Keraia
1 Kings 5

1 Kings 5:15

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

Translations

Modern
Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,
Traditional
And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
Literal
And Solomon had seventy thousand who lift a burden and eighty thousand who hew in the hill country,
Latin
Fueruntque Salomoni septuaginta millia eorum qui onera portabant, et octoginta millia latomorum in monte,

Original

Hebrew
English
Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,

Notes

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 the First Temple: Solomon: Employed all the Strangers in Preparing For