The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.

2 CHRONICLES 2:14KJV
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2 Chronicles 2:14 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 2:14 mean?

2 Chronicles 2:14 describes a highly skilled craftsman whose mother was from the tribe of Dan and whose father was from Tyre. This craftsman is able to work expertly with many materials—gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, wood, and various fabrics—and is also talented in engraving and inventing designs, making him well-suited to work alongside Solomon’s and David’s skilled men.

In this verse, King Hiram of Tyre is writing to King Solomon, offering the services of this master artisan to help build the temple in Jerusalem. The craftsman’s mixed heritage (Israelite mother, Tyrian father) and his broad skill set are highlighted to show why he is especially qualified for the complex and beautiful work required for the temple’s construction.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 2:14

  • The word for "skilful" is יָדַע (yada‘), which means "to know" or "to be skilled." Here, it emphasizes not just technical ability but deep expertise and understanding in many crafts.
  • The word for "device" is מַחֲשָׁבָה (machashavah), meaning an invention, design, or artistic plan. This shows the craftsman is not just a worker but also an innovator who can create new artistic ideas.
  • The word for "grave" is פָּתַח (pathach), meaning "to engrave" or "to carve." This highlights the craftsman’s ability to do detailed and artistic work, not just basic construction.

Why 2 Chronicles 2:14 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple’s construction involved not just Israelites but also skilled foreigners, showing a spirit of cooperation and shared expertise.
  • The craftsman’s wide range of skills underlines the complexity and beauty expected in the temple, emphasizing the importance of artistry in worship.
  • The mention of both Solomon’s and David’s skilled men connects the temple project to the legacy of both kings, showing continuity and respect for the past.

Where else these words appear

“crimson” Hebrew H3758 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Chronicles 2:7 Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
  • 2 Chronicles 3:14 And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.

“Tyre” Hebrew H6876 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:14 He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:4 Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David.
  • Ezra 3:7 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.

“linen” Hebrew H948 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 4:21 The sons of Shelah the son of Judah were, Er the father of Lecah, and Laadah the father of Mareshah, and the families of the house of them that wrought fine linen, of the house of Ashbea,
  • 2 Chronicles 3:14 And he made the vail of blue, and purple, and crimson, and fine linen, and wrought cherubims thereon.
  • Esther 1:6 Where were white, green, and blue, hangings, fastened with cords of fine linen and purple to silver rings and pillars of marble: the beds were of gold and silver, upon a pavement of red, and blue, and white, and black, marble.

“graving” Hebrew H6603 · used in 11 verses

  • Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
  • Exodus 39:6 And they wrought onyx stones inclosed in ouches of gold, graven, as signets are graven, with the names of the children of Israel.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.