1 Kings 5 16

1 Kings 5:16 kjv

Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

1 Kings 5:16 nkjv

besides three thousand three hundred from the chiefs of Solomon's deputies, who supervised the people who labored in the work.

1 Kings 5:16 niv

as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project and directed the workers.

1 Kings 5:16 esv

besides Solomon's 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work.

1 Kings 5:16 nlt

and 3,600 foremen to supervise the work.

1 Kings 5 verses

1 Kings 5 16 Meaning

This verse details the number and function of some of Solomon's key administrative officials during the monumental task of building the Temple. It states that there were 3,300 chief officers responsible for overseeing and directing the massive workforce engaged in the project. These officers ensured the efficient execution of the construction work by managing and guiding the laborers.

1 Kings 5 16 Context

This verse is situated within 1 Kings chapter 5, which elaborates on King Solomon's preparations for building the Temple in Jerusalem, a task his father David had desired but was forbidden from completing. Solomon, known for his wisdom and vast kingdom, leveraged the peace and resources of his reign to embark on this monumental construction project. The immediate context of verse 16 follows descriptions of the colossal levy of labor (30,000 Israelites working in rotations in Lebanon) and the multitude of burden-bearers and stonecutters (70,000 and 80,000, likely Canaanites as clarified in 1 Ki 9:20-21). Verse 16 specifies the organizational structure put in place to manage such a massive workforce, detailing the specific number and role of supervisory personnel. Historically, such large-scale building projects in the ancient Near East often relied on royal corvée labor, where subjects were required to render service to the king. Solomon's organization highlights his administrative acumen but also signals the heavy burden placed on his populace, which would later contribute to the kingdom's division (1 Ki 12). The detail in numbers emphasizes the immense scale and organized effort for a divinely commanded task.

1 Kings 5 16 Word analysis

• Besides, there were (וַיְהִי עוֹד, wa'yihi ‘od): "And there were still" or "And there were yet in addition." This phrase indicates that the count of officers is distinct from or additional to previously mentioned numbers of laborers, showing another layer of the organizational hierarchy.
• 3,300 (שְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וּשְׁלֹשׁ מֵאוֹת, sheloshet alafim u'shlosh me’ot): A specific numerical detail. This number often differs from other biblical accounts of Solomon's overseers (e.g., 550 in 1 Ki 9:23, 3,600 in 2 Chr 2:18, 250 in 2 Chr 8:10). Scholars often reconcile these discrepancies by suggesting different categories of officers (e.g., lower vs. higher ranks, foremen over specific tasks, administrative vs. direct supervisory roles), or that these are subsets of larger groups. The 3,300 may represent the most direct and numerous field supervisors.
• chief officers (שָׂרֵי הַנִּצָּבִים, sarei haNitsavim): Sarei means "princes," "chiefs," or "leaders," indicating high rank or significant authority. Nitsavim comes from the root natsav (to stand, to be appointed, to be set over), referring to those "appointed" or "set in place." Thus, these are high-ranking, appointed leaders. This phrase emphasizes their official, designated authority.
• of Solomon’s (אֲשֶׁר לְשְׁלֹמֹה, asher lishlomo): Directly connects these officers to King Solomon, highlighting his ultimate authority and the centralized nature of the command structure for the Temple project. It underscores that these officers derived their power from the king.
• who were over the work (הַנִּצָּבִים עַל־הַמְּלָאכָה, haNitsavim al-hammela’khah): HaNitsavim here serves as a participle, reinforcing "the ones appointed/standing over." Mela’khah refers to the task, business, or specifically, the construction work. This clarifies their primary function: direct supervision of the entire building project.
• and directed the people (הָרֹדִים בָּעָם, harodim ba'am): Harodim comes from the verb radah (רָדָה), which means "to rule," "to dominate," "to have dominion," or "to tread down." While it can denote harsh rule or oppression (as used in Leviticus for masters over slaves), in the context of a royal building project, it suggests effective, authoritative, and direct management or oversight, consistent with ancient Near Eastern practices for commanding a large labor force. It conveys active governance over the workers rather than simple leadership. Ba'am means "among the people" or "over the people."
• who carried on the work (הָעֹשִׂים בַּמְּלָאכָה, ha'osim ba'mela’khah): Literally, "the ones doing the work." This distinguishes the vast labor force (referred to in verse 15 as bearers and stonecutters) from their supervisors. It identifies those performing the physical construction tasks.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "chief officers... who were over the work and directed the people": This cluster identifies a specific class of leadership within Solomon's administration. They were not mere planners but actively involved in managing and commanding the daily operations of the colossal building enterprise. The term radah ("directed") implies their assertive and authoritative control over the large, diverse workforce, ensuring productivity. This indicates a highly structured and centralized authority inherent in Solomon's reign for large state projects.
  • "3,300... of Solomon’s": The emphasis on numbers and direct association with Solomon highlights the king's vast administrative reach and the significant resources, both human and material, he commanded. It underscores the immense scale of the Temple project and the careful planning required to execute it. This system ensured control over a workforce drawn from different peoples, crucial for timely and orderly construction.

1 Kings 5 16 Bonus section

The significant variance in the numbers of officers mentioned across 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles (e.g., 3,300 in 1 Ki 5:16, 550 in 1 Ki 9:23, 3,600 in 2 Chr 2:18, and 250 in 2 Chr 8:10) is a point of frequent discussion. One prominent understanding is that these numbers represent different classifications or tiers of overseers: some were high-ranking supervisors directly under Solomon (the 250 or 550), while others were general foremen (sarei haNitsavim) managing sections of workers, with the larger figures (3,300 or 3,600) potentially representing lower-level supervisors. Alternatively, some interpretations suggest the numbers in Kings refer predominantly to Israelite overseers, while Chronicles may include those from other peoples in their broader administrative figures. Regardless, the consistent theme is the necessity of extensive leadership and structured oversight for the execution of large, complex national projects like the building of God's house, indicating that even divine mandates are accomplished through ordered human effort and administration. This underscores the practical and logistical challenges of biblical-era construction, highlighting the organizational genius attributed to Solomon.

1 Kings 5 16 Commentary

1 Kings 5:16 provides a crucial insight into the administrative prowess of King Solomon, necessary for undertaking a project as ambitious as the Temple. The detail of 3,300 chief officers underscores the magnitude of the endeavor and the organizational complexity required to coordinate thousands of laborers, acquire vast quantities of materials, and ensure the quality and progress of the sacred structure. While the exact reconciliation of numerical discrepancies across different biblical books is debated, the overall picture conveyed is one of immense, meticulously organized human effort under strong central authority. These officers served as the critical interface between Solomon's vision and the labor force, embodying the practical application of his divinely given wisdom in governance. This highlights that even for projects commanded by God, human administration and systematic organization are indispensable. However, the use of such a large corvée labor force and the authoritative "directing" of the people (through radah) also foreshadows the future grievances of the Israelite population against the heavy burden imposed by Solomon, which ultimately contributed to the kingdom's division after his death. The verse thus subtly portrays both the grandeur and the cost of Solomon's magnificent reign.