Standing on the bought floor, David says it: 'This is the house of Hashem God, and this is the altar of burnt-offering for Israel.' The preparations begin — masons gathered, 'iron in abundance,' brass 'without weight,' 'cedar-trees without number' — 'Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Hashem must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries; I will therefore make preparation for him.' To Solomon he hands both the refusal — 'you have shed much blood upon the earth in My sight' — and the promise: 'Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest... for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.' The tally is enormous: 'a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight.' 'Arise and be doing, and Hashem be with you.'
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Then David said: ‘This is the house of Hashem God, and this is the altar of burnt-offering for Israel.’
verse value 1615
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 44 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "this" (זֶ֣ה, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·this·altar" (וְזֶה־מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 12: this, he. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "this" (זֶ֣ה), "and·this·altar" (וְזֶה־מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ), "for·burnt-offering" (לְעֹלָ֖ה). 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 117x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'God', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 3 words. Full calculation: וַיֹּ֣אמֶר [and·he·said] (257) + דָּוִ֔יד [David] (24) + זֶ֣ה [this] (12) + ה֔וּא [he] (12) + בֵּ֖ית [the·house·of] (412) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים [God] (91) + וְזֶה־מִּזְבֵּ֥חַ [and·this·altar] (75) + לְעֹלָ֖ה [for·burnt-offering] (135) + לְיִשְׂרָאֵֽל [for·Israel] (571) = 1615.
Rashi
And David said, etc. from now on, anyone seeking the Lord to offer a sacrifice to Him shall go forth and sacrifice on that altar.
Ralbag
This is the house of Hashem God — Meaning, that the Temple would be built there, and that this altar which I have built will be the altar of burnt-offering for Israel.
Metzudat David
‘This is,’ etc. — meaning, in this very place the house [of the Temple] will be built. ‘the altar of burnt-offering’ — since most of the fixed offerings are burnt-offerings, it is called the altar of the burnt-offering.
And David commanded to gather together the strangers who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.
verse value 4331
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 70 letters. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֖ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·strangers" (אֶת־הַגֵּרִ֔ים, 7 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "to·gather" (לִכְנוֹס֙), "the·strangers" (אֶת־הַגֵּרִ֔ים), "to·hew" (לַחְצוֹב֙). The root חצב appears 2 times in this verse. 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 117x in I Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 115x in I Chronicles). First appearance of the root חצב ("hewers") in I Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 8 words.
Rashi
to gather the strangers who had converted, because he did not wish to make Israelites perform rigorous labor. And so we find with Solomon below (II Chron. 2:1): “And Solomon counted, etc.”; (ibid. verse 17): “And he made of them seventy thousand who bear burdens.” And it is written further (ibid. 8:7): “And all the people remaining from the Hittites, etc., who were not of Israel, etc.”; (ibid. verse 9): “And of the Children of Israel, whom Solomon did not make slaves, etc.”
Ralbag
And David commanded to gather together the strangers... — It has already been explained in the Book of Samuel (II, 21:5) that Saul had sought to annihilate the Gibeonites, so that none of them might remain anywhere within the borders of Israel. Now David brought them back and prepared them to do the work needed for building the Temple, and he appointed stonecutters from among them to hew wrought stones for building the House of God. And it has already been mentioned in the Book of Kings that Solomon appointed from among them seventy thousand porters and seventy thousand quarrymen in the hill country.
Metzudat David
‘the strangers’ — these are the Gibeonites.
Metzudat Zion
'Masons' — this is the term for those who cut stones from the place where they are formed [the quarry]. 'Wrought stones' — this is an expression of cutting, meaning [stones] cut and hewn straight.
Malbim
'And he set' — those who would be hewers, and also to hew abundant iron, as it is written (Deuteronomy 8:9), 'a land whose stones are iron, and out of whose hills you may dig copper.' 'and for the couplings' — meaning, for the nails used at the couplings; the 'couplings' are the timbers that join the building together, as it says below (II Chronicles 34:11), 'and timber for the couplings'; and these are secured with iron nails.
