1 Chronicles 22:2 So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God.

Bible > 1 Chronicles > Chapter 22 > Verse 2

◄ 1 Chronicles 22:2 ►

New International Version
So David gave orders to assemble the foreigners residing in Israel, and from among them he appointed stonecutters to prepare dressed stone for building the house of God.

New Living Translation
So David gave orders to call together the foreigners living in Israel, and he assigned them the task of preparing finished stone for building the Temple of God.

English Standard Version
David commanded to gather together the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God.

Berean Standard Bible
So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God.

King James Bible
And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

New King James Version
So David commanded to gather the aliens who were in the land of Israel; and he appointed masons to cut hewn stones to build the house of God.

New American Standard Bible
So David gave orders to gather the strangers who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to cut out stones to build the house of God.

NASB 1995
So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God.

NASB 1977
So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God.

Legacy Standard Bible
So David said to gather the sojourners who were in the land of Israel, and he appointed stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God.

Amplified Bible
So David gave orders to gather the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, and he assigned stonecutters to hew out stones to build the house of God.

Christian Standard Bible
So David gave orders to gather the resident aliens that were in the land of Israel, and he appointed stonecutters to cut finished stones for building God’s house.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So David gave orders to gather the foreigners that were in the land of Israel, and he appointed stonecutters to cut finished stones for building God’s house.

American Standard Version
And David commanded to gather together the sojourners that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

Contemporary English Version
David ordered the foreigners living in Israel to come to Jerusalem. Then he assigned some to cut blocks of stone for building the temple.

English Revised Version
And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
David ordered the foreigners living in Israel to gather. He appointed some of them to cut stones to build God's temple.

Good News Translation
King David gave orders for all the foreigners living in the land of Israel to assemble, and he put them to work. Some of them prepared stone blocks for building the Temple.

International Standard Version
David subsequently issued orders to conscript the resident aliens who lived in the land of Israel and appointed stonecutters to prepare stones for building a temple for God.

Majority Standard Bible
So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God.

NET Bible
David ordered the resident foreigners in the land of Israel to be called together. He appointed some of them to be stonecutters to chisel stones for the building of God's temple.

New Heart English Bible
David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut worked stones to build God's house.

Webster's Bible Translation
And David commanded to assemble the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

World English Bible
David gave orders to gather together the foreigners who were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to cut dressed stones to build God’s house.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And David says to gather the sojourners who [are] in the land of Israel, and appoints hewers to hew hewn-stones to build a house of God.

Young's Literal Translation
And David saith to gather the sojourners who are in the land of Israel, and appointeth hewers to hew hewn-stones to build a house of God.

Smith's Literal Translation
And David will say to assemble the strangers which are in the land of Israel; and he will set up hewers of stone to hew out hewn stones to build the house of God.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he commanded to gather together all the proselytes of the land of Israel, and out of them he appointed stonecutters to hew stones and polish them, to build the house of God.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he instructed them to gather all the new converts from the land of Israel. And from these he appointed stoneworkers, to hew stones and to polish them, so that he might build the house of God.

New American Bible
David then ordered that the resident aliens in the land of Israel should be brought together, and he appointed them stonecutters to hew out stone blocks for building the house of God.

New Revised Standard Version
David gave orders to gather together the aliens who were residing in the land of Israel, and he set stonecutters to prepare dressed stones for building the house of God.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And David commanded to gather together all the proselytes who were in the land of Israel, to make some of them stonecutters to hew stones for the house of the LORD;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And David said to gather all the proselytes who were in the land of Israel, and they shall make of them Stonecutters, and they shall cut stones for the house of LORD JEHOVAH

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And David gave orders to gather all the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he appointed stone-hewers to hew polished stones to build the house to God.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Preparations for the Temple
1Then David said, “Here shall be the house of the LORD God, as well as the altar of burnt offering for Israel.” 2So David gave orders to gather the foreigners in the land of Israel, from whom he appointed stonecutters to prepare finished stones for building the house of God. 3David provided a large quantity of iron to make the nails for the doors of the gateways and for the fittings, together with more bronze than could be weighed…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 5:13-18
Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel. / He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. / Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, ...

2 Chronicles 2:17-18
Solomon numbered all the foreign men in the land of Israel following the census his father David had conducted, and there were found to be 153,600 in all. / Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.

1 Kings 9:20-21
As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

2 Samuel 5:11
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

1 Kings 5:6
Now therefore, order that cedars of Lebanon be cut down for me. My servants will be with your servants, and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that there are none among us as skilled in logging as the Sidonians.”

2 Chronicles 2:1-2
Now Solomon purposed to build a house for the Name of the LORD and a royal palace for himself. / So he conscripted 70,000 porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.

1 Kings 5:1
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

2 Chronicles 2:3
Then Solomon sent word to Hiram king of Tyre: “Do for me as you did for my father David when you sent him cedars to build himself a house to live in.

1 Kings 5:15-16
Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, / not including his 3,300 foremen who supervised the workers.

2 Chronicles 2:7-10
Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided. / Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber there. And indeed, my servants will work with yours / to prepare for me timber in abundance, because the temple I am building will be great and wonderful. ...

1 Kings 9:15
This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon imposed to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, and the wall of Jerusalem, as well as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.

2 Chronicles 2:18
Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.

1 Kings 5:18
So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.

2 Chronicles 2:14
He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in work with gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple, blue, and crimson yarn, and fine linen. He is experienced in every kind of engraving and can execute any design that is given him. He will work with your craftsmen and with those of my lord, your father David.

1 Kings 5:17
And the king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones.

Treasury of Scripture

And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew worked stones to build the house of God.

the strangers

1 Kings 9:20,21
And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, …

2 Chronicles 2:17
And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.

2 Chronicles 8:7,8
As for all the people that were left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which were not of Israel, …

masons

1 Samuel 14:1
Now it came to pass upon a day, that Jonathan the son of Saul said unto the young man that bare his armour, Come, and let us go over to the Philistines' garrison, that is on the other side. But he told not his father.

2 Samuel 5:11
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

1 Kings 5:17,18
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house…

Jump to Previous

Aliens Appointed Appointeth Assemble Build Building Commanded Cut David Dressed Foreigners Gather Hew Hewers House Israel Lands Masons Orders Prepare Sojourners Stone Stonecutters Stone-Cutters Stones Strange Strangers Together Work Worked Wrought

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1 Chronicles 22

1. David, foreknowing the place of the temple, prepares abundance for building it.
6. He instructs Solomon in God's promises, and his duty in building the temple.
17. He charges the princes to assist his son

Berean Study Bible

So David gave orders
This phrase indicates a decisive action taken by King David, reflecting his leadership and commitment to fulfilling God's plan. The Hebrew root for "gave orders" is "צָוָה" (tsavah), which means to command or charge. This reflects David's authoritative role as king and his dedication to ensuring that the preparations for the temple were carried out according to divine instructions. Historically, David's leadership was pivotal in uniting the tribes of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center.

to gather the foreigners
The term "foreigners" refers to non-Israelites residing in the land, often seen as laborers or skilled workers. The Hebrew word used here is "גֵּרִים" (gerim), which can mean sojourners or aliens. This highlights the inclusivity of David's reign, where even those not of Israelite descent were integrated into the nation's grand projects. It also reflects the broader biblical theme of God's concern for all nations and peoples, as seen in the Abrahamic covenant where all nations would be blessed through Israel.

in the land of Israel
This phrase situates the action within the geographical and covenantal boundaries of Israel, the Promised Land given to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The land of Israel holds significant theological importance as the place where God's people were to live in obedience to His laws and where His presence would dwell in the temple. The historical context of this period shows Israel as a burgeoning kingdom under David's rule, expanding its influence and solidifying its identity.

and he appointed stonecutters
David's appointment of stonecutters underscores the practical and preparatory steps necessary for the temple's construction. The Hebrew word for "appointed" is "נָתַן" (natan), meaning to give or set. This reflects David's organizational skills and foresight in assembling a skilled workforce. Stonecutting was a specialized craft, essential for creating the temple's foundational elements, and it required precision and expertise, symbolizing the care and excellence expected in building a house for God.

to prepare finished stones
The preparation of "finished stones" indicates the meticulous work involved in temple construction. The Hebrew term "חָצוּב" (chatzuv) refers to hewn or cut stones, emphasizing the quality and readiness of materials used. This preparation signifies the importance of offering God the best, a principle seen throughout Scripture where offerings and sacrifices were to be without blemish. It also points to the spiritual preparation required of God's people, as they are likened to living stones being built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).

for building the house of God
The "house of God" refers to the temple, a central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word for "house" is "בַּיִת" (bayit), which can mean both a physical structure and a household or family. This dual meaning reflects the temple's role as both a physical edifice and a symbol of God's covenant relationship with Israel. Theologically, the temple foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is the true temple, and the establishment of the Church as the body of Christ, where God's Spirit dwells.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(2-5) David gathers craftsmen, and accumulates materials for building the house of God.

(2) And David commanded to gather together the strangers.--The word rendered "to gather together" (k?nas) is different from the terms used in 1Chronicles 15:3-4; 1Chronicles 19:7, and is late in this sense.

The strangers (gerim).--Sojourners, or resident foreigners, such as Israel had been in Egypt (Genesis 15:13). The Canaanite population are meant, who lived on sufferance under the Israelite dominion, and were liable to forced service if the government required it. (See 2Chronicles 8:7-8, and 1Kings 9:20-21.) Solomon found them by census to be 153,600 souls. The census was a preliminary to apportioning their several tasks. (See 2Chronicles 2:17-18.) David, probably on the present occasion, had held a similar census of the Canaanite serfs (2Chronicles 2:17). . . .

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 2. - The strangers. These are plainly called in the Septuagint "proselytes" (τたうοおみくろんὺς προσηλὺτους). They were, of course, foreign workmen, who came in pursuit of their trade. The injunctions as to "strangers," and with regard to showing them kindness, are very numerous, beginning with Exodus 12:19, 48, 49; Exodus 22:21(20); Exodus 23:9; Leviticus 19:10, 33, 34; Numbers 15:14-16; Deuteronomy 10:18, 19; Joshua 8:33-35. It was not David's object merely to gain cheap or compulsory work (2 Chronicles 2:17, 18), but to obtain a skill, which immigrants from certain places would possess, in excess of that of his own people (2 Chronicles 2:7, 8, 13, 14), especially considering the absorption of Israel in the pursuit of war, which had so largely impeded their study and practice of these the arts of peace.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

So David
דָּוִ֔יד (dā·wîḏ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse

gave orders
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to gather
לִכְנוֹס֙ (liḵ·nō·ws)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3664: To collect, to enfold

the foreigners
הַגֵּרִ֔ים (hag·gê·rîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1616: A guest, a foreigner

in the land
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ (bə·’e·reṣ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 776: Earth, land

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

from whom he appointed
וַיַּעֲמֵ֣ד (way·ya·‘ă·mêḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

stonecutters
חֹֽצְבִ֗ים (ḥō·ṣə·ḇîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2672: To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

to prepare
לַחְצוֹב֙ (laḥ·ṣō·wḇ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 2672: To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave

finished
גָזִ֔ית (ḡā·zîṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1496: Something cut, dressed stone

stones
אַבְנֵ֣י (’aḇ·nê)
Noun - feminine plural construct
Strong's 68: A stone

for building
לִבְנ֖וֹת (liḇ·nō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 1129: To build

the house
בֵּ֥ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of God.
הָאֱלֹהִֽים׃ (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

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OT History: 1 Chronicles 22:2 David commanded to gather together the foreigners (1 Chron. 1Ch iCh i Ch 1 chr 1chr)