II Chronicles 2:10 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 2:10 Commentary: Generous Provision for Workers
Hebrew · 8 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does this payment differ from 1 Kings? This study explores the meaning of Solomon's provision, fair wages, and God's abundance.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Solomon's promise of payment to Hiram's workers for temple construction.
- Key words: "Beaten wheat" (uncertain, likely food); "cors" (about 220 liters); "baths" (about 22 liters).
- Main debate: How to harmonize the different amounts in 1 Kings 5:11.
- Theological theme: God's provision and the principle of fair compensation for labor.
- Best use: Teaching on generosity, labor ethics, and the details of temple building.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
I will pay your servants, the woodcutters, 20,000 cors of ground wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of olive oil.”
WEB World English Bible 2000
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.”
KJV King James Version 1769
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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
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.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
`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.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
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.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
And I will give thy servants the workmen that are to cut down the trees, for their food twenty thousand cores of wheat, and as many cores of barley, and twenty thousand measures of wine, and twenty thousand measures of oil.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Y he aquí para los operarios tus siervos, cortadores de la madera, he dado veinte mil coros de trigo en grano, y veinte mil coros de cebada, y veinte mil batos de vino, y veinte mil batos de aceite.
E eis que para os operários teus servos, cortadores da madeira, ei dado vinte mil coros de trigo em grão, e vinte mil coros de cevada, e vinte mil batos de vinho, e vinte mil batos de azeite.
Je donnerai à tes serviteurs qui couperont, qui abattront les bois, vingt mille cors de froment foulé, vingt mille cors d’orge, vingt mille baths de vin, et vingt mille baths d’huile.
Und siehe, ich will den Zimmerleuten, deinen Knechten, die das Holz hauen, zwanzigtausend Kor Gerste und zwanzigtausend Kor Weizen und zwanzigtausend Bath Wein und zwanzigtausend Bath Öl geben.
En zie, ik zal uw knechten, den houwers, die het hout houwen, twintig duizend kor uitgeslagen tarwe, en twintig duizend kor gerst geven; daartoe twintig duizend bath wijn, en twintig duizend bath olie.
E ai tuoi servi che abbatteranno e taglieranno il legname io darò ventimila cori di gran battuto, ventimila cori d’orzo, ventimila bati di vino e ventimila bati d’olio”.
A oto robotnikom sługom twoim, którzy mają wycinać drzewo, dam pszenicy mełtej korcy dwadzieścia tysięcy, i jęczmienia korcy dwadzieścia tysięcy, i wina wiader dwadzieścia tysięcy, i oliwy bareł dwadzieścia tysięcy.
И вот древосекам, рубящим дерева, рабам твоим, я даю в пищу: пшеницы двадцать тысяч коров, и ячменю двадцать тысяч коров, и вина двадцать тысяч батов, и оливкового масла двадцать тысяч батов.
你的僕人 砍 伐 樹木，我必給 他們 打好了的 小麥 二萬 歌珥，大麥 二萬 歌珥，酒 二萬 罷特，油 二萬 罷特。」
And I will give as food to your servants, the wood-cutters, twenty thousand measures of grain, and twenty thousand measures of barley and twenty thousand measures of wine and twenty thousand measures of oil.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators generally agree that this verse records payment for the laborers cutting timber, not for King Hiram's court. The parallel in 1 Kings 5:11 gives separate provisions: twenty thousand cors of wheat and twenty cors of pure oil supplied annually to Hiram himself. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown distinguishes the two: the wine and oil in Chronicles were for the workers on Lebanon, while the earlier passage covered the royal household. Gill notes that wheat was scarce in Tyre, making this payment in kind especially valuable. The phrase "beaten wheat" is uncertain; Barnes and the Cambridge Bible suggest the Hebrew text may be corrupt, perhaps originally reading "for food" as in 1 Kings. Despite textual questions, the core point holds: Solomon provided generously for the workmen. The huge quantities (20,000 cors of wheat, around 120,000 bushels, with comparable amounts of barley, wine, and oil) show the scale of the temple project and the wealth God had given Israel. This payment illustrates the biblical principle that laborers are worthy of their wages (Luke 10:7; Romans 13:7-8).
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Complementary account view: Jamieson-Fausset-Brown and others argue that the 1 Kings payment was for Hiram's court, while the 2 Chronicles payment was for the workers. This resolves the numerical discrepancy.
- Textual harmonization view: Barnes and the Cambridge Bible suggest textual corruption in 2 Chronicles, perhaps originally reading 'for food' and with different amounts that were later copied differently.
What is clear: Solomon promised a substantial payment in food and drink for the workers cutting timber for the temple, reflecting generous provision for laborers.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Harmonization with 1 Kings 5:11 | Both passages describe Solomon's payment to Hiram's kingdom; the amounts are historically plausible. | Some see a contradiction that requires harmonization; others see two separate transactions (one for Hiram, one for workers). |
| Meaning of 'beaten wheat' | It refers to wheat prepared as food. | Whether it means ground flour, crushed grain, or something else; some suggest the Hebrew text may be corrupt and originally read 'for food'. |
| Amount of oil | The gift of oil was substantial. | 1 Kings 5:11 mentions 20 cors of oil; here it is 20,000 baths (2,000 cors). Different explanations include different recipients, a later expansion, or a textual variant. |
| Recipient of payment | The payment in 2 Chronicles 2:10 is directed to the laborers. | Whether the 1 Kings passage also refers to workers or only to Hiram's household. |
| Textual reliability | The verse is part of the canonical text and generally reliable. | Barnes and Cambridge note possible corruption in 'beaten wheat'; others accept the Masoretic Text as is. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Solomon's message to Huram king of Tyre opens this chapter. After acknowledging that even heaven cannot contain God (v.6), Solomon requests a skilled craftsman and timber from Lebanon. The Phoenicians were famed for woodworking and metalwork. Tyre had maintained friendship with Israel since David's reign (2 Chronicles 2:3).
Payment in agricultural goods was practical. Tyre, a maritime city with limited farmland, relied on imports for food. Solomon offered wheat, barley, wine, and oil, the staples of the ancient Near East. The measures are enormous. A cor (or homer) held about 220 liters (6 bushels). Twenty thousand cors of wheat could feed thousands of workers for many months. A bath held about 22 liters (6 gallons); twenty thousand baths of wine and oil added tremendous value.
The difference from 1 Kings 5:11 is striking. There, Hiram receives twenty thousand cors of wheat and twenty cors of pure oil for his household. Here, the workers receive larger quantities including barley and wine. Commentators like Jamieson-Fausset-Brown see two separate transactions: one for the king, one for the laborers. Keil and Delitzsch note that the Chronicler fills out details that Kings leaves brief. This reflects careful planning and generosity. The temple project involved seventy thousand burden-bearers, eighty thousand stonecutters, and thirty-six hundred overseers (2:2). Managing such a workforce required diplomacy, resources, and fair treatment of foreign laborers.
This arrangement also shows covenant faithfulness: Solomon honors his word and provides for those who serve. It anticipates the New Testament principle that workers deserve their wages (Luke 10:7).
Textual Notes
The consulted sources (Barnes, Cambridge Bible) note that the Hebrew text for "beaten wheat" is possibly corrupt. Barnes suggests the original may have read "for food" as in 1 Kings 5:11. The Cambridge Bible says the phrase "beaten wheat" occurs nowhere else and is uncertain in meaning. No significant variants are noted for the rest of the verse.
Reception History
Across church history, this verse has been cited in discussions of generosity and fair wages. Matthew Henry observed Solomon's care for the workmen and his liberal provision. The discrepancy with 1 Kings 5:11 prompted much study, with interpreters like the Geneva Bible notes simply printing the verse without comment, while later scholars like Jamieson-Fausset-Brown offered harmonizations. In the medieval period, the verse was used in moral teaching about the proper payment of laborers. The Chronicler's attention to detail has been valued as highlighting the practical aspects of worship preparation. Modern applications include lessons on employer-employee relationships and the biblical basis for just compensation.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Generous Provision for God's Work. Solomon gave massive amounts of wheat, barley, wine, and oil. Keil and Delitzsch note that the Chronicler fills out details that Kings leaves brief. This was not a minimal payment but a lavish supply. It reminds us that God's work deserves our best resources, whether in time, talent, or treasure.
- Fair Wages for Labor. The workers were foreign woodcutters, yet Solomon promised them generous compensation. Gill observes that wheat was scarce in Tyre, so this payment was especially valuable. This reflects the biblical principle that workers deserve their wages (Luke 10:7). Churches and employers today can apply this by paying fairly and providing for those who serve.
