2 Chronicles 4

This chapter was originally written in the Hebrew language and is divided into 22 verses.

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in Hebrew are of the Masoretic Text, which includes the Aleppo Codex (10th century) and Codex Leningradensis (1008.{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=35-37}}

There is also a translation into Koine Greek known as the Septuagint, made in the last few centuries BCE. Extant ancient manuscripts of the Septuagint version include Codex Vaticanus (B; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^B; 4th century), and Codex Alexandrinus (A; $\backslash mathfrak\{G\}$^A; 5th century).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=73-74}}{{efn|The whole book of 2 Chronicles is missing from the extant Codex Sinaiticus.{{Cite book |last=Würthwein |first=Ernst |title=Der Text des Alten Testaments |publisher=Deutsche Bibelgesellschaft |edition=2nd |place=Stuttgart |year=1988 |url= |page=85 |isbn= 3-438-06006-X}}{{Cite book |last=Swete |first=Henry Barclay |authorlink= Henry Barclay Swete |title= An Introduction to the Old Testament in Greek |publisher= Macmillan and Co. |location=Cambridge |year=1902 |url= https://archive.org/stream/anintrotooldtes00swetuoft#page/128/mode/2up |pages= 129–130}}{{Catholic Encyclopedia|wstitle= Codex Sinaiticus}}}}

• {{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|4:1–5|9}}: {{bibleverse|1 Kings|7:23–26|9}}[https://biblehub.com/bsb/2_chronicles/4.htm 2 Chronicles 4 Berean Study Bible]. Biblehub
• {{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|4:6–8|9}}: {{bibleverse|1 Kings|7:38–39|9}}
• {{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|4:11–18|9}}: {{bibleverse|1 Kings|7:40–47|9}}
• {{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|4:19–22|9}}: {{bibleverse|1 Kings|7:48–51|9}}

This section records the construction of the bronze altar (verse 1; cf. 1 Kings 8:64; 2 Kings 16:14–15; 2 Chronicles 1:5; Ezekiel 43:13–17) and the molten sea (verses 2–5; cf. 1 Kings 7:23–26).{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=285}}{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=623 Hebrew Bible}} The altar was a formidable object, probably made of wood and covered with bronze, with the measures probably referring to the base.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=285}}{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=623 Hebrew Bible}}

:Then he made a bronze altar that was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high.{{bibleref2|2 Chronicles|4:1|MEV}} KJV

• "Cubit": a measurement unit of about {{convert|18|in}};Note on 2 Chronicles 4:1 in ESV thus 20 cubits would have been about {{convert|30|feet}} (for the length and width of the altar) and 10 cubits would have been about {{convert|15|feet}} (for the height).Note on 2 Chronicles 4:1 in MEV

File:Brazen Sea of soloman From Jewish Encyclopedia.jpg

File:Holman Molten Sea.jpg

{{See also|Molten Sea}}

:Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.{{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|4:2|KJV}} KJV

• Cross reference: 1 Kings 7:23
• "5 cubits": a length measurement of about {{cvt|7.5|ft}}.Note [a] on 2 Chronicles 4:2 in MEV
• "30 cubits": about {{cvt|45|ft}}.Note [b] on 2 Chronicles 4:2 in MEV

