1 Kings 10 12

1 Kings 10:12 kjv

And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.

1 Kings 10:12 nkjv

And the king made steps of the almug wood for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also harps and stringed instruments for singers. There never again came such almug wood, nor has the like been seen to this day.

1 Kings 10:12 niv

The king used the almugwood to make supports for the temple of the LORD and for the royal palace, and to make harps and lyres for the musicians. So much almugwood has never been imported or seen since that day.)

1 Kings 10:12 esv

And the king made of the almug wood supports for the house of the LORD and for the king's house, also lyres and harps for the singers. No such almug wood has come or been seen to this day.

1 Kings 10:12 nlt

The king used the sandalwood to make railings for the Temple of the LORD and the royal palace, and to construct lyres and harps for the musicians. Never before or since has there been such a supply of sandalwood.)

1 Kings 10 verses

1 Kings 10 12 Meaning

This verse describes the exceptional quantity of valuable almug wood and precious stones brought by Hiram's ships, along with the gold from Ophir. This particular shipment of almug wood was used to create ornate support structures for both the Temple of the Lord and the king's palace, and uniquely, to craft musical instruments—harps and lyres—for the Temple singers. It highlights the unparalleled abundance and preciousness of these imported materials during Solomon's reign, emphasizing the splendor and divine blessing on his kingdom, manifest in both sacred and royal structures, and in the facilitation of worship.

1 Kings 10 12 Context

First Kings Chapter 10 describes the pinnacle of Solomon's reign, focusing on his wisdom, wealth, and international prestige. It begins with the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who traveled to confirm the reports of Solomon's wisdom and glory. Overwhelmed, she gave him immense gifts. The preceding verse, 10:11, specifies that Hiram's fleet, returning from Ophir, brought "a very great quantity of almug wood and precious stones" in addition to the gold mentioned in 10:10. Verse 10:12 continues by detailing the specific use of this extraordinary timber and underscores its unprecedented nature in Israel. The immediate context, therefore, frames these materials as part of the overflowing abundance and exotic nature of the goods that flowed into Jerusalem during Solomon's golden age, supplied by divine favor and international alliances.

1 Kings 10 12 Word analysis

• וַיָּבֵא (vayyave) – "And brought": This verbal form, a waw-consecutive, signifies sequential action, linking this verse directly to the preceding discussion of Hiram's fleet arriving from Ophir. It underscores that these materials are part of the vast cargo.
• הָאֳנִיָּה (ha'oniyyah) – "The ships": The definite article "the" points back to the specific fleet of Hiram, alongside Solomon's servants, that traveled to Ophir for gold (1 Kgs 9:26-28). This was a major long-distance trade operation.
• חִירָם (Chiram) – "Hiram": King of Tyre, Solomon's key ally for sourcing exotic timber and skilled laborers (1 Kgs 5:1-12). His name signifies the crucial Phoenician involvement in Israel's international trade and building projects. Hiram provided not just resources but logistical expertise.
• עֲצֵי (atsei) – "wood of": Plural construct state of 'עֵץ (ets)' meaning "tree" or "wood." Here, "wood of" precedes a specific type, emphasizing it's raw material.
• אַלְמֻגִּים (almuggim) – "almug (or algum) wood": This is a hapax legomenon in this exact form (almuggim), with its alternate form "algum" in 2 Chronicles. Its precise botanical identification is debated among scholars, with common suggestions being sandalwood or red sandalwood, both valuable and aromatic woods native to India or Southeast Asia. Its exotic origin and unique properties made it highly prized for temple and palace construction as well as fine instruments, symbolizing luxury and rarity. Its presence denotes international trade reaching far distant lands, a mark of Solomon's kingdom.
• הַרְבֵּה (harbeh) מְאֹד (me'od) – "very much" / "great quantity": "Harbeh" means "much" or "many," and "me'od" intensifies it to "very." The repetition stresses an extraordinary, unparalleled abundance. This wasn't just a shipment; it was a deluge of precious material.
• וְאֶבֶן (ve'even) יְקָרָה (yegarha) – "and precious stones": Indicates that besides the gold and wood, the ships carried other valuable commodities. This highlights the multi-faceted nature of the imported wealth. Precious stones would have been used for decoration, possibly within the Temple itself (compare 1 Chr 29:2).
• וַיַּעַשׂ (vayya'as) – "and he made": The "he" here refers to Solomon, or perhaps "they" collectively (the craftsmen under Solomon's direction). It signifies the purposeful action of transforming these raw materials.
• אֶת (et) – (direct object marker) – not directly translated: Marks the subsequent noun as the direct object of the verb.
• לְמִסְעָדִים (le'mis'adim) – "for pillars / supports": Literally "for supports" or "for railings." These were structural or decorative elements providing support. The precise architectural detail is debated but suggests either carved, free-standing pillars, balustrades, or even perhaps staircase rails. Used in both sacred and royal contexts.
• בֵּית (beit) יְהוָה (YHWH) – "house of the LORD": Referring to the First Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. The highest, most sacred purpose for the finest materials.
• וּבֵית (u'veit) הַמֶּלֶךְ (hammelekh) – "and the king's house": Solomon's own lavish palace complex. This pairing demonstrates the dual recipient of Solomon's extraordinary wealth: for God's glory and for royal splendor, yet with an implied distinction of precedence.
• וְכִנֹּרוֹת (vekhinnorot) וּנְבָלִים (u'nevalim) – "and harps and lyres": The specific musical instruments mentioned. The "kinnor" (lyre/harp) was often smaller and lighter than the "nevel" (harp), which might have had a deeper sound. Both were fundamental stringed instruments in ancient Israelite worship, central to the Temple's musical tradition led by the Levites. This use of highly prized imported wood for musical instruments underscores the importance of aesthetic excellence and the finest materials even for tools of worship.
• לַשָּׁרִים (lashsharim) – "for the singers": These instruments were specifically for the Levites who served as Temple musicians, enhancing their performance in praise and worship of the Lord. It signifies an investment in the liturgy and worship environment.
• לֹא (lo') בָא (va') כֵן (khen) עֲצֵי (atsei) אַלְמֻגִּים (almuggim) – "There never again came such almug wood": This emphasizes the unprecedented and unique nature of this shipment. It means such a quantity and quality of almug wood was never seen again in Jerusalem, highlighting Solomon's golden age as a distinct, unrepeatable peak in material prosperity and international influence. This scarcity post-Solomon implicitly foreshadows later decline.

