Introduction to 2 Chronicles 4:1
2 Chronicles 4:1 describes the construction of a מִזְבַּח נְחֹשֶׁת (mizbeaḥ neḥoshet, “bronze altar”) in Solomon’s Temple. This verse is notable for its use of construct chains (smikhut), which indicate possessive or descriptive relationships between nouns, and its syntax for expressing measurements. Understanding how Biblical Hebrew expresses dimensions and proportions is essential for interpreting descriptions of sacred architecture.
וַיַּ֨עַשׂ֙ מִזְבַּ֣ח נְחֹ֔שֶׁת עֶשְׂרִ֤ים אַמָּה֙ אָרְכֹּ֔ו וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים אַמָּ֖ה רָחְבֹּ֑ו וְעֶ֥שֶׂר אַמֹּ֖ות קֹומָתֹֽו׃ ס
Analysis of Key Words/Phrases
1. מִזְבַּח נְחֹשֶׁת (mizbeaḥ neḥoshet) – “a bronze altar” (construct chain)
2. עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה אָרְכֹּו (esrim ammah orkho) – “twenty cubits its length”
3. עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה רָחְבֹּו (esrim ammah rokhbo) – “twenty cubits its width”
4. עֶשֶׂר אַמֹּות קֹומָתֹו (eser ammot qomato) – “ten cubits its height”
Explanation of Grammatical Function
1. The Construct Chain: מִזְבַּח נְחֹשֶׁת
The phrase מִזְבַּח נְחֹשֶׁת (mizbeaḥ neḥoshet, “bronze altar”) follows a typical construct chain structure:
– מִזְבֵּחַ (mizbeaḥ, “altar”) is the construct noun.
– נְחֹשֶׁת (neḥoshet, “bronze”) is the absolute noun modifying the construct noun.
This construct chain expresses a descriptive relationship: the altar is made of bronze.
2. Measurement Syntax in Biblical Hebrew
The dimensions of the altar follow a structured pattern:
– עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה אָרְכֹּו (esrim ammah orkho) – “twenty cubits its length”
– עֶשְׂרִים אַמָּה רָחְבֹּו (esrim ammah rokhbo) – “twenty cubits its width”
– עֶשֶׂר אַמֹּות קֹומָתֹו (eser ammot qomato) – “ten cubits its height”
Each phrase follows this pattern:
1. Number – (עֶשְׂרִים / עֶשֶׂר), indicating twenty or ten.
2. Unit of measurement – אַמָּה / אַמֹּות (ammah / ammot, “cubit(s)”).
3. Possessive noun (suffix) – אָֽרְכֹּו / רָחְבֹּו / קֹומָתֹו (orkho / rokhbo / qomato), meaning “its length,” “its width,” and “its height.”
3. Construct Chain with Possessive Suffixes
The words אָֽרְכֹּו, רָחְבֹּו, and קֹומָתֹו contain 3rd person masculine singular suffixes (-וֹ), meaning “its” or “his.”
– אָֽרְכֹּו (orkho) = “its length” (from אֹרֶךְ ’orekh, “length”)
– רָחְבֹּו (rokhbo) = “its width” (from רֹחַב roḥav, “width”)
– קֹומָתֹו (qomato) = “its height” (from קוֹמָה qomah, “height”)
These forms emphasize that the altar has specific, defined measurements.
Construct Chains and Measurement Syntax in Biblical Descriptions
The use of construct chains in מִזְבַּח נְחֹשֶׁת highlights the material composition of the altar, while the measurement syntax follows a standard Biblical pattern for architectural descriptions. The possessive suffixes on אָֽרְכֹּו, רָחְבֹּו, and קֹומָתֹו clarify that the dimensions belong specifically to the altar. These grammatical structures are crucial for understanding how Biblical Hebrew conveys spatial and structural information.
