2 Chronicles 3:8

And he made the most holy house, the length whereof [was] according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, [amounting] to six hundred talents.

And he made {H6213} the most {H6944} holy {H6944} house {H1004}, the length {H753} whereof was according to {H6440} the breadth {H7341} of the house {H1004}, twenty {H6242} cubits {H520}, and the breadth {H7341} thereof twenty {H6242} cubits {H520}: and he overlaid {H2645} it with fine {H2896} gold {H2091}, amounting to six {H8337} hundred {H3967} talents {H3603}.

Then he made the Especially Holy Place; its length matched the width of the house, thirty-five feet, and its width was thirty-five feet. He overlaid it with twenty tons of fine gold.

Then he made the Most Holy Place; its length corresponded to the width of the temple—twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide. And he overlaid the inside with six hundred talents of fine gold.

And he made the most holy house: the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house, was twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits; and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 3:8 describes a crucial part of King Solomon's construction of the first Temple in Jerusalem, specifically focusing on the innermost sanctuary, known as the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of a detailed account of the Temple's construction, a monumental undertaking initiated by King David and completed by his son, Solomon. The Temple was designed not just as a building, but as the central place of worship for the nation of Israel, where God's presence would symbolically dwell. The dimensions and materials described here underscore the immense significance and sacredness attributed to this holy space. The "most holy house" was the innermost chamber, separated by a veil, accessible only to the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement, and intended to house the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's covenant presence among His people. This architectural detail highlights the profound reverence and awe surrounding God's dwelling place in ancient Israel.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Magnificence and Glory: The sheer quantity of "fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents" (an enormous weight, roughly 45,000 pounds or 20,400 kg) used to overlay the Most Holy Place emphasizes the unparalleled glory and worthiness of God. No expense was spared to adorn the dwelling place of the Almighty.
  • Holiness and Separation: The "most holy house" (Hebrew: Debir) signifies the ultimate sacred space, a cubical chamber (20x20 cubits) distinct from the rest of the Temple. This strict separation communicated God's absolute holiness and the need for reverence in His presence, echoing the design of the Tabernacle's inner sanctuary (Exodus 26:33).
  • Dedication and Worship: The dedication of such vast resources and meticulous craftsmanship reflects Israel's commitment to worshipping God and providing a suitable place for His glory to reside, even though Solomon himself acknowledged that "heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee" (1 Kings 8:27).

Linguistic Insights

The term "most holy house" translates the Hebrew word Debir (דְּבִיר), which literally means "inner sanctuary" or "oracle." It refers specifically to the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the Temple where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. The measurement "cubits" was an ancient unit of length, typically the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger (approximately 18-21 inches or 45-53 cm). The "talents" mentioned refer to a unit of weight, in this context, of gold. Six hundred talents of gold represented an extraordinary amount of wealth, showcasing the unparalleled opulence and reverence invested in the Temple's construction, particularly its most sacred chamber.

Practical Application

While God no longer dwells in a physical temple made with hands in the same way, the principles behind 2 Chronicles 3:8 remain relevant. The immense value placed on the Most Holy Place reminds us of the immeasurable worth of God's presence in our lives. As believers, our bodies are now considered the temple of the Holy Spirit. This calls us to dedicate our lives, our resources, and our very being to God, striving for holiness and purity, just as the physical Temple was consecrated. The reverence for God's holiness, exemplified by the sanctity of the Holy of Holies, should inspire us to approach God with awe and respect in our daily walk.

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 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

  • Exodus 26:33

    And thou shalt hang up the vail under the taches, that thou mayest bring in thither within the vail the ark of the testimony: and the vail shall divide unto you between the holy [place] and the most holy.

  • Hebrews 9:9

    Which [was] a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience;

  • 1 Kings 6:19

    And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.

  • 1 Kings 6:20

    And the oracle in the forepart [was] twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and [so] covered the altar [which was of] cedar.

  • Hebrews 9:3

    And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all;

  • 1 Kings 6:16

    And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built [them] for it within, [even] for the oracle, [even] for the most holy [place].

  • Hebrews 10:19

    ¶ Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
← Back