2 Chronicles 7:7

KJV

Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover Solomon {H8010} hallowed {H6942} the middle {H8432} of the court {H2691} that was before {H6440} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}: for there he offered {H6213} burnt offerings {H5930}, and the fat {H2459} of the peace offerings {H8002}, because the brasen {H5178} altar {H4196} which Solomon {H8010} had made {H6213} was not able {H3201} to receive {H3557} the burnt offerings {H5930}, and the meat offerings {H4503}, and the fat {H2459}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shlomo also consecrated the center of the courtyard in front of the house of ADONAI; because he had to offer the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings there. For the bronze altar which Shlomo had made could not receive the burnt offering, the grain offering and the fat.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar he had made could not contain all these offerings.

American Standard Version

Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of Jehovah; for there he offered the burnt-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings, because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon, in response to the overwhelming scale of sacrifices offered during the Temple dedication, consecrated a portion of the outer court. This extraordinary measure was necessitated because the vast quantities of burnt offerings, peace offerings, and grain offerings exceeded the capacity of the main bronze altar, thereby accommodating the unprecedented outpouring of national worship and God's manifest acceptance.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the dramatic manifestation of God's glory and fire consuming the burnt offering and sacrifices ([2 Chronicles 7:1-3](/2_chronicles/7-1-3 "2 Chronicles 7:1-3 - God's Fire and Glory Fill the Temple")), signaling divine acceptance of the newly built Temple and Solomon's prayer. The people's response of worship and praise ([2 Chronicles 7:3](/2_chronicles/7-3 "2 Chronicles 7:3 - People Worship God")) naturally leads into the description of the dedication sacrifices, which were so numerous they overwhelmed the primary altar. The preceding verses ([2 Chronicles 7:4-6](/2_chronicles/7-4-6 "2 Chronicles 7:4-6 - Sacrifices and Music at the Temple Dedication")) elaborate on the vast quantities of animals sacrificed by the king and the people, accompanied by the Levites' music and instruments. Verse 7, therefore, provides a crucial practical detail that highlights the unprecedented scale of this national event, demonstrating the people's fervent devotion and the king's commitment to facilitating comprehensive worship, even requiring an expansion of the sacred space. This sets the stage for the subsequent descriptions of the continued feast and the joyful dismissal of the people, underscoring the profound success and blessing of this momentous occasion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The dedication of Solomon's Temple marked a zenith in Israelite history, signifying the establishment of God's permanent dwelling place among His people, a fulfillment of promises stretching back to the Tabernacle. In the ancient Near East, grand building projects and lavish sacrifices were common expressions of royal piety and national prosperity. Solomon's Temple, however, held unique theological significance as the designated locus of Yahweh's presence. The sacrificial system was the bedrock of Israelite worship, encompassing atonement, communion, and thanksgiving. The "brazen altar" ([2 Chronicles 4:1](/2_chronicles/4-1 "2 Chronicles 4:1 - The Brazen Altar")), the central point for offerings, was designed to handle regular, substantial sacrifices. However, the dedication involved an unprecedented scale, with 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep mentioned in [2 Chronicles 7:5](/2_chronicles/7-5 "2 Chronicles 7:5 - The Scale of Dedication Sacrifices"). This logistical challenge necessitated Solomon's action. His "hallowing" of an additional court space was not a deviation from the Law but a pragmatic, reverent, and divinely sanctioned response to an extraordinary outpouring of worship, demonstrating the king's authority to consecrate space for sacred purposes under exceptional circumstances, ensuring that the worship could proceed without hindrance.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several overarching themes within [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "The Book of 2 Chronicles"):
* **Abundance and Generosity in Worship:** The overwhelming number of sacrifices, necessitating an expanded sacrificial area, vividly portrays the nation's profound devotion and Solomon's unparalleled generosity. This abundance is a direct, grateful response to God's manifest presence and blessing, illustrating a principle of giving beyond measure when truly moved by divine favor.
* **Holiness and Consecration:** Solomon's act of "hallowing" the court underscores the pervasive theme of holiness. Even a temporary space used for sacred purposes had to be formally set apart and treated with reverence. This emphasizes that all aspects of worship, and the environment in which it occurs, must be consecrated to the Lord, reflecting God's own holiness and demanding a holy approach from His people.
* **Divine Acceptance and Provision:** The initial consumption of sacrifices by fire from heaven ([2 Chronicles 7:1](/2_chronicles/7-1 "2 Chronicles 7:1 - Fire Consumes the Offerings")) signifies God's explicit acceptance of both the Temple and the offerings. The subsequent need for an expanded sacrificial area, while a practical problem, paradoxically highlights God's abundant provision and the people's fervent response, which was so great it required extraordinary measures to accommodate the outpouring of worship.
* **The King's Role in Facilitating Worship:** Solomon's active leadership in consecrating the court demonstrates the king's crucial responsibility as a spiritual leader. He ensured that the people could fully express their devotion to God, even when logistical challenges arose, emphasizing the king's role in maintaining the integrity and scope of national worship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hallowed (Hebrew, _qâdash'_):** Derived from H6942, this verb signifies "to be set apart," "to be consecrated," or "to be made holy." In the context of [2 Chronicles 7:7](/2_chronicles/7-7 "2 Chronicles 7:7 - Solomon Hallows the Court"), Solomon's action was not merely a pragmatic expansion but a deliberate, ceremonial act of consecration. He formally dedicated the central part of the court for sacred sacrificial purposes, ensuring that even this temporary space was treated with the same reverence and sanctity as the main altar itself. This act maintained the integrity and holiness required for all offerings presented to the Lord.
* **Fat (Hebrew, _cheleb'_):** From H2459, this term refers to the richest or choice part of an animal, literally "fat." In the Israelite sacrificial system, the fat of peace offerings (and other sacrifices) was exclusively reserved for the Lord and burned on the altar ([Leviticus 3:16-17](/leviticus/3-16-17 "Leviticus 3:16-17 - The Fat for the Lord")). Its burning produced a "sweet aroma" to the Lord, symbolizing the best portion given to God. The mention of the fat here underscores that even the most sacred, divinely designated portions of the offerings were so numerous that they overwhelmed the main altar, necessitating the use of the hallowed court.
* **Brazen Altar (Hebrew, _mizbêach nᵉchôsheth'_):** Comprising H4196 ("altar") and H5178 ("copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. brass"), this refers to the large altar of burnt offering, constructed of bronze, which stood prominently in the outer court of the Temple. As described in [2 Chronicles 4:1](/2_chronicles/4-1 "2 Chronicles 4:1 - The Brazen Altar"), it was the primary, divinely ordained location for all burnt offerings and other sacrifices. The fact that this substantial and purpose-built altar was "not able to receive" the offerings highlights the truly unprecedented and overwhelming scale of the dedication sacrifices, emphasizing the magnitude of the people's devotion and God's abundant blessing.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD":** This clause describes King Solomon's authoritative and reverent action. To "hallow" (Hebrew: *qadash*) means to set apart or consecrate for sacred use. The "middle of the court" (Hebrew: *tavek hachatser*) refers to the expansive open area directly in front of the Temple building, accessible to the congregation. By consecrating this space, Solomon transformed a general area into a temporary, yet sacred, extension of the sacrificial precinct, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring proper and extensive worship for the Lord.
* **"for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings":** This segment clarifies the specific purpose for which the court was hallowed. "Burnt offerings" (Hebrew: *'olot*) were entirely consumed by fire on the altar, symbolizing complete dedication and atonement. The "fat of the peace offerings" (Hebrew: *chelev hashshelamim*) refers to the choicest fatty portions of fellowship offerings, which were exclusively dedicated to the Lord and burned. The use of the hallowed court for these specific, sacred components of the sacrifices indicates that it was not merely for general processing, but for the actual presentation of offerings that were to be consumed by fire, maintaining the sanctity of the ritual.
* **"because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat":** This final clause provides the practical justification for Solomon's extraordinary measure. The "brazen altar," despite its substantial size and purpose, proved insufficient for the sheer volume of sacrifices. "Meat offerings" (Hebrew: *minchah*, more accurately "grain offerings" or "meal offerings") were typically offered alongside burnt offerings or independently, often consisting of flour, oil, and frankincense. The inability of the primary altar to accommodate the totality of these elements—burnt offerings, grain offerings, and the fat of peace offerings—underscores the truly immense and unprecedented scale of the Temple dedication sacrifices, serving as a powerful testament to the nation's overwhelming joy, devotion, and God's abundant blessing.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. **Hyperbole** is evident in the description of the sacrifices' sheer volume, so vast that even the specially constructed brazen altar could not contain them all. While rooted in a literal logistical challenge, the language emphasizes the extraordinary, unprecedented scale of devotion and divine blessing. **Symbolism** is also profoundly at play: the "hallowing" of the court symbolizes the pervasive nature of holiness required in God's presence, indicating that even a temporary, expanded space must be consecrated to maintain the sanctity of worship. Furthermore, the immense number of sacrifices itself is **symbolic** of the nation's overwhelming gratitude, King Solomon's lavish devotion, and the abundant acceptance of God's presence. The narrative also highlights **Pragmatism** and **Divine Accommodation**, as Solomon's practical solution to a logistical challenge is presented not as a deviation, but as a necessary and divinely sanctioned act, ensuring that the worship could proceed without hindrance, showcasing God's willingness to accommodate His people's fervent response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The account in [2 Chronicles 7:7](/2_chronicles/7-7 "2 Chronicles 7:7 - Solomon Hallows the Court"), while detailing a logistical necessity during the Temple dedication, carries profound theological implications. It powerfully underscores the theme of God's abundant blessing and the corresponding human response of overflowing worship. The inability of the standard, divinely designed altar to contain the offerings signifies not a flaw in the altar, but the extraordinary outpouring of devotion and the magnitude of God's acceptance, which was so great it required an expansion of sacred space. This act of "hallowing" the court also reinforces the pervasive biblical principle of holiness: anything used in the service of God, even temporarily, must be set apart and treated with reverence. It teaches that true worship is not always limited by prescribed structures alone but can adapt to accommodate a genuine, fervent response to God's presence, provided that adaptation is done with reverence, consecration, and under divine sanction. It speaks to a worship that is not merely dutiful but overflowing with joy and gratitude.

