Definition: [Even] three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses [withal]:
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this biblical passage! It's a pretty complex verse from 1 Chronicles, but we can understand it in simpler terms. Here’s what it means: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a massive building project – building a huge temple or structure – that was planned by King David. It’s essentially saying they were going to build an incredibly opulent and impressive structure with massive amounts of gold and silver. Let's unpack the details: “Even”: This word emphasizes that it wasn't just a small amount; it was a significant quantity. "Three thousand talents…" : A "talent" in ancient times was like a unit of measurement for precious metal – think of it as a large, weighty piece of gold or silver. “Three thousand” means they were planning to use a huge number of these pieces. “…of the gold of Ophir…” : Ophir is a place mentioned in the Bible (Genesis 22), and it’s associated with wealth and luxury. It's often portrayed as a land rich in precious metals – specifically, gold. So, they were aiming for lots of gold here. “…and seven thousand talents of refined silver…” : This is even more impressive! They were planning to use an even larger amount of silver than gold – think of it as a huge pile of pure, shiny metal. “Refined” means it was carefully and skillfully made, rather than just being raw ore. What's the Purpose? The reason for this massive building project is that it was meant to demonstrate God’s power and blessings to the people of Israel. It was a show of wealth and grandeur – a way for David to solidify his rule and show off the nation’s prosperity. It also symbolized a commitment to providing for the people with abundant resources. Important Note: The Bible doesn't explicitly say why they were building this structure. It's more about the scale of the effort and the potential significance it held. --- Do you want me to: Explain any part of this verse in more detail? Connect this passage to other biblical stories or themes? Discuss the historical context (what was happening in Israel at the time)?