TRV
Translation
King James Version
And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Complete Jewish Bible
Those who had precious stones gave them to the storehouse of the house of ADONAI, supervised by Yechi'el the Gershuni.
Berean Standard Bible
Whoever had precious stones gave them to the treasury of the house of the LORD, under the care of Jehiel the Gershonite.
American Standard Version
And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of Jehovah, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
World English Bible Messianic
They with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the LORD’s house, under the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And they with whom precious stones were found, gaue them to the treasure of ye house of the Lord, by the hand of Iehiel the Gershunnite.
Young's Literal Translation
and he with whom stones are found hath given to the treasury of the house of Jehovah, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Chronicles 29 verses 1–9
1 ¶ Furthermore David the king said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son, whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender, and the work is great: for the palace is not for man, but for the LORD God.
2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.
3 Moreover, because I have set my affection to the house of my God, I have of mine own proper good, of gold and silver, which I have given to the house of my God, over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house,
4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal:
5 The gold for things of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and for all manner of work to be made by the hands of artificers. And who then is willing to consecrate his service this day unto the LORD?
6 Then the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, and the captains of thousands and of hundreds, with the rulers of the king's work, offered willingly,
7 And gave for the service of the house of God of gold five thousand talents and ten thousand drams, and of silver ten thousand talents, and of brass eighteen thousand talents, and one hundred thousand talents of iron.
8 And they with whom precious stones were found gave them to the treasure of the house of the LORD, by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite.
9 Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.
We may here observe,
I. How handsomely David spoke to the great men of Israel, to engage them to contribute towards the building of the temple. It is our duty to provoke one another to love and to good works, not only to do good ourselves, but to draw in others to do good too as much as we can. There were many very rich men in Israel; they were all to share in the benefit of the temple, and of those peaceable days which were to befriend the building of it; and therefore, though David would not impose on them, as a tax, what they should give towards it, he would recommend the present as a fair occasion for a free-will offering, because what is done in works of piety and charity should be done willingly and not by constraint; for God loves a cheerful giver. 1. He would have them consider that Solomon was young and tender, and needed help; but that he was the person whom God had chosen to do this work, and therefore was well worthy their assistance. It is good service to encourage those in the work of God that are as yet young and tender. 2. That the world was great, and all hands should contribute to the carrying of it on. The palace to be built was not for man, but for the Lord God; and the more was contributed towards the building the more magnificent it would be, and therefore the better would it answer the intention. 3. He tells them what great preparations had been made for this work. He did not intend to throw all the burden upon them, nor that it should be built wholly by contributions, but that they should show their good will, by adding to what was done (Ch1 29:2): I have prepared with all my might, that is, "I have made it my business." Work for God must be done with all our might, or we shall bring nothing to pass in it. 4. He sets them a good example. Besides what was dedicated to this service out of the spoils and presents of the neighbouring nations, which was for the building of the house (of which before, Ch1 22:14), he had, out of his own share, offered largely for the beautifying and enriching of it, 3000 talents of gold and 7000 talents of silver (Ch1 29:4, Ch1 29:5), and this because he had set his affection on the house of his God. He gave all this, not as Papists build churches, in commutation of penance, or to make atonement for sin, nor as Pharisees give alms, to be seen of men; but purely because he loved the habitation of God's house; so he professed (Psa 26:8) and here he proved it. Those who set their affection upon the service of God will think no pains nor cost too much to bestow upon it; and then our offerings are pleasing to God when they come from love. Those that set their affection on things above will set their affection on the house of God, through which our way to heaven lies. Now this he gives them an account of, to stir them up to do likewise. Note, Those who would draw others to do that which is good must themselves lead. Those especially who are advanced above others in place and dignity should particularly contrive how to make their light shine before men, because the influence of their example is more powerful and extensive than that of other people. 5. He stirs them up to do as he had done (Ch1 29:5): And who then is willing to concentrate his service this day unto the Lord? (1.) We must each of us, in our several places, serve the Lord, and consecrate our service to him, separate it from other things that are foreign and interfere with it, and direct and design it for the honour and glory of God. (2.) We must make the service of God our business, must fill our hands to the Lord, so the Hebrew phrase is. Those who engage themselves in the service of God will have their hands full; there is work enough for the whole man in that service. The filling of our hands with the service of God intimates that we must serve him only, serve him liberally, and serve him in the strength of grace derived from him. (3.) We must be free herein, do it willingly and speedily, do it this day, when we are in a good mind. Who is willing? Now let him show it.
