Keraia
1 Kings 5

1 Kings 5:13

Solomon’s Labor Force · 1 Kings 5:13–18
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Translations

Modern
Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel.
Traditional
And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
Literal
And King Solomon raised up a forced labor out of all Israel, and the forced labor was thirty thousand men.
Latin
Elegitque rex Salomon operarios de omni Israël, et erat indictio triginta millia virorum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel.

Notes

1 Kings 5:13

Foreigners who lived permanently in Israel made up most of Solomon’s labor force. Israelites themselves usually served only as temporary supervisors for Solomon’s building projects (1 Kings 9:22–23; 11:28).

1 Kings 5:13–18

This passage explains Solomon's workforce and how they divided the work. Forced labor was common in the ancient Near East (see study note on 1 Kings 4:6).

1 Kings 5:1–18

King Hiram of Tyre was a loyal friend of David (2 Samuel 5:11–12). This likely means they had a treaty. Hiram was an important ally and business partner (1 Kings 5:7–11, 18; 9:11, 26–28; 10:22). His name is a shorter version of Ahiram, found in other Phoenician writings.

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Solomon’s Wisdom

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Glossary

Adoniram Alliance Jerusalem Kings, Books of First and Second Lebanon Postexilic Period Slave, Slavery Solomon (Person) Tax, Taxation

Topics

Temple: Solomon's: Materials For, Furnished by Hiram Temple: Solomon's: Solomon Drafts Men for the Building of the First Temple: Solomon: Employed Thirty Thousand Israelites in the Work Tribute: Often Exacted in Labour