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the couplings; and brass in abundance without weight;
verse value 4720
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 58 letters. The shortest word is "in·abundance" (לָ֠רֹ֠ב, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·for·the·couplings" (וְלַֽמְחַבְּר֖וֹת, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 232: in·abundance, in·abundance. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "for·the·nails" (לַֽמִּסְמְרִ֞ים), "for·doors·of" (לְדַלְת֧וֹת), "and·for·the·couplings" (וְלַֽמְחַבְּר֖וֹת). The root רב appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "prepared" (root כון, 25x in I Chronicles); "in·abundance" (root רב, 20x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'David', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 4 words. Full calculation: וּבַרְזֶ֣ל [and·iron] (245) + לָ֠רֹ֠ב [in·abundance] (232) + לַֽמִּסְמְרִ֞ים [for·the·nails] (420) + לְדַלְת֧וֹת [for·doors·of] (870) + הַשְּׁעָרִ֛ים [the·gates] (625) + וְלַֽמְחַבְּר֖וֹת [and·for·the·couplings] (692) + הֵכִ֣ין [prepared] (85) + דָּוִ֑יד [David] (24) + וּנְחֹ֥שֶׁת [and·brass] (764) + לָרֹ֖ב [in·abundance] (232) + אֵ֥ין [nothing] (61) + מִשְׁקָֽל [weight] (470) = 4720.
Rashi
for the nails, for the doors of the gates in German, negel, nails. And David prepared... for the couplings the iron [implements] with which they join and reinforce the doors and the gates.
Ralbag
And iron in abundance — David also prepared an abundance of iron to make nails, with which to join the parts of the gate-doors, one to another, and for the joints of the cedar planks used in the building; and along with this he prepared an abundance of brass, beyond weighing.
Metzudat David
‘for the nails,’ etc. — to make the nails needed for the doors. ‘and for the couplings’ — meaning, to join plank to plank. ‘without weight’ — it was impossible to determine the weight, on account of the sheer abundance.
and cedar-trees without number; for the Zidonians and those of Tyre brought cedar-trees in abundance to David.
verse value 2233
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 53 letters. The shortest word is "trees·of" (עֲצֵ֧י, 3 letters) and the longest is "for·they·brought" (כִּֽי־הֵ֠בִ֠יאוּ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 258: cedars, cedars. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "to·nothing" (לְאֵ֣ין), "for·they·brought" (כִּֽי־הֵ֠בִ֠יאוּ), "the·Zidonians" (הַצִּידֹנִ֨ים). The root עץ appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "for·they·brought" (root בוא, 62x in I Chronicles); "number" (root מספר, 20x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'number', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 7 words. Full calculation: וַעֲצֵ֥י [and·trees·of] (176) + אֲרָזִ֖ים [cedars] (258) + לְאֵ֣ין [to·nothing] (91) + מִסְפָּ֑ר [number] (380) + כִּֽי־הֵ֠בִ֠יאוּ [for·they·brought] (54) + הַצִּידֹנִ֨ים [the·Zidonians] (209) + וְהַצֹּרִ֜ים [and·the·Tyrians] (351) + עֲצֵ֧י [trees·of] (170) + אֲרָזִ֛ים [cedars] (258) + לָרֹ֖ב [in·abundance] (232) + לְדָוִֽיד [to·David] (54) = 2233.
Rashi
and the Tyrians with Huram, the king of Tyre.
Ralbag
'And cedar-trees' — he prepared these too, beyond number, for the Zidonians and the men of Tyre brought David cedar-trees in abundance, since they were more skilled in this craft, as Solomon states; they were from the kingdom of Hiram, and it was from the forest of Lebanon, which belonged to him, that they brought this timber.
And David said: ‘Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be built for Hashem must be exceeding magnificent, of fame and of glory throughout all countries; I will therefore make preparation for him.’ So David prepared abundantly before his death.
verse value 5894
Insights
Verse structure: 22 words, 95 letters. Notable word values: "let·me·prepare" (אָכִ֥ינָה) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "now" (נָּ֖א, 2 letters) and the longest is "throughout·all·the·countries" (לְכׇל־הָ֣אֲרָצ֔וֹת, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 86: let·me·prepare, and·he·prepared. 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·the·house" (וְהַבַּ֜יִת), "to·magnify" (לְהַגְדִּ֨יל), "and·for·glory" (וּלְתִפְאֶ֙רֶת֙). The root דוד appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "my·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles). First appearance of the root תפארת ("and·for·glory") in I Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·him', dividing the verse into phrases of 17 and 5 words.
