2 Chronicles 9:18
New International Version
The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them.

New Living Translation
The throne had six steps, with a footstool of gold. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, and the figure of a lion stood on each side of the throne.

English Standard Version
The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,

Berean Standard Bible
The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest.

King James Bible
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:

New King James Version
The throne had six steps, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.

New American Standard Bible
There were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

NASB 1995
There were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

NASB 1977
And there were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

Legacy Standard Bible
And there were six steps to the throne and a footstool in gold attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

Amplified Bible
There were six steps to the throne and a golden footstool attached to the throne, and arms on each side of the seat, with two lions standing beside the arms.

Christian Standard Bible
The throne had six steps; there was a footstool covered in gold for the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The throne had six steps; there was a footstool covered in gold for the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

American Standard Version
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

Contemporary English Version
It had a gold footstool attached to it and armrests on each side. There was a statue of a lion on each side of the throne,

English Revised Version
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Six steps led to the throne, which had a gold footstool attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat. Two lions stood beside the armrests.

Good News Translation
Six steps led up to the throne, and there was a footstool attached to it, covered with gold. There were arms on each side of the throne, and the figure of a lion stood at each side.

International Standard Version
Six steps led up to the throne. A golden footstool was attached to the throne, which had armrests on each side of the seat and two lions standing on either side of each armrest.

Majority Standard Bible
The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest.

NET Bible
There were six steps leading up to the throne, and a gold footstool was attached to the throne. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side.

New Heart English Bible
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting-place, and two lions standing by the stays:

World English Bible
There were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and six steps [are] to the throne, and a footstool of gold, [and] they are fastened to the throne; and [places for] hands [are] on this [side] and on that [side] on the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands,

Young's Literal Translation
and six steps are to the throne, and a footstool of gold, to the throne they are fastened, and hands are on this side and on that on the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands,

Smith's Literal Translation
And six steps to the throne, and a footstool in gold holding fast to the throne, and hands from hence and from thence, upon the place of the seat, and two lions standing near the hands.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And six steps to go up to the throne, and a footstool of gold, and two arms one on either side, and two lions standing by the arms:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And there were six steps, by which he would ascend to the throne, and a footstool of gold, and two arms, one on each side, and two lions standing beside the arms.

New American Bible
The throne had six steps; a footstool of gold was fastened to the throne, and there was an arm on each side of the seat, with two lions standing next to the arms,

New Revised Standard Version
The throne had six steps and a footstool of gold, which were attached to the throne, and on each side of the seat were arm rests and two lions standing beside the arm rests,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there were six steps to the throne, and the rim of the throne encircled from behind it, with armrests on each side of the seat, and two lions standing behind the armrests.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Six steps went up to the throne, and the rim of the throne went around from behind it, and the arms from here and from there on the place of the seat, and two lionesses stood behind the arms.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and arms on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there were six steps to the throne, riveted with gold, and elbows on either side of the seat of the throne, and two lions standing by the elbows:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Wealth and Splendor
17Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 18The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. 19Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.…

Cross References
1 Kings 10:18-20
Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. / The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. / Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.

Revelation 4:2-4
At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. / The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. / Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.

1 Kings 10:14-17
The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, / not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land. / King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. ...

Matthew 6:29
Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

1 Kings 7:7
In addition, he built a hall for the throne, the Hall of Justice, where he was to judge. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling.

Ezekiel 28:13-14
You were in Eden, the garden of God. Every kind of precious stone adorned you: ruby, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald. Your mountings and settings were crafted in gold, prepared on the day of your creation. / You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for I had ordained you. You were on the holy mountain of God; you walked among the fiery stones.

1 Kings 4:21-24
And Solomon reigned over all the kingdoms from the Euphrates to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. These kingdoms offered tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life. / Solomon’s provisions for a single day were thirty cors of fine flour, sixty cors of meal, / ten fat oxen, twenty range oxen, and a hundred sheep, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened poultry. ...

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

1 Kings 9:26-28
King Solomon also assembled a fleet of ships at Ezion-geber, which is near Eloth in Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. / And Hiram sent his servants, sailors who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants. / They sailed to Ophir and imported gold from there—420 talents—and delivered it to Solomon.

1 Kings 5:1-12
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David. / And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram: / “As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. ...

Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

1 Kings 6:2-3
The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. / The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple was twenty cubits long, extending across the width of the temple and projecting out ten cubits in front of the temple.

1 Kings 8:10-11
And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, the cloud filled the house of the LORD / so that the priests could not stand there to minister because of the cloud. For the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

1 Kings 9:1-9
Now when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all that he had desired to do, / the LORD appeared to him a second time, as He had appeared to him at Gibeon. / And the LORD said to him: “I have heard your prayer and petition before Me. I have consecrated this temple, which you have built, by putting My Name there forever; My eyes and My heart will be there for all time. ...

1 Kings 3:12-13
behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been another like you, nor will there ever be. / Moreover, I will give you what you did not request—both riches and honor—so that during all your days no man in any kingdom will be your equal.


Treasury of Scripture

And there were six steps to the throne, with a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne, and stays on each side of the sitting place, and two lions standing by the stays:

stays [heb] hands

Genesis 49:9,10
Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? …

Numbers 23:24
Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain.

Numbers 24:9
He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.

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Arm Armrests Arms Attached Either Fastened Footstool Gold Hands Lions Rests Seat Side Sides Sitting Six Standing Stays Steps Throne
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Arm Armrests Arms Attached Either Fastened Footstool Gold Hands Lions Rests Seat Side Sides Sitting Six Standing Stays Steps Throne
2 Chronicles 9
1. The queen of sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon
13. Solomon's revenue in gold
15. His targets and shields
17. The throne of ivory
20. His vessels
23. His presents
25. His chariots and horse
26. His tributes
29. His reign and death














The throne had six steps
The six steps leading up to Solomon's throne symbolize the grandeur and majesty of his reign, reflecting the wisdom and wealth bestowed upon him by God. The number six, often associated with human effort and imperfection, contrasts with the divine perfection symbolized by the number seven. This detail highlights the human aspect of Solomon's rule, despite his God-given wisdom. The steps also signify the elevated status of the king, both literally and figuratively, as he ascends to his seat of judgment and authority.

and a footstool of gold was attached to it
The footstool of gold signifies the wealth and opulence of Solomon's kingdom, as gold was a symbol of divine favor and prosperity. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a footstool represented subjugation and dominion, often used metaphorically to describe the king's enemies as being under his feet. This imagery is echoed in Psalm 110:1, where God says to the Messiah, "Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet," foreshadowing the ultimate reign of Christ.

There were armrests on both sides of the seat
The presence of armrests on Solomon's throne indicates a design for comfort and stability, befitting a king of his stature. Armrests also symbolize support and strength, suggesting the king's ability to uphold justice and maintain order in his kingdom. This detail reflects the wisdom and discernment Solomon was known for, as he was tasked with governing the people of Israel with fairness and righteousness.

with a lion standing beside each armrest
Lions are emblematic of strength, courage, and royalty, often associated with the tribe of Judah, from which Solomon descended. The presence of lions beside the armrests underscores the king's authority and the divine mandate to rule. In biblical symbolism, the lion is also a type of Christ, the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Revelation 5:5), representing Jesus' ultimate kingship and power. The imagery of lions on Solomon's throne foreshadows the coming of the Messiah, who will reign with perfect justice and authority.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the construction of the temple and his own palace.

2. Throne of Solomon
A symbol of Solomon's authority and the grandeur of his reign, described as having six steps and adorned with gold and lions.

3. Jerusalem
The capital city of Israel, where Solomon's throne was located, serving as the political and spiritual center of the nation.

4. Lions
Symbolic creatures representing strength, majesty, and royal authority, often associated with the tribe of Judah.

5. Footstool of Gold
A luxurious addition to the throne, emphasizing the wealth and splendor of Solomon's kingdom.
Teaching Points
Symbol of Authority and Majesty
Solomon's throne, with its intricate design and luxurious materials, serves as a powerful symbol of his God-given authority and the majesty of his reign. As believers, we are reminded of the ultimate authority and majesty of God, who reigns over all creation.

Wealth and Responsibility
The wealth displayed in Solomon's throne reflects the prosperity of his kingdom. However, it also serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with wealth. Christians are called to use their resources wisely and for God's glory, rather than for personal indulgence.

Foreshadowing of Christ's Reign
The imagery of the throne and lions points forward to the reign of Christ, the true King. As followers of Christ, we are called to live under His authority and anticipate His return, when He will establish His kingdom in fullness.

The Role of Symbols in Worship
The detailed description of Solomon's throne highlights the importance of symbols in worship and governance. In our own worship practices, we should consider how symbols and rituals can enhance our understanding and reverence for God.(18) With a footstool of gold, which were fastened to the throne.--Instead of this Kings has, And the throne had a rounded top behind. Although the footstool is a prominent object in Oriental representations of thrones, it is quite possible that our text is due to a corruption of that which appears in Kings, and with which the Syriac here agrees. The LXX. renders, "and six steps to the throne, fastened with gold," omitting the footstool. The Heb. is at all events suspiciously awkward.

For the remainder of this and the following verse see 1Kings 10:19-20. The chronicler has made two, slight verbal corrections in 2Chronicles 9:19.



Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The throne
לַ֠כִּסֵּא (lak·kis·sê)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

had six
וְשֵׁ֣שׁ (wə·šêš)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

steps,
מַעֲל֣וֹת (ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

and a footstool
וְכֶ֨בֶשׁ (wə·ḵe·ḇeš)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3534: A footstool

of gold
בַּזָּהָ֤ב (baz·zā·hāḇ)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

was attached to it.
מָאֳחָזִ֔ים (mā·’o·ḥā·zîm)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 270: To grasp, take hold, take possession

There were armrests
וְיָד֛וֹת (wə·yā·ḏō·wṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

on both sides
מִזֶּ֥ה (miz·zeh)
Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

of
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the seat,
מְק֣וֹם (mə·qō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

with a lion
אֲרָי֔וֹת (’ă·rā·yō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 738: A lion

standing
עֹמְדִ֖ים (‘ō·mə·ḏîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

beside
אֵ֥צֶל (’ê·ṣel)
Preposition
Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity

each armrest.
הַיָּדֽוֹת׃ (hay·yā·ḏō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 9:18 And there were six steps to (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 9:17
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