2 Chronicles 3

1 mount Moriah. It is generally supposed (and Josephus says the same) that this was the spot to which Abraham went to offer up Isaac: see Gen. xxii. 2.

3 these are the things wherein Solomon was instructed. “These are the foundations which

Solomon laid” (R.V.), or “the ground-plan drawn up by Solomon” (Moffatt).

the first measure. The “first” means the measure in use in Solomon’s time, as distinguished probably from the Babylonian measure used after the Captivity.

4 a hundred and twenty. If this is correct, the “porch” must have formed a lofty tower, four times as high as the rest of the Temple. But some ancient versions omit the “hundred”; and this probably restores the ancient reading. The porch would thus be ten cubits lower than the walls; see 1 Kings vi. 2.

5 the greater house. i.e., the Holy Place, as distinguished from the Most Holy (8).

set. Or, “wrought” (R.V.) chains, probably “garlands” or “festoons.” See parallel in Kings, “open flowers.”

6 for beauty. Or, “for ornament.”

Parvaim. A name nowhere else occurring. It is thought by some to be the same as Ophir; others identify it with el-Farvaim, near Dharijja, in north-east Arabia.

10 image work. Rather, “carved work.”

13 their faces were inward. Or, “towards the house”; standing as attendant upon Jehovah; looking eastward, toward the Holy Place. The cherubim were not set there to be worshipped, but as a mark of honour to the invisible God.

14 he made the vali. An addition to the account in Kings.

15 thirty and five cubits. See note on 1 Kings vii. 15.