And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.

2 CHRONICLES 4:22KJV
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2 Chronicles 4:22 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 4:22 mean?

2 Chronicles 4:22 describes how various gold objects—snuffers, basins, spoons, and censers—were made for use in the temple, and that even the doors leading into the most holy place and the main temple were covered in gold. This verse highlights the great care and value placed on every detail of the temple’s furnishings.

This verse is part of a detailed list in 2 Chronicles where the writer describes the construction and outfitting of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. The focus here is on the craftsmanship and the use of pure gold for both the utensils used in worship and the doors to the most sacred areas, showing the temple’s importance and the reverence given to it.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 4:22

  • "Snuffers" (מְזַמְּרוֹת, mezammerot, H4212) refers to special tools used to trim the wicks of lamps, showing attention to the upkeep of the temple’s light.
  • "Censers" (מַחְתּוֹת, machtot, H4289) are vessels for burning incense, which played a key role in temple rituals.
  • "Pure" (סָגוּר, sagur, H5462) and "gold" (זָהָב, zahav, H2091) together stress that the materials were not just gold, but of the highest quality, underscoring the temple’s splendor.
  • "Most holy" (קֹדֶשׁ, qodesh, H6944) is used twice, emphasizing that these doors led into the innermost, most sacred part of the temple.

Why 2 Chronicles 4:22 matters

  • This verse clears up that the temple’s beauty and value were not limited to large or visible items; even small tools and doors were made of pure gold, showing thorough devotion.
  • It connects to the wider passage by rounding out the inventory of temple furnishings, helping readers picture the temple’s richness and the seriousness of worship there.
  • The emphasis on gold and detail reveals how ancient Israel viewed the temple as a place worthy of the best materials and craftsmanship, reflecting their honor toward God.

Where else these words appear

“snuffers” Hebrew H4212 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:50 And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple.
  • 2 Kings 12:13 Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD:
  • 2 Kings 25:14 And the pots, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.

“censers” Hebrew H4289 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 25:38 And the tongs thereof, and the snuffdishes thereof, shall be of pure gold.
  • Numbers 4:9 And they shall take a cloth of blue, and cover the candlestick of the light, and his lamps, and his tongs, and his snuffdishes, and all the oil vessels thereof, wherewith they minister unto it:
  • Numbers 16:38 The censers of these sinners against their own souls, let them make them broad plates for a covering of the altar: for they offered them before the LORD, therefore they are hallowed: and they shall be a sign unto the children of Israel.

“inner” Hebrew H6442 · used in 29 verses

  • 1 Kings 6:27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
  • Ezekiel 10:3 Now the cherubims stood on the right side of the house, when the man went in; and the cloud filled the inner court.
  • Ezekiel 41:17 To that above the door, even unto the inner house, and without, and by all the wall round about within and without, by measure.

“basons” Hebrew H4219 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
  • Numbers 7:55 His offering was one silver charger of the weight of 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:
  • 2 Kings 12:13 Howbeit there were not made for the house of the LORD bowls of silver, snuffers, basons, trumpets, any vessels of gold, or vessels of silver, of the money that was brought into the house of the LORD: