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.
2 CHRONICLES 1:17KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 1:17 mean?
2 Chronicles 1:17 describes how chariots and horses were imported from Egypt at set prices—six hundred shekels of silver for each chariot and one hundred fifty for each horse—and then exported to the kings of the Hittites and Syria through Israel’s trade connections. This verse highlights Israel’s role as a middleman in the ancient Near Eastern trade of valuable war equipment.
In this passage, the chronicler is explaining the wealth and international influence during King Solomon’s reign. The verse shows that Solomon’s administration not only acquired luxury items from Egypt but also profited by selling them to neighboring kingdoms. This detail fits into the broader context of Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity, as described earlier in the chapter.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 1:17
- "Egypt" (מִצְרַיִם, miṣrayim): This word refers to the well-known ancient kingdom, emphasizing that the source of these chariots and horses was a powerful and wealthy nation.
- "Chariot" (מֶרְכָּבָה, merkavah): The specific mention of chariots points to military technology and prestige, showing the high value of these imports.
- "Silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph): The use of silver as the currency for these transactions underlines the economic strength and the scale of trade.
- "Means" (יָד, yad): Literally meaning "hand," this word here is often understood as "by their means" or "through their agency," indicating that the Israelites acted as brokers or agents in this trade.
Why 2 Chronicles 1:17 matters
- This verse clears up the idea that Solomon’s kingdom was not only wealthy but also deeply involved in international trade, acting as a supplier to other powerful nations.
- The mention of specific prices and trade partners shows the organized and official nature of Solomon’s administration, rather than random or informal exchanges.
- By highlighting Israel’s connections with Egypt, the Hittites, and Syria, the verse sets the stage for understanding the political and economic landscape of Solomon’s reign and how Israel fit into the broader world.