2 Chronicles 8:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 8:11 mean?

2 Chronicles 8:11 describes how Solomon moved Pharaoh’s daughter, his wife, out of the city of David to a separate house he had built for her, because he believed the places where the ark of the LORD had been were holy and not suitable for her to live in. Solomon wanted to keep the sacred areas set apart, since they had been touched by the presence of the ark.

Solomon is the speaker and decision-maker in this verse. The situation is that, after marrying Pharaoh’s daughter, Solomon builds her a new residence away from the city of David, which held deep religious significance for Israel. The verse shows Solomon’s concern for the holiness of certain places, especially those associated with the ark, and his effort to maintain a distinction between what is considered holy and what is not.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 8:11

• "Holy" (קָדוֹשׁ, transliteration: qadosh): This word means "set apart" or "sacred." Solomon’s use of this word shows his respect for the special status of the places where the ark (אֲרוֹן, aron) of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH) had been.
• "Ark" (אֲרוֹן, aron): Refers to the ark of the covenant, the central symbol of God’s presence among the Israelites. Its presence made a place especially sacred.
• "Come" (בּוֹא, bo): This verb here refers to the ark having entered or been present in these places, which is the basis for Solomon’s concern about holiness.

Why 2 Chronicles 8:11 matters

• This verse clarifies that Solomon was attentive to the religious boundaries in Israel, even in his personal life, by not allowing his foreign wife to live in areas considered holy.
• The verse highlights the importance placed on the ark’s presence and the holiness it conferred, showing how physical spaces were treated differently because of their connection to God.
• It connects to the broader theme in Chronicles of Solomon’s efforts to honor God’s holiness, especially in the context of building and organizing the temple and related spaces.