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Public-domain commentary
Matthew Henry
From his Commentary on the Whole Bible. Henry comments on passages, not single verses — this entry covers 2 Chronicles 4:1–10. His three-level outline is real structure in the source text, so it is rendered as structure.
David often speaks with much affection both of the house of the Lord and of the courts of our God. Both without doors and within there was that which typified the grace of the gospel and shadowed out good things to come, of which the substance is Christ.
I.There were those things in the open court, in the view of all the people, which were very significant.
1.There was the brazen altar, Ch2 4:1. The making of this was not mentioned in the Kings. On this all the sacrifices were offered, and it sanctified the gift. This altar was much larger than that which Moses made in the tabernacle; that was five cubits square, this was twenty cubits square. Now that Israel had become both numerous and more rich, and it was to be hoped more devout (for every age should aim to be wiser and better than that which went before it), it was expected that there would be a greater abundance of offerings brought to God's altar than had been. It was therefore made such a capacious scaffold that it might hold them all, and none might excuse themselves from bringing those temptations of their devotion by alleging that there was not room to receive them. God had greatly enlarged their borders; it was therefore fit that they should enlarge his altars. Our returns should bear some proportion to our receivings. It was ten cubits high, so that the people who worshipped in the courts might see the sacrifice burnt, and their eye might affect their heart with sorrow for sin: "It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not thus consumed, and that this is accepted as an expiation of my guilt." They might thus be led to consider the great sacrifice which should be offered in the fulness of time to take away sin and abolish death, which the blood of bulls and goats could not possibly do. And with the smoke of the sacrifices their hearts might ascend to heaven in holy desires towards God and his favour. In all our devotions we must keep the eye of faith fixed upon Christ, the great propitiation. How they went up to this altar, and carried the sacrifices up to it, we are not told; some think by a plain ascent like a hill: if by steps, doubtless they were so contrived as that the end of the law (mentioned Exo 20:26) might be answered.
2.There was the molten sea, a very large brass pan, in which they put water for the priests to wash in, Ch2 4:2, Ch2 4:6. It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests, like the font at the church door. If it were filled to the brim, it would hold 3000 baths (as here, Ch2 4:5), but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it, Kg1 7:26. The Holy Ghost by this signified,
(1.)Our great gospel privilege, that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, Jo1 1:7. To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests, Rev 1:5, Rev 1:6), nay, for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in, from sin, which is uncleanness. There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences, that they might serve the living God, Heb 9:14.
(2.)Our great gospel duty, which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world. Our hearts must be sanctified, or we cannot sanctify the name of God. Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands, and purify their hearts, Jam 4:8. If I was thee not, thou hast no part with me; and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet, to renew his repentance, whenever he goes in to minister, Joh 13:10.
3.There were ten lavers of brass, in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings, Ch2 4:6. As the priests must be washed, so must the sacrifices. We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances, but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them.
4.The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (Ch2 4:9), both for strength and beauty, and that they might not be rotted with the weather, to which they were exposed. Gates of brass we read of, Psa 107:16.
II.There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant.
All was gold there. The nearer we come to God the purer we must be, the purer we shall be.
1.There were ten golden candlesticks, according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle, Ch2 4:7. The written word is a lamp and a light, shining in a dark place. In Moses's time they had but one candlestick, the Pentateuch; but the additions which, in process of time, were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks. Light was growing. The candlesticks are the churches, Rev 1:20. Moses set up but one, the church of the Jews; but, in the gospel temple, not only believers, but churches, are multiplied.
2.There were ten golden tables (Ch2 4:8), tables whereon the show-bread was set, Ch2 4:19. Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it. As the house was enlarged, the house-keeping was. In my father's house there is bread enough for the whole family. To those tables belonged 100 golden basins, or dishes; for God's table is well furnished.
3.There was a golden altar (Ch2 4:19), on which they burnt incense. It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar. Christ, who once for all made atonement for sin, ever lives, making intercession, in virtue of that atonement.
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Summary
Second Chronicles 4:1 meticulously describes the construction of the grand bronze altar for Solomon's Temple, specifying its impressive dimensions: twenty cubits in length, twenty cubits in breadth, and ten cubits in height. This colossal structure, positioned prominently in the Temple courtyard, was the central and indispensable feature for all sacrificial offerings, underscoring its vital role in Israelite worship and the atonement system.
