2 Chronicles 2:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 2:18 mean?

2 Chronicles 2:18 describes how King Solomon organized the labor force for building the temple, assigning 70,000 men as burden-bearers, 80,000 as stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 as overseers to supervise the workers. This verse shows the careful planning and division of labor needed for such a massive construction project.

King Solomon is arranging the workforce among the non-Israelite people living in the land, as part of preparations for building the temple in Jerusalem. The verse lists the specific roles and numbers of workers, highlighting the scale and complexity of the project. It also shows Solomon’s administrative skill in managing thousands of workers for different specialized tasks.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 2:18

• "Bearers of burdens" (נֹשְׂאֵי סֵבֶל, nos'ei sevel): This phrase refers to those who carried heavy loads, likely transporting stones and materials. The word emphasizes hard, physical labor.
• "Hewers" (חֹצֵב, chotzev): This word means "stonecutters" or "quarry workers," describing those who cut and shaped stones out of the mountain for temple construction.
• "Overseers" (נָצַב, natsav): This term means supervisors or foremen, responsible for directing the laborers and ensuring the work was done properly.

Why 2 Chronicles 2:18 matters

• This verse clarifies the immense manpower and organization required for building the temple, showing it was a national effort involving tens of thousands of workers.
• The careful breakdown of roles and numbers highlights Solomon’s leadership and administrative abilities, which were essential for such a large-scale project.
• Understanding the different groups of workers helps readers appreciate the complexity and significance of the temple’s construction in Israel’s history.