Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.

1 CHRONICLES 22:16KJV
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1 Chronicles 22:16 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 22:16 mean?

1 Chronicles 22:16 means that there is an unlimited supply of gold, silver, bronze, and iron available for the temple project, so the person being addressed should get up and start working, with the assurance that God will be with them. The verse is a call to action, encouraging confidence because of both abundant resources and divine support.

In this verse, King David is speaking to his son Solomon, preparing him to build the temple in Jerusalem. David emphasizes that all the necessary materials—gold, silver, brass, and iron—are available in abundance, and urges Solomon to begin the work without hesitation. The assurance that "the LORD be with thee" highlights that Solomon is not alone in this huge task; God's presence and help are promised.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 22:16

  • The word for "gold" is זָהָב (zahav, H2091), which simply means gold, the most precious metal mentioned, emphasizing the richness of the temple's resources.
  • "Silver" is כֶּסֶף (kesef, H3701), another valuable metal, showing that no expense is being spared for the temple.
  • "Brass" is נְחֹשֶׁת (nechoshet, H5178), which can also mean bronze or copper, used for various temple furnishings.
  • "Iron" is בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270), a strong and practical metal, highlighting the variety and sufficiency of materials.
  • The word for "number" is מִסְפָּר (mispar, H4557), meaning count or total, stressing that the quantity is beyond calculation.
  • "Arise" is קוּם (qum, H6965), which means to get up or stand, used here as a strong encouragement to take action.
  • "Doing" comes from עָשָׂה (asah, H6213), meaning to make or do, focusing on the act of beginning the work.
  • "LORD" is יְהוָה (YHWH, H3068), the personal name of God, underlining that this is not just a human project but one under God's direction.

Why 1 Chronicles 22:16 matters

  • This verse clears up any doubt about whether Solomon would have enough resources to build the temple; David assures him that there is more than enough.
  • The emphasis on both abundant materials and God's presence shows that both practical needs and spiritual support are important for the task.
  • In the wider passage, this verse marks the transition from David's preparations to Solomon's responsibility, highlighting a moment of encouragement and commissioning.

Where else these words appear

“iron” Hebrew H1270 · used in 70 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • 2 Samuel 23:7 But the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear; and they shall be utterly burned with fire in the same place.
  • Psalms 107:16 For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.

“brass” Hebrew H5178 · used in 119 verses

  • Genesis 4:22 And Zillah, she also bare Tubalcain, an instructer of every artificer in brass and iron: and the sister of Tubalcain was Naamah.
  • Deuteronomy 8:9 A land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness, thou shalt not lack any thing in it; a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills thou mayest dig brass.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:2 Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God the gold for things to be made of gold, and the silver for things of silver, and the brass for things of brass, the iron for things of iron, and wood for things of wood; onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of divers colours, and all manner of precious stones, and marble stones in abundance.

“number” Hebrew H4557 · used in 129 verses

  • Genesis 34:30 And Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, Ye have troubled me to make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and the Perizzites: and I being few in number, they shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed, I and my house.
  • Deuteronomy 32:8 When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.
  • Ezra 3:4 They kept also the feast of tabernacles, as it is written, and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required;