* [Exodus 40:9-11](/exodus/40-9-11 "Consecration of the Tabernacle and Altar"): These verses demonstrate the divine command for consecrating the Tabernacle and its furnishings, including the altar, establishing the foundational principle of setting apart for holy use.
* [Leviticus 1:9](/leviticus/1-9 "The Burnt Offering Procedure"): This passage details the proper procedure for burnt offerings, emphasizing that the entire offering is to be consumed on the altar, highlighting the significance of the altar's capacity and the completeness of the sacrifice.
* [Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Living Sacrifices"): This New Testament call to believers to present their bodies as "living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God" extends the concept of consecrated offering beyond physical animals to one's entire life, reflecting the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament sacrifices.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[2 Chronicles 7:7](/2_chronicles/7-7 "2 Chronicles 7:7 - Solomon Hallows the Court"), though rooted in the Old Covenant sacrificial system, offers timeless principles for contemporary believers. The overwhelming volume of sacrifices that necessitated an expanded sacred space challenges us to consider the depth and breadth of our own worship and service. Are we truly prepared for God's abundant blessings, and are our "structures"—our routines, our resources, our spiritual capacity, our church facilities—large enough to accommodate an outpouring of His Spirit or an increase in our devotion and ministry? Solomon's act of hallowing the court reminds us that true worship is not always confined to traditional spaces or methods; sometimes, a fervent, Spirit-led response to God's presence requires creativity, adaptability, and a willingness to consecrate new spaces or approaches for His glory. It also speaks to the importance of wholehearted devotion—a worship that is so generous and expansive that it goes beyond the minimum requirement, reflecting a heart fully surrendered and overflowing with gratitude for God's manifest presence and blessing in our lives. This passage encourages us to be open to God doing "immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" ([Ephesians 3:20](/ephesians/3-20 "God's Power Within Us")), and to respond with an equally immeasurable commitment.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might God be calling me to expand my "capacity" for worship or service beyond my current comfort zone or established routines?**
* **How does the idea of "hallowing" or consecrating ordinary spaces, times, or resources for God's specific use apply to my daily life and work?**
* **Am I truly offering my "best" and "abundance" to God, or am I limiting my devotion to what is merely convenient or customary?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more wholehearted and expansive devotion to God in my personal life and within my community of faith?**