Rashi
is young and tender נַעַר, because even one [who is] forty-two years old is called נַעַר, for it is written: (Exod. 33:11): “... and his young (נַעַר) servant, Joshua the son of Nun, did not depart, etc.,” for Joshua reigned after Moses only twenty-eight years, and he lived one hundred and ten years. We find (in the first year that the Israelites were in the desert) that Scripture testifies about him: “and Joshua the son of Nun, his young [servant],” and at that time he was forty-two years old. Therefore, it was necessary to write, “tender,” because he [Solomon] was only twelve years old when he reigned. magnified on high It was very tall, for Solomon raised it up to one hundred and twenty cubits, as it is written: (I Kings 6:3): “And the porch before the Temple of the House, etc.”
Ralbag
'And David said: Solomon my son is young and tender' — and the house that is to be built for Hashem ought to be of great magnitude, so that it will bring fame and glory throughout all the lands, and all of them will thereby be set right toward the service of Hashem, blessed be He; therefore David prepared for Solomon, before his death, what was fitting for this building.
Metzudat David
‘young’ — in years. ‘and tender’ — exceedingly delicate. ‘and the house that is to be built’ — the house that he must build for Hashem ought to be exceedingly magnificent, of fame, etc.; therefore I will prepare for him the materials needed for the building, to ease the burden from upon him.
Malbim
'young' — in years. 'and tender' — in nature. 'and the house' — since it is to be built for Hashem, it must be made surpassingly great, commensurate with the greatness of Hashem who dwells within it, for Hashem is exalted and awesome; and likewise it must be renowned and glorious throughout all lands, even in the sight of all the nations.
Then He called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build a house for Hashem, the God of Israel.
verse value 2446
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 41 letters. The shortest word is "his·son" (בְנ֑וֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·he·commanded·him" (וַיְצַוֵּ֙הוּ֙, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·commanded·him" (וַיְצַוֵּ֙הוּ֙). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "his·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 117x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'his·son', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 6 words. Full calculation: וַיִּקְרָ֖א [and·he·called] (317) + לִשְׁלֹמֹ֣ה [for·Solomon] (405) + בְנ֑וֹ [his·son] (58) + וַיְצַוֵּ֙הוּ֙ [and·he·commanded·him] (123) + לִבְנ֣וֹת [to·build] (488) + בַּ֔יִת [house] (412) + לַיהֹוָ֖ה [to·Hashem] (56) + אֱלֹהֵ֥י [the·God·of] (46) + יִשְׂרָאֵֽל [Israel] (541) = 2446.
And David said to Solomon: ‘My son, as for me, it was in my heart to build a house to the name of Hashem my God.
verse value 2383
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 51 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֥ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "my·son" (בְּנִ֕י, 3 letters) and the longest is "with·my·heart" (עִם־לְבָבִ֔י, 6 letters). The root בן appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "my·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·Solomon', dividing the verse into phrases of 3 and 10 words.
But the word of Hashem came to me, saying: You have shed blood abundantly, and have made great wars; you shall not build a house to My name, because you have shed much blood upon the earth in My sight.
verse value 6395
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 78 letters. The shortest word is "blood" (דָּ֤ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·word·of·Hashem" (דְּבַר־יְהֹוָה֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 800: you·shed, you·shed. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "the·word·of·Hashem" (דְּבַר־יְהֹוָה֙), "blood" (דָּ֤ם), "and·wars" (וּמִלְחָמ֥וֹת). The root דם appears 2 times in this verse. 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·word·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "house" (root בית, 115x in I Chronicles); "and·it·came" (root היה, 104x in I Chronicles). First appearance of the root שפך ("you·shed") in I Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'you·made', dividing the verse into phrases of 10 and 9 words.
Ralbag
'You have shed much blood upon the earth in My sight' — it appears that it was not Hashem's will that David build it, since it was known before Him that it was destined to be destroyed; and perhaps it may be said that it was on account of David's sin of killing many people among the nations that Hashem, blessed be He, did this to this House and to Israel.
Metzudat David
‘You have shed blood abundantly’ — even though he fought the wars of Hashem, He nevertheless kept him from building the house, just as He forbade lifting iron upon the altar, because tools of iron are used to make instruments of killing.
Malbim
'But the word of Hashem came to me' — this was said after Nathan's prophecy (mentioned above, chapter 17), as stated there in verse 10, and before Solomon was born, as is stated below in verse 9. 'blood abundantly' — (1) that he had shed blood needlessly, in the discretionary wars that he waged; (2) 'and have made great wars' — that he had been compelled to wage wars of religious obligation, or wars against enemies who provoked him to battle. Yet either way, [Hashem said,] you shall not build the house, because you have shed much blood; for the condition for building the house is that it be built in a time of rest, and by a man of rest, as is stated (II Samuel 7).
