And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it.

2 CHRONICLES 1:6KJV
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2 Chronicles 1:6 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 1:6 mean?

2 Chronicles 1:6 describes Solomon going to the bronze altar in front of the LORD at the tent of meeting and offering a thousand burnt offerings there. This act shows Solomon’s devotion and the significance of worship as he begins his reign as king.

Solomon, newly established as king of Israel, is at Gibeon where the main place of worship—the tabernacle of the congregation—was located. The verse highlights Solomon’s public act of worship by offering an extraordinary number of burnt offerings, which sets the stage for God’s appearance to him in the following verses. This moment marks a key transition from David’s reign to Solomon’s, emphasizing the importance of seeking God at the start of his kingship.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 1:6

  • בְּמִזְבַּח הַנְּחֹשֶׁת (mizbeach hannechoshet, "brasen altar"): This phrase refers specifically to the bronze altar, a central place for sacrifices, underscoring the official and communal nature of Solomon’s offering.
  • עֹלָה (olah, "burnt offerings"): This word means offerings that are completely burned, symbolizing total dedication to God. The mention of a thousand such offerings highlights the scale and seriousness of Solomon’s worship.
  • אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (ohel moed, "tabernacle of the congregation"): This is the tent where Israel met with God before the temple was built, reminding the reader of the continuity of worship practices from Moses’ time.

Why 2 Chronicles 1:6 matters

  • The verse clears up any idea that Solomon’s reign began with political or military actions; instead, it began with a major act of worship, showing what was most important to him as king.
  • The scale of the offering (a thousand burnt offerings) emphasizes Solomon’s seriousness and generosity in seeking God’s favor, not just performing a ritual.
  • This event connects Solomon’s kingship to the traditions of Moses and David, showing respect for established worship practices before the temple was built.

Where else these words appear

“brasen” 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 22:16 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.