Context
Literary Context
This verse is situated within a detailed architectural and furnishing description of Solomon's newly completed Temple. Following the account of the two massive bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the Temple's entrance, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 3:15-17, the Chronicler shifts focus to the primary implements within the Temple courtyard. The altar's description immediately precedes that of the "molten sea," found in 2 Chronicles 4:2, the lavers, and other vessels, indicating a logical progression from the building's exterior features to its essential cultic instruments. The Chronicler's emphasis on these details highlights the Temple's functionality as a place of worship and sacrifice, central to Israel's covenant relationship with God.
Historical & Cultural Context
Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a period of unprecedented peace, prosperity, and architectural achievement in ancient Israel. The construction of the Temple in Jerusalem was the crowning achievement of his reign, fulfilling David's desire to build a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant and the Lord's presence. The bronze altar, known as the altar of burnt offering, was a direct descendant of the smaller bronze altar of the Tabernacle, as described in Exodus 27:1-8, but its vastly increased size reflected the grandeur of the permanent Temple and the anticipated scale of national worship. Sacrifices were the core of Israelite worship, serving as the divinely appointed means for atonement, purification, and communion with God, making the altar the most frequently used and symbolically potent object in the Temple courtyard.
Key Themes
The construction of this immense altar underscores several key themes woven throughout 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of Worship and Sacrifice, emphasizing the centrality of offerings for maintaining Israel's covenant relationship with God and providing a means of atonement for sin. Secondly, the sheer scale of the altar, far exceeding that of the Tabernacle, speaks to the Divine Grandeur and Majesty of God, whose dwelling place required such magnificent and substantial furnishings. It also reflects the Continuity and Development of Israelite worship, transitioning from the portable sanctuary to a permanent, glorious edifice. Finally, the meticulous detail given to the altar's dimensions points to the theme of Obedience to Divine Instruction and the importance of proper, prescribed worship, a recurring emphasis in the Chronicler's theology, echoing the divine patterns given for the Tabernacle in Exodus 25.
Exposition and Analysis
Key Word Analysis
From the root זָבַח (zabach), meaning "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice," this term specifically denotes a place for offering sacrifices, particularly burnt offerings. In the context of the Temple, it was the primary point of access for the people to bring their offerings before God, symbolizing atonement, consecration, and communion. Its very name encapsulates its fundamental purpose in Israelite worship.
While often translated as "brass," this term more accurately refers to "copper" or "bronze" (an alloy of copper). Bronze was a durable, heat-resistant metal, making it ideal for an altar that would constantly be exposed to fire. The use of bronze also carried symbolic weight, often associated with strength, durability, and sometimes divine judgment or purification, fitting for an object that facilitated the removal of sin through sacrifice.
Properly referring to a "mother" (i.e., unit of measure) or the "fore-arm," this was a standard ancient unit of linear measurement, typically the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but generally around 18-21 inches (45-53 cm). The precise mention of "twenty cubits" and "ten cubits" underscores the exactness of the divine specifications or the meticulousness of Solomon's adherence to a grand design, emphasizing the deliberate and substantial nature of the structure.
Verse Breakdown
"Moreover he made an altar of brass"
This opening phrase attributes the construction directly to Solomon ("he made"), highlighting his role in fulfilling the vision for the Temple. The material, "brass" (bronze), immediately conveys the altar's durability, strength, and suitability for its fiery purpose, setting it apart as a permanent and robust fixture.
"twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof"
These dimensions establish the altar's square base, indicating a massive footprint. At approximately 30 feet by 30 feet (assuming an 18-inch cubit), this base was significantly larger than the Tabernacle altar's 7.5 feet by 7.5 feet, as described in Exodus 27:1, signifying a vastly expanded capacity for offerings and a grander scale appropriate for a permanent national sanctuary.
"and ten cubits the height thereof"
This final dimension specifies the altar's considerable height, roughly 15 feet. Such an imposing height would have made the altar a prominent and visible feature in the Temple courtyard, towering over worshippers and emphasizing its central and elevated role in the sacrificial system. It would have required ramps, rather than steps, for the priests to ascend, in accordance with Mosaic law, as stipulated in Exodus 20:26.
Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices to convey the significance of the bronze altar. Symbolism is paramount, as the altar itself symbolizes the means of atonement, the place of divine encounter, and the seriousness of sin requiring sacrifice. The material, bronze, further symbolizes durability, purification through fire, and divine judgment. The detailed enumeration of the altar's colossal dimensions (twenty by twenty by ten cubits) serves as a form of Emphasis through Scale, highlighting the grandeur of God, the importance of the Temple, and the vastness of the provision for sin. This immense size also creates an implicit Contrast with the much smaller altar of the Tabernacle, underscoring the shift from a portable, temporary sanctuary to a permanent, magnificent one. The precise, almost formulaic, repetition of the dimensions reinforces the idea of meticulous construction and adherence to a divinely ordained pattern.
