What does 2 Chronicles 2:17 mean?
"¶ And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred." - 2 Chronicles 2:17
The verse 2 Chronicles 2:17 from the King James Version of the Bible states: "And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred."
This verse is part of a larger passage in which King Solomon is preparing to build the temple of the Lord. In this particular verse, Solomon is taking stock of all the foreigners who were living in the land of Israel. This includes the foreign workers who would be responsible for the labor and the skilled artisans who would work on the construction of the temple.
Contextually, this verse is significant because it emphasizes the scale and magnitude of the project that Solomon is undertaking. The fact that there were 150,000 foreign workers involved in this construction project highlights the vast resources and manpower that were required to build the temple. It also serves as a reminder of the importance and grandeur of the temple itself, which is meant to be a fitting dwelling place for the Lord.
In terms of themes, this verse speaks to the idea of collaboration and unity in a religious context. The fact that Solomon is enlisting the help of foreigners to build the temple emphasizes the inclusivity and diversity of the project. It shows that people from different backgrounds and nationalities are coming together for a common purpose, which is to honor and glorify the Lord. This theme of unity and cooperation is a recurring motif throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of working together for a common goal.
Symbolically, the foreigners in this verse can be seen as representing the idea of bringing different talents and skills together for a greater purpose. Each person has their own unique abilities and contributions to make, and when they come together, they can create something truly remarkable and awe-inspiring. In the context of the temple, the foreigners symbolize the diverse talents and skills that are necessary to create a worthy place of worship for the Lord.
Furthermore, the number 150,600 mentioned in the verse may also hold symbolic significance. In biblical numerology, the number 150 often represents a large or complete quantity, while the number 600 can symbolize humanity or the material world. Therefore, the combination of these numbers could be interpreted as a representation of the vast human effort and resources that are being poured into the construction of the temple.
Overall, 2 Chronicles 2:17 is a verse that highlights the collaborative and inclusive nature of the temple construction project under King Solomon. It serves as a reminder of the importance of working together for a common goal and the significance of bringing together diverse talents and resources to create something truly remarkable. Through its themes of unity and symbolism of diverse talents, this verse offers valuable insights into the biblical teachings about the importance of collaboration and the awe-inspiring nature of honoring the Lord.
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2 Chronicles 2:17 - "¶ And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred."
"¶ And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred." - 2 Chronicles 2:17
2 Chronicles 23:17
2 Chronicles 23:17
2 Chronicles 17:17 - "And of Benjamin; Eliada a mighty man of valour, and with him armed men with bow and shield two hundred thousand."
1 Chronicles 2:17 - "And Abigail bare Amasa: and the father of Amasa was Jether the Ishmeelite."
2 Chronicles 17:15 - "And next to him was Jehohanan the captain, and with him two hundred and fourscore thousand."
2 Chronicles 8:17 - "¶ Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom."
2 Chronicles 9:17 - "Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold."
2 Chronicles 10:17 - "But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them."
2 Chronicles 28:17 - "For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives."
2 Chronicles 17:12 - "¶ And Jehoshaphat waxed great exceedingly; and he built in Judah castles, and cities of store."
1 Chronicles 17:2 - "Then Nathan said unto David, Do all that is in thine heart; for God is with thee."
2 Chronicles 17:18 - "And next him was Jehozabad, and with him an hundred and fourscore thousand ready prepared for the war."
2 Chronicles 17:1 - "And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against Israel."
2 Chronicles 17:2 - "And he placed forces in all the fenced cities of Judah, and set garrisons in the land of Judah, and in the cities of Ephraim, which Asa his father had taken."
2 Chronicles 17:4 - "But sought to the LORD God of his father, and walked in his commandments, and not after the doings of Israel."
2 Chronicles 4:17 - "In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah."
2 Chronicles 17:19 - "These waited on the king, beside those whom the king put in the fenced cities throughout all Judah."
2 Chronicles 26:17 - "And Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him fourscore priests of the LORD, that were valiant men:"
2 Chronicles 35:17 - "And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days."
2 Chronicles 33:17 - "Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only."
2 Chronicles 31:17 - "Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;"
2 Chronicles 17:13 - "And he had much business in the cities of Judah: and the men of war, mighty men of valour, were in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 34:17 - "And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen."
2 Chronicles 17:3 - "And the LORD was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim;"
2 Chronicles 15:17 - "But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days."
2 Chronicles 24:17 - "Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them."
2 Chronicles 17:9 - "And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people."
2 Chronicles 18:17 - "And the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good unto me, but evil?"