'Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Hashem filled the house.' Seven days of dedication, fourteen days of feast. Then, by night, the answer to the prayer — the verse this book gave the world: 'if My people, upon whom My name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.' With it, the warning: forsake Me, and this house will become a proverb among the peoples.
Tap any Hebrew word to reveal its root, value, and meanings.
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of Hashem filled the house.
verse value 3996
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 64 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 3996 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "filled" (מָלֵ֥א, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·the·sacrifices" (וְהַזְּבָחִ֑ים, 7 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·pray" (לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל), "and·the·fire" (וְהָאֵ֗שׁ), "she·went·down" (יָֽרְדָה֙). 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·house" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "Solomon" (root שלמה, 83x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root אש ("and·the·fire") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root ירד ("she·went·down") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·the·sacrifices', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 4 words. Full calculation: וּכְכַלּ֤וֹת [and·when·finishing·of] (482) + שְׁלֹמֹה֙ [Solomon] (375) + לְהִתְפַּלֵּ֔ל [to·pray] (575) + וְהָאֵ֗שׁ [and·the·fire] (312) + יָֽרְדָה֙ [she·went·down] (219) + מֵֽהַשָּׁמַ֔יִם [from·the·heaven] (435) + וַתֹּ֥אכַל [and·she·consumed] (457) + הָעֹלָ֖ה [the·burnt-offering] (110) + וְהַזְּבָחִ֑ים [and·the·sacrifices] (78) + וּכְב֥וֹד [and·glory·of] (38) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + מָלֵ֥א [filled] (71) + אֶת־הַבָּֽיִת [the·house] (818) = 3996.
Metzudat David
And the glory of Hashem filled the house – That is, it was already full, just as it had been before the fire descended — from the time the priests came out of the Sanctuary and began raising their voices, as stated above.
Malbim
'And the fire' — in Kings, no mention is made of the fire coming down. But our Sages, in Seder Olam and in the Sifra on Leviticus (ch. 49), state that the fire which came down in the days of Moses never left the copper altar until they came to the eternal House [the Temple]; accordingly, the fire here came from Moses' copper altar, and that is why Jeremiah [the traditional author of Kings] did not mention it in the Book of Kings, whereas Ezra did mention it, because the people saw how the fire from heaven moved over from that altar to this one. Yet this troubles me: according to R. Yose in Zevachim (59a), the statement in verse 7 that he 'hallowed the middle of the court' means that he built a separate altar in addition to the copper altar, and that originally Moses' altar stood there alone — so how, then, can R. Yose say in Seder Olam that the fire never moved from the copper altar? One must say that, in his view, the verses are not written in chronological order, and that the statement in verse 7 about hallowing the middle of the court (which, on his view, refers to the altar Solomon built) took place before the fire came down. Independently of this, I wrote in my commentary on Kings that the plain sense of the verse in Chronicles, which says 'because the copper altar that Solomon made,' points rather to the view of R. Yehuda in Zevachim there, that the statement 'he hallowed the middle of the court' is to be taken literally [that is, the courtyard itself was hallowed, not that a new altar was built]. Also, what was stated above (I Chronicles 21:26), 'and He answered him with fire from heaven,' likewise goes unmentioned in the earlier books.
And the priests could not enter into the house of Hashem, because the glory of Hashem filled Hashem’s house.
verse value 1739
Insights
Verse structure: 10 words, 48 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֑ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "and·not" (וְלֹ֤א, 3 letters) and the longest is "the·glory·of·Hashem" (כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 26: Hashem, Hashem. The root יהוה appears 3 times in this verse. 7 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "to·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "to·go·in" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'Hashem', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְלֹ֤א [and·not] (37) + יָֽכְלוּ֙ [were·able] (66) + הַכֹּ֣הֲנִ֔ים [the·priests] (130) + לָב֖וֹא [to·go·in] (39) + אֶל־בֵּ֣ית [to·house·of] (443) + יְהֹוָ֑ה [Hashem] (26) + כִּֽי־מָלֵ֥א [because·filled] (101) + כְבוֹד־יְהֹוָ֖ה [the·glory·of·Hashem] (58) + אֶת־בֵּ֥ית [the·house·of] (813) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 1739.
And all the children of Israel looked on, when the fire came down, and the glory of Hashem was upon the house; and they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and prostrated themselves, and gave thanks to Hashem; ‘for He is good, for His mercy endures for ever.’
verse value 5166
Insights
Verse structure: 21 words, 91 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 5166 is divisible by 18, the value of chai ('life'). The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "upon·the·pavement" (עַל־הָרִֽצְפָה֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 56: and·all, to·Hashem. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "in·descending·of" (בְּרֶ֣דֶת), "the·fire" (הָאֵ֔שׁ), "and·they·knelt" (וַיִּכְרְעוּ֩). The root יהוה appears 2 times in this verse. 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "sons·of" (root בן, 225x in II Chronicles); "upon·the·house" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root חוה ("and·they·prostrated·themselves") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'upon·the·house', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 12 words.
Metzudat David
And gave thanks to Hashem – They recited “Give thanks to Hashem,” the praise that continues “for He is good,” etc.; this is the Great Hallel.
Metzudat Zion
The pavement (haritzpah) - Ground paved with a layer of stones, as in 'upon a pavement of alabaster and marble' (Esther 1:6).
Malbim
'And all the children of Israel,' etc., 'and bowed themselves ... upon the pavement' — because it is forbidden to prostrate oneself on a stone pavement anywhere except in the Temple, as is taught at the end of Sifra Behar and in tractate Megillah (22b); and once they saw that this was the place chosen by Hashem, they prostrated themselves upon the pavement.
And the king and all the people offered sacrifice before Hashem.
verse value 552
Insights
Verse structure: 6 words, 27 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָֽה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "sacrifice" (זֶ֖בַח, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·the·people" (וְכׇל־הָעָ֑ם, 6 letters). The root זבח appears 2 times in this verse. 5 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "and·the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "before" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·all·the·people', dividing the verse into phrases of 2 and 4 words. Full calculation: וְהַמֶּ֖לֶךְ [and·the·king] (101) + וְכׇל־הָעָ֑ם [and·all·the·people] (171) + זֹבְחִ֥ים [sacrificing] (67) + זֶ֖בַח [sacrifice] (17) + לִפְנֵ֥י [before] (170) + יְהֹוָֽה [Hashem] (26) = 552.
Malbim
'And the king' — verses 4 and 5 were copied from Kings, while in verse 6 Ezra added that everyone stood at their stations, the Levites with musical instruments and the priests with trumpets, just as on festivals, as it is written (Numbers 10:10), 'in the day of your gladness,' etc., 'you shall blow the trumpets'; and that the priests stood facing the Levites, the Levites standing on the platform to the east and the priests on the west side.
And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.
verse value 4565
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 78 letters. The shortest word is "thousand" (אֶ֔לֶף, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·twenty" (וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 111: thousand, thousand. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·sacrifice·of" (אֶת־זֶ֣בַח), "and·they·dedicated" (וַֽיַּחְנְכוּ֙). The root זבח appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "God" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'thousand', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 5 words.
Metzudat Zion
Dedicated (vayachanchu) - The beginning of a thing, meant to continue from that point onward, is called 'chanukah' in biblical language.
And the priests stood, according to their offices; the Levites also with instruments of music of Hashem, which David the king had made, to give thanks to Hashem, for His mercy endures for ever, with the praises of David by their hand; and the priests sounded trumpets over against them; and all Israel stood.
verse value 5908
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 122 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "that" (אֲשֶׁ֨ר, 3 letters) and the longest is "according·to·their·charges" (עַל־מִשְׁמְרוֹתָ֣ם, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 164: standing, standing. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·give·thanks" (לְהֹד֤וֹת), "for·for·ever" (כִּֽי־לְעוֹלָ֣ם), "in·praise·of" (בְּהַלֵּ֥ל). The root כהן appears 2 times in this verse. 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root משמרת ("according·to·their·charges") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·their·hand', dividing the verse into phrases of 17 and 6 words.
Rashi
And the priests...on their watches as David had divided them into twenty-four watches, for each watch to serve its week, and the Levites likewise on their twenty-four watches to give thanks with musical instruments, for they recited (Ps. 136): “Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His loving kindness is eternal.” with David’s praise The musical instruments with which they recited David’s praise and the thanksgivings were in the Levites’ hands. and the priests were sounding the trumpets opposite them For it was incumbent upon them to play music with the trumpets, as it is said (Num. 10: 8): “And the sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow [with the trumpets].”
Metzudat David
According to their offices – Each division in its own designated place. To give thanks to Hashem – That is, they stood with instruments of music to give thanks to Hashem with the praise that says, “for His mercy endures for ever.” With the praises of David by their hand – That is, in their hands were the instruments that David had made for offering praise; this repeats the same point in different wording. Sounded trumpets – They blew the trumpets. Over against them – Opposite the Levites. And all Israel stood – To listen to the praise.
Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of Hashem; for there he offered the burnt-offerings, and the fat of the peace-offerings; because the brazen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat.
verse value 8993
Insights
Verse structure: 24 words, 112 letters. The shortest word is "there" (שָׁם֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·the·fat" (וְאֶת־הַחֲלָבִֽים, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 511: the·burnt-offerings, the·burnt-offering. 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·he·hallowed" (וַיְקַדֵּ֣שׁ), "the·midst·of" (אֶת־תּ֤וֹךְ), "the·burnt-offerings" (הָעֹל֔וֹת). The root שלמה appears 2 times in this verse. 19 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house·of·Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "for·he·made" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root חלב ("fat·of") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root מנחה ("and·the·meal-offering") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·peace-offerings', dividing the verse into phrases of 13 and 11 words.
Rashi
And Solomon consecrated the interior of the court Our Sages differ in this matter (Zeb. 59): Rabbi Judah says: He consecrated the floor of the forecourt with the sanctity of the altar to burn offerings on the floor, because the copper altar was too small to contain [the offerings], because they brought many sacrifices. Rabbi Jose said to him: Was it not already stated (1:6): “And he offered up on it a thousand burnt offerings” on the altar that Moses had made? When you compute the number of cubits and the number of burnt offerings, you will find that this one of stones was larger than that of Moses, for on Moses’ altar, the place of its pyre was a cubit by a cubit, whereas on Solomon’s, the place of its pyre was twenty-four by twenty-four. The result is that Solomon’s [altar] was 576 times as large as that of Moses. If so, what is the meaning of (I Kings 8:64): “the king consecrated the interior of the court”? That he set the stone altar into it, fastened to the floor. could not contain He is talking about Moses’ [altar], like a person who says, “So and so is a dwarf and is disqualified from performing the sacrificial service.”
Ralbag
Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of Hashem — This court is the court of the priests, and the middle of that court was sanctified for offering [sacrifices] there, because the altar of burnt-offering that Solomon made, which was twenty cubits long and twenty cubits wide, was not sufficient for all these sacrifices.
Metzudat David
The middle of the court – He sanctified the floor of the Priests' Court with the same sanctity as the altar, since he offered [sacrifices] there, etc. The brazen altar – That is, an altar of stones, in place of the bronze altar that Moses had made in the wilderness. Was not able to receive – The abundance of the offerings.
Metzudat Zion
To receive (l'hachil) - Meaning, to hold.
Malbim
'And he hallowed' — there [in Kings], verse 64, it is written 'because the copper altar that was before Hashem'; see what I wrote there in my commentary.
So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entrance of Hamath to the Brook of Egypt.
verse value 4548
Insights
Verse structure: 16 words, 67 letters. The shortest word is "in·the·time" (בָּעֵ֨ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·all·Israel" (וְכׇל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·feast" (אֶת־הֶ֠חָ֠ג), "from·entrance·of" (מִלְּב֥וֹא), "unto·brook·of" (עַד־נַ֥חַל). 16 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·he·made" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "from·entrance·of" (root בוא, 159x in II Chronicles); "with·him" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root עת ("in·the·time") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root חמת ("Hamath") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'very', dividing the verse into phrases of 12 and 4 words.
Rashi
from the entrance of Hamath which is in the north of the land of Israel. to the brook of Egypt which is opposite it, as is delineated in אֵלֶּה מַסְעֵי (ibid. verse 5).
Metzudat David
So Solomon held the feast – That is, besides the days of dedication, they brought yet more offerings during the days of the festival, on account of the dedication of the House. From the entrance of Hamath – From the place through which one enters Hamath, at the northern end, to the Brook of Egypt, at the southern end.
Malbim
'Seven days' — there [in Kings] it is written 'seven days and seven days,' and Ezra explained that during the first seven days it was not yet a festival, but only the dedication of the altar, during which labor was permitted. Accordingly, one might have said that they fasted on Yom Kippur, since that period was not treated as a festival — but our Sages said that they ate on Yom Kippur, and this is derived from the fact that Kings calls that period 'a feast.'
And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly; for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days.
verse value 4337
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 53 letters. The shortest word is "for" (כִּ֣י, 2 letters) and the longest is "the·eighth" (הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 772: seven, seven. 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "the·eighth" (הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י), "assembly" (עֲצָ֑רֶת), "the·dedication·of" (חֲנֻכַּ֣ת). The root יום appears 3 times in this verse. 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "and·they·made" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "for" (root כי, 131x in II Chronicles); "in·the·day" (root יום, 71x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'assembly', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 9 words. Full calculation: וַֽיַּעֲשׂ֛וּ [and·they·made] (392) + בַּיּ֥וֹם [in·the·day] (58) + הַשְּׁמִינִ֖י [the·eighth] (415) + עֲצָ֑רֶת [assembly] (760) + כִּ֣י [for] (30) + חֲנֻכַּ֣ת [the·dedication·of] (478) + הַמִּזְבֵּ֗חַ [the·altar] (62) + עָשׂוּ֙ [they·made] (376) + שִׁבְעַ֣ת [seven] (772) + יָמִ֔ים [days] (100) + וְהֶחָ֖ג [and·the·feast] (22) + שִׁבְעַ֥ת [seven] (772) + יָמִֽים [days] (100) = 4337.
Metzudat David
For they kept the dedication of the altar – That is, once they had completed the seven days of dedication and the seven days of the festival, they held a solemn assembly, as required by the law of the Torah.
And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away to their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Hashem had shown to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people.
verse value 5689
Insights
Verse structure: 19 words, 90 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "heart" (לֵ֔ב, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·their·tents" (לְאׇהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם, 7 letters). 6 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "to·their·tents" (לְאׇהֳלֵיהֶ֑ם), "joyful" (שְׂמֵחִים֙), "and·good·of" (וְט֣וֹבֵי). The root עם appears 2 times in this verse. 17 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "he·did" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'to·their·tents', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 11 words.
Rashi
And on the twenty-third day of the seventh month, he dismissed the people which was the ninth [day] of the inauguration of the Temple, but in I Kings (8:66) it is written: “On the eighth day,” which was the twenty-second of the month. The meaning is: On the eighth day he gave them permission to leave after the Feast, and on the morrow, when the Feast was over, they all went [home] together. Another meaning: On the eighth day he gave them permission and dismissed those who lived within the Sabbath limits and whoever wished to travel and go on that day in that limit, and on the following day, he dismissed the entire populace. In Genesis Rabbah (35:3) it is explained that they took his leave but waited there one more day and then they repeated [this procedure] and took leave again a second time; therefore it is said: “on the twenty-third day of the month.” rejoicing and delighted of heart, etc. for David, for Solomon For that which He spoke with His mouth above (I Chron 28:6): “Your son Solomon - he shall build My House,” He fulfilled with His hand, for He gave him a son sitting on his throne, who built a House in the name of the Lord. And in Genesis Rabbah it is explained: Said Rabbi Levi: It is written: “for the inauguration of, etc.” “Rejoicing” refers to “that the Lord had wrought for David,” viz. that He fulfilled that which He had vowed to Solomon, that He chose him from all his brothers because he was wise. and for Israel His people it is written in I Kings (8:56): “there has not failed one word, etc.” Another explanation: “and for Israel His people” - they had a ruler, so that they dwelt safely and tranquilly, as it is written (ibid. 5:5): “And Judah and Israel dwelt, etc.”
Metzudat David
And on the three and twentieth day – This is the day after Shemini Atzeret. To David – For Hashem fulfilled His promise to him, that his son who sits on his throne would build the House. And to Israel His people – Because they saw that the Divine Presence rested in the House that had been built.
Malbim
'And on the twenty-third day' — in Kings it is written, 'on the eighth day he sent the people away.' Ezra explained that on that day he did not yet send them to their tents, since Shemini Atzeret requires an overnight stay [in Jerusalem]; rather, he released them from further duty in the dedication — and that is why it is not written there that he 'sent them to their tents.' It was only on the twenty-third day that he sent them to their tents.
Thus Solomon finished the house of Hashem, and the king’s house; and all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of Hashem, and in his own house, he prosperously effected.
verse value 4981
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 67 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֖ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "and" (וְאֵ֨ת, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·the·house·of·Hashem" (בְּבֵית־יְהֹוָ֛ה, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 375: Solomon, Solomon. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·in·his·house" (וּבְבֵית֖וֹ), "he·prospered" (הִצְלִֽיחַ). The root בית appears 3 times in this verse. 10 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "the·king" (root מלך, 344x in II Chronicles); "the·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root צלח ("he·prospered") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·king', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 8 words. Full calculation: וַיְכַ֧ל [and·he·finished] (66) + שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה [Solomon] (375) + אֶת־בֵּ֥ית [the·house·of] (813) + יְהֹוָ֖ה [Hashem] (26) + וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית [and·the·house·of] (819) + הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ [the·king] (95) + וְאֵ֨ת [and] (407) + כׇּל־הַבָּ֜א [all·that·came] (58) + עַל־לֵ֣ב [into·heart·of] (132) + שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה [Solomon] (375) + לַעֲשׂ֧וֹת [to·do] (806) + בְּבֵית־יְהֹוָ֛ה [in·the·house·of·Hashem] (440) + וּבְבֵית֖וֹ [and·in·his·house] (426) + הִצְלִֽיחַ [he·prospered] (143) = 4981.
Metzudat David
And all that came into Solomon's heart – Everything he intended to do, he did, and he succeeded.
Malbim
'And all that came' — there [in Kings 9:1] it is written 'and all Solomon's desire which he wished to do.' Ezra amended this, since Solomon in fact built many more buildings after this statement, as will become clear; rather, he succeeded in what he wished to do specifically with these two buildings, which were the primary ones in his eyes.