Behold, a son shall be born to you, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about; for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness to Israel in his days.
verse value 4222
Insights
Verse structure: 20 words, 87 letters. Notable word values: "to·him" (ל֛וֹ) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "to·you" (לָ֗ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "from·all·his·enemies" (מִכׇּל־אוֹיְבָ֖יו, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 30: will·be, for, will·be. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "behold·a·son" (הִנֵּה־בֵ֞ן), "and·I·will·give·rest" (וַהֲנִיח֥וֹתִי), "from·all·his·enemies" (מִכׇּל־אוֹיְבָ֖יו). The root היה appears 2 times in this verse. 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "behold·a·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "shall·be·born" (root ילד, 117x in I Chronicles); "will·be" (root היה, 104x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·around', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 9 words.
Metzudat David
‘a man of rest’ — his desire will be for rest, and he will not provoke conflict with anyone. ‘and I will give him rest’ — I will grant him rest from his enemies, and no one will provoke conflict with him either. ‘and peace,’ etc. — the very mention of his name is itself a sign of the peace to come.
Metzudat Zion
'And quietness' — an expression of rest.
Malbim
'he shall be a man of rest' — by nature, and he will not provoke war. 'and I will give him rest' — and he will not be forced into wars of obligation either; and Scripture explains that he will be a man of rest by [noting] that his name shall be Solomon [Shlomo, evoking shalom, 'peace']; and corresponding to 'and I will give him rest,' it says, 'and I will give peace and quietness.'
He shall build a house for My name; and he shall be to Me for a son, and I will be to him for a father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever.
verse value 3128
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 66 letters. Notable word values: "and·he" (וְהוּא֙) = 18, chai, 'life'. The shortest word is "a·house" (בַ֙יִת֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·I·will·establish" (וַהֲכִ֨ינוֹתִ֜י, 8 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·I·to·him" (וַאֲנִי־ל֖וֹ), "throne·of" (כִּסֵּ֧א). The root הוא appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "for·a·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "a·house" (root בית, 115x in I Chronicles); "he·shall·be·to·Me" (root היה, 104x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'for·a·father', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: הֽוּא־יִבְנֶ֥ה [he·shall·build] (79) + בַ֙יִת֙ [a·house] (412) + לִשְׁמִ֔י [to·My·name] (380) + וְהוּא֙ [and·he] (18) + יִֽהְיֶה־לִּ֣י [he·shall·be·to·Me] (70) + לְבֵ֔ן [for·a·son] (82) + וַאֲנִי־ל֖וֹ [and·I·to·him] (103) + לְאָ֑ב [for·a·father] (33) + וַהֲכִ֨ינוֹתִ֜י [and·I·will·establish] (507) + כִּסֵּ֧א [throne·of] (81) + מַלְכוּת֛וֹ [his·kingdom] (502) + עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל [over·Israel] (641) + עַד־עוֹלָֽם [for·ever] (220) = 3128.
Ralbag
'And he shall be to Me for a son,' etc. — meaning: when he sins, I will chastise him with the rod of men and with the plagues of humankind, as a man disciplines his son, but My mercy I will not remove from him.
Metzudat David
‘for a son’ — meaning, beloved, as a son is to his father. ‘for a father’ — meaning, to have compassion on him, as a father does upon his son. ‘for ever’ — meaning, to his offspring after him.
Malbim
'he shall be to Me for a son' — this is what was said to him (II Samuel 7:14-15), 'I will be to him for a father, and he shall be to Me for a son; when he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men,' etc., 'and My mercy I will not take away from him' — where I explained there that Hashem promised him that He would watch over him so that he would not fall away from his righteousness to the point that mercy would be withdrawn from him, since He would chasten him immediately when he strayed and bring him back to the good. And this is the meaning of: because 'I will be to him for a father,' therefore 'I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever'; and it also means that because he would build the house, therefore [Hashem] would establish his kingdom forever — just as I explained (Psalms 132) that because Hashem chose Zion, David's kingdom too would thereby endure forever, as it is stated there (vv. 12-13), 'their children also shall sit upon your throne for evermore... for Hashem has chosen Zion.' See there.
