2 Chronicles 8:7

[As for] all the people [that were] left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which [were] not of Israel,

As for all the people {H5971} that were left {H3498} of the Hittites {H2850}, and the Amorites {H567}, and the Perizzites {H6522}, and the Hivites {H2340}, and the Jebusites {H2983}, which were not of Israel {H3478},

As for all the people still left from the Hitti, Emori, P'rizi, Hivi, and Y'vusi, who were not part of Isra'el,

As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)—

As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, that were not of Israel;

Commentary

2 Chronicles 8:7 marks a significant detail in the account of King Solomon's reign, specifically concerning his vast building projects and the labor force he employed. This verse identifies the non-Israelite peoples who remained in the land after the initial Israelite conquest, distinguishing them from the people of Israel.

Context

This verse is part of a larger passage (2 Chronicles 8:7-10) that describes King Solomon's extensive construction efforts, including the Temple in Jerusalem, his own palace, and various fortified cities. It highlights a clear distinction in Solomon's kingdom management: the Israelites were appointed as officials, military leaders, and chariot commanders, while the remnants of the indigenous Canaanite populations were conscripted for forced labor. These groups — the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites — were the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan whom the Israelites had been commanded to dispossess (see Deuteronomy 7:1). Despite the earlier conquests, many of these peoples were not fully expelled or annihilated, as noted in various books like Judges 1:21 regarding the Jebusites in Jerusalem, and were ultimately subjugated by powerful Israelite kings like David and Solomon.

Key Themes

  • Subjugation of Remnants: The verse underscores that not all the Canaanite peoples were fully dispossessed during the conquest of Canaan. Those who remained were eventually brought under Israelite control, serving as a labor force for the kingdom's ambitious projects.
  • Distinction and Identity: The phrase "which were not of Israel" explicitly defines the unique identity of God's chosen people, contrasting them with the surrounding nations. This distinction was crucial for maintaining the covenant identity and purity of Israel.
  • Labor and Societal Structure: Solomon's use of these foreign peoples for corvée labor (forced, unpaid labor) reveals a stratified society where non-Israelites bore the brunt of heavy construction work, while Israelites held positions of authority and freedom. This system is also paralleled in 1 Kings 9:20-21.

Linguistic Insights

The names listed – Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites – are well-documented ancient Near Eastern peoples who inhabited Canaan prior to the Israelite settlement. While there are no specific KJV linguistic nuances within the verse itself, their collective mention emphasizes their status as the indigenous, non-Israelite populations of the land. Their continued presence, despite the divine command for their expulsion, reflects the complex historical reality of Israel's settlement and subsequent consolidation of power under the monarchy.

Practical Application

This verse, while historical, offers insights into the dynamics of power, labor, and national identity in ancient times. It reminds us of God's sovereign plan for Israel, even as human actions like incomplete obedience (in failing to fully dispossess the nations) led to their continued presence. For believers today, it highlights the importance of understanding historical context when interpreting scripture and recognizing how God works through human societies, even with their imperfections. It also implicitly underscores the concept of distinct identities within God's broader plan, whether it's the unique calling of Israel or the new identity believers have in Christ, transcending traditional ethnic or social boundaries.

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

  • Genesis 15:18

    In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

  • Genesis 15:21

    And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

  • Deuteronomy 7:1

    ¶ When the LORD thy God shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;

  • 1 Kings 9:20

    [And] all the people [that were] left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which [were] not of the children of Israel,

  • 1 Kings 9:22

    But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they [were] men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
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