Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

2 Chronicles 4:19

Next

And Solomon made all the vessels that [were for] the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread [was set];

And Solomon {H8010} made {H6213} all the vessels {H3627} that were for the house {H1004} of God {H430}, the golden {H2091} altar {H4196} also, and the tables {H7979} whereon the shewbread {H3899}{H6440} was set;

Shlomo made all the objects that were inside the house of God: the gold altar; the table on which the showbread was displayed;

Solomon also made all the furnishings for the house of God: the golden altar; the tables on which was placed the Bread of the Presence;

And Solomon made all the vessels that were in the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon was the showbread;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 4:19 is part of a detailed account of King Solomon's construction and furnishing of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This particular verse focuses on the precious internal items made for the sacred space, highlighting the meticulous care and rich materials dedicated to God's dwelling place among His people.

Context

This verse appears towards the end of the description of the Temple's elaborate furnishings, following the completion of the main structure and larger elements like the bronze pillars and the molten sea. Chapters 3 and 4 of 2 Chronicles meticulously detail the dimensions, materials, and specific items crafted for the Temple, emphasizing its grandeur and adherence to the divine blueprint given to David by God. The items mentioned here—the golden altar and the tables for the shewbread—were central to the daily worship and priestly duties within the Temple, underscoring the sanctity and purpose of the entire structure. For a broader understanding of Solomon's temple construction, see 1 Kings 7:48-50, which provides a parallel account.

Key Themes

  • Divine Presence and Worship: The vessels, especially the golden altar and shewbread tables, were integral to the rituals that facilitated Israel's communion with God. They symbolized God's holy presence and His provision for His people.
  • Magnificence and Dedication: The use of gold for these vital items signifies the immense value and honor attributed to God and His house. Solomon spared no expense, reflecting the nation's devotion and the unparalleled glory intended for the Temple.
  • Continuity with the Tabernacle: These furnishings directly correspond to items prescribed for the Tabernacle in the wilderness, indicating a continuity of worship practices and divine instruction from Moses' time to Solomon's Temple.

Linguistic Insights & Significance

  • "Golden altar": This refers to the altar of incense, distinct from the larger bronze altar for burnt offerings in the outer court. Positioned in the Holy Place, just before the veil to the Most Holy Place, it was used for burning incense, symbolizing the prayers of the saints ascending to God. Its golden construction emphasizes its sacredness and proximity to God's immediate presence.
  • "Tables whereon the shewbread [was set]": The Hebrew term for "shewbread" is lechem panim, meaning "bread of presence" or "bread of faces." This bread was continually set before the Lord, symbolizing God's covenant faithfulness and His provision for Israel. Leviticus 24:5-9 details the instructions for its preparation and placement.

Practical Application

While we no longer worship in a physical temple with these specific vessels, the principles behind their creation and use remain relevant:

  • Worship God with Excellence: Solomon's dedication of the finest materials teaches us to offer our best to God in worship and service. Our worship should be intentional, thoughtful, and reverent, reflecting His supreme worth.
  • God's Provision and Presence: The shewbread reminds us of God's faithful provision for our daily needs, and the altar of incense speaks to the importance of prayer and communion with Him.
  • Christ as Fulfillment: The Temple and its furnishings foreshadowed spiritual realities fulfilled in Jesus Christ. He is our ultimate "bread of life" (John 6:35) and our great High Priest through whom our prayers ascend (Hebrews 9:11-12). The detailed instructions for the Temple highlight God's desire for an ordered and holy approach to Him, now realized in Christ's perfect sacrifice.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 9:13 (3 votes)

    ¶ And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God,

  • 2 Chronicles 26:16 (2 votes)

    ¶ But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to [his] destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.

  • 2 Chronicles 26:18 (2 votes)

    And they withstood Uzziah the king, and said unto him, [It appertaineth] not unto thee, Uzziah, to burn incense unto the LORD, but to the priests the sons of Aaron, that are consecrated to burn incense: go out of the sanctuary; for thou hast trespassed; neither [shall it be] for thine honour from the LORD God.

  • 1 Kings 7:48 (2 votes)

    ¶ And Solomon made all the vessels that [pertained] unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the shewbread [was],

  • 1 Kings 7:50 (2 votes)

    And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers [of] pure gold; and the hinges [of] gold, [both] for the doors of the inner house, the most holy [place, and] for the doors of the house, [to wit], of the temple.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:18 (2 votes)

    And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all [these] he brought to Babylon.

  • 2 Kings 24:13 (2 votes)

    And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.