2 Chronicles 9:27

And the king made silver in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that [are] in the low plains in abundance.

And the king {H4428} made {H5414} silver {H3701} in Jerusalem {H3389} as stones {H68}, and cedar trees {H730} made {H5414} he as the sycomore trees {H8256} that are in the low plains {H8219} in abundance {H7230}.

The king made silver in Yerushalayim as common as stones, and he made cedars as abundant as sycamore-fig trees are in the Sh'felah.

The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills.

And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore-trees that are in the lowland, for abundance.

Context

This verse is part of a larger section in 2 Chronicles detailing the extraordinary reign of King Solomon, particularly emphasizing his unparalleled wealth, wisdom, and glory. It follows accounts of his vast international trade, the tribute received from foreign kings, and the awe-inspiring visit of the Queen of Sheba, all of which underscore the immense prosperity of ancient Israel under his leadership. The description of abundance here serves to illustrate the peak of Israel's material blessings during this golden age.

Meaning and Significance

2 Chronicles 9:27 vividly portrays the immense wealth and resources available in Jerusalem during Solomon's time. The phrase "made silver in Jerusalem as stones" is a hyperbolic expression indicating that silver, a precious metal, was so abundant it was considered as common and plentiful as ordinary stones found on the ground. Similarly, "cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that [are] in the low plains in abundance" highlights the vast quantity of cedar wood. Cedar was a highly prized and expensive timber, typically imported from Lebanon and used for grand constructions like Solomon's Temple and his royal palace. Sycomore trees, in contrast, were common and less valuable, found in abundance in the lowlands. This comparison underscores the extraordinary availability of valuable cedar, making it seem as accessible as the ubiquitous sycomore, further emphasizing the nation's immense prosperity and the fulfillment of God's promises of divine blessing.

Linguistic Insights

  • Silver as Stones: This idiom is also found in 1 Kings 10:27 and signifies an incredible surplus, making a valuable commodity seem worthless due to its sheer quantity.
  • Cedar Trees: Cedrus libani (Cedar of Lebanon) was renowned for its strength, durability, aromatic quality, and resistance to decay, making it the most esteemed building material in the ancient Near East. Acquiring such vast quantities required immense resources and trade networks.
  • Sycomore Trees: The KJV "sycomore" refers to the sycamore-fig tree (Ficus sycomorus), common in the warmer, lower plains of Israel. Its wood was softer, less durable, and primarily used for common construction, agricultural implements, or even firewood. The contrast with cedar emphasizes the rarity and value of the latter becoming common.

Key Themes

  • Unparalleled Prosperity: The verse powerfully illustrates the peak of Israel's material wealth and abundance during Solomon's reign, a period often regarded as a golden age.
  • Divine Blessing and Fulfillment: Solomon's immense wealth was a direct result of God's blessing upon his wisdom and obedience, demonstrating God's ability to fulfill His promises of prosperity to His people.
  • Abundance of Resources: It paints a picture of a nation overflowing with precious metals and valuable timber, transforming luxury items into commodities due to their sheer quantity.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's capacity to bless abundantly. Solomon's reign, marked by such extraordinary wealth, was a period of peace and prosperity linked to his initial wise leadership and adherence to God's ways. While material wealth is not the ultimate measure of God's favor, this passage highlights a time when God poured out blessings upon His people. For us today, it can inspire reflection on how we view and manage resources, recognizing that all blessings ultimately come from God and are to be used responsibly, not just for personal gain, but for His glory and the good of others.

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.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:15

    And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem [as plenteous] as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that [are] in the vale for abundance.

  • 2 Chronicles 1:17

    And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and an horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out [horses] for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means.

  • Psalms 78:47

    He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycomore trees with frost.

  • Isaiah 9:10

    The bricks are fallen down, but we will build with hewn stones: the sycomores are cut down, but we will change [them into] cedars.

  • Amos 7:14

    Then answered Amos, and said to Amaziah, I [was] no prophet, neither [was] I a prophet's son; but I [was] an herdman, and a gatherer of sycomore fruit:

  • Job 22:24

    Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the [gold] of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

  • Job 22:25

    Yea, the Almighty shall be thy defence, and thou shalt have plenty of silver.

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