And Hashem appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice.
verse value 4500
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 61 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָ֛ה) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. Verse gematria: 4500 is divisible by 50, the years to the Jubilee (yovel). The shortest word is "to·him" (ל֗וֹ, 2 letters) and the longest is "your·prayer" (אֶת־תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 17: this, sacrifice. 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "your·prayer" (אֶת־תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ), "and·I·have·chosen" (וּבָחַ֜רְתִּי). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "for·house·of" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "and·he·said" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'in·the·night', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 10 words. Full calculation: וַיֵּרָ֧א [and·he·appeared] (217) + יְהֹוָ֛ה [Hashem] (26) + אֶל־שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה [to·Solomon] (406) + בַּלָּ֑יְלָה [in·the·night] (77) + וַיֹּ֣אמֶר [and·he·said] (257) + ל֗וֹ [to·him] (36) + שָׁמַ֙עְתִּי֙ [I·have·heard] (820) + אֶת־תְּפִלָּתֶ֔ךָ [your·prayer] (1331) + וּבָחַ֜רְתִּי [and·I·have·chosen] (626) + בַּמָּק֥וֹם [in·the·place] (188) + הַזֶּ֛ה [this] (17) + לִ֖י [to·Myself] (40) + לְבֵ֥ית [for·house·of] (442) + זָֽבַח [sacrifice] (17) = 4500.
Rashi
And the Lord appeared to Solomon at night in a vision of the night. I have heard your prayer With the wording that Solomon used, “And You shall hear.” The Holy One, blessed be He, answered him: “I have heard your prayer.” He prayed, (above 6:26): “When heaven is closed up.” And the Holy One, blessed be He, answered him, “If I close up.” He prayed concerning famine and locusts, and the Holy One, blessed be He, answered him, “if I command locusts.” He prayed concerning pestilence, and the Holy One, blessed be He, answered him, “or if I send pestilence upon My people. and My people... humble themselves” by praying and seeking My presence and repenting of their evil ways. Hence we have three [responses] corresponding to three [entreaties].
Ralbag
and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer,’ etc. — Here he expanded the account, because he had already omitted some of these matters in the Book of Kings; and all of this is clear together with what we explained there.
Metzudat David
For a house of sacrifice – To be for Me a house of sacrifice.
Malbim
'And Hashem appeared' — this vision, and everything said within it, is mentioned in Kings (ch. 9); only what is stated here in verses 13, 14, and 15 is additional and not mentioned there, while the rest of the material appears there with slight changes. 'I have heard your prayer' — for Solomon had prayed about two things: first, that Hashem cause His Divine Presence to rest there and hear the prayer of those who pray before Him; second, concerning the endurance of the kingship of the House of David. And He told him that He had heard and accepted his prayer: as for the resting of the Divine Presence — 'I have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice'; and as for the acceptance of prayers —
If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locust to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among My people;
verse value 2500
Insights
Verse structure: 12 words, 56 letters. Verse gematria: 2500 = 50². The shortest word is "if" (הֵ֣ן, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·not·it·shall·be" (וְלֹא־יִהְיֶ֣ה, 7 letters). 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "if" (הֵ֣ן), "I·shut·up" (אֶעֱצֹ֤ר), "and·if·I·command" (וְהֵן־אֲצַוֶּ֥ה). 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "in·My·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "and·not·it·shall·be" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "pestilence" (root דבר, 108x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root הן ("if") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root צוה ("and·if·I·command") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·land', dividing the verse into phrases of 9 and 3 words. Full calculation: הֵ֣ן [if] (55) + אֶעֱצֹ֤ר [I·shut·up] (361) + הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙ [the·heaven] (395) + וְלֹא־יִהְיֶ֣ה [and·not·it·shall·be] (67) + מָטָ֔ר [rain] (249) + וְהֵן־אֲצַוֶּ֥ה [and·if·I·command] (163) + עַל־חָגָ֖ב [concerning·locust] (113) + לֶאֱכ֣וֹל [to·eat] (87) + הָאָ֑רֶץ [the·land] (296) + וְאִם־אֲשַׁלַּ֥ח [and·if·I·send] (386) + דֶּ֖בֶר [pestilence] (206) + בְּעַמִּֽי [in·My·people] (122) = 2500.
Rashi
If I shut up... if I command...or if I send corresponding to three prayers, “I shall hear...and forgive their sin, and heal their land.”
Metzudat David
If I shut up heaven – That is, any trouble that might come upon them, whether the withholding of rain from the heavens or the sending of locusts, etc.
Metzudat Zion
If I shut up (e'etzor) - An expression of withholding. The locust (chagav) - A kind of locust.
Malbim
'If I shut up' — this refers back to what he said in his prayer (6:26-29): that if Hashem should decree a stoppage of rain, or locusts, or pestilence, He would accept their prayer and their repentance, and that by forgiving their sin He would heal their land — for the sin is the wound, and repentance is the cure.
if My people, upon whom My name is called, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their evil ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
verse value 6309
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 94 letters. The shortest word is "My·people" (עַמִּ֜י, 3 letters) and the longest is "is·called·My·name" (נִֽקְרָא־שְׁמִ֣י, 7 letters). 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "is·called·My·name" (נִֽקְרָא־שְׁמִ֣י), "and·they·shall·pray" (וְיִֽתְפַּֽלְלוּ֙), "and·they·shall·seek" (וִיבַקְשׁ֣וּ). 18 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "My·people" (root עם, 149x in II Chronicles); "My·face" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root כנע ("and·they·shall·humble·themselves") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root בקש ("and·they·shall·seek") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'the·evil', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 7 words.
