1 Kings 10:11 kjv
And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.
1 Kings 10:11 nkjv
Also, the ships of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought great quantities of almug wood and precious stones from Ophir.
1 Kings 10:11 niv
(Hiram's ships brought gold from Ophir; and from there they brought great cargoes of almugwood and precious stones.
1 Kings 10:11 esv
Moreover, the fleet of Hiram, which brought gold from Ophir, brought from Ophir a very great amount of almug wood and precious stones.
1 Kings 10:11 nlt
(In addition, Hiram's ships brought gold from Ophir, and they also brought rich cargoes of red sandalwood and precious jewels.
1 Kings 10 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 10:10 | And she gave the king an hundred and twenty talents of gold... there came no more such abundance of spices. | Queen of Sheba's gifts |
| 1 Ki 10:12 | And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the Lord... | Usage of almug wood |
| 1 Ki 10:22 | For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years... | Solomon's wider trade network |
| 1 Ki 3:13 | And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour... | God's promise of riches to Solomon |
| 1 Ki 9:26-28 | And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber... brought from thence gold, four hundred... | Solomon's fleet at Ezion-geber for Ophir gold |
| 2 Chr 9:10-11 | And the servants of Huram, and the servants of Solomon, which brought gold from Ophir, brought almug trees.. | Parallel passage detailing same imports |
| 2 Chr 2:8 | Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon... | Solomon requests Hiram for specific wood |
| 2 Chr 8:17-18 | Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber... And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships... | Hiram's role in Solomon's maritime ventures |
| Ps 45:9 | Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in gold of Ophir. | Gold of Ophir as ultimate treasure |
| Job 22:24 | Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. | Ophir gold's value/abundance |
| 1 Chr 29:2 | Now I have prepared with all my might for the house of my God...onyx stones, and stones to be set... | David gathered precious stones for temple |
| Ex 28:17-20 | And thou shalt set in it settings of stones, even four rows of stones... | Precious stones for priestly garments |
| Isa 13:12 | I will make a man more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. | Ophir gold symbolizing extreme value |
| Rev 21:19-20 | And the foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of precious stones. | Heavenly city adorned with precious stones |
| Hag 2:8 | The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. | God's ultimate ownership of wealth |
| Prov 3:14-15 | For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. | Wisdom is more valuable than riches |
| Gen 10:29 | Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan. | Genealogical mention of Ophir's origin |
| Ezek 27:32-34 | What city is like Tyrus, like the destroyed in the midst of the sea? | Tyre's renown as a powerful maritime trader |
| Deut 28:11-12 | And the Lord shall make thee plenteous in goods... to give the rain unto thy land... | Blessing of abundance for obedience |
| Phil 4:19 | But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. | God's provision |
1 Kings 10 verses
1 Kings 10 11 Meaning
This verse elaborates on the valuable cargo brought by the fleet associated with King Hiram of Tyre, which returned from Ophir. In addition to the immense quantity of gold already mentioned, these ships brought a great abundance of rare "almug trees" (also known as algum trees) and "precious stones," further highlighting the unparalleled wealth and resources available to King Solomon's kingdom.
1 Kings 10 11 Context
First Kings chapter 10 focuses extensively on the extraordinary wealth, wisdom, and glory of King Solomon, reaching its zenith with the visit of the Queen of Sheba (vv. 1-10), who confirmed and even surpassed what she had heard. This verse (v. 11) then delves into the specific sources and types of raw materials that contributed to this vast riches. It elaborates on the activities of the merchant fleets that returned to Israel, describing the immense quantities of highly valued items beyond gold. Historically, Solomon's alliance with Hiram of Tyre, a prominent maritime power, facilitated these distant trade expeditions to regions like Ophir. This global trade not only supplied Israel with valuable resources for the Temple and royal palace construction (detailed in the verses immediately following this), but also solidified Solomon's geopolitical standing as a king of unparalleled prosperity and influence in the ancient Near East, fulfilling God's promise of extraordinary blessings for his reign.
