And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships, and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.

2 CHRONICLES 8:18KJV
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2 Chronicles 8:18 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 8:18 mean?

2 Chronicles 8:18 describes how King Huram of Tyre sent ships and experienced sailors to help King Solomon’s servants travel to Ophir, where they obtained 450 talents of gold and brought it back to Solomon. This verse highlights an international partnership that brought great wealth to Solomon’s kingdom.

King Huram, an ally of Solomon, provided both ships and skilled seamen—people with knowledge of the sea (the Hebrew word יָדַע, yāda‘, meaning “to know”)—to work alongside Solomon’s own servants. Together, they sailed to a place called Ophir, which was famous for its gold, and returned with a large amount of it. This event shows the cooperation between Israel and Tyre and the importance of maritime trade in Solomon’s reign.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 8:18

  • יָדַע (yāda‘, “knowledge”): The word used for “knowledge of the sea” points to specialized, practical skill in navigation and sailing, not just general intelligence. This highlights that Huram’s men were experts, which was crucial for such a long and risky voyage.
  • אוֹפִיר (Ophir): This place name refers to a distant and wealthy region known for its gold, though its exact location is uncertain. The mention of Ophir emphasizes the far-reaching trade connections of Solomon’s kingdom.
  • כִּכָּר (kikkār, “talent”): The unit “talent” represents a very large weight of gold, showing the scale of the wealth involved—450 talents would be several tons of gold.

Why 2 Chronicles 8:18 matters

  • 2 Chronicles 8:18 clarifies that Solomon’s wealth was not only due to local resources but also to international trade and alliances, especially with Tyre.
  • The verse emphasizes the value of specialized knowledge and cooperation, showing that Solomon’s achievements relied on skilled partners as well as his own people.
  • This account connects to the broader theme in Chronicles of Solomon’s wisdom and the prosperity of his reign, showing how his relationships with other nations contributed to Israel’s golden age.

Where else these words appear

“Huram” Hebrew H2361 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 8:5 And Gera, and Shephuphan, and Huram.
  • 2 Chronicles 2:11 Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.
  • 2 Chronicles 4:16 The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass.

“Ophir” Hebrew H211 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 10:29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
  • 1 Kings 22:48 Jehoshaphat made ships of Tharshish to go to Ophir for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Eziongeber.
  • Job 22:24 Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

“ships” Hebrew H591 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell at the haven of the sea; and he shall be for an haven of ships; and his border shall be unto Zidon.
  • Job 9:26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
  • Isaiah 43:14 Thus saith the LORD, your redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; For your sake I have sent to Babylon, and have brought down all their nobles, and the Chaldeans, whose cry is in the ships.

“talents” Hebrew H3603 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • 2 Samuel 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
  • 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.