2 Chronicles 9:19

Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.

Berean Standard Bible

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Study note

Setting — The chronicler records Solomon’s royal achievements during the visit of the Queen of Sheba, following her observation of his wisdom and wealth. The passage describes the architectural details of the king’s throne room as a historical account of Israel’s peak prosperity.

The words — אֲרָי֗וֹת ('a.ra.Yot) means "lions," and הַֽ/מַּעֲל֖וֹת (ha./ma.'a.Lot) translates to "the steps." The text specifies that twelve carved figures were positioned on the six ascending steps of the throne.

The thread — The imagery of royal thrones and twelvefold symmetry appears in Jesus’ promise to judge from a glorious throne (Matthew 19:28) and John’s vision of a city with twelve gates inscribed with the twelve tribes (Revelation 21:12). These passages reframe earthly structural completeness around divine authority.

Why it lands — The text establishes Solomon’s unprecedented material wealth and architectural innovation as temporary markers of a specific covenant era. It requires the reader to distinguish between historical royal splendor and the eternal kingdom Jesus inaugurates.

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

וּשְׁנֵ֧יםu./she.Neimand/ two [plus]עָשָׂ֣ר'a.Sarten אֲרָי֗וֹת'a.ra.Yotlions עֹמְדִ֥ים'o.me.Dim[were] standing שָׁ֛םshamthere עַל־'al-on שֵׁ֥שׁshesh[the] six הַֽמַּעֲל֖וֹתha./ma.'a.Lotthe/ steps מִזֶּ֣הmi./Zehfrom/ this וּמִזֶּ֑הu./mi./Zehand/ from/ this לֹא־lo'-not נַעֲשָׂ֥הna.'a.Sahit had been made כֵ֖ןkhenthus לְכָל־le./kholfor/ any מַמְלָכָֽה׃mam.la.Khahkingdom

King James Version

And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps. There was not the like made in any kingdom.

Cross-references

Matthew 19:28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Revelation 21:12 The city had a great and high wall with twelve gates inscribed with the names of the twelve tribes of Israel, and twelve angels at the gates.