- Cooperation Across Boundaries. Israel and Tyre partnered for the temple. The Chronicler emphasizes this alliance. In the body of Christ, we also work with diverse partners for God's purposes.
Five-point outline
- The Context of the Temple Project. Solomon had assembled a massive workforce (2:2). The temple would be "great and wonderful" (v.9).
- The Promise of Payment. Solomon speaks with certainty: "Behold, I will give." He specifies the quantities, showing careful planning.
- The Scale of Generosity. Twenty thousand cors (about 120,000 bushels) of wheat and barley, plus wine and oil in huge amounts. This far exceeded a basic wage.
- The Principle of Fair Compensation. This connects to Romans 13:7-8: pay what you owe. Solomon honored the dignity of the workers.
- The Integration of Faith and Work. The temple was for worship, but it required logging, transport, and food. Both spiritual and practical are honored by God.
Illustration hooks
- A church building project where the congregation not only pays the contractors but also provides daily meals for the crew, recognizing their labor.
- The story of a business owner who sees paying fair wages as part of his Christian witness, even when it cuts profits.
- The logistics of feeding 150,000 workers: Solomon's provision was a massive operation, comparable to supplying a small city.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why are the amounts in 2 Chronicles different from 1 Kings 5:11? Is the Bible consistent?
- Should churches prioritize generous staff salaries or keep costs low for other ministries?
- How does this Old Testament story apply to modern issues like minimum wage and labor rights?
Leading a Discussion
This verse invites us to consider how God provides for His work and how we treat those who serve. Solomon's payment to the woodcutters was generous and specific. It models the biblical call to honor laborers. The parallel in 1 Kings 5:11 raises questions about consistency, but many commentators see them as complementary accounts.
Discussion questions
- Observation: What exactly does Solomon promise to give? List each item and amount.
- Interpretation: Why do you think the payment is in food rather than money? What does that tell us about the relationship between Israel and Tyre?
- Comparison: How does this verse compare with 1 Kings 5:11? What explanations do commentators offer for the difference?
- Theological: What does this passage teach about God's provision for those who build His house?
- Application: In what ways can we apply the principle of fair wages in our workplaces and churches today?
- Reflection: How does this story challenge our attitude toward manual labor and laborers?
- Character: What does Solomon's generosity reveal about his character and his trust in God's abundance?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 5:11 | Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat for food to his household, and twenty cors of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. |
| I Kings 7:26 | It was a hand width thick. Its brim was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths. |
| I Kings 7:38 | He made ten basins of bronze. One basin contained forty baths. Every basin measured four cubits. One basin was on every one of the ten bases. |
| Ezra 7:22 | up to one hundred talents of silver, and to one hundred cors of wheat, and to one hundred baths of wine, and to one hundred baths of oil, and salt without prescribing how much. |
| Luke 10:7 | Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house. |
| Romans 13:7 | Therefore give everyone what you owe: if you owe taxes, pay taxes; if customs, then customs; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. |
| Romans 13:8 | Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes suggests the Hebrew text for "beaten wheat" is probably corrupt, and the original reading likely says the wheat was "given for food." He sees the Chronicles account filling out the brief Kings statement, adding barley, wine, and oil for the foreign laborers' sustenance.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that Chronicles gives a fuller account than 1 Kings, especially Solomon's words about the Temple and his request for a skilled craftsman, which have no parallel in Kings. It also points out that the quantities of wheat and oil differ sharply between the two accounts, with Chronicles listing items like barley and wine that Kings omits and specifying a hundred times more oil.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
And behold, I will giue to thy seruants the cutters and the hewers of timber twentie thousand measures of beaten wheate, and twentie thousand measures of barley, and twentie thousand baths of wine, and twentie thousand baths of oyle.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill clarifies that the "beaten wheat" Solomon promised was not wheat pounded from the husk but grain ground into flour for food. He notes this payment in wheat, barley, wine and oil was especially valuable because the Tyrians relied on imports from Israel for grain, which was scarce in their own region.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JF&B clarifies that the "beaten wheat" offered was a common Eastern meal. They find no contradiction with 1 Kings 5:11 because that passage records annual supplies for Huram's court, while this verse specifies provisions for the workmen on Lebanon.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that while Solomon planned a magnificent temple to honor God's greatness, he never forgot that no building could contain the Creator of heaven itself. The king's humility shines through: he saw the temple as a place for sacrifice, not as a house for the God who fills all things.