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2 Chronicles 9:18

9:17 Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with pure gold.
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays: stays: Heb. hands

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There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:

And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:

9:19 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.

What does 2 Chronicles 9:18 mean?

2 Chronicles 9:18 is a verse in the book of 2 Chronicles, in the Old Testament. In the original Hebrew, key words include שֵׁשׁ (shêsh), מַעֲלָה (maʻălâh), כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ). It connects to 11 cross-referenced passages elsewhere in Scripture.

Hebrew interlinear

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And
there
were
sixשֵׁשׁshêsh/shaysh/H8337six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth
stepsמַעֲלָהmaʻălâh/mah-al-aw'/H4609elevation, i.e. the act (literally, a journey to a higher place, figuratively, a thought arising), or (concretely) the condition (literally, a step or grademark, figuratively, a superiority of station); specifically a climactic progression (in certain Psalms)
to
the
throne,כִּסֵּאkiççêʼ/kis-say'/H3678properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied)
with
a
footstoolכֶּבֶשׁkebesh/keh'-besh/H3534a footstool (as trodden upon)
of
gold,זָהָבzâhâb/zaw-hawb'/H2091gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky
which
were
fastenedאָחַזʼâchaz/aw-khaz'/H270to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession)
to
the
throne,כִּסֵּאkiççêʼ/kis-say'/H3678properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied)
and
staysיָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
on
each
side
of
the
sittingיָשַׁבyâshab/yaw-shab'/H3427properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
place,מָקוֹםmâqôwm/maw-kome'/H4725properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
and
twoשְׁנַיִםshᵉnayim/shen-ah'-yim/H8147two; also (as ordinal) twofold
lionsאֲרִיʼărîy/ar-ee'/H738a lion
standingעָמַדʻâmad/aw-mad'/H5975to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)
byאֵצֶלʼêtsel/ay'-tsel/H681a side; (as a preposition) near
the
stays:יָדyâd/yawd/H3027a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),
stays:
Heb.
hands

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 9:18

HENRY_FULL · 2 Chronicles 9:14–18
13 Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon to Jerusalem, from before the tabernacle of the congregation, and reigned over Israel. 14 And Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, which he placed in the chariot cities, and with the king at Jerusalem. 15 And the king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the vale for abundance. 16 And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king's merchants received the linen yarn at a price. 17 And they fetched up, and brought forth out of Egypt a chariot for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for an hundred and fifty: and so brought they out horses for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, by their means. Here is, 1. Solomon's entrance upon the government ( v. 13 ): He came from before the tabernacle, and reigned over Israel. He would not do any acts of government till he had done his acts of devotion, would not take honour to himself till he had given honour to God—first the tabernacle, and then the throne. But, when he had obtained wisdom from God, he did not bury his talent, but as he received the gift ministered the same, did not give up himself to ease and pleasure, but minded business: he reigned over Israel. 2. The magnificence of his court ( v. 14 ): He gathered chariots and horsemen. Shall we praise him for this? We praise him not; for the king was forbidden to multiply horses, Deut. xvii. 16 . I do not remember that ever we find his good father in a chariot or on horseback; a mule was the highest he mounted. We should endeavor to excel those that went before us in goodness rather than in grandeur. 3. The wealth and trade of his kingdom. He made silver and gold very cheap and common, v. 15 . The increase of gold lowers the value of it; but the increase of grace advances its price; the more men have of that the more they value it. How much better therefore is it to get wisdom than gold! He opened also a trade with Egypt, whence he imported horses and linen-yarn, which he exported again to the kings of Syria, with great advantage no doubt, v. 16, 17 . This we had before, 1 Kings x. 28, 29 . It is the wisdom of princes to promote industry and encourage trade in their dominions. Perhaps Solomon took the hint of setting up the linen-manufacture, bringing linen-yarn out of Egypt, working it into cloth, and then sending that to other nations, from what his mother taught when she specified this as one of the characteristics of the virtuous woman, She maketh fine linen, and selleth it, and delivereth girdles of it to the merchant, Prov. xxxi. 24 . In all labour there is profit.

Cross-references

Related passages from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

Deuteronomy 12:5

But unto the place which the LORD your God shall choose out of all your tribes to put his name there, even unto his habitation shall ye seek, and thither thou shalt come:

Deuteronomy 12:11

Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD: your choice: Heb. the choice of your vows

Deuteronomy 28:58

If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

1 Kings 5:5

And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. purpose: Heb. say

1 Kings 7:1

But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.

1 Kings 8:18

And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

1 Kings 8:20

And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

1 Kings 9:1

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

1 Chronicles 22:10

He shall build an house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.

Matthew 6:9

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Matthew 6:10

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Topics

SolomonThrone

Verses like this

Other verses that share key original-language words with 2 Chronicles 9:18.

1 Kings 10:19

The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. behind: Heb. on the hinder part thereof stays: Heb. hands

1 Kings 10:20

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. the like: Heb. so

1 Kings 6:6

The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house. narrowed: Heb. narrowings, or, rebatements

Deuteronomy 17:18

And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites:

Ruth 3:15

Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. vail: or, sheet, or, apron

Frequently asked questions

What does 2 Chronicles 9:18 say?

2 Chronicles 9:18 (King James Version) reads: "And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays: stays: Heb. hands"

Is 2 Chronicles 9:18 in the Old or New Testament?

2 Chronicles 9:18 is in the Old Testament of the Bible, in the book of 2 Chronicles.

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As you read 2 Chronicles 9:18, what is one truth here you can carry into today?

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9:17Read all of 2 Chronicles 99:19