Theological and Thematic Connections
The bronze altar in 2 Chronicles 4:1 stands as a powerful theological symbol, central to the Old Covenant's system of worship and atonement. Its immense size not only reflects the majesty of God but also the profound seriousness of human sin, which required such a substantial and continuous outpouring of sacrificial blood for propitiation. The altar was the place where the life of the offering was given in exchange for the life of the sinner, a tangible representation of God's provision for reconciliation. It taught Israel that access to a holy God was only possible through a divinely appointed sacrifice, a principle foundational to their understanding of sin, holiness, and divine mercy. This physical structure, therefore, embodies the core Old Testament truth that "the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one's life," as stated in Leviticus 17:11.
Reflection and Application
The ancient bronze altar, with its imposing presence and singular purpose, serves as a profound reminder for believers today about the nature of God, the gravity of sin, and the pathway to reconciliation. While we no longer offer animal sacrifices, the principles embodied by the altar remain eternally relevant. Its immense size should impress upon us the vastness of God's holiness and the infinite cost required to bridge the chasm of sin. It challenges us to approach God not casually, but with reverence, humility, and a deep appreciation for the sacrifice that has been made on our behalf. Our worship, prayers, and service should be offered with intentionality, recognizing the immense spiritual reality behind our communion with the living God. The altar calls us to a life of consecrated devotion, where our entire being is presented as a "living sacrifice" in response to God's ultimate provision.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was the altar in Solomon's Temple so much larger than the one in the Tabernacle?
The significant increase in size from the Tabernacle's altar (approximately 7.5 x 7.5 x 4.5 feet) to Solomon's Temple altar (30 x 30 x 15 feet) was primarily due to the shift from a portable, wilderness sanctuary to a permanent, national worship center. The larger altar was necessary to accommodate the vast number of sacrifices offered, especially during major festivals when the entire nation would gather. This scale reflected the grandeur of God and the expanded scope of Israel's worship, symbolizing the immense provision for atonement for a numerous people. It also visually emphasized the central importance of sacrifice in the Temple's function, a focal point for all who approached the house of the Lord.
What was "brass" in this biblical context, and why was it chosen for the altar?
In ancient biblical texts, the Hebrew word nᵉchôsheth (translated as "brass" in the KJV) almost always refers to "bronze," an alloy of copper and tin, not modern brass (an alloy of copper and zinc). Bronze was a common and highly valued metal in the ancient Near East, known for its strength, durability, and resistance to high temperatures. These properties made it an ideal material for the altar of burnt offering, which would constantly endure intense heat from the sacrificial fires. Symbolically, bronze was also associated with judgment and purification by fire, fitting for an object central to the atonement process.
How did the priests access the top of such a high altar to perform sacrifices?
While the Bible doesn't explicitly state how priests ascended the Temple altar, it is widely understood from rabbinic tradition and archaeological parallels that they would have used a ramp. Mosaic law explicitly forbade the use of steps for altars, stating, "You must not build my altar with steps, so that your nakedness will not be exposed on it," as found in Exodus 20:26. A ramp would have allowed the priests to ascend to the top of the 15-foot high altar while maintaining modesty and dignity, ensuring that the sacred rituals were performed according to divine prescription.
Christ-Centered Fulfillment
The bronze altar of Solomon's Temple, with its immense size and central role in Israel's worship, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. This physical structure, where the blood of animals was shed for the temporary covering of sins, was a powerful type pointing to the once-for-all, perfect sacrifice of the Lamb of God. Just as the altar was the sole means of atonement in the Old Covenant, so too is Christ the exclusive means of reconciliation with God in the New. His body, broken on the cross, serves as the ultimate altar, and His shed blood, "without blemish or defect," as declared in 1 Peter 1:19, provides complete and eternal forgiveness for all who believe. The sacrifices offered on the bronze altar were imperfect and had to be repeated daily and yearly, but Christ's sacrifice was "once for all," as affirmed in Hebrews 7:27, rendering the physical Temple altar obsolete. Now, through Him, we have direct access to God's presence, not through the blood of bulls and goats, but through the precious blood of Jesus, our perfect High Priest and eternal sacrifice, as beautifully articulated in Hebrews 10:19-20.