1 Kings 10 12 Bonus section

The mention of "almuggim wood" is rare, appearing only in 1 Kings 10:11-12 and its parallel in 2 Chronicles 9:10-11. This rarity further emphasizes its uniqueness and high value. Scholars suggest various identities, including red sandalwood or juniper, due to its exotic nature and presumed qualities of fragrance, durability, and fine grain suitable for both structural and intricate work like musical instruments. This level of luxury wood indicates that Solomon’s economic reach extended beyond immediate neighbors, demonstrating Israel’s peak influence in global trade.

The pairing of materials for "the house of the LORD, and for the king's house" illustrates a key theological concept in ancient Israel: the intertwining of divine authority and earthly monarchy. God's blessing facilitated the king's grandeur, which in turn was meant to glorify God and contribute to the well-being of His people. The Temple and palace complex would have represented the nexus of divine and human power in the kingdom. The detail about harps and lyres points to the deep-seated biblical tradition of music as integral to worship and praising God, showcasing that the ultimate materials were used even for instruments, elevating the act of praise. This passage can be understood as an embodiment of Proverbs 3:9, "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce."

1 Kings 10 12 Commentary

1 Kings 10:12 is a powerful statement about the extraordinary opulence and blessings that marked Solomon's reign, particularly in his building projects and the establishment of Temple worship. The arrival of "almuggim" wood in "very great quantity," alongside precious stones, from the distant and legendary Ophir via Hiram's ships, symbolizes a divinely blessed international network that brought the world's treasures to Jerusalem. The unique, almost mythical quality of this wood (it "never again came such almug wood") elevates Solomon's era to an unparalleled height of prosperity and glory, distinguishing it from all other periods of Israelite history.

Crucially, these precious resources were allocated to both sacred (the Temple) and royal (the king's house) uses, showcasing the integration of religious devotion and earthly grandeur during Solomon's time. The inclusion of harps and lyres for the singers highlights the profound value placed on music and artistic expression within the Temple worship, emphasizing that even the tools for worship were fashioned from the finest and rarest materials, contributing to a truly magnificent and multi-sensory experience of devotion to God. This verse ultimately serves as a testament to the extent of God's favor on Solomon and, through him, on the nation of Israel, illustrating a peak of material abundance directly serving both earthly rule and divine worship.