Definition: Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 1:5. It’s a really important part of understanding how God chose to establish His temple in Jerusalem. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “Moreover the brasen altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the tabernacle of the LORD: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.” Let's unpack each part: “Moreover…” : This word means "and" in English. It’s a way to connect ideas and add extra information. “the brasen altar” : This is the crucial part. “Brasen” was a special, very important type of altar used in ancient Israel. It was a raised, rectangular platform with a pedestal at the top. Think of it as a slightly elevated platform that made it easier to reach the Holy of Holies (a sacred space within the temple). “that Bezaleel the son of Uri…” : This tells us who built the altar. Bezaleel was a skilled craftsman, and he’s known for his talent with building things. He was a member of the tribe of Hur, which is important because it's a tribe that was already working on building the temple. “the son of Uri…” : This identifies Bezaleel as the builder. Uri was a craftsman who had previously helped build the altar for the priests. “the son of Hur” : Again, this identifies Bezaleel as the builder. The tribe of Hur were already working on the construction. “…had made…” : This means Bezaleel built the altar before the tabernacle was fully completed. “he put before the tabernacle of the LORD…” : This is a very important detail! He wasn’t just building it for himself, but he set it up before the temple was finished to make it easily accessible for worshipers – the people needed to be able to quickly approach the holy place. “and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it.” : This tells us that people from the assembly (the people who were gathered in Jerusalem) came to worship at the altar. It was a place of importance, where they could pray and offer sacrifices. In essence, this verse says that Bezaleel built a special altar for the Tabernacle before it was fully finished. It highlights his skill and foresight – he understood how important it was to have a convenient way for people to approach God's presence. Why is this significant? This event is a cornerstone of understanding why Solomon was chosen as king of Israel. It shows that God chose Solomon, with his wisdom and ability, to lead the Israelites in building a magnificent temple – a place where they could truly connect with God. It demonstrates that God’s plan was carefully orchestrated and designed for a specific purpose. --- Do you want me to: Explain a different part of this verse? Connect this story to a broader theme in the Bible (like faith, leadership, or divine planning)?