The approximation of the mathematical constant "{{pi}}" ("pi"), defined as the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter, can apparently be calculated from this verse as 30 cubits divided by 10 cubits to yield "3". However, Matityahu Hacohen Munk observed that the spelling for "line" in Hebrew, normally written as {{lang|he|קו}} {{Strong-number|qaw|h|6957}}, in {{bibleref2|1 Kings|7:23|HE}} is written (ketiv) as {{lang|he|קוה}} {{Strong-number|qaweh|H|06961}}. Using gematria, qaweh yields "111" whereas qaw yields "106", so when used in calculation $\backslash frac\{30\}\{10\}\; *\; \backslash frac\; \{111\}\{\{106\}\}$ it results in {{pi}} = "3.1415094", very close to the modern definition of "3.1415926".Missler, Chuck. [http://www.khouse.org/articles/1998/158/ The Value of Pi: Hidden Codes in the Bible]. April 1, 1998. This finding was also reported by Shlomo Edward G. Belaga, in the page by Boaz Tsaban "Rabbinical Math" and in the book by Grant Jeffrey, "The Handwriting of God", Frontier Research Publications, Toronto Ontario, 1997.Munk, Matityahu Hacohen. Three Geometric Problems in the Bible and Talmud. Sinai 51 (1962), 218-227 (in Hebrew); Munk, Matityahu Hacohen. The Halachic Way in Solving Special Geometric Problems. Hadarom 27 (1968), 115-133 (in Hebrew). Cited i: Tsaban, Boaz; Garber, David. [http://u.cs.biu.ac.il/~tsaban/Pdf/latexpi.pdf On the Rabbinical Approximation of Pi], Historia Mathematica 25 (1998), pp. 75-84. Charles Ryrie gives another explanation based on verse 5 (cf. 1 Kings 7:26) that the molten sea has a brim of a handbreadth (about {{convert|4|in|disp=or}}) wide, so when the inside diameter, subtracting 10 cubits (about {{convert|180|in|disp=or}} ; from outer "brim to brim") with 2 times {{convert|4|in}} (two handbreadth) to yield {{convert|172|in}}, is divided by {{pi}}, it results in {{convert|540|in}} or 30 cubits which is the circumference given in this verse.Ryrie, Charles (1986). Basic Theology. Wheaton, Illinois: SP Publications, p. 99.

:And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.{{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|4:5|KJV}} KJV

• "Handbreadth": a measurement of length of about {{convert|3|in}}.Note [a] on 2 Chronicles 4:5 in ESVNote [a] on 2 Chronicles 4:5 in MEV
• "Bath"": a measurement of volume of about 6 gallons or 22 liters,Note [b] on 2 Chronicles 4:5 in ESV so "3000 baths" would have been about 18,000 gallons, or 66,000 liters.Note [b] on 2 Chronicles 4:5 in MEV

Verse 10–22 closely parallel 1 Kings 7:39–50 except for the omission of materials in 1 Kings 7:27–37.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=285}}

1 Kings 7:38 corresponds to 2 Chronicles 4:6, while 1 Kings 7:38–39a is reworked at 2 Chronicles 4:6a, but verses 6b–9 have no parallel in Kings, and 1 Kings 7:39b—51 corresponds to 2 Chronicles 4:10-5:1.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=285}} The (lengthy) passage in Kings concerning the stands for the basins is only found in verse 14. The function of the basin (verse 6) is related to Exodus 30:17-21, where a copper basin is used for ceremonial washing.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=285}} The list of golden materials in verses 7–9 corresponds to that in 1 Kings 7:48–50 (cf. verses 19–22), presented in the order of the Chronicler's (original) list in 1 Chronicles 28:15–18. Whereas the tabernacle was equipped with only one lampstand (Exodus 25:31–40; 31:8; Leviticus 24:1–4; Numbers 8:2–4), an interesting similarity to 13:11, there were ten in the Temple (verse 7; cf. multiple lampstands in 1 Chronicles 28:15; 2 Chronicles 4:20; 1 Kings 7:49).{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=623 Hebrew Bible}} Both the tabernacle (Exodus 25:23-30; 26:35; Leviticus 24:5–9; 2 Chronicles 13:11) and Solomon's temple according to 1 Kings 7:48 only mention one shewbread table, but there were ten in verse 8, and by contrast to the one, the ten tables in the Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:16) are not explicitly characterized as covered in gold.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=285}}{{sfn|Coogan|2007|pp=623–624 Hebrew Bible}} Whereas 1 Kings 6:36 only briefly mentions the inner courtyard, the Chronicler clearly distinguishes between the priests' court (1 Kings 6:36; 7:12) and the precinct for laymen.{{sfn|Mathys|2007|p=285}}{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=624 Hebrew Bible}}

: In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.{{bibleverse|2 Chronicles|4:17|KJV}} KJV

