2 Chronicles 2:7

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 2 Chronicles 2:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Now therefore send me a man skilful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that knoweth how to grave [all manner of] gravings, [to be] with the skilful men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Now therefore send me a man skilful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that knoweth how to grave [all manner of] gravings, [to be] with the skilful men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
2 Chronicles 2:7 — American Standard Version

Context — 2 Chronicles 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Now therefore send me a man skilful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that knoweth how to grave [all manner of] gravings, [to be] with the skilful men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Send now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, etc.] There being many things relating to the temple about to be built, and vessels to be put into it, which were to be made of those metals: and in purple, and crimson, and blue; used in making the vails for it, hung up in different places: and that can skill to grave; in wood or stone: with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David did provide; (see <132215>1 Chronicles 22:15).”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Send me now therefore a man cunning to work--Masons and carpenters were not asked for. Those whom David had obtained (Ch1 14:1) were probably still remaining in Jerusalem, and had instructed others. But he required a master of works; a person capable, like Bezaleel (Exo 35:31), of superintending and directing every department; for, as the division of labor was at that time little known or observed, an overseer had to be possessed of very versatile talents and experience. The things specified, in which he was to be skilled, relate not to the building, but the furniture of the temple. Iron, which could not be obtained in the wilderness when the tabernacle was built, was now, through…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See 1 Kings 5:6, note; 1 Kings 7:13, note. Purple ... - “Purple, crimson, and blue,” would be needed for the hangings of the temple, which, in this respect, as in others, was conformed to the pattern of the tabernacle (see Exodus 25:4; Exodus 26:1, etc.). Hiram’s power of “working in purple, crimson,” etc., was probably a knowledge of the best modes of dyeing cloth these colors. The Phoenicians, off whose coast the murex was commonly taken, were famous as purple dyers from a very remote period. Crimson - כרמיל karmı̂̂yl, the word here and elsewhere translated “crimson,” is unique to Chronicles and probably of Persian origin. The famous red dye of Persia and India, the dye known to the Greeks…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“cunning: Exo 31:3-5; Kg1 7:14; Isa 28:26, Isa 28:29, Isa 60:10 to grave: Heb. to grave gravings whom David: Ch1 22:15, Ch1 22:16 2 Chronicles 2:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification