Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.

2 CHRONICLES 8:13KJV
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2 Chronicles 8:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 8:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 8:13 describes how Solomon made sure that offerings were made every day as Moses commanded, especially on the sabbaths, new moons, and the three main yearly festivals: the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Tabernacles. The verse highlights Solomon’s careful attention to keeping the traditional worship schedule given in the Law of Moses.

This verse is part of a passage describing Solomon’s organization of temple worship after building the temple in Jerusalem. The writer is explaining to readers how Solomon followed the instructions given by Moses for Israel’s worship, making sure that the required sacrifices and offerings happened at the right times throughout the year.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 8:13

  • חֹק (ḥoq, “rate”): This word means a set regulation or prescribed portion. Here, it emphasizes that Solomon was following a fixed, established pattern for the offerings, not doing things randomly.
  • שַׁבָּת (shabbat, “sabbaths”): This term refers to the weekly day of rest and worship. Its mention shows that the regular weekly rhythm of worship was being maintained.
  • חֹדֶשׁ (ḥodesh, “moons”): This word means “new moon,” marking the start of a new month in the Hebrew calendar. Special offerings were made at these times.
  • מוֹעֵד (mo‘ed, “feasts”): This word refers to appointed times or festivals. It points to the special, set times in the year when the whole community gathered for worship.
  • חַג (ḥag, “feast”): Used for the three major pilgrimage festivals, this word underlines the importance of these events in Israel’s religious life.

Why 2 Chronicles 8:13 matters

  • This verse shows that Solomon was not inventing new religious practices but was faithfully continuing what Moses had commanded, connecting the temple worship to Israel’s long-standing traditions.
  • The detailed mention of daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly offerings highlights the structured and ongoing nature of Israel’s worship, not just occasional or spontaneous acts.
  • By listing the three major feasts, the verse connects Solomon’s reign to the foundational moments in Israel’s story—Passover (Unleavened Bread), the giving of the Law (Weeks), and the wilderness journey (Tabernacles)—showing continuity with the nation’s past.

Where else these words appear

“weeks” Hebrew H7620 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 29:27 Fulfil her week, and we will give thee this also for the service which thou shalt serve with me yet seven other years.
  • Deuteronomy 16:9 Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.
  • Daniel 9:24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy.

“tabernacles” Hebrew H5521 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
  • 1 Kings 20:12 And it came to pass, when Benhadad heard this message, as he was drinking, he and the kings in the pavilions, that he said unto his servants, Set yourselves in array. And they set themselves in array against the city.
  • Job 38:40 When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait?

“bread” Hebrew H4682 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 19:3 And he pressed upon them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat.
  • Leviticus 2:4 And if thou bring an oblation of a meat offering baken in the oven, it shall be unleavened cakes of fine flour mingled with oil, or unleavened wafers anointed with oil.
  • Deuteronomy 16:8 Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: thou shalt do no work therein.

“feast” Hebrew H2282 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 16:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
  • Psalms 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.