Bible Strands
1 Chronicles 22:16
in gold and silver, bronze and iron—craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and may the LORD be with you.”
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — David addresses Solomon, listing available materials and skilled laborers at the conclusion of his preparations for the temple project. He issues a direct command to commence construction while extending a blessing for divine presence.
The words — The Hebrew ק֣וּם (kum) and וַ/עֲשֵׂ֔ה (va./'a.Seh) literally command "arise" and "act," pressing Solomon to move from preparation to execution. The phrase אֵ֣ין מִסְפָּ֑ר ('ein mis.Par) translates literally to "there is no number," emphasizing the uncountable quantity of craftsmen.
The thread — The imperative to "arise" aligns with the wakefulness command in Ephesians 5:14, while the blessing for the LORD's presence repeats David's earlier prayer in 1 Chronicles 22:11. The text also parallels the theme of divine empowerment for task completion found in Philippians 4:13.
Why it lands — The passage requires immediate obedience to a divinely supported mandate, treating spiritual blessing as the foundation for practical labor. It demands that the reader recognize preparation must yield to action under God's presence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the Lord be with thee.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 22:11 Now, my son, may the LORD be with you, and may you succeed in building the house of the LORD your God, as He said you would.
- Ephesians 5:14 So it is said: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
- Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
- 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
- Joshua 1:5 No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so will I be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
- Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Joshua 7:10 But the LORD said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why have you fallen on your face?
- Philippians 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
- Joshua 1:2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel.
- Judges 4:14 Then Deborah said to Barak, “Arise, for this is the day that the LORD has delivered Sisera into your hand. Has not the LORD gone before you?” So Barak came down from Mount Tabor with ten thousand men following him.