1 Kings 10 11 Word analysis
- And the navy also of Hiram (וְאֳנִי֩ גַם֙ לְחִירָ֜ם, ve'oni gam lechiram):
- אֳנִי ('oni): Ship, fleet, navy. Implies a structured and capable maritime operation. The phrase highlights Hiram's direct involvement and expertise in distant sea trade. "Also" signifies that this fleet (distinct from or supplementary to Solomon's direct ships mentioned elsewhere) was bringing these specific goods.
- which brought gold from Ophir (מַשָּׂ֣א אֹפִ֔יר, massa Ophir):
- מַשָּׂ֣א (massa): A load, burden, cargo. It signifies a substantial quantity of goods. Ophir was famed as a source of high-quality gold, reinforcing the primary purpose and immense value of these voyages. This phrasing confirms that the fleet was primarily known for bringing gold, but now we learn about additional, equally valuable items.
- brought in from Ophir (וַיָּבִ֙אוּ֙ מֵאֹפִ֗יר, vayyaviu me'ophir):
- וַיָּבִ֙אוּ֙ (vayyaviu): And they brought. Repetition of the source "from Ophir" emphasizes the origin of these valuable materials, reinforcing their rarity and exotic nature, signifying the long-distance trade.
- great plenty (הַרְבֵּ֨ה מְאֹ֔ד, harbeh me'od):
- הַרְבֵּ֨ה (harbeh): Much, many, abundantly.
- מְאֹ֔ד (me'od): Exceedingly, very much. The combination signifies an immense, unprecedented quantity, underlining the boundless nature of Solomon's resources and the opulence of his kingdom, demonstrating the scale of these expeditions.
- of almug trees (עֲצֵ֤י אַלְגּוּמִּים֙, 'atsei 'algummim):
- עֲצֵ֤י ('atsei): Trees of, timbers of.
- אַלְגּוּמִּים֙ ('algummim): Often rendered "algum trees" in 2 Chronicles, synonymous with "almug trees." Scholars generally associate this with various types of valuable wood, such as red sandalwood (Pterocarpus santalinus) due to its durability, aromatic qualities, and suitability for fine carpentry and musical instruments. Its importation indicates a demand for exotic, high-quality timber for royal and sacred structures.
- and precious stones (וְאֶ֣בֶן יְקָרָֽה, ve'even yeqarah):
- וְאֶ֣בֶן (ve'even): And stone.
- יְקָרָֽה (yeqarah): Precious, rare, valuable. This broad term encompasses a variety of gemstones. These would have been highly prized for their beauty and rarity, likely used for inlay work in the Temple, the palace, or as adornments for Solomon himself and his officials, further contributing to the kingdom's splendor.
1 Kings 10 11 Bonus section
The long-distance sea trade to Ophir, which brought these materials, was typically a three-year voyage (1 Ki 10:22). This implies not only significant logistical planning and investment in the "navy" (which likely included Solomon's own ships in conjunction with Hiram's as per 2 Chr 8:18), but also advanced navigational skills for its time. The mention of "almug trees" specifically used later for musical instruments and walkways in the Temple and palace (1 Ki 10:12) underscores the multifaceted utility of these rare imports, serving both structural and aesthetic purposes, thereby enhancing both the grandeur and the internal workings of Solomon's kingdom.
1 Kings 10 11 Commentary
This verse provides specific details that illustrate the unprecedented prosperity of King Solomon's reign, a direct fulfillment of God's blessings (1 Ki 3:13). It highlights the critical role of maritime trade and international alliances, particularly with Hiram, King of Tyre, in generating such wealth. The repeated mention of "Ophir" as the origin underscores its fame as a source of extraordinary goods, not only gold but also rare timber like "almug trees" and valuable "precious stones." The emphasis on "great plenty" communicates an abundance that far surpassed common expectation or prior experience in Israel. These exotic materials were not merely luxuries but were integral to Solomon's ambitious building projects, most notably the Temple and his own grand palace, enhancing their beauty, durability, and symbolic significance. Thus, the verse reveals the tangible outcome of divine favor manifested in vast resources and successful international endeavors, positioning Solomon's kingdom as a pinnacle of earthly glory and wisdom.