2 Chronicles 4:1 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 4:1 mean?

2 Chronicles 4:1 describes how Solomon made a large altar out of bronze for the temple, measuring twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. This verse gives the exact size and material of the altar, highlighting its significance and scale in the temple’s worship.

The verse is part of the account where Solomon is building the temple in Jerusalem, a major event for the people of Israel. The altar described here was used for sacrifices and offerings, and its large size (about 30 feet by 30 feet by 15 feet) shows how important and central it was to the temple’s activities.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 4:1

• The word for "altar" is מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeach), which means a place of sacrifice. Its use here marks this as the main altar for burnt offerings in the temple, not a small or secondary altar.
• The word for "brass" is נְחֹשֶׁת (nechoshet), often translated as "bronze" or "copper." This tells us the altar was made from a strong, valuable metal, suitable for the intense heat of sacrifices.
• The repeated use of the word אַמָּה (ammah), meaning "cubit," gives precise measurements, showing the altar’s impressive size and the care taken in its construction.

Why 2 Chronicles 4:1 matters

• This verse clears up any confusion about the altar’s size and material, showing it was much larger than earlier altars described in the Bible, such as the one in the tabernacle.
• The focus on exact measurements and materials emphasizes the importance of following God’s instructions for worship, a theme running through the temple-building chapters.
• Understanding the altar’s size and construction helps readers picture the scale and seriousness of worship in Solomon’s temple, connecting this verse to the larger story of Israel’s relationship with God.