1 Kings 10:10 kjv
And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices very great store, and precious stones: there came no more such abundance of spices as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon.
1 Kings 10:10 nkjv
Then she gave the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold, spices in great quantity, and precious stones. There never again came such abundance of spices as the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
1 Kings 10:10 niv
And she gave the king 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
1 Kings 10:10 esv
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, and a very great quantity of spices and precious stones. Never again came such an abundance of spices as these that the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
1 Kings 10:10 nlt
Then she gave the king a gift of 9,000 pounds of gold, great quantities of spices, and precious jewels. Never again were so many spices brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.
1 Kings 10 10 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 10:1 | Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning... | Context: Queen's visit to Solomon. |
| 1 Ki 10:2 | And she came to Jerusalem with a very great retinue, with camels bearing... | Queen's arrival with vast riches. |
| 1 Ki 10:7 | ...the half was not told me: thy wisdom and prosperity exceedeth the fame... | Queen confirms Solomon's immense wealth/wisdom. |
| 1 Ki 10:9 | Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighteth in thee, to set thee on... | Queen acknowledges God's blessing on Solomon. |
| 1 Ki 10:11-12 | And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in... | Other sources of Solomon's vast spices (algum). |
| 1 Ki 10:14-29 | Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred... | Extensive account of Solomon's immense wealth. |
| 2 Chr 9:1-9 | Now when the queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to... | Parallel account detailing the same event. |
| 2 Chr 9:12 | And king Solomon gave to the queen of Sheba all her desire, whatsoever... | Solomon also gave lavish gifts in return. |
| Ps 72:10 | The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents: the kings... | Prophecy of kings bringing gifts, prefiguring Messiah. |
| Isa 60:6 | All they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense... | Prophetic picture of nations bringing tribute. |
| Jer 6:20 | To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane... | Sheba as a source of valuable aromatic spices. |
| Ez 27:22 | The merchants of Sheba and Raamah were thy merchants: they traded in thy... | Tyre trading with Sheba for precious spices/gold. |
| Mt 12:42 | The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with this generation... | Jesus refers to the Queen's visit, emphasizing wisdom. |
| Lk 11:31 | The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of... | Jesus reiterates Queen's recognition of Solomon's wisdom. |
| 1 Ki 3:13 | And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches... | God's promise to Solomon of unmatched wealth. |
| 1 Ki 4:30 | And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east... | Solomon's superior wisdom attracted the Queen. |
| 1 Ki 4:34 | And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings... | Confirmation of Solomon's global fame for wisdom. |
| Pr 3:9-10 | Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thy... | Principle of God blessing those who honor Him. |
| Rev 21:18 | And the building of the wall of it was of jasper: and the city was pure... | Description of New Jerusalem, emphasizing precious materials. |
| Dt 28:11-12 | And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body... | Promises of abundance for obedience, seen in Solomon. |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 10 Meaning
This verse describes the extravagant gifts presented to King Solomon by the Queen of Sheba. These gifts included an immense quantity of gold, an exceptionally large amount of rare spices, and precious stones. The narrative particularly emphasizes that such an abundance of spices was unparalleled, signifying the extraordinary nature of her offering and Solomon's unique prosperity and fame.
1 Kings 10 10 Context
1 Kings chapter 10 recounts the renowned visit of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon in Jerusalem. Drawn by the extensive reports of his wisdom and splendor, she journeyed to test him with hard questions and witness his kingdom for herself. Verse 10 specifically describes her significant tribute to Solomon, which was a customary practice for monarchs visiting another kingdom's ruler. This immense offering highlights Solomon's unprecedented wealth and influence during his reign, underscoring the fulfillment of God's promises to him (1 Ki 3:13). Historically, Solomon's reign (around 970-931 BC) marked a period of peak prosperity and international trade for the kingdom of Israel, serving as a hub for commercial routes linking Egypt, Arabia, and Mesopotamia. The lavish gifts, particularly the exotic spices, underscore the rich trade networks that existed and Solomon's prominent position within them, attracting tribute from distant lands like Sheba. This chapter sets the stage for further descriptions of Solomon's accumulating riches, though later scriptures hint at the spiritual dangers of excessive wealth (Dt 17:17).
1 Kings 10 10 Word analysis
- And she gave: Implies a willing act of presentation. "She" refers to the Queen of Sheba (מַלְכַּת שְׁבָא, malkat Sheva).
- the king: Refers specifically to King Solomon (שְׁלֹמֹה, Shelomo).
- an hundred and twenty talents of gold:
- Talents (כִּכָּר, kikkar): A large ancient Hebrew unit of weight, commonly around 75-100 pounds (approximately 34-45 kg) per talent.
- 120 talents: Represents an astonishing quantity, approximately 4.5 to 6 tons (4,000-5,400 kg) of pure gold. This sum indicates immense wealth and extraordinary generosity from the Queen.
- and of spices: (בְּשָׂמִים, b'samim) – Aromatic plants or substances used for perfume, incense, anointing, and medicine. Highly valued commodities, often exotic and imported.
- very great store: (מְאֹד הַרְבֵּה, me'od harbeh) – An emphatic Hebrew expression meaning "exceedingly much" or "very, very much." It stresses the extraordinary volume.
- and precious stones: (אֶבֶן יְקָרָה, even yeqarah) – Literally "stones of value," signifying valuable gems or minerals. These were also rare and costly items.
- there came no more such abundance of spices: This hyperbole emphasizes the unique and unparalleled quantity of spices given by the Queen of Sheba, indicating its extreme rarity and value at the time. This particular detail stands out even more than the vast amount of gold or stones, highlighting a specific type of wealth.
- as these which the queen of Sheba gave to king Solomon: Reinforces the specific origin and singular magnitude of this particular gift of spices.
1 Kings 10 10 Bonus section
The location of Sheba is generally thought to be in modern-day Yemen, with a strong historical connection to the trade routes for incense (frankincense and myrrh) in Southern Arabia. Some traditions also connect her with Ethiopia. The vast gifts from the Queen not only boosted Solomon's treasury but also cemented diplomatic and trade relations that would have further enriched his kingdom. This interaction also highlights Solomon's influence not just as a king, but as a sage whose wisdom drew admiration from foreign dignitaries. The Queen's previous confession in 1 Kings 10:9, where she blesses the Lord, shows the spiritual impact Solomon's reign had beyond Israel's borders, demonstrating the magnetic power of God's blessing manifested in human wisdom and prosperity. The wealth and tribute received by Solomon find a significant echo in messianic psalms (e.g., Ps 72), suggesting a prophetic foretelling of the greater glory and universal dominion of the future Messiah, Jesus Christ.
1 Kings 10 10 Commentary
1 Kings 10:10 encapsulates the culmination of the Queen of Sheba's recognition of Solomon's divinely granted wisdom and the unprecedented prosperity that resulted from it. Her gifts of gold, spices, and precious stones were not merely diplomatic gestures; they were a direct testament to Solomon's overwhelming renown and wealth. The astonishing quantity of 120 talents of gold underscores a sum that would be considered immense in any era. The specific mention and emphasis on the unmatched abundance of spices suggest their particular value, perhaps for their aromatic or medicinal properties, their exotic origin from her homeland (Sheba), or their rarity in Solomon's kingdom. This verse demonstrates Solomon's peak material prosperity, drawing international admiration, and illustrates the fulfillment of God's promise to grant him both wisdom and riches. It paints a picture of Israel's splendor under a favored king, reflecting God's blessing.