He overlaid also the house, the beams, the posts, and the walls thereof, and the doors thereof, with gold; and graved cherubims on the walls.

2 CHRONICLES 3:7KJV
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2 Chronicles 3:7 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 3:7 mean?

2 Chronicles 3:7 describes how Solomon covered the temple’s interior—including the house itself, its beams, posts, walls, and doors—with gold, and had images of cherubim carved on the walls. This verse highlights the richness and detailed artistry used in building the temple in Jerusalem.

Solomon, king of Israel, is overseeing the construction of the temple as a place for worshiping God. The verse emphasizes not only the lavish use of gold but also the careful decoration with cherubim, which are angelic figures. This level of detail shows the importance and reverence given to the temple as God’s dwelling place among the people.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 3:7

  • "overlaid" (כָּפַר, kaphar): This word means to cover or overlay, especially with a precious metal like gold. Here, it stresses that the gold was not just decorative but formed a literal covering over the wood and stone.
  • "cherubims" (כְּרוּבִים, keruvim): These are angelic beings often associated with guarding holy places. Their images carved on the walls signal the temple’s sacredness and its connection to God’s presence.
  • "gold" (זָהָב, zahav): The use of gold (zahav) underlines the value and splendor of the temple, setting it apart as a unique and holy structure.

Why 2 Chronicles 3:7 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the temple was plain or simple; it was built with extraordinary care and expense, reflecting its spiritual significance.
  • The mention of cherubim connects the temple to earlier biblical scenes, such as the cherubim in the tabernacle and guarding Eden, showing a continuity in how sacred spaces are marked.
  • The verse helps readers see the temple as not just a building, but as a symbol of God’s glory and presence among the people of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“beams” Hebrew H6982 · used in 5 verses

  • Genesis 19:8 Behold now, I have two daughters which have not known man; let me, I pray you, bring them out unto you, and do ye to them as is good in your eyes: only unto these men do nothing; for therefore came they under the shadow of my roof.
  • 2 Kings 6:2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
  • 2 Kings 6:5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.

“overlaid” Hebrew H2645 · used in 10 verses

  • 2 Samuel 15:30 And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
  • 2 Chronicles 3:9 And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.
  • Psalms 68:13 Though ye have lien among the pots, yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.

“posts” Hebrew H5592 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 12:22 And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
  • 2 Kings 25:18 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
  • Jeremiah 52:19 And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.

“walls” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 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.
  • Ezekiel 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.