• "Zeredathah" from Hebrew: {{lang|he|צְרֵדָֽתָה}}: is written as "Zaretan" ({{lang|he|צָרְתָֽן}}) in {{bibleref2|1 Kings|7:46|HE}}Note on 2 Chronicles 4:17 in NKJV, MEV and ESV (cf. {{bibleverse|Joshua|3:16|9}}; possibly the same as Zererath in Judges 7:22).Exell, Joseph S.; Spence-Jones, Henry Donald Maurice (Editors). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/4.htm On "2 Chronicles 4".] In: The Pulpit Commentary. 23 volumes. First publication: 1890. Accessed 24 April 2019. "Zĕrēdāthāh" means "towards Zĕrĕdāh" (1 Kings 11:26), so both names denote the same place.Ellicott, C. J. (Ed.) (1905). [http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/4.htm Ellicott's Bible Commentary for English Readers. 2 Chronicles 4.] London : Cassell and Company, Limited, [1905-1906] Online version: (OCoLC) 929526708. Accessed 28 April 2019. Succoth and Zeredah were located east of the Jordan River.{{sfn|Coogan|2007|p=624 Hebrew Bible}}

{{columns-list|colwidth=22em|

• Ark of the Covenant
• Davidic line
• Tabernacle}}
• Related Bible parts: Exodus 25, Exodus 26, Leviticus 24, Numbers 8, 1 Kings 6, 1 Kings 7, 1 Kings 8, 2 Kings 16, 1 Chronicles 28

{{notelist}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Cite book | last= Ackroyd | first= Peter R |chapter = Chronicles, Books of

|editor1-last = Metzger |editor1-first = Bruce M

|editor1-link = Bruce M. Metzger

|editor2-last = Coogan |editor2-first = Michael D |title = The Oxford Companion to the Bible

|publisher = Oxford University Press |year = 1993 |isbn = 978-0195046458 | pages= 113–116}}

• {{Cite book | last= Bennett | first= William|title = The Expositor's Bible: The Books of Chronicles|publisher = Litres|year = 2018 |isbn = 978-5040825196 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZo3DwAAQBAJ }}
• {{cite book|last= Coogan|first = Michael David| authorlink= Michael D. Coogan |title = The New Oxford Annotated Bible with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical Books: New Revised Standard Version, Issue 48 |editor-last1=Coogan |editor-first1=Michael David |editor-first2=Marc Zvi |editor-last2= Brettler |editor-first3=Carol Ann |editor-last3= Newsom |editor-first4= Pheme |editor-last4= Perkins |edition= Augmented 3rd |publisher = Oxford University Press |year =2007 |isbn = 9780195288810 |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=HmpMPgAACAAJ}}
• {{cite book|last= Mabie | first= Frederick | chapter = I. The Chronicler's Genealogical Survey of All Israel | title= 1 and 2 Chronicles |series = The Expositor's Bible Commentary | editor-first1= Tremper | editor-last1=Longman III | editor-first2=David E | editor-last2= Garland | publisher = Zondervan | date = 2017 | pages = 267–308 | isbn = 978-0310531814 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=E8ESDgAAQBAJ | access-date=December 6, 2019}}
• {{cite book|last= Mathys | first= H. P. | chapter = 14. 1 and 2 Chronicles | title=The Oxford Bible Commentary | editor-first1=John | editor-last1=Barton |editor1-link = John Barton (theologian) | editor-first2=John| editor-last2= Muddiman |editor2-link = John Muddiman | publisher = Oxford University Press |edition= first (paperback) | date = 2007 | pages = 267–308 | isbn = 978-0199277186 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZJdVkgEACAAJ| access-date=February 6, 2019}}
• {{cite book | last = Würthwein | first = Ernst | author-link = Ernst Würthwein | title = The Text of the Old Testament | publisher = William B. Eerdmans |location = Grand Rapids, MI | year= 1995 | translator-first1 = Erroll F.| translator-last1 = Rhodes |isbn = 0-8028-0788-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC | access-date= January 26, 2019}}

• Jewish translations:
• [https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/16553 Divrei Hayamim II - II Chronicles - Chapter 4 (Judaica Press)] in Hebrew and English translation [with Rashi's commentary] at Chabad.org
• Christian translations:
• [http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=2+Chronicles+4 Online Bible at GospelHall.org] (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
• [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=14&chapter=4&version=9 2 Chronicles Chapter 4. Bible Gateway]

{{Second Book of Chronicles}}

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