II. How handsomely they all contributed towards the building of the temple when they were thus stirred up to it. Though they were persuaded to it, yet it is said, They offered willingly, Ch1 29:6. So he said who knew their hearts. Nay, they offered with a perfect heart, from a good principle and with a sincere respect to the glory of God, Ch1 29:9. How generous they were appears by the sum total of the contributions, Ch1 29:7, Ch1 29:8. They gave like themselves, like princes, like princes of Israel. And a pleasant day's work it was; for, 1. The people rejoiced, which may be meant of the people themselves that offered: they were glad of the opportunity of honouring God thus with their substance, and glad of the prospect of bringing this good work to perfection. Or the common people rejoiced in the generosity of their princes, that they had such rulers over them as were forward to this good work. Every Israelite is glad to see temple work carried on with vigour. 2. David rejoiced with great joy to see the good effects of his psalms and the other helps of devotion he had furnished them with, rejoiced that his son and successor would have those about him that were so well affected to the house of God, and that this work, upon which his heart was so much set, was likely to go on. Note, It is a great reviving to good men, when they are leaving the world, to see those they leave behind zealous for religion and likely to keep it up. Lord, now let thou thy servant depart in peace.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–9. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Chronicles 29:8 vividly portrays the Israelite community's collective and willing generosity, specifically detailing their contribution of valuable precious stones towards the immense treasury designated for the future Temple in Jerusalem. This act of giving follows King David's fervent appeal and his own exemplary sacrificial offering, underscoring the people's unified and heartfelt response. The verse meticulously notes that these costly materials were carefully collected and managed for God's sacred dwelling by the trusted hand of Jehiel the Gershonite, a Levite, thereby highlighting the meticulous stewardship involved in handling consecrated gifts for divine purposes.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: 1 Chronicles 29:8 is strategically positioned within the climactic final chapter of King David's reign, which is entirely dedicated to the preparations for the construction of the Temple. Having been divinely prohibited from building the Temple himself, David dedicates his later years to amassing vast resources and meticulously planning its design, a task his son Solomon will ultimately complete. The chapter opens with David's poignant public address, where he not only presents his own extravagant personal offering for the Temple (1 Chronicles 29:3) but also issues a profound challenge to the leaders and the entire congregation to follow his example and give willingly (1 Chronicles 29:5). Verses 6-7 then record the immediate and overwhelming response of the tribal leaders and officials, who contribute significant quantities of gold, silver, bronze, and iron. Verse 8 specifically highlights the contribution of "precious stones," demonstrating the comprehensive and diverse nature of the people's offerings, signifying that no valuable material was withheld. This verse sets the stage for the outpouring of joy and David's magnificent prayer of thanksgiving that immediately follows in 1 Chronicles 29:9-20, emphasizing the pure heart behind the collective giving.
Historical & Cultural Context: The construction of a permanent, central sanctuary was a monumental and deeply significant undertaking in ancient Israel, serving as the tangible symbol of God's abiding presence among His chosen people. Prior to the Temple, the portable Tabernacle also required substantial, willing contributions of precious materials from the Israelites (Exodus 35:20-29). In the ancient Near East, precious stones were incredibly valuable, often imported from distant lands, and were primarily used for royal and priestly adornment, sacred objects (such as the High Priest's breastplate, detailed in Exodus 28:17-21), and as potent symbols of immense wealth and status. Their contribution for the Temple thus signifies the people's profound desire to offer the absolute finest and most beautiful materials to God, reflecting His supreme majesty and worthiness of excellence. The specific mention of Jehiel the Gershonite, a Levite, underscores the established and highly organized system of temple administration, where Levites were divinely appointed to manage sacred treasuries and materials, ensuring order, integrity, and meticulous accountability in the handling of all consecrated gifts.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes that resonate throughout 1 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it vividly illustrates Generosity and Willingness, showcasing the Israelite community's enthusiastic and voluntary response to David's call, mirroring David's own passionate heart for God's work. This theme is further amplified in 1 Chronicles 29:9, which explicitly states that the people gave "with a perfect heart." Secondly, the offering of "precious stones" highlights the theme of Value and Beauty in Worship, signifying the profound desire to dedicate the most valuable and aesthetically pleasing materials to God's dwelling, a tangible expression of His immense glory and worthiness of the highest honor. Thirdly, the specific mention of Jehiel the Gershonite underscores the critical theme of Stewardship and Accountability in handling sacred resources, a foundational aspect of faithful service to God and His kingdom. Finally, the collective act of giving by "they with whom precious stones were found" powerfully demonstrates the Unity in Purpose of the entire nation, rallying together under David's inspired leadership for a divinely ordained project, a central emphasis of the Chronicler's narrative on a unified, worshiping Israel.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several impactful literary devices in this verse and its surrounding context to underscore the profound significance of the people's giving. Synecdoche is evident in the phrase "by the hand of Jehiel," where "hand" represents the entire person and their administrative authority, integrity, and meticulous responsibility in managing the sacred treasury. This highlights the personal oversight and trustworthiness involved. Symbolism is profoundly at play with the "precious stones" themselves; they symbolize not only immense material wealth but also the people's deep reverence, their desire to offer their very best, and the inherent value they placed on God's dwelling. The act of giving these costly items becomes a powerful symbolic representation of their devoted and generous hearts. Furthermore, the broader narrative of 1 Chronicles 29 utilizes Repetition of the theme of willing and joyful giving, beginning with David's exemplary offering and extending to the leaders and the people, reinforcing the communal, heartfelt, and widespread nature of their contributions. The Chronicler's careful detailing of the specific materials, including precious stones, serves to underscore the lavishness and completeness of the offerings, a testament to God's supreme worthiness.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Chronicles 29:8 stands as a powerful testament to the enduring biblical principles of willing and sacrificial giving, demonstrating that true worship involves offering our most valuable possessions to God. The contribution of "precious stones" signifies a profound desire to give not merely what is sufficient or convenient, but what is excellent, beautiful, and costly, reflecting the infinite worth and majesty of the God being honored. This act of giving is not merely a transactional duty but a deeply spiritual expression of devotion, acknowledging God as the ultimate owner of all things, from whom all blessings flow. The meticulous collection "by the hand of Jehiel the Gershonite" also highlights the crucial biblical emphasis on good stewardship and accountability for resources dedicated to God's work, ensuring integrity, transparency, and divine order in the administration of sacred trusts. This verse serves as a timeless reminder that the heart of the giver, characterized by profound generosity and an unwavering desire for God's glory, is paramount in all acts of worship and service.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Chronicles 29:8 offers profound and enduring insights for contemporary believers regarding our approach to giving and stewardship in the modern age. It challenges us to move beyond mere obligation and consider the quality, intention, and sacrificial nature of our offerings to God. Just as the Israelites gave their "precious stones"—their most valuable, rare, and beautiful possessions—for the physical dwelling place of God, we are similarly called to offer our "precious" resources today. This includes not only our financial wealth but also our irreplaceable time, unique talents, spiritual gifts, and indeed, our very lives, for the advancement of His kingdom and the building up of His spiritual house, the Church. The emphasis in this verse is not on the sheer quantity of the gift, but profoundly on the heart of the giver—a willing, joyful, and sacrificial spirit that flows from a deep recognition of God's supreme worthiness and His ultimate ownership of all things. This passage powerfully reminds us that giving is a deeply spiritual act of worship, an intimate expression of our love, devotion, and gratitude, rather than merely a duty or a transactional obligation. Furthermore, the explicit mention of Jehiel the Gershonite underscores the timeless importance of integrity, transparency, and meticulous accountability in handling resources dedicated to God's work within our churches, ministries, and personal lives today. We are all stewards of God's abundant blessings, entrusted with the sacred responsibility to manage them faithfully and honorably for His glory.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the primary purpose of collecting "precious stones" for the Temple?
Answer: The primary purpose of collecting "precious stones" for the Temple was to adorn and beautify God's dwelling place, making it a magnificent and fitting sanctuary for the presence of the Lord. These stones, being rare and costly, symbolized the immense value, reverence, and honor the Israelites placed on God and His sanctuary. Their inclusion was an act of lavish devotion, intended to reflect God's glory and majesty, ensuring that His house was built with the finest and most beautiful materials available, as outlined in David's divinely inspired plans for the Temple in 1 Chronicles 28:11-19. It was an offering of excellence, not merely utility.
Who was Jehiel the Gershonite, and why is his role specifically mentioned in this verse?
Answer: Jehiel the Gershonite was a Levite, a member of the Gershonite clan, one of the three main divisions of the Levites who were assigned specific duties in the Tabernacle and later the Temple service. His role as the one "by the hand of" whom the precious stones were given signifies his designated position as a treasurer or overseer responsible for collecting, recording, and managing the vast offerings for the Temple. His specific mention highlights the critical importance of proper administration, integrity, and meticulous accountability in handling sacred contributions. It assures the reader that these immensely valuable gifts were not handled haphazardly but were entrusted to a designated, reliable individual, emphasizing the meticulous organization involved in the Temple's construction and financial management, a theme also seen in other Levite roles concerning treasuries in 1 Chronicles 26:20-28.
Does this verse imply that only the wealthy or those with "precious stones" could contribute to the Temple?
Answer: No, this verse does not imply that only the wealthy could contribute to the Temple. While it specifically mentions the contribution of "precious stones" by those who possessed them, the broader context of 1 Chronicles 29 clearly emphasizes that David's call to give was for all the people, and contributions included a wide array of materials like gold, silver, bronze, and iron (1 Chronicles 29:7). The key emphasis throughout the entire chapter is on the willingness and heart of the giver, as powerfully seen in 1 Chronicles 29:9, where it states the people gave "with a perfect heart." This principle aligns perfectly with New Testament teachings that consistently emphasize the spirit and intention of giving over the material value or quantity of the gift, as beautifully illustrated in the account of the widow's mite in Mark 12:41-44.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Chronicles 29:8, with its vivid depiction of the Israelite people's willing contribution of "precious stones" for the construction of God's earthly dwelling, finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound transformation in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The magnificent earthly Temple, for which these costly gifts were so lavishly given, was always a shadow and a powerful symbol of God's ultimate desire to dwell intimately among His people. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking not of the physical structure, but of the temple of His own body (John 2:19-21). In Christ, God's presence is no longer confined to a physical edifice adorned with precious stones, but is fully embodied in the very person of Jesus, the true and living Temple, who is Himself infinitely more precious and valuable than any earthly gem or material treasure (1 Peter 2:4-7). Furthermore, through Christ's redemptive work, believers are transformed into the "temple of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19) and are built as "living stones" into a spiritual house for God's dwelling (1 Peter 2:5). Our "precious stones" now are not material offerings for a physical building, but our lives, our spiritual gifts, our transformed hearts, and our worship, offered in joyful and willing response to the ultimate "treasure" given for us: Christ's perfect and complete sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 5:2). The meticulous stewardship and integrity seen in Jehiel's role in the Old Testament are perfectly echoed and surpassed in Christ's flawless management of God's redemptive plan, culminating in His complete and perfect sacrifice, which secures for us an eternal dwelling with God in the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:3).