2 Chronicles 2:18

And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

2 Chronicles 2:18 (KJV)

Context

This verse records King Solomon’s organization of laborers for building the temple in Jerusalem. He had asked King Hiram of Tyre for skilled craftsmen and materials, and Hiram responded by sending Huram-abi, a skilled worker, along with timber and supplies. The workers named here were resident foreigners living in Israel, not native Israelites, who served as soldiers, officials, and leaders. This division shows that the temple was a massive communal undertaking, involving people from different backgrounds in a shared purpose.

Meaning

The verse lists three groups. Seventy thousand bearers of burdens carried heavy materials. Eighty thousand hewers in the mountain cut and shaped stone from the hills. Three thousand six hundred overseers supervised the people and kept the work moving. Together these numbered 153,600, showing the temple project’s great scale. The same numbers appear in 2 Chronicles 2:2, confirming the careful planning. The presence of overseers highlights the need for organization and accountability in such a large project. The work was not merely symbolic; it involved real, demanding tasks like carrying burdens and cutting stone in the mountains.

Biblical connections

Solomon’s work fulfilled God’s command, for God had chosen David’s son to build a house for Him in Jerusalem. The division of labor into carriers, stonecutters, and overseers reflects an orderly structure. This mirrors the way God later gave different roles within the church, as in 1 Corinthians 12, where each member serves a distinct purpose for the whole body. Just as the temple required many hands, the church today needs every believer to contribute according to their gifts.

Application

This passage teaches the value of skilled labor and careful management. Every significant task needs people who carry, people who build, and people who guide. Solomon’s example encourages us to plan well, delegate wisely, and recognize that teamwork accomplishes what one person cannot. When we align our work with God’s purposes, our efforts gain lasting meaning. The laborers were drawn from the strangers in the land, showing that God uses people from all walks of life. We should not despise humble or demanding tasks, for they are essential to God’s work.

Reflection

The temple was not built by a single hero but by a vast community working together. Each person’s role, whether carrying burdens or cutting stone, was essential. In our own lives, we can serve God through ordinary, demanding work. The overseers remind us that accountability and supervision are good, helping people stay focused and faithful. This verse calls us to offer our skills and strength for God’s glory, trusting that He uses our labor to accomplish His plans.