Metzudat David
Shall humble themselves – And when My people humble themselves, etc. Then will I hear – Then I will hear, etc.
Now My eyes shall be open, and My ears attent, to the prayer that is made in this place.
verse value 3570
Insights
Verse structure: 9 words, 39 letters. The shortest word is "now" (עַתָּ֗ה, 3 letters) and the longest is "open" (פְתֻח֔וֹת, 5 letters). 2 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "they·shall·be" (יִהְי֣וּ), "and·My·ears" (וְאׇזְנַ֖י). 9 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "they·shall·be" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "this" (root זה, 51x in II Chronicles); "My·eyes" (root עין, 32x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'attent', dividing the verse into phrases of 6 and 3 words. Full calculation: עַתָּ֗ה [now] (475) + עֵינַי֙ [My·eyes] (140) + יִהְי֣וּ [they·shall·be] (31) + פְתֻח֔וֹת [open] (894) + וְאׇזְנַ֖י [and·My·ears] (74) + קַשֻּׁב֑וֹת [attent] (808) + לִתְפִלַּ֖ת [to·prayer·of] (940) + הַמָּק֥וֹם [the·place] (191) + הַזֶּֽה [this] (17) = 3570.
Metzudat David
To the prayer that is made in this place – The prayer that they will pray in this place.
Metzudat Zion
Attent (keshuvot) - Listening.
Malbim
'Now My eyes' — meaning that the resting of the Divine Presence will be there permanently, and that He will receive the prayers offered there with attentive ears.
For now have I chosen and hallowed this house, that My name may be there for ever; and My eyes and My heart shall be there perpetually.
verse value 4832
Insights
Verse structure: 13 words, 62 letters. The shortest word is "there" (שָׁ֖ם, 2 letters) and the longest is "to·be·My·name" (לִֽהְיוֹת־שְׁמִ֥י, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 340: there, there. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·I·have·hallowed" (וְהִקְדַּ֙שְׁתִּי֙), "to·be·My·name" (לִֽהְיוֹת־שְׁמִ֥י), "until·forever" (עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם). The root היה appears 2 times in this verse. 11 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "the·house" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "to·be·My·name" (root היה, 133x in II Chronicles); "all·the·days" (root יום, 71x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'until·forever', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 5 words. Full calculation: וְעַתָּ֗ה [and·now] (481) + בָּחַ֤רְתִּי [I·have·chosen] (620) + וְהִקְדַּ֙שְׁתִּי֙ [and·I·have·hallowed] (825) + אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת [the·house] (818) + הַזֶּ֔ה [this] (17) + לִֽהְיוֹת־שְׁמִ֥י [to·be·My·name] (801) + שָׁ֖ם [there] (340) + עַד־עוֹלָ֑ם [until·forever] (220) + וְהָי֨וּ [and·they·shall·be] (27) + עֵינַ֧י [My·eyes] (140) + וְלִבִּ֛י [and·My·heart] (48) + שָׁ֖ם [there] (340) + כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים [all·the·days] (155) = 4832.
Rashi
and My eyes and heart will be Jonathan renders (I Kings 9:3): “and My presence will rest there if My will is performed there at all times.” My eyes will be there if My heart and My will are there.
Metzudat David
For ever – I will no longer cause My Divine Presence to rest in any other place. My eyes and My heart – That is, My providence.
Malbim
'For now have I chosen,' etc., 'that My name may be there' — see my commentary on Kings, ad loc.
And as for you, if you will walk before Me as David your father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and will keep My statutes and My ordinances;
verse value 5140
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 61 letters. The shortest word is "he·walked" (הָלַךְ֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·to·do" (וְלַעֲשׂ֕וֹת, 6 letters). 5 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "if·you·shall·walk" (אִם־תֵּלֵ֣ךְ), "I·have·commanded·you" (צִוִּיתִ֑יךָ), "and·My·statutes" (וְחֻקַּ֥י). The root הלך appears 2 times in this verse. 12 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "as" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "and·to·do" (root עשה, 159x in II Chronicles); "before·Me" (root פנים, 116x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root חק ("and·My·statutes") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'I·have·commanded·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 11 and 3 words. Full calculation: וְאַתָּ֞ה [and·you] (412) + אִם־תֵּלֵ֣ךְ [if·you·shall·walk] (491) + לְפָנַ֗י [before·Me] (170) + כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר [as] (521) + הָלַךְ֙ [he·walked] (55) + דָּוִ֣יד [David] (24) + אָבִ֔יךָ [your·father] (33) + וְלַעֲשׂ֕וֹת [and·to·do] (812) + כְּכֹ֖ל [as·all] (70) + אֲשֶׁ֣ר [that] (501) + צִוִּיתִ֑יךָ [I·have·commanded·you] (536) + וְחֻקַּ֥י [and·My·statutes] (124) + וּמִשְׁפָּטַ֖י [and·My·ordinances] (445) + תִּשְׁמֽוֹר [you·shall·keep] (946) = 5140.
