2 Chronicles 3:3

Now these [are the things wherein] Solomon was instructed for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure [was] threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.

Now these are the things wherein Solomon {H8010} was instructed {H3245} for the building {H1129} of the house {H1004} of God {H430}. The length {H753} by cubits {H520} after the first {H7223} measure {H4060} was threescore {H8346} cubits {H520}, and the breadth {H7341} twenty {H6242} cubits {H520}.

These are the foundations Shlomo laid for building the house of God: the length in old-standard cubits was sixty cubits [105 feet] and the width twenty cubits [thirty-five feet].

The foundation that Solomon laid for the house of God was sixty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, according to the old standard.

Now these are the foundations which Solomon laid for the building of the house of God. The length by cubits after the first measure was threescore cubits, and the breadth twenty cubits.

2 Chronicles 3:3 introduces the foundational measurements for the construction of the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem, highlighting the specific divine instructions given to King Solomon for this sacred undertaking.

Context

This verse marks the beginning of the detailed description of the Temple's construction, following the extensive preparations outlined in the preceding chapters of 2 Chronicles. King Solomon, inheriting the vision and resources from his father, David, was tasked with building the permanent "house of God" in Jerusalem. The mention of specific dimensions underscores the meticulous nature of God's plans for His dwelling place, echoing the precise blueprint given for the Tabernacle in the wilderness. These measurements pertain to the main hall of the Temple, known as the Holy Place (Hebrew: hekal), which was the primary area for priestly service.

Key Themes

  • Divine Instruction and Precision: The phrase "Solomon was instructed" emphasizes that the Temple's design was not a human invention but a divinely revealed plan. God provided specific, detailed guidance for its construction, indicating His desire for order and excellence in worship.
  • The Grandeur of God's Dwelling: The substantial dimensions – sixty cubits in length and twenty cubits in breadth – signify the scale and importance of this structure dedicated to the Lord. It was to be a prominent and impressive edifice.
  • Adherence to Established Standards: The reference to "the first measure" implies a standard or traditional unit of measurement, ensuring consistency and accuracy in fulfilling the divine blueprint.

Linguistic Insights

The unit of measurement used here is the "cubit" (Hebrew: ammah), a common ancient Near Eastern standard based on the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, typically ranging from 18 to 21 inches (approximately 45-53 cm). Therefore, "threescore cubits" translates to 60 cubits (roughly 90-105 feet or 27-32 meters), and "twenty cubits" means 20 cubits (approximately 30-35 feet or 9-11 meters). These dimensions for the main sanctuary are consistent with the parallel account found in 1 Kings 6:2, confirming the standard size of the central hall.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is a God of precision and order. Just as He gave detailed instructions for His physical dwelling place, He also has a specific design and purpose for our lives and for the spiritual "house" we build for Him today. This spiritual house can refer to the Church as a collective body or to individual believers, who are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit. It encourages us to approach our spiritual walk, service, and ministries with careful attention to God's revealed will, understanding that even the seemingly small details are significant to Him.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 1 Chronicles 28:11

    ¶ Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat,

  • 1 Chronicles 28:19

    All [this, said David], the LORD made me understand in writing by [his] hand upon me, [even] all the works of this pattern.

  • 1 Kings 6:2

    And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof [was] threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty [cubits], and the height thereof thirty cubits.

  • 1 Kings 6:3

    And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits [was] the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; [and] ten cubits [was] the breadth thereof before the house.

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