Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 2:7
Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon writes to King Hiram of Tyre, requesting specialized labor for the temple project. He issues this directive after acknowledging that the highest heavens cannot contain God, framing the temple as a place for sacrifices rather than a dwelling for the divine.
The words — שְֽׁלַֽח־ (she.lach-) means "send," and חָכָ֡ם (cha.Kham) means "skillful." Together they form the core command to dispatch a master artisan for metalworking and textile dyeing.
The thread — This request echoes the Spirit-endowed craftsmanship of Exodus 31:3 and the skilled workers gathered by David in 1 Chronicles 22:15. Solomon later identifies the specific artisan as Huram-abi in 2 Chronicles 2:13.
Why it lands — The text demands practical cooperation across political and ethnic lines to accomplish a sacred task. It requires the reader to recognize that divine projects depend on human expertise coordinated under God's provision.
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
Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
Cross-references
- Exodus 31:3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship,
- 1 Chronicles 22:15 You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons, carpenters, and men skilled in every kind of work—
- 2 Chronicles 2:13 So now I am sending you Huram-abi, a skillful man endowed with creativity.
- 1 Kings 7:14 He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge for every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.
- Isaiah 28:26 For his God instructs and teaches him properly.
- Isaiah 28:29 This also comes from the LORD of Hosts, who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.
- Isaiah 60:10 Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in anger, yet in favor I will show you mercy.