Malbim
'And as for you' — there [in Kings] it is written, 'as David your father walked in integrity of heart and in uprightness,' etc., 'and I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever, as I spoke concerning David your father, saying: there shall not fail you a man upon the throne of Israel.' It appears that Ezra has added a distinct point here. In Kings it states that if he walks 'in integrity and uprightness' — meaning perfect conduct with no external, ulterior motive — then the 'throne of the kingdom' [כסא ממלכה] will be established (there being a difference between 'throne of kingship' [כסא מלוכה], which indicates only that he will reign, and 'throne of kingdom' [כסא ממלכה], which indicates the people over whom he reigns) — that is, that he will reign over all of Israel, and that this will last forever; and concerning this [condition], He did not make a covenant with David, but only spoke to him. Ezra adds that even if the conduct is not marked by integrity and uprightness — even if he keeps Hashem's commandments, but not for their own sake — nevertheless, at the very least, He will establish the throne of kingship over part of Israel (and concerning this it does not say 'forever'); and concerning this a covenant was made, that at least one man from among his descendants would rule in Israel, even if there would not be general rule over the entire people.
then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, according as I covenanted with David your father, saying: There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.
verse value 5025
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 61 letters. The shortest word is "to·you" (לְךָ֙, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·I·will·establish" (וַהֲקִ֣ימוֹתִ֔י, 8 letters). 3 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·I·will·establish" (וַהֲקִ֣ימוֹתִ֔י), "your·kingdom" (מַלְכוּתֶ֑ךָ), "I·cut" (כָּרַ֗תִּי). The root כרת appears 2 times in this verse. 13 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "as" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "saying" (root אמר, 184x in II Chronicles); "in·Israel" (root ישראל, 140x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root משל ("ruling") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'your·kingdom', dividing the verse into phrases of 4 and 10 words.
Metzudat David
Then I will establish – So that it will endure forever for your descendants after you. There shall not fail you – That is, from your descendants.
But if you turn away, and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
verse value 7062
Insights
Verse structure: 14 words, 76 letters. Notable word values: "gods" (אֱלֹהִ֣ים) = 86, equal to Elohim. The shortest word is "you" (אַתֶּ֔ם, 3 letters) and the longest is "and·if·you·turn·away" (וְאִם־תְּשׁוּב֣וּן, 9 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, and·you·shall·go. 7 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·if·you·turn·away" (וְאִם־תְּשׁוּב֣וּן), "and·you·shall·forsake" (וַֽעֲזַבְתֶּם֙), "My·statutes" (חֻקּוֹתַ֣י). 14 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "gods" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles); "I·have·given" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root אתם ("you") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root עזב ("and·you·shall·forsake") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'before·you', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 6 words. Full calculation: וְאִם־תְּשׁוּב֣וּן [and·if·you·turn·away] (811) + אַתֶּ֔ם [you] (441) + וַֽעֲזַבְתֶּם֙ [and·you·shall·forsake] (525) + חֻקּוֹתַ֣י [My·statutes] (524) + וּמִצְוֺתַ֔י [and·My·commandments] (552) + אֲשֶׁ֥ר [that] (501) + נָתַ֖תִּי [I·have·given] (860) + לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם [before·you] (230) + וַהֲלַכְתֶּ֗ם [and·you·shall·go] (501) + וַֽעֲבַדְתֶּם֙ [and·you·shall·serve] (522) + אֱלֹהִ֣ים [gods] (86) + אֲחֵרִ֔ים [other] (259) + וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶ֖ם [and·you·shall·worship] (1175) + לָהֶֽם [to·them] (75) = 7062.
Metzudat David
But if you turn away – This is said concerning Israel as a whole.
Malbim
'But if you turn away' — and there [in Kings] it says: 'But if you shall turn away, you and your children,' etc., 'then I will cut off Israel,' etc., 'and this house I will send away [banish],' etc. There it speaks of the case where he and his sons turn away from Hashem in a continual, repeated manner — for it says 'shuv teshuvun' [literally, turn back, turn away], and an infinitive placed before its own verb indicates the continuity of the action — in which case He will cut off Israel completely and utterly banish the house. Here, however, it speaks of the case where he alone turns away from Hashem — in which case, at the very least, He will 'uproot' Israel, which means plucking up what is planted from its place, even though He will not cut them off entirely. 'And the house will I cast off' — meaning that He will no longer watch over it with the resting of His Divine Presence; even though He will not banish it outright, it will merely be cast down — from heaven to earth.
then will I pluck them up by the roots out of My land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for My name, will I cast out of My sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.
verse value 8000
Insights
Verse structure: 18 words, 84 letters. Verse gematria: 8000 is divisible by 50, the years to the Jubilee (yovel). The shortest word is "from·upon" (מֵעַ֤ל, 3 letters) and the longest is "in·all·the·peoples" (בְּכׇל־הָעַמִּֽים, 8 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 9 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·I·will·pluck·them·up" (וּנְתַשְׁתִּ֗ים), "My·land" (אַדְמָתִי֙), "and·the·house" (וְאֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת). The root על appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "and·the·house" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles); "I·have·given" (root נתן, 116x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root שלך ("I·will·cast") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'My·face', dividing the verse into phrases of 14 and 4 words.
Rashi
I shall cast from before Me according to the condition between Me and you, viz. (Lev. 26: 14): “But if you do not heed Me.” What does it say there? (verse 31): “And I shall make your sanctuaries desolate.” and I shall make it a proverb as people compose a proverb about someone who was befallen by misfortune. and a byword - Heb. וְלִשְׁנִינָה, like (Deut. 6:7): וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ, “and you shall teach them.” [It is] an expression of recounting misfortunes. Similarly, the Targum of (Gen. 37:10) וַיְסַפֵּר “And he told,” is וְאִשְׁתָּעֵי, and [the Targum of] וְלִשְׁנִינָה is וּלְשׁוּעֵי.
Metzudat David
Will I cast out – That is, I will reject them. A proverb – From the destruction of the House they will draw a proverb applied to other calamities.
Metzudat Zion
Will I pluck them up (unteshatim) - An expression of uprooting, as in 'to pluck up and to break down' (Jeremiah 1). And a byword (v'lishninah) - An expression of constantly repeated speech, as in 'and you shall teach them diligently to your children' (Deuteronomy 6).
And this house, which is so high, every one who passes by it shall be astonished, and shall say: Why has Hashem done thus to this land, and to this house?
verse value 3884
Insights
Verse structure: 17 words, 65 letters. Notable word values: "Hashem" (יְהֹוָה֙) = 26, the value of the divine name Hashem. The shortest word is "this" (הַזֶּה֙, 3 letters) and the longest is "to·all·passing" (לְכׇל־עֹבֵ֥ר, 6 letters). Words sharing gematria 17: this, this. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "high" (עֶלְי֔וֹן), "to·all·passing" (לְכׇל־עֹבֵ֥ר), "shall·be·astonished" (יִשֹּׁ֑ם). The root בית appears 2 times in this verse. 15 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "and·the·house" (root בית, 191x in II Chronicles). First appearance of the root עליון ("high") in II Chronicles. First appearance of the root עבר ("to·all·passing") in II Chronicles. The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'shall·be·astonished', dividing the verse into phrases of 8 and 9 words.
Rashi
every passerby will be astounded i.e., The Temple will be destroyed, and every passerby will then be astounded (יִשֹּׁם), like (Job 18:20): “Concerning his day - the later people shall be astonished (נָשַׁמּוּ).” Why has the Lord done בַּמֶּה, like (Deut. 29:23): “Why (עַל מֶה) has the Lord done thus,” and so it is written in I Kings (9:9).
Metzudat David
Which is so high – For before the destruction it was supremely lofty in the eyes of everyone who passed by; now, in its ruin, each person will be appalled at the extent of the devastation. Why – For what reason.
Metzudat Zion
Shall be astonished (yishom) - An expression of astonishment, as in 'shall be astonished and hiss' (Jeremiah 19).
Malbim
'Which is so high' — this explains what is stated there [in Kings]: 'and this house will be exalted.'
And they shall answer: Because they forsook Hashem, the God of their fathers, who brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them; therefore has He brought all this evil upon them.’
verse value 6164
Insights
Verse structure: 23 words, 108 letters. Notable word values: "He·has·brought" (הֵבִ֣יא) = 18, chai, 'life'. The shortest word is "because" (עַל֩, 2 letters) and the longest is "and·they·laid·hold" (וַֽיַּחֲזִ֙יקוּ֙, 7 letters). Words sharing gematria 501: that, that. 4 words in this verse appear nowhere else in II Chronicles. Unique to this verse in II Chronicles (hapax): "and·they·shall·say" (וְאָמְר֗וּ), "he·brought·them·out" (הוֹצִיאָם֮), "and·they·served·them" (וַיַּעַבְד֑וּם). The root על appears 2 times in this verse. 20 unique roots are used. Frequent roots: "Hashem" (root יהוה, 384x in II Chronicles); "that" (root אשר, 203x in II Chronicles); "the·God·of" (root אלהים, 202x in II Chronicles). The etnachta (major mid-verse pause) falls on 'and·they·served·them', dividing the verse into phrases of 17 and 6 words.
Metzudat David
And they shall answer – Those who reply will say. Has He brought – [The subject is] Hashem, the God of their fathers, mentioned above in the verse.
Metzudat David
Malbim