Keraia
1 Kings 5

1 Kings 5:16

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

Modern
…not including his 3,300 foremen who supervised the workers.
Traditional
Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
Literal
…besides the chiefs of the deputies of Solomon that are over the work, three thousand and three hundred were those ruling over the people who were doing the work.
Latin
…absque præpositis qui præerant singulis operibus, numero trium millium et trecentorum, præcipientium populo et his qui faciebant opus.

Original

Hebrew
English
…not including his 3,300 foremen who supervised the workers.

Notes

1 Kings 5:16

3,300 foremen: In 2 Chronicles (2 Chronicles 2:2, 17–18; 8:10), there are 3,600 non-Israelite foremen and 250 Israelite chief supervisors. In the Hebrew text of 1 Kings 5:16 and 9:23, the numbers are 3,300 foremen and 550 chief supervisors. It is possible that 250 of the chief supervisors were Israelites, and 300 non-Israelites held the same rank.

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

Solomon: Son of David, king of Israel, known for his wisdom

Glossary

Alliance Jerusalem Kings, Books of First and Second Postexilic Period Slave, Slavery Solomon (Person) Temple

Topics

Temple: Solomon's: Materials For, Furnished by Hiram Temple: Solomon's: Solomon Drafts Men for the Building of