2 Chronicles 2:10 Meaning: Fair Wages for God's Workers
Behold, I will give to your servants, the cutters who cut timber, twenty thousand cors of beaten wheat, twenty thousand baths of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.”
And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
`And lo, to hewers, to those cutting the trees, I have given beaten wheat to thy servants, cors twenty thousand, and barley, cors twenty thousand, and wine, baths twenty thousand, and oil, baths twenty thousand.'
And behold, I will give to thy servants the hewers that fell timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
Meaning in one sentence
What does 2 Chronicles 2:10 mean? Solomon's generous provisions for the temple workers reveal God's heart for fair wages and practical care.
Context
Solomon is preparing to build the temple, a task he knows is too great for any human house to hold God. He writes to King Huram of Tyre, asking for skilled craftsmen and timber from Lebanon. In earlier verses, Solomon speaks with humility: who is he to build a house for the God whom heaven cannot contain? But he does not let that stop him from acting. He makes a detailed arrangement, promising to provide food and drink for the foreign laborers who will cut and haul the wood. This verse records the scale of that provision, wheat, barley, wine, oil in massive amounts. It is practical, generous, and tied directly to the work being done.
Key Words
The phrase “beaten wheat” appears only here in the Old Testament, and commentators differ on what it means. Some think it refers to wheat ground into flour, ready to be made into bread. Others suggest it was wheat stripped of husk and softened for cooking. Either way, it was prepared food, not raw grain, thoughtful provision for men far from home. The word “cors” (or “measures”) describes a standard container holding nearly four hundred litres. Twenty thousand cors of wheat and the same of barley would feed a small army. The “baths” for wine and oil were smaller, about twenty-two litres each. Twenty thousand baths of oil is a hundred times more than the twenty cors mentioned in 1 Kings 5:11 for Hiram’s court. That difference suggests this payment was for the workmen themselves, not for the king. The sheer size of the gift shows that Solomon did not just meet a contract, he gave abundantly.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians from different traditions have read this verse in light of its parallel in 1 Kings 5:11. Many evangelical commentators, like Jamieson-Fausset-Brown, see no contradiction: the Kings passage records an annual payment to Hiram’s household, while Chronicles specifies provisions for the laborers on site. Reformed commentators such as Matthew Henry note that Solomon’s generosity reflects a heart devoted to God’s house. Catholic readers have often pointed to this verse as an early biblical example of just wages: the laborer deserves his keep, a principle echoed in Luke 10:7. Across traditions, the focus falls on the character behind the transaction, a king who cares for the practical needs of those who serve.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that this verse contradicts 1 Kings 5:11 because the amounts differ. In fact, the two passages likely describe different transactions. The Kings account tells what Solomon gave annually to Hiram himself, twenty cors of oil. The Chronicles account tells what he gave directly to the workmen: huge quantities of wheat, barley, wine, and oil. One was a royal tribute; the other was daily bread for the crew. Both records stand together without error.
Living This Out
This week, you might be involved in a project at work, at church, or at home. It could be big, like Solomon’s temple, or small, like fixing a fence. The question this verse asks is simple: are the people doing the work getting what they need? That might mean paying a fair wage, bringing a meal, or simply saying thank you. God ties His great plans to everyday provision. He does not separate the sacred from the practical. If you manage others or hire help, consider their wellbeing as part of the work itself. If you are the laborer, take heart: the God who provided twenty thousand measures of wheat sees your effort too.
Main takeaway: God’s concern for fair and generous provision for workers is woven into the fabric of building His house.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God wanted the workers who cut trees for the temple to have plenty of food. Solomon gave them wheat, barley, wine, and oil. You can share your snacks with someone who works hard too.
For ages 9, 12
When Solomon built the temple, he planned ahead to feed the workers well. He gave them huge amounts of grain, wine, and oil, not just a little, but enough for everyone. This shows that God cares about workers and wants us to treat people fairly. Even when you are doing something for God, He still wants you to take care of people’s everyday needs like food and drink. Next time someone does a job for you, think about what they might need to keep going.
Questions People Ask
Why does 2 Chronicles 2:10 mention different amounts than 1 Kings 5:11?
The two passages likely describe different payments. 1 Kings 5:11 records what Solomon gave annually to King Hiram himself: twenty thousand cors of wheat and twenty cors of oil for Hiram's household. 2 Chronicles 2:10 records what Solomon gave directly to the workmen who cut the timber: twenty thousand cors each of wheat and barley, plus twenty thousand baths each of wine and oil. The amounts differ because the recipients and purposes differ.
What is 'beaten wheat'?
The Hebrew phrase appears only here and is uncertain. Most commentators think it means wheat that has been ground into flour or possibly wheat stripped of its husk and softened for cooking. Either way, it was prepared food, not raw grain, a sign of thoughtful provision for the workers.
How much is a 'cor' or a 'bath'?
A cor (also called a homer) was a dry measure equal to about 394 litres (about 10 bushels). A bath was a liquid measure, about 22 litres (about 5.8 gallons). So twenty thousand cors of wheat was an enormous amount, enough to feed thousands of workers for months.
What does this verse teach about paying workers today?
Christians have long seen here a principle of fair compensation. The laborer deserves his wages, and those who benefit from someone's work should provide generously for that person's needs. The New Testament reinforces this in Luke 10:7 and Romans 13:7-8. The verse reminds us that God cares about practical provision, not just spiritual outcomes.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study