2 Chronicles 9:13 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 9:13 mean?

2 Chronicles 9:13 reports that King Solomon received a total of 666 talents of gold in a single year. This verse highlights the extraordinary wealth that flowed into Solomon’s kingdom during his reign.

The verse is part of a larger passage describing Solomon’s prosperity and the splendor of his court. The chronicler is recounting the scale of Solomon’s income, likely to emphasize both his fame and the economic strength of Israel at that time. The number “six hundred and threescore and six” (666) talents would have represented an immense amount of gold by ancient standards.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 9:13

• כִּכָּר (kikkar, H3603): Translated as “talent,” this was a large unit of weight, often used for precious metals. One talent was roughly 75 pounds or 34 kilograms, so 666 talents would be a massive quantity.
• זָהָב (zahav, H2091): This word means “gold.” The verse repeats it for emphasis, underlining that the wealth Solomon received was specifically in gold, not other goods or currencies.
• שֵׁשׁ מֵאוֹת וְשִׁשִּׁים וָשֵׁשׁ (shesh me’ot v’shishim va’shesh): This phrase is the Hebrew way of expressing “six hundred and sixty-six.” The detailed wording shows the chronicler’s precision in recording the amount.

Why 2 Chronicles 9:13 matters

• The verse clears up any exaggeration or myth by giving a specific, measurable amount of gold, showing that the chronicler wanted to be precise about Solomon’s wealth.
• The mention of 666 talents is notable, as this exact number appears only here and in the parallel account in 1 Kings 10:14, suggesting it was a well-remembered figure in Israel’s history.
• This detail sets the stage for the following verses, which describe how Solomon used this gold to create lavish items and further enhance his kingdom’s reputation and influence.