2 Chronicles 2:18

And he set threescore and ten thousand of them [to be] bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand [to be] hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

And he set {H6213} threescore and ten {H7657} thousand {H505} of them to be bearers of burdens {H5449}, and fourscore {H8084} thousand {H505} to be hewers {H2672} in the mountain {H2022}, and three {H7969} thousand {H505} and six {H8337} hundred {H3967} overseers {H5329} to set {H5647} the people {H5971} a work {H5647}.

He appointed 70,000 of them to carry loads, 80,000 to be stonecutters in the hills and 3,600 as supervisors to assign the people their work.

Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.

And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand that were hewers in the mountains, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people at work.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 2:18 details King Solomon's extensive organization of labor for the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the sheer scale of the project and the meticulous administration required to bring Solomon's grand vision to fruition.

Context

This verse follows Solomon's preparations for building the Temple, a task inherited from his father, King David (1 Chronicles 22:2). Having secured materials and skilled craftsmen from Hiram, King of Tyre (2 Chronicles 2:11-16), Solomon now turns to the immense task of mobilizing manpower. The "them" in this verse refers specifically to the "strangers that were in the land of Israel" (2 Chronicles 2:17), distinguishing these foreign residents from the Israelites, who were not subjected to this particular form of compulsory, heavy labor for the Temple construction (compare with 1 Kings 9:22).

Key Themes

  • Massive Scale and Organization: The numbers — 70,000 burden-bearers, 80,000 stone hewers, and 3,600 overseers — underscore the monumental effort involved in building the Temple. This required extraordinary logistical and administrative capabilities on Solomon's part.
  • Labor for a Sacred Purpose: Despite the arduous nature of the work, it was directed towards the construction of God's dwelling place on earth. This highlights the dedication and resources committed to sacred endeavors in ancient Israel.
  • Distinction in Labor: The use of non-Israelite residents for these heavy, manual tasks reflects a societal structure where various groups contributed to national projects according to their status and roles.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses archaic numerical terms: "threescore and ten thousand" means 70,000, and "fourscore thousand" means 80,000. These specific numbers are consistent with the parallel account in 1 Kings 5:15-16, though the total number of overseers differs slightly in other texts (3,300 in 1 Kings 5:16, likely referring to chief overseers, while 2 Chronicles 2:18 refers to all overseers). The terms "bearers of burdens" (carriers) and "hewers in the mountain" (stonecutters) clearly define their specialized, physically demanding roles.

Practical Application

This verse illustrates that even the grandest visions require meticulous planning, immense effort, and the coordinated work of many individuals, each contributing their part. Just as Solomon organized vast numbers for the physical Temple, so too does God's work today require diverse gifts and roles within the body of believers. Every task, no matter how humble, contributes to the overall purpose. It emphasizes the importance of leadership in orchestrating resources and the value of every person's contribution in accomplishing significant, God-honoring goals, reminding us that whatever we do, we should do it heartily, as unto the Lord.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 2:2 (3 votes)

    And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.