### FAQ
**Was it permissible under Mosaic Law to offer sacrifices outside the main altar?**

Answer: Generally, the Mosaic Law stipulated that sacrifices were to be offered at the central altar, as commanded in passages like [Deuteronomy 12:5-6](/deuteronomy/12-5-6 "Place of Worship"). However, there were exceptions or special provisions for extraordinary circumstances. In this unique case, the immense scale of the offerings during the Temple dedication was unprecedented, and crucially, God had just visibly accepted the Temple and the offerings with fire from heaven ([2 Chronicles 7:1](/2_chronicles/7-1 "Fire Consumes the Offerings")). Solomon's act of "hallowing" or consecrating the middle of the court for this specific, temporary purpose indicates that it was done under divine sanction and kingly authority, ensuring the holiness of the act. It was not a casual deviation but a reverent and necessary adaptation to accommodate an overwhelming outpouring of worship and divine blessing, thereby maintaining the spirit and purpose of the Law even as its letter was adapted for an exceptional, divinely affirmed event.

**What was the significance of the "middle of the court" being used?**

Answer: The "middle of the court" (Hebrew: *tavek hachatser*) refers to the large open area directly in front of the Temple building, specifically "before the house of the LORD" ([2 Chronicles 7:7](/2_chronicles/7-7 "Solomon Hallows the Court")). This was the primary area where the congregation would gather and where the main brazen altar was located. By hallowing this central and visible space, Solomon ensured that the overflow of sacrifices remained within the consecrated precincts of the Temple complex, maintaining the sanctity and order of the dedication ceremonies. Its central location also allowed the people to witness the vastness of the offerings and participate in the collective act of worship, even as the offerings extended beyond the singular altar, reinforcing the communal and national scope of the dedication.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The overflowing sacrifices and the consecrated court in [2 Chronicles 7:7](/2_chronicles/7-7 "2 Chronicles 7:7 - Solomon Hallows the Court") find their ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The immense volume of animal sacrifices, though a testament to Israel's devotion and God's acceptance, pointed forward to the singular, perfect, and all-sufficient sacrifice of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "Jesus, the Lamb of God") who would definitively take away the sin of the world. Unlike the countless animals whose blood could only cover sins temporarily, Christ's death on the cross was a [once-for-all sacrifice](/hebrews/10-10 "Christ's Once-for-All Sacrifice") that fully and eternally atoned for sin, rendering all further animal sacrifices obsolete. The "hallowing" of the court, setting apart a temporary space for sacred purposes, powerfully foreshadows the new covenant reality where believers themselves become the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "Believers as God's Temple"). Through Christ's redemptive work, we are consecrated and made holy, no longer needing physical altars or specific consecrated spaces for our worship, but offering our very lives as [living sacrifices](/romans/12-1 "Living Sacrifices"), holy and acceptable to God. The abundance of offerings in Solomon's day speaks to the boundless grace and immeasurable love of God, fully revealed in Christ, who provides an [eternal redemption](/hebrews/9-12 "Eternal Redemption Through Christ") and an inexhaustible supply of grace that far exceeds the capacity of any earthly altar or ritual, inviting us into a worship that is spiritual, true, and without limit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 8:64

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that [was] before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that [was] before the LORD [was] too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

1 Kings 8:66

On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.

Hebrews 13:10

We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.

Hebrews 13:12

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.

Numbers 16:37

Speak unto Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter thou the fire yonder; for they are hallowed.

Numbers 16:38

The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates [for] a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

2 Chronicles 36:14

Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem.