1 Kings 4:31 kjv
For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
1 Kings 4:31 nkjv
For he was wiser than all men? than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.
1 Kings 4:31 niv
He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite?wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.
1 Kings 4:31 esv
For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations.
1 Kings 4:31 nlt
He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol ? Heman, Calcol, and Darda. His fame spread throughout all the surrounding nations.
1 Kings 4 31 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 3:12 | "behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind..." | God's promise of wisdom to Solomon |
| 1 Kgs 3:28 | "...they saw that the wisdom of God was in him..." | People recognizing Solomon's divine wisdom |
| 1 Kgs 4:29-30 | "God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding... so that his wisdom surpassed..." | God's specific gift of superior wisdom |
| 1 Kgs 10:1-9 | "the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of Yahweh... to test him with hard questions..." | Solomon's international fame and wisdom verified |
| 2 Chr 9:22-23 | "King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in wealth and in wisdom." | Universal recognition of Solomon's wisdom |
| Deut 4:6 | "Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom... in the sight of the peoples..." | Israel's wisdom drawing nations to God |
| Ps 88:1 | "A Song. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. To the choirmaster: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite." | Connects Heman to Psalm composition |
| Ps 89:1 | "A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite." | Connects Ethan to Psalm composition |
| 1 Chr 2:6 | "The sons of Zerah: Zimri, Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Dara—in all five." | Lists Ethan, Heman, Calcol, Darda together |
| 1 Chr 6:33 | "Heman, the director of the singers, a son of Joel..." | Heman as a significant Levitical musician |
| 1 Chr 6:44 | "On the left hand stood their brothers, the sons of Merari: Ethan the son of Kishi..." | Ethan also a Levitical musician |
| Prov 2:6 | "For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding..." | God is the ultimate source of wisdom |
| Isa 40:13-14 | "Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man of his counsel instructed him?" | God's wisdom transcends all human wisdom |
| Mt 12:42 | "The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon..." | Jesus referencing Solomon's wisdom and fame |
| Lk 11:31 | "...she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon..." | Echoes the Queen of Sheba's visit and purpose |
| 1 Cor 1:25 | "For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men." | God's 'foolishness' superior to human wisdom |
| 1 Cor 1:30 | "And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God..." | Christ is the ultimate wisdom from God |
| Col 2:3 | "in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." | Christ as the full embodiment of wisdom |
| Jas 1:5 | "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously..." | God grants wisdom to those who seek it |
| Ex 15:14 | "The peoples have heard; they tremble..." | Nations hearing about God's deeds for Israel |
| 1 Sam 2:30 | "those who honor me I will honor..." | Principle of honoring God resulting in honor |
| Ps 72:11 | "May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!" | Prophecy of universal homage (applies to Christ, partially to Solomon) |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | Israel's purpose to bring light to nations (via its king) |
1 Kings 4 verses
1 Kings 4 31 Meaning
This verse definitively establishes King Solomon's unparalleled wisdom by explicitly comparing him to the most renowned wise individuals of his era. It proclaims his preeminence not only over "all other men" but also over specific figures highly respected for their sagacity: Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol, and Darda, identified as "the sons of Mahol." The verse culminates by highlighting that his extraordinary reputation extended far beyond Israel's borders, signifying the divine favor upon him and the spread of his fame across all surrounding nations.
1 Kings 4 31 Context
1 Kings chapter 4 serves to delineate the scope and magnificence of Solomon's reign, emphasizing his extensive administrative structure, immense wealth, peaceful dominion, and, critically, his extraordinary wisdom. Verses 20-28 describe the abundance of his kingdom and its peaceful reach, preparing the reader for the climax concerning his wisdom. Verses 29-30 directly attribute Solomon's profound intellectual and spiritual insight as a direct gift from God, declaring that his "wisdom and understanding were very great" and "surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt." Verse 31 then elaborates on this supremacy by providing specific, identifiable benchmarks – individuals recognized as pinnacle figures of wisdom in their time. The widespread fame of his wisdom underscores not only Solomon's personal renown but also the manifested glory of Yahweh through His chosen king to the surrounding gentile nations. This sets the stage for subsequent events like the visit of the Queen of Sheba, drawn by Solomon's legendary sagacity. In the ancient Near East, a king's wisdom was paramount for effective rule, discernment, and justice, making Solomon's exceptional intellect a clear sign of divine blessing and legitimation of his reign.
1 Kings 4 31 Word analysis
- He was wiser: Hebrew: חָכַם (chakham). This word denotes not merely intellectual cleverness but comprehensive insight, including practical skill, astute judgment, discerning administration, and moral prudence. It speaks of a profound sagacity bestowed by God.
- than all other men: This phrase establishes the absolute supremacy of Solomon's wisdom. It positions him at the apex of human understanding and insight.
- wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite: Hebrew: אֵיתָן הָאֶזְרָחִי ('Eytan ha'Ezrachiy). Ethan is recognized in the title of Psalm 89 as its author, implying his standing as a composer and sage, likely from the clan of Zerah (1 Chr 2:6). He was also a prominent Levite musician (1 Chr 6:44). His inclusion emphasizes Solomon's superiority over those celebrated for poetic, musical, and perhaps prophetic wisdom.
- and Heman: Hebrew: הֵימָן (Heyman). Similarly, Heman is credited with Psalm 88. He was a grandson of Samuel (1 Chr 6:33), a leading figure among the temple musicians appointed by David (1 Chr 15:17, 19). Being wiser than Heman highlights Solomon's intellectual supremacy even over figures deeply involved in inspired song and spiritual knowledge.
- Calcol: Hebrew: כַּלְכֹּל (Kalkol). Listed alongside Ethan, Heman, and Darda as a "son of Zerah" in 1 Chronicles 2:6, implying a connection to a family renowned for wisdom or artistic pursuits.
- and Darda: Hebrew: דַּרְדַּע (Darda'). Also listed in 1 Chronicles 2:6 with the others. These individuals (Ethan, Heman, Calcol, Darda) likely represent known paragons of wisdom, literature, or music in their time.
- the sons of Mahol: Hebrew: בְנֵי מָחוֹל (beney Makhol). "Mahol" relates to "dancing" or "music," suggesting these were individuals or a family renowned for their artistic, poetic, or intellectual accomplishments. While some traditions view Mahol as a proper name, the general sense of them being "men of skill" or "men of a band" related to wisdom is clear. It connects these renowned figures to cultural expressions of wisdom.
- and his fame was: Hebrew: שְׁמוֹ (shĕmow, meaning "his name" or "his reputation/renown") along with a verb signifying "and it came to pass." This signifies the widespread recognition and respect he commanded. His "name" encompassed his character, achievements, and identity.
- in all the surrounding nations: Hebrew: בְכָל הַגּוֹיִם סָבִיב (bĕkhol ha-goyim saviyv). This points to the international reach of Solomon's renown. It wasn't limited to Israel; foreign peoples were aware of and impressed by his unique attributes, implying that God's blessing extended beyond the covenant nation, drawing others to acknowledge His greatness.
- "He was wiser than all other men...": This sweeping statement serves to definitively position Solomon as peerless, not merely better, but exceptionally superior in wisdom, underscoring the divine and incomparable nature of his gift.
- "wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol": This phrase offers concrete benchmarks. By naming specific, esteemed figures, the text grounds Solomon's abstract superiority in tangible comparisons known to the original audience, elevating his wisdom beyond that of the most celebrated intellectuals, poets, and musicians of his time.
- "and his fame was in all the surrounding nations": This climactic statement emphasizes the far-reaching impact of God's blessing on Solomon. It signifies a universal acknowledgement of his divinely granted wisdom, portraying it not as an internal Israelite phenomenon but as a globally recognized manifestation of God's favor.
1 Kings 4 31 Bonus section
- Ethan and Heman were significant figures in the Levitical musical guilds established by King David (1 Chr 6:33-44; 1 Chr 25:1, 4-6), with psalms (Ps 88 and 89) bearing their names, linking their wisdom to spiritual insight, poetry, and divine worship. Their inclusion indicates that Solomon's wisdom surpassed not just general knowledge but even deep spiritual and artistic understanding.
- The "sons of Mahol" (which might refer to a family group renowned for their artistic prowess, "Mahol" being related to music/dancing) hints at a broader scope of wisdom, encompassing artistic expression, poetic ability, and practical living, all of which Solomon excelled in (as seen in his proverbs, songs, and scientific observations in 1 Kgs 4:32-34).
- Solomon's wisdom and his fame prefigure the wisdom of Jesus Christ. As Jesus Himself stated, "Behold, something greater than Solomon is here" (Mt 12:42), affirming His own divine wisdom transcends that of the wisest king. Solomon's international renown for wisdom hints at Christ's ultimate authority and wisdom, which is sought by all nations (Isa 60:3).
- The mention of "all the surrounding nations" hints at the future reach of God's covenant promises, which ultimately bless all nations through a descendant of David (Gen 12:3).
1 Kings 4 31 Commentary
1 Kings 4:31 acts as a superlative affirmation of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom, which was unequivocally a divine gift. By directly comparing him to respected figures of ancient Near Eastern sagacity—Ethan, Heman, Calcol, and Darda, often linked to musical, poetic, or traditional wisdom—the text asserts that Solomon's insight transcended even the most celebrated human understanding. This hyperbolic yet precise statement aims to solidify his legendary status, underscoring the qualitative and quantitative superiority of his wisdom. The international dissemination of his fame highlights not only his personal greatness but also serves as a visible manifestation of God's blessing, attracting the attention and respect of foreign kings and nations, thereby implicitly glorifying the God of Israel. His wisdom became a testimony to God's presence and power, a beacon drawing outsiders to inquire about the source of such extraordinary counsel.