Now, my son, Hashem be with you; and prosper, and build the house of Hashem your God, as He has spoken concerning you.
verse value 3086
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 50 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "now" (עַתָּ֣ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·you·shall·prosper" (וְהִצְלַחְתָּ֗, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 130: with·you, concerning·you. 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "he·shall·be" (יְהִ֥י), "and·you·shall·prosper" (וְהִצְלַחְתָּ֗), "and·you·shall·build" (וּבָנִ֙יתָ֙). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "my·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "your·God" (root אלהים, 117x in I Chronicles). First appearance of the root צלח ("and·you·shall·prosper") in I Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'with·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 5 and 8 words. Full calculation: עַתָּ֣ה [now] (475) + בְנִ֔י [my·son] (62) + יְהִ֥י [he·shall·be] (25) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + עִמָּ֑ךְ [with·you] (130) + וְהִצְלַחְתָּ֗ [and·you·shall·prosper] (539) + וּבָנִ֙יתָ֙ [and·you·shall·build] (468) + בֵּ֚ית [the·house·of] (412) + יְהֹוָ֣ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ [your·God] (66) + כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר [as·that] (521) + דִּבֶּ֥ר [He·has·spoken] (206) + עָלֶֽיךָ [concerning·you] (130) = 3086.
Malbim
'Now, my son' — after this promise, surely 'Hashem your God be with you,' in these two respects: (1) 'and prosper' — corresponding to what was said, 'I will give him rest from all his enemies round about'; (2) 'and build [the house]' — corresponding to what was said, 'he shall build a house for My name.'
Only Hashem give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel; that so you may keep the law of Hashem your God.
verse value 3834
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 52 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 3834 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "only" (אַ֣ךְ, 2 letters) and the longest is "concerning·Israel" (עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "only" (אַ֣ךְ), "he·shall·give·to·you" (יִֽתֶּן־לְךָ֤), "discretion" (שֵׂ֣כֶל). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "your·God" (root אלהים, 117x in I Chronicles); "concerning·Israel" (root ישראל, 94x in I Chronicles). First appearance of the root שכל ("discretion") in I Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'concerning·Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 4 words. Full calculation: אַ֣ךְ [only] (21) + יִֽתֶּן־לְךָ֤ [he·shall·give·to·you] (510) + יְהֹוָה֙ [Hashem] (26) + שֵׂ֣כֶל [discretion] (350) + וּבִינָ֔ה [and·understanding] (73) + וִֽיצַוְּךָ֖ [and·he·shall·command·you] (132) + עַל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל [concerning·Israel] (641) + וְלִשְׁמ֕וֹר [and·to·keep] (582) + אֶת־תּוֹרַ֖ת [the·law·of] (1407) + יְהֹוָ֥ה [Hashem] (26) + אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ [your·God] (66) = 3834.
Ralbag
'Only Hashem give you discretion and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel' — to judge them with true justice; and He also charged you to keep the law of your God, and then you will succeed, as I have told you — that is, if you take care to perform all the commandments of the Torah.
Metzudat David
‘and give you charge concerning Israel’ — meaning, may He put into your heart the understanding to know how to instruct Israel in what they should do; and by granting you this understanding, it is as though He Himself gives you charge concerning Israel. ‘that... you may keep’ — He will also grant you the understanding to keep the Torah.
Malbim
'Only' — this depends on something else: whether God grants you discretion and understanding — whether for governing the people with righteousness and justice, which is why it says, 'and give you charge concerning Israel,' or for keeping the law of Hashem your God.
Then you shall prosper, if you observe to do the statutes and the ordinances which Hashem charged Moses with concerning Israel; be strong, and of good courage; fear not, neither be dismayed.
verse value 7548
Insights
Verse structure: 15 words, 77 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֛ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "then" (אָ֣ז, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·the·ordinances" (וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים, 10 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "you·shall·prosper" (תַּצְלִ֔יחַ), "if·you·keep" (אִם־תִּשְׁמ֗וֹר), "the·statutes" (אֶת־הַחֻקִּ֣ים). 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "concerning·Israel" (root ישראל, 94x in I Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 77x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'concerning·Israel', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 4 words.
Metzudat David
‘Then you shall prosper,’ etc. — the order [of the verse] is inverted, as though it said: if you observe [to do the statutes and the ordinances], then you shall prosper. ‘be strong, and of good courage’ — in the matter of conducting the kingship.
