Definition: Also king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen, which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.
Explanation: Okay, let's break down this passage from 2 Chronicles 5:6. It’s a really interesting story about a significant moment in building the Temple in Jerusalem! Here's what it means in simpler terms: Basically, they were celebrating a huge feast and offering a lot of animals – sheep and oxen – but it was so massive that it couldn't be counted. Let’s unpack that a little further: “Also king Solomon…” : This refers to King Solomon, who was the head of the Jewish people at this time. He was known for building magnificent temples. “…and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled unto him…” : This means everyone from throughout Israel – the whole nation – was gathered around him in the Temple. "...before the ark..." : The "ark" is a very important symbol. It represented God’s presence and the specialness of this event. "...they sacrificed sheep and oxen…” : This is the core of the verse. They were offering animals – sheep and oxen – to God. These animals were sacred and held significant religious value. "...which could not be told nor numbered for multitude.” : This is the key part that’s a bit surprising. Because there were so many people, it was impossible to count every single animal. It was an enormous amount of livestock! So, what's the significance? This story shows: A Huge Celebration: It represents a truly momentous occasion – the completion and opening of the Temple in Jerusalem. God’s Presence is Powerful: The sheer number of animals suggests that God was present and felt very pleased with the gathering. Respect and Worship: The offering was a way to show reverence and worship to God, acknowledging his power and importance. In short, it's a story about a grand feast and an overwhelming amount of animals being offered to God – a powerful reminder of his presence and the significance of the Temple. --- Do you have any specific questions about this verse that you’d like me to answer? For example, would you like me to: Explain its historical context? Discuss what it might symbolize?