence, with two noun phrases following it: the subject הָעֲלִיּוֹת (the upper rooms) and the object זָהָב (gold). The structure emphasizes the action of overlaying as central to the verse.
The sentence begins with a conjunction linking the weight of the nails to the subsequent action of overlaying, showing a relationship between the materials used and their significance in the temple's construction.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מִשְׁקָל as ὁλκὴ, which means 'weight' in Greek. This choice maintains the focus on measurement, similar to the Hebrew.
For מַסְמֵר, the LXX uses ἥλων, which also conveys the idea of a fastening device, aligning closely with the original Hebrew meaning.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
2 Chronicles 3:9 tells us that the weight of the nails used in the temple's construction was fifty shekels of gold. It also notes that the upper area was covered with gold, highlighting the temple's richness and importance.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The weight of the nails indicates the level of craftsmanship and the value of materials used in the temple's construction, emphasizing its grandeur.
Gold represents wealth and divine presence, making it a fitting material for the temple, which was the center of worship for the Israelites.
This verse contributes to the theme of the temple as a place of beauty and holiness, showcasing the effort and resources dedicated to its construction.
The meticulous details reflect the importance of honoring God through the best materials and craftsmanship, setting a standard for worship.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What does the use of gold in the temple teach us about the value of our worship?
- How can we apply the principle of using our best resources in our service to God?
- In what ways can we honor God with the 'materials' we have in our lives?
- How does understanding the significance of the temple's construction deepen our appreciation for God's presence?
Commentators on this verse — 6 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 2 Chronicles 3:9 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold. No JFB commentary on this verse.
Read Robert Jamieson on 2 Chronicles 3 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleOf the nails, i.e. of each of the nails or heads of those nails whereby the plates were fastened to the boards. The upper chambers; of which See Poole "".
Read Matthew Poole on 2 Chronicles 3 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments2 Chronicles 3:9 And the weight of the nails [was] fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.Ver. 9. And he overlaid the upper chambers.] These were, saith Diodate, certain principal rooms of the building of the porticoes, appointed for the holy ministers to make their meals in, like unto refectories; or else for places of meetings and counsel. See 1 Chronicles 28:11.
Read John Trapp on 2 Chronicles 3 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(9) And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold.—Literally, And a weight for nails for shekels—fifty in gold. The LXX. and Vulg. take this to mean that the weight of each nail was fifty shekels; and this is probably right, for fifty shekels as a total would be a trifling sum to record along with six hundred talents. The nails were used to fasten the golden plates to the wooden wainscoting of the edifice. Whatever may be thought of the apparently incredible quantities of gold and silver stated to have been amassed by David for the Temple (1 Chronicles 22:14; 1 Chronicles 29:4; 1 Chronicles 29:7), it is clear that no inconsiderable amount of the former metal would be required for…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 2 Chronicles 3 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 9. The weight of the nails was fifty shekels] Bolts must be here intended, as it should be preposterous to suppose nails of nearly two pounds' weight. The supper chambers] Probably the ceiling is meant.
Read AdamClarke on 2 Chronicles 3 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleThe upper chambers - Compare 1 Chronicles 28:11. Their position is uncertain.
Read Albert Barnes on 2 Chronicles 3 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper area with gold.
The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid the upper rooms with gold.
The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He also overlaid the upper rooms with gold.
The gold nails weighed 50 shekels; he also plated the upper areas with gold.
Tyndale line
And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
And the weight of the nayles was fiftie shekels of golde, and hee ouerlayde the chambers with golde.
Strictly literal
And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he covered the upper chambers with gold.
and the weight of the nails [is] fifty shekels of gold, and the upper chambers he hath covered with gold.
and the weight of the nails [is] fifty shekels of gold, and he has covered the upper chambers with gold.
And the weight of the nails [amounted] to fifty shekels of gold. And the upper chambers he covered with gold.
The weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. He overlaid its high surfaces with gold.
From the Latin
He made also nails of gold, and the weight of every nail was fifty sicles: the upper chambers also he overlaid with gold.
Simplified
The weight of the nails was one shekel for every fifty shekels of gold.
And fifty shekels weight of gold was used for the nails. He had all the higher rooms plated with gold.
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text is consistent with the Septuagint, as 7 of the 8 words match. The differences in word order do not affect the overall meaning, indicating a strong alignment between these ancient texts.