Metzudat Zion
'And of good courage' — this too is an expression of strength. 'Neither be dismayed' — an expression of fear and being broken, as in 'be not affrighted, neither be dismayed' (techat) (Joshua 1:9).
Malbim
'Then you shall prosper' — for success fundamentally depends on this. And corresponding to 'and keep the law of Hashem your God,' it says, 'if you observe to do all the statutes' — that the observance be with intent to actually carry them out, and not only the rationally-understood commandments, but also the statutes, meaning those commandments heard only [by Divine decree, i.e. without an apparent reason]. And corresponding to 'and give you charge concerning Israel,' it says that you shall carry out 'the ordinances which Hashem charged Moses concerning Israel,' meaning that the ordinances should conform to the laws of the Torah; and he charged him to be strong and of good courage in this, and then 'fear not, neither be dismayed' (this expression has already been explained in Joshua, chapter 1).
Now, behold, in my straits I have prepared for the house of Hashem a hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight, for it is in abundance; timber also and stone I have prepared; and you may add to it.
verse value 5791
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 111 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֥י, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·the·house·of·Hashem" (לְבֵית־יְהֹוָ֗ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: I·have·prepared, I·have·prepared. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "in·my·straits" (בְעׇנְיִ֜י), "and·timber" (וְעֵצִ֤ים), "and·stone" (וַֽאֲבָנִים֙). The root כון appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "was" (root היה, 104x in I Chronicles); "thousand" (root אלף, 77x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'was', dividing the verse into phrases of 18 and 5 words.
Ralbag
'Now, behold, in my straits I have prepared for the house of Hashem,' etc. — meaning: from the time of my straits I began to prepare this for the house of Hashem.
Metzudat David
‘in my straits’ — meaning, even though I am to be reckoned as poor, measured against what is truly needed for building the house of Hashem, still I have prepared gold, etc. ‘and you may add to it’ — this refers back to the entire list stated above.
Malbim
'Now, behold, in my straits I have prepared for [the house of] Hashem' — meaning that he had dedicated all his wealth to Hashem, to the point that he himself was poor and destitute, since all his possessions were consecrated to Heaven.
Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all men who are skillful in any manner of work;
verse value 2009
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 45 letters. The shortest word is "in·abundance" (לָרֹב֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·every·work" (בְּכׇל־מְלָאכָֽה, 8 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·every·skillful" (וְכׇל־חָכָ֖ם). The root מלאכה appears 2 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·with·you" (root עם, 63x in I Chronicles); "doers·of" (root עשה, 39x in I Chronicles); "in·abundance" (root רב, 20x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·timber', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 2 words. Full calculation: וְעִמְּךָ֤ [and·with·you] (136) + לָרֹב֙ [in·abundance] (232) + עֹשֵׂ֣י [doers·of] (380) + מְלָאכָ֔ה [work] (96) + חֹצְבִ֕ים [hewers] (150) + וְחָרָשֵׁ֥י [and·workers·of] (524) + אֶ֖בֶן [stone] (53) + וָעֵ֑ץ [and·timber] (166) + וְכׇל־חָכָ֖ם [and·every·skillful] (124) + בְּכׇל־מְלָאכָֽה [in·every·work] (148) = 2009.
Ralbag
'Moreover there are workmen with you in abundance, hewers' — these are the strangers mentioned earlier; but the craftsmen skilled in stone and wood were partly from Israel, partly from the men of Tyre, and partly from the people of Gebal, as is mentioned in the book (I Kings 5:32).
Metzudat David
‘and all... who are skillful,’ etc. — every kind of skilled craftsman, in every kind of work.
Malbim
'Moreover there are with you' — meaning: behold, I have prepared the materials needed for the work, and also the workmen; that is, 'there are with you workmen in abundance' — among them hewers, [to quarry] the stones from the mountains; craftsmen, to dress and carve the stones; and 'all men skillful in any manner of work' — the master artisans in every craft, both of the engraver and of the designer.
of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise and be doing, and Hashem be with you.’
verse value 2458
Insights
Verse structure: 11 words, 45 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "there·is·no" (אֵ֣ין, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·the·brass" (וְלַנְּחֹ֥שֶׁת, 6 letters). 1 word in this verse appears nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "arise" (ק֣וּם). 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "and·he·shall·be" (root היה, 104x in I Chronicles); "with·you" (root עם, 63x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'number', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 5 words. Full calculation: לַזָּהָ֥ב [to·the·gold] (44) + לַכֶּ֛סֶף [to·the·silver] (190) + וְלַנְּחֹ֥שֶׁת [and·to·the·brass] (794) + וְלַבַּרְזֶ֖ל [and·to·the·iron] (275) + אֵ֣ין [there·is·no] (61) + מִסְפָּ֑ר [number] (380) + ק֣וּם [arise] (146) + וַעֲשֵׂ֔ה [and·do] (381) + וִיהִ֥י [and·he·shall·be] (31) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + עִמָּֽךְ [with·you] (130) = 2458.
