And the porch that was in the front of the house, the length of it was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the height was an hundred and twenty: and he overlaid it within with pure gold.

2 CHRONICLES 3:4KJV
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2 Chronicles 3:4 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 3:4 mean?

2 Chronicles 3:4 describes the front porch of Solomon’s temple, stating that it was as wide as the temple itself—twenty cubits—and extremely tall, at one hundred and twenty cubits. The inside of this porch was covered with pure gold.

This verse is part of a detailed account of Solomon building the temple in Jerusalem, as recorded by the Chronicler for the people of Israel. The measurements highlight the grandeur and impressive scale of the temple’s entrance, while the mention of pure gold emphasizes its richness and importance as a place dedicated to God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 3:4

  • פּוֹרְךָ (porch, pōrekh): This word refers to the large entrance or vestibule in front of the temple, marking it as a significant and prominent feature of the building.
  • זָהָב (gold, zahav): The word for gold here is paired with טָהוֹר (pure, tahor), stressing that only the finest material was used to overlay the interior, underlining the temple’s sacredness and value.
  • גֹּבַהּ (height, govah): The stated height of one hundred and twenty cubits is unusually tall, possibly signifying the temple’s majesty or serving as a literary way to convey its awe-inspiring presence.

Why 2 Chronicles 3:4 matters

  • This verse clears up any misunderstanding about the scale and splendor of the temple’s entrance, showing it was not just functional but meant to impress and inspire awe.
  • The focus on pure gold and precise measurements connects this verse to the wider biblical theme of God’s dwelling place being set apart and adorned with the best materials.
  • Knowing the details of the temple’s construction helps readers appreciate the care and reverence the Israelites had for worship and for the place where they believed God’s presence dwelled.

Where else these words appear

“within” Hebrew H6441 · used in 13 verses

  • Leviticus 10:18 Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded.
  • 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.
  • 2 Chronicles 29:18 Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.

“height” Hebrew H1363 · used in 16 verses

  • 1 Samuel 17:4 And there went out a champion out of the camp of the Philistines, named Goliath, of Gath, whose height was six cubits and a span.
  • Psalms 10:4 The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts.
  • Ezekiel 31:10 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast lifted up thyself in height, and he hath shot up his top among the thick boughs, and his heart is lifted up in his height;

“porch” Hebrew H197 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD.
  • Ezekiel 40:40 And at the side without, as one goeth up to the entry of the north gate, were two tables; and on the other side, which was at the porch of the gate, were two tables.

“overlaid” Hebrew H6823 · used in 39 verses

  • Exodus 25:11 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, within and without shalt thou overlay it, and shalt make upon it a crown of gold round about.
  • Exodus 36:36 And he made thereunto four pillars of shittim wood, and overlaid them with gold: their hooks were of gold; and he cast for them four sockets of silver.
  • 1 Kings 6:21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.