2 Chronicles 35:3 in Hebrew:
וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לַ֠לְוִיִּם המבונים לְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל הַקְּדֹושִׁ֣ים לַיהוָ֗ה תְּנ֤וּ אֶת־אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ֙ בַּ֠בַּיִת אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֜ה שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה בֶן־דָּוִיד֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֵין־לָכֶ֥ם מַשָּׂ֖א בַּכָּתֵ֑ף עַתָּ֗ה עִבְדוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וְאֵ֖ת עַמֹּ֥ו יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃
Introduction to the Verse
The construct chain (סְמִיכוּת) is a fundamental feature of Biblical Hebrew syntax, expressing possession, description, or relationships between two or more nouns. It consists of a sequence where the first noun (the construct form) is linked to the second noun (the absolute form), often functioning as a genitive phrase.
In 2 Chronicles 35:3, multiple construct chains appear, demonstrating different grammatical relationships. One of the most significant examples is אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ, meaning “the ark of the holy” or more naturally in English, “the Ark of the Covenant.”
This article will analyze the construct chain אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ and other related phrases to illustrate the structure and significance of construct chains in this verse.
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
- אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ (aron-haqodesh)
- אֲרֹון (aron) – “Ark” (noun, masculine singular, construct form)
- הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ (haqodesh) – “the holiness” or “the holy” (noun, masculine singular, absolute form)
- This construct chain expresses possession or description, meaning “the Ark of Holiness” or “the Holy Ark.”
- בַּ֠בַּיִת אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֜ה שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה (babayit asher banah Shelomoh)
- בַּ֠בַּיִת (babayit) – “in the house” (noun, masculine singular, definite)
- אֲשֶׁר בָּנָ֜ה (asher banah) – “that he built” (relative clause)
- שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה (Shelomoh) – “Solomon” (proper noun)
- This phrase establishes a possessive relationship: “in the house that Solomon built.”
- מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (melekh Yisra’el)
- מֶ֣לֶךְ (melekh) – “king” (noun, masculine singular, construct form)
- יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Yisra’el) – “Israel” (proper noun, absolute form)
- The construct chain means “King of Israel,” with מֶ֣לֶךְ (melekh) in construct form, linking it to the noun יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Yisra’el).
- יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם (YHWH Eloheikhem)
- יְהוָ֣ה (YHWH) – “LORD” (proper divine name)
- אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם (Eloheikhem) – “your God” (noun, masculine plural, possessive)
- Although not a strict construct chain, the phrase functions as a possessive expression, reinforcing covenantal identity.
Explanation of Grammatical Function
- The First Noun is in Construct Form
- In construct chains, the first noun modifies the second noun and loses its definiteness unless the absolute noun is definite.
- Example: אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ
- אֲרֹון (aron) is in construct form and lacks a definite article.
- הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ (haqodesh) is definite, so the entire phrase is definite: “the Holy Ark.”
- No Article on the Construct Noun
- The first noun in a construct chain does not take the definite article, even when the whole phrase is definite.
- Example: מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (“King of Israel”)
- מֶ֣לֶךְ (melekh) does not have הַ but is definite because יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (Yisra’el) is a proper noun.
- Genitive Relationship
- The second noun determines the meaning and possessive relationship.
- אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ = “Ark of the Holy” (not “Holy Ark” as an adjective).
- מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל = “King of Israel” (not “Israeli King”).
The Role of the Construct Chain in 2 Chronicles 35:3
The construct chain in Biblical Hebrew is essential for expressing relationships between nouns. In 2 Chronicles 35:3, we observe various construct chains such as אֲרֹון־הַקֹּ֨דֶשׁ, מֶ֣לֶךְ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל, and בַּ֠בַּיִת אֲשֶׁ֨ר בָּנָ֜ה שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה that define possession, description, and identity.
The construct form is always bound to the absolute form, and the definiteness of the phrase depends on the second noun. This grammatical feature plays a crucial role in Hebrew syntax, ensuring clarity in relationships between words while preserving the flow of the text.
In this verse, the construct chains contribute to the theological and historical significance, emphasizing the Ark’s sacred status, Solomon’s role in building the Temple, and the divine kingship over Israel.