Metzudat David
‘of the gold’ — that is, for work in the gold, etc. ‘there is no number’ — [namely,] of the craftsmen. ‘Arise’ — this is an expression of exhortation.
Malbim
'of the gold' — beyond this, 'of the gold there is no number,' hinting to him that there was yet more treasure (mentioned below, 29:4), so much that there was no counting even of the gold and the silver; and you lack nothing except that you should arise and act, and that Hashem be with you — for if not for Hashem building the house, its builders labor over it in vain.
David also commanded all the princes of Israel to help Solomon his son:
verse value 2037
Insights
Verse structure: 7 words, 31 letters. The shortest word is "his·son" (בְנֽוֹ, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·all·princes·of" (לְכׇל־שָׂרֵ֣י, 6 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·commanded" (וַיְצַ֤ו), "to·help" (לַעְזֹ֖ר). 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "his·son" (root בן, 665x in I Chronicles); "David" (root דוד, 182x in I Chronicles); "Israel" (root ישראל, 94x in I Chronicles). Full calculation: וַיְצַ֤ו [and·he·commanded] (112) + דָּוִיד֙ [David] (24) + לְכׇל־שָׂרֵ֣י [to·all·princes·of] (590) + יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל [Israel] (541) + לַעְזֹ֖ר [to·help] (307) + לִשְׁלֹמֹ֥ה [to·Solomon] (405) + בְנֽוֹ [his·son] (58) = 2037.
’Is not Hashem your God with you? and has He not given you rest on every side? for He has delivered the inhabitants of the land into my hand; and the land is subdued before Hashem, and before His people.
verse value 3363
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 75 letters. Notable word values: "is·not" (הֲלֹ֨א) = 36, double chai. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "your·God" (אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶם֙, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 296: the·land, the·land. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "with·you" (עִמָּכֶ֔ם), "and·He·has·given·rest" (וְהֵנִ֥יחַ), "to·you" (לָכֶ֖ם). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "your·God" (root אלהים, 117x in I Chronicles); "for" (root כי, 69x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'from·around', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 12 words.
Metzudat David
‘Is not Hashem,’ etc. — meaning, and thus he said to them: is not Hashem, etc. ‘and the land is subdued’ — meaning, we have subdued and captured the land. ‘before Hashem,’ etc. — meaning, with the help of Hashem and by means of His people.
Malbim
'Is not Hashem' — for rest from enemies is a precondition for building the Temple, as it is stated (Deuteronomy 12:10-11), 'and when He gives you rest from all your enemies round about... then it shall come to pass that unto the place which Hashem shall choose,' etc.
Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Hashem your God; arise therefore, and build the sanctuary of Hashem God, to bring the ark of the covenant of Hashem, and the holy vessels of God, into the house that is to be built to the name of Hashem.’
verse value 6262
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 106 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֣ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "now" (עַתָּ֗ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·covenant·of·Hashem" (בְּרִית־יְהֹוָ֗ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 91: God, God. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in I Chronicles. Unique to this verse in I Chronicles (hapax): "give" (תְּנ֤וּ), "your·heart" (לְבַבְכֶם֙), "and·your·soul" (וְנַפְשְׁכֶ֔ם). The root יהוה appears 4 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "to·Hashem" (root יהוה, 175x in I Chronicles); "your·God" (root אלהים, 117x in I Chronicles); "to·the·house" (root בית, 115x in I Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'your·God', dividing the verse into phrases of 7 and 14 words.
Ralbag
'And the holy vessels of God' — such as the menorah, the table, and the other holy vessels.
Metzudat David
‘and build’ — you too shall assist my son in the building. ‘that is to be built’ — for by the time [the ark] is brought in, it will already be built.
Rashi
Ralbag
Metzudat David