וּמִשְׁקָ֛ל לְמִסְמְר֥וֹת לִשְׁקָלִ֖ים חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים זָהָ֑ב וְהָעֲלִיּ֖וֹת חִפָּ֥ה זָהָֽב׃
7 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 2 Chronicles 3:9
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מִשְׁקָל (mishqal) means 'weight' and is derived from a root that implies weighing. It covers the concept of weight in a numerical sense and the act of weighing. The entries consistently define it as related to heaviness or weight.
מִשְׁקָל 49 n.m. id. [מִשְׁקוֹל];—weight
base
H4948 מִשְׁקָל id. [מִשְׁקוֹל];—weight
4948 mishqal mish-kawl'
from 8254; weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing
(the act):--(full) weight.
see HEBREW for 08254
מִשְׁקָל (mish.qal) — weight.
heaviness, weight
Conj | N-ms — Conjunction · noun common masculine singular absoluteHC/Ncmsa
wat (Measure of quantity) mishqal, (mishqol (Eze 4:10), from shaqkal, "to weigh" 'ebhen, "a stone" used for weighing in the balance): Weights were commonly of stone or bronze (or of lead, Zec 5:7,8). They were of various forms, such as the lion-shaped weights of Babylonia and Assyria, or in the form of birds and other animals. The Hebrew and Phoenician weights, when made of stone, were barrel-shaped or spindle-shaped, but in bronze they were often cubical or octagonal or with numerous faces (see illustration under WEIGHTS AND MEASURES). Hemispherical or dome-shaped stone weights have been found in Palestine (PEFS, 1902, p. 344; 1903, p. 117; 1904, p. 209).
מַסְמֵר (masmer) means 'nail' and is derived from a root that suggests a peg or something that protrudes. The term is used in the context of a nail in various forms, including a feminine variant. It appears in Ecclesiastes 12:11, where it may refer to a metaphorical or literal fastening.
[מַסְמֵר] n.m. nail
base
H4548 [מַסְמֵר] nail
4548 macmer mas-mare'
or micmer {mis-mare'}; also (feminine) macmrah {mas-mer-aw'};
or micmrah {mis-mer-aw'}; or even masmrah (Eccles. 12:11)
{mas-mer-aw'}; from 5568; a peg (as bristling from the
surface):--nail.
see HEBREW for 05568
מַסְמֵר (mas.mer) — nail.
nail
Prep | N-cp — Preposition · noun common feminine plural absoluteHR/Ncfpa
שֶׁ֫קֶל (sheqel) refers to a unit of weight and measure, primarily known as the shekel. It is defined as a commercial standard, with specific weights for gold, silver, and copper. The term is derived from a root meaning 'weight' and is also noted in Aramaic as תְּקֵל (teqel).
שֶׁ֫קֶל 87 n.m. a weight, shekel
base
H8255 שֶׁ֫קֶל a weight, shekel
8255 sheqel sheh'-kel
from 8254; probably a weight; used as a commercial
standard:--shekel.
see HEBREW for 08254
שֶׁ֫קֶל (she.qel) — shekel.
1) shekel
1a) the chief unit of weight or measure
1a1) gold-1/10000 of a talent and equal to 220 grains
1a2) silver-1/3000 of a talent and equal to 132 grains
1a3) copper-1/1500 of a talent and equal to 528 grains
Aramaic equivalent: te.qel (תְּקֵל "shekel" H8625B)
Prep | N-mp — Preposition · noun common masculine plural absoluteHR/Ncmpa
חֲמִשִּׁים (chamishshiym) means 'fifty' and is a cardinal number. It can also refer to a multiple of fifty or the ordinal number 'fiftieth.' The entries consistently define it as a numerical term without significant variation.
חֲמִשִּׁים 164 n.pl. (a) fifty
base
H2572 חֲמִשִּׁים (a) fifty
2572 chamishshiym kham-ish-sheem'
multiple of 2568; fifty:--fifty.
see HEBREW for 02568
חֲמִשִּׁים (cha.mish.shim) — fifty.
1) fifty
1a) fifty (cardinal number)
1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers)
1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)
Adj — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa
זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.
זָהָב 385 n.m. gold
= gold-ore, gold in raw state
gold as wealth
gold as spoil of war
gold as merchandise
gold as costly gift
gold as material
gold described by its source
gold defined by var. adj. and pts.
as measure of weight and value
= golden oil, from colour
often named with
the chief vbs. used
base
H2091 זָהָב gold
2091 zahab zaw-hawb'
from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,
something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--
gold(-en), fair weather.
זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.
1) gold
1a) as precious metal
1b) as a measure of weight
1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
gold (zahabh; chrusos):
1. Terms:
No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).
Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;
Gold
(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).
(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).
Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…
A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…
עֲלִיָּה (aliyah) refers to a roof chamber or upper room, derived from the root meaning something lofty. It encompasses concepts like a stairway, an ascent, or a figurative reference to the sky. The entries consistently describe it as a space above ground level, such as a second-story room.
עֲלִיָּה n.f. roof-chamber
base
H5944 עֲלִיָּה roof-chamber
5944 `aliyah al-ee-yaw'
feminine from 5927; something lofty, i.e. a stair-way; also a
second-story room (or even one on the roof); figuratively, the
sky:--ascent, (upper) chamber, going up, loft, parlour.
see HEBREW for 05927
עֲלִיָּה (a.liy.yah) — upper room.
roof-room, roof chamber
Conj | Art | N-fp — Conjunction · particle · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Td/Ncfpa
חָפָה (chaphah) is a Hebrew verb meaning to cover. It has different forms, including Qal (to cover), Niphal (to be covered), and Piel (to overlay). The word suggests a range of meanings related to protection and encasement, as seen in its use for covering heads or materials.
[חָפָה] vb. cover
Qal cover the head
Niph. on material
Pi. (late) overlay
base
H2645 חָפָה
2645 chaphah khaw-faw'
a primitive root (compare 2644, 2653); to cover; by
implication, to veil, to encase, protect:--ceil, cover,
overlay.
see HEBREW for 02644
see HEBREW for 02653
חָפָה (cha.phah) — to cover.
1) to cover, overlay, wainscotted, covered with boards or panelling
1a) (Qal) to cover
1b)(Niphal) to be covered
1c) (Piel) to cover, overlay
V-Piel-Perf-3ms — Verb · Piel · perfect third person masculine singularHVpp3ms
זָהָב (zahab) means gold and is derived from an unused root that conveys the idea of shimmering. It encompasses various aspects of gold, including its value as a precious metal, its use as a measure of weight, and its figurative brilliance. The term appears in contexts related to wealth, merchandise, and gifts.
זָהָב 385 n.m. gold
= gold-ore, gold in raw state
gold as wealth
gold as spoil of war
gold as merchandise
gold as costly gift
gold as material
gold described by its source
gold defined by var. adj. and pts.
as measure of weight and value
= golden oil, from colour
often named with
the chief vbs. used
base
H2091 זָהָב gold
2091 zahab zaw-hawb'
from an unused root meaning to shimmer; gold, figuratively,
something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky:--
gold(-en), fair weather.
זָהָב (za.hav) — gold.
1) gold
1a) as precious metal
1b) as a measure of weight
1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.)
Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular absoluteHNcmsa
gold (zahabh; chrusos):
1. Terms:
No metal has been more frequently mentioned in Old Testament writings than gold, and none has had more terms applied to it. Among these terms the one most used is zahabh. The Arabic equivalent, dhahab, is still the common name for gold throughout Palestine, Syria and Egypt. With zahabh frequently occur other words which, translated, mean "pure" (Ex 25:11), "refined" (1Ch 28:18), "finest" (1Ki 10:18), "beaten" (1Ki 10:17), "Ophir" (Ps 45:9).
Other terms occurring are: paz, "fine gold" (Job 28:17;
Gold
(1.) Heb. zahab, so called from its yellow colour (Ex. 25:11; 1 Chr. 28:18; 2 Chr. 3:5).
(2.) Heb. segor, from its compactness, or as being enclosed or treasured up; thus precious or “fine gold” (1 Kings 6:20; 7:49).
Gold was known from the very earliest times. (Genesis 2:11) It was at first used chiefly for ornaments, etc. (Genesis 24:22) Coined money was not known to the ancients till a comparatively late period; and on the Egyptian tombs gold is represented as being weighed in rings for commercial purposes. Comp. (Genesis 43:21) Gold was extremely abundant in ancient times, (1 Chronicles 22:14; 2 Chronicles 1:15; 9:9; Daniel 3:1; Nahum 2:9) but this did not depreciate its value, because of the enormous quantities consumed by…
A well-known valuable metal, found in many parts of the world, and obtained anciently in Ophir, Job 28:16; Parvaim, 2Ch 3:6; Sheba, and Raamah, Eze 27:22. Job alludes to gold in various forms, Job 22:24 28:15-19. Abraham was rich in it, and female ornaments were early made of it, Ge 13:2 24:22,35. It is spoken of throughout Scripture; and the use of it among and ancient Hebrews, in its native and mixed state, and for the same purposes as at present, was very common. The Ark of the Covenant was overlaid with pure gold; the mercy seat, the vessels and utensils belonging to the tabernacle, and those also of the house of…