Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 7:8
Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
8. Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast ] R.V. So Solomon held the feast at that time.
from the entering in of Hamath ] See note on 1Ch 13:5.
the river of Egypt ] R.V. the book of Egypt, i.e. not the Nile, but the stream called Shihor of Egypt in 1Ch 13:5 (see note).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Solomon kept the feast – i. e., Solomon kept at this same time, not the Feast of the Dedication only, but also the Feast of tabernacles. The former lasted seven days, from the 8th of Tisri to the 15th, the latter also seven days, from the 15th to the 22nd. On the day following the people were dismissed 2Ch 7:10.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. The entering in of Hamath] “From the entrance of Antioch to the Nile of Egypt.” – Targum.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
8. Solomon kept the feast sevendaysThe time chosen for the dedication of the temple wasimmediately previous to the feast of tabernacles (see on 1Ki8:1-12). That season, which came after the harvest, correspondingto our September and October, lasted seven days, and during soprolonged a festival there was time afforded for the offering of theimmense sacrifices enumerated. A large proportion of these were peaceofferings, which afforded to the people the means of festiveenjoyment.
all Israel . . . from theentering in of Hamaththat is, the defile at Lebanon.
unto the river of Egyptthatis, Rhinocorura, now El-Arish, the south boundary of Palestine.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
[See comments on 2Ch 7:7]
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(8) Also at the same time.Literally, And Solomon made the feast at that time seven days. The feast was the Feast of Tabernacles. (See Lev. 23:34-36.)
Seven days.The legal time. (See Lev. 50100) The days were counted from the 15th of the seventh month. (Comp. 1Ki. 8:65.)
The river.Torrent or wady. LXX., . Kings adds, before the Lord our God. So Syriac.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 7:8 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
Ver. 8. Solomon kept the feast. ] See 1Ki 8:65 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the feast: i.e. of Tabernacles.
congregation = assembly, or muster.
the river = torrent, or Wady. Hebrew. nahal.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ch 7:8-10
2Ch 7:8-10
THE FEAST LASTED THREE WEEKS
“So Solomon held the feast at that time seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great assembly, from the entrance of Hamath to the brook of Egypt. And on the eighth day they held a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away unto their tents, joyful and glad of heart for the goodness that Jehovah had showed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.”
Here we have the information that explains the need for the tremendous number of animals sacrificed. The whole nation of Israel, perhaps a million or more, all the way from Hamath to the brook of Egypt attended this celebration; and they had to be fed for almost a month (twenty-three days).
“On the three and twentieth day of the seventh month” (2Ch 7:10). “The seventh month was September/October. The dedication did not take place till after the work was completed (2Ch 7:1) in the eighth month (Oct./Nov.) of Solomon’s eleventh year (960 B.C.). So the temple was not dedicated till eleven months had passed, that is, in 959 B.C., at the time of the annual feast of the tabernacles (cf. 2Ch 7:8-10).” From this it is evident that Solomon delayed the dedication almost a year in order to make it coincide with the annual feast of tabernacles which the whole nation was required to attend, thus assuring the largest possible assembly.
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 7:8. Hamath and the river of Egypt were two opposite points on the boundaries of Palestine. This feast had to be celebrated in Jerusalem, but the verse means there were Israelites from all that territory present at the feast.
2Ch 7:9. These activities were special and had some items not provided in the law of Moses. But again we will not forget that a new epoch in the history of the nation is starting, and many things are being done that will not be repeated after the regular establishments of the law are resumed. So in the present verse is seen the duplication of the seven-day period; one for the altar and the other the regular period for the feast that came yearly.
2Ch 7:10. The day of atonement came on the 10th of the month. Add two periods of 7 days each and we have the 24th day of the month. But many of the people had come from a distance (2Ch 7:8) and Solomon released them the day before the expiration of the time so they could go to their homes.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
kept: Lev 23:34-43, Num 29:12-38, Deu 16:13-15, 1Ki 8:65, Neh 8:13-18, Zec 14:16-19, Joh 7:2, Joh 7:27-39
a very great: 2Ch 30:13
from the entering: That is, from one extremity of the land to another; Hamath being situated on the north, and the river of Egypt on the south. Gen 15:18, Num 34:5-8, Jos 13:3-5, 1Ki 4:21-25, Amo 6:14
Reciprocal: Lev 23:36 – the eighth Jdg 14:12 – the seven 1Ki 8:2 – at the feast 2Ch 5:3 – in the feast 2Ch 35:7 – Josiah Neh 8:17 – had not Est 1:5 – seven days Eze 36:38 – as the flock Eze 45:25 – In the seventh
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
7:8 Also at the same time Solomon kept {b} the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt.
(b) The feast of the tabernacles which was kept in the seventh month.