2 chronicles 2:10 - Behold, I will give to your servants, the cutters who cut timber, twenty thousand cors of beaten wheat, twenty thousand baths of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.”

Generated Verse: 2 chronicles 2:10

What does "2 chronicles 2:10" mean?


This verse, 2 Chronicles 2:10, details the payment that King Hiram of Tyre will receive from King Solomon of Israel in exchange for supplying cedar and cypress logs for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down what it means:

"Behold, I will give to your servants, the cutters who cut timber...": This establishes that Solomon is offering these goods as payment to Hiram's workers. The 'cutters' are the lumberjacks and craftsmen of Tyre who will fell and prepare the trees.

"twenty thousand cors of beaten wheat...": A "cor" was a large unit of dry measure. The exact equivalent is debated, but it was roughly equivalent to a homer or about 10 bushels or about 220 liters. "Beaten wheat" means the wheat grains were likely processed (threshed and possibly ground) to remove the chaff. This ensures better quality and usability.

"twenty thousand baths of barley...": A "bath" was a unit of liquid measure, about 22 liters. Barley was a staple grain used for food and often for animal feed and possibly brewing beer.

"twenty thousand baths of wine...": Wine was a valued commodity used in religious ceremonies, for celebrations, and as a regular beverage.

"and twenty thousand baths of oil.": Oil, likely olive oil, was another vital commodity. It was used for cooking, lighting lamps, anointing, and as a base for perfumes and medicines.

In summary, the verse describes a massive payment in staple goods (wheat, barley, wine, and oil) from Solomon to Hiram's workforce for their labor in providing timber for the Temple. It signifies:

The scale of the project: The quantity of goods is enormous, highlighting the immense undertaking of building the Temple.
Economic interdependence: The verse illustrates the relationship between Israel and Tyre, where Israel, rich in agricultural land, trades with Tyre, a seafaring nation with access to valuable resources like timber.
Value of skilled labor: The significant compensation underscores the importance of the Tyrian craftsmen's skill in logging and preparing the timber.
Provision and blessing: It could also be seen as a sign of God's blessing on Solomon's reign, providing him with the resources to build the Temple.

The quantities mentioned are so large that some scholars believe they could be inflated or representative of the total payment over the years of construction. However, even if slightly exaggerated, the verse still highlights the massive scale of the Temple project and the trade relationship between Israel and Tyre.

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