Lexical Summary Kun: To establish, to prepare, to make firm, to set up Original Word: כּוּן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Chun Probably from kuwn; established; Kun, a place in Syria -- Chun. see HEBREW kuwn NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kun Definition a city in Aram (Syria) NASB Translation Cun (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs II. כּוּן proper name, of a location city of Hadarezer (מִטִּבְחַת) ׳וּמִכּוּן עָרֵי ה 1 Chronicles 18:8, ᵐ5 ἐκ τῶν ἐκλεκτῶν πολέ(μ)ων (= בֵּרֹתַי 2 Samuel 8:8); = modern Kuna, near Bereitan (between Laodicea and Heliopolis), according to FurrerZPV viii, 34, see בֵּרוֺתָה above, and Thes. Topical Lexicon Cun (Kun)Canonical Occurrence • 1 Chronicles 18:8 – “From Tibhath and from Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a very large amount of bronze, with which Solomon crafted the bronze Sea, the pillars, and the articles of bronze.” Historical Setting Cun figures in the record of David’s northern campaigns against Hadadezer king of Zobah. These operations secured Israel’s borders, opened trade routes toward the Euphrates, and displayed the expanding influence of David’s throne (1 Chronicles 18:3-6). The seizure of Cun and its sister city Tibhath supplied raw materials that would later be consecrated to temple service, linking David’s military success to Solomon’s temple-building mandate. Parallel Account and Textual Variants The parallel narrative in 2 Samuel 8:8 reads “Berothai” instead of “Cun.” Most conservative commentators view the two names as different designations for the same site, with “Cun” perhaps reflecting a local or later form preserved by the Chronicler. The variant underscores the complementary nature of Samuel and Chronicles and affirms the reliability of the inspired record even where spelling differs. Geographical Considerations Cun lay within the Aramean sphere of Zobah, generally located in the Beqaa Valley or the northern reaches of modern Lebanon-Syria. Proposed sites cluster along ancient trade arteries between Hamath and Damascus. Its proximity to copper and tin exchanges may explain the “very large amount of bronze” David carried off, fitting the Chronicler’s focus on temple materials. Material Significance for the Temple The bronze from Cun became foundational to Solomon’s temple furnishings (1 Kings 7:13-47; 2 Chronicles 4:1-18). The Sea, standing on twelve oxen, symbolized purification for priestly ministry; the twin pillars Jachin and Boaz proclaimed stability and strength before the sanctuary. Thus Cun’s captured metal transitioned from instruments of Aramean power to vessels of Yahweh’s worship—a tangible picture of spoils redeemed for sacred purpose. Theological Emphases 1. Covenant Triumph—David’s victory over Hadadezer fulfills the promise that the Lord “gave David victory wherever he went” (1 Chronicles 18:6), reinforcing God’s faithfulness to Abrahamic and Davidic covenants. Ministry Applications • Strategic Preparation: Leaders can glean that today’s victories often furnish tomorrow’s ministry tools. Related References for Study 1 Chronicles 18:1-13; 2 Samuel 8:1-14 – David’s Aramean wars 1 Kings 7:13-47; 2 Chronicles 4:1-18 – Construction of temple bronze work Psalm 60 – Prayer composed amid these northern campaigns Isaiah 60:5-13 – Prophetic vision of gentile wealth flowing to Zion Summary Though mentioned only once, Cun serves as a strategic waypoint in redemptive history: a conquered Aramean stronghold whose bronze stockpiles became integral to Israel’s temple worship. Its account weaves together themes of divine victory, providential supply, and the transformation of earthly resources for heavenly service. Forms and Transliterations וּמִכּוּן֙ ומכון ū·mik·kūn umikKun ūmikkūnLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Chronicles 18:8 HEB: וּמִטִּבְחַ֤ת וּמִכּוּן֙ עָרֵ֣י הֲדַדְעֶ֔זֶר NAS: Also from Tibhath and from Cun, cities KJV: Likewise from Tibhath, and from Chun, cities INT: Tibhath Cun cities of Hadadezer 1 Occurrence |
    |