He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali. In 2 Chronicles 2:14 his mother is said to have been of the daughters of Dan. The apparent discrepancy may be reconciled thus:-Hiram's mother, though belonging to the tribe of Dan, had been married to a Naphtalite, so that when married afterward to a Tyrian, she might be described as a widow of the tribe of Naphtali. Or, if she was a native of the city of Dan (Laish), she might be said to be of the daughters of Dan, as born in that place; and of the tribe of Naphtali, as really belonging to it.
A worker in brass - referring particularly to the works described in this chapter; but in 2 Chronicles 2:13 his artistic skill is represented as extending to a great variety of departments; and, in fact, he was appointed, from his great natural talents and acquired skill, to superintend the execution of all the works of art in the temple.