And the weight of the nails was fifty shekels of gold. And he overlaid the upper chambers with gold.

2 CHRONICLES 3:9KJV
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2 Chronicles 3:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 3:9 mean?

2 Chronicles 3:9 describes how the nails used in building Solomon’s temple weighed fifty shekels of gold, and that the upper rooms were covered with gold. This verse highlights the extraordinary wealth and care that went into constructing the temple, emphasizing its splendor and importance.

The writer of 2 Chronicles is describing the building of the temple in Jerusalem under King Solomon’s direction. The verse specifically mentions the use of gold for even small details like nails (not just for decoration), and that the upper chambers—rooms above the main sanctuary—were also overlaid with gold. This level of detail shows the temple’s significance as a place dedicated to God.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 3:9

  • "weight" (מִשְׁקָל, mishqal): This word refers to the actual mass or heaviness of the nails, showing that even small items were made of precious material.
  • "nails" (מַסְמֵר, masmer): This is the word for nails or pegs, indicating that even the fasteners in the temple were made of gold, not just the visible decorations.
  • "fifty" (חֲמִשִּׁים, chamishim) and "shekels" (שֶׁקֶל, sheqel): Together, these specify the exact amount of gold used, giving a sense of the temple’s lavishness.
  • "overlaid" (צָפָה, tsaphah): This word means to cover or plate, showing that the upper chambers were not just built but richly covered with gold.
  • "chambers" (עֲלִיָּה, aliyah): This refers to the upper rooms, possibly used for storage or special purposes, and their gold overlay shows that every part of the temple was made with care.

Why 2 Chronicles 3:9 matters

  • 2 Chronicles 3:9 clears up any idea that only the most visible parts of the temple were made with precious materials; even the nails and upper rooms were given special attention.
  • The verse emphasizes the temple’s role as a unique and holy place, set apart by the extraordinary resources and craftsmanship invested in it.
  • This detail connects to the wider passage by showing the fulfillment of David’s preparations and Solomon’s commitment to building a temple worthy of God’s presence.

Where else these words appear

“nails” Hebrew H4548 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 22:3 And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
  • Isaiah 41:7 So the carpenter encouraged the goldsmith, and he that smootheth with the hammer him that smote the anvil, saying, It is ready for the sodering: and he fastened it with nails, that it should not be moved.
  • Jeremiah 10:4 They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.

“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 3:8 And he made the most holy house, the length whereof was according to the breadth of the house, twenty cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits: and he overlaid it with fine gold, amounting to six hundred talents.
  • 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.

“chambers” Hebrew H5944 · used in 20 verses

  • Judges 3:20 And Ehud came unto him; and he was sitting in a summer parlour, which he had for himself alone. And Ehud said, I have a message from God unto thee. And he arose out of his seat.
  • 1 Kings 17:23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.
  • 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

“weight” Hebrew H4948 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 24:22 And it came to pass, as the camels had done drinking, that the man took a golden earring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold;
  • Numbers 7:67 His offering was one silver charger, the weight whereof was an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • 1 Chronicles 22:14 Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.