King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 10:22 Mean?

1 Kings 10:22 in the King James Version says “For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, brin... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 10 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. ivory: or, elephants' teeth

1 Kings 10:22 · KJV


Context

20

And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom. the like: Heb. so

21

And all king Solomon's drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. none: or, there was no silver in them

22

For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks. ivory: or, elephants' teeth

23

So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom.

24

And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. sought to: Heb. sought the face of


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of queen of sheba and solomon's wealth, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
  2. What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
כִּי֩1 of 20
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֳנִ֣י2 of 20

a navy

H590

-a ship or (collectively) a fleet

תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ3 of 20

of Tharshish

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙4 of 20

For the king

H4428

a king

בַּיָּ֔ם5 of 20

had at sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

עִ֖ם6 of 20
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

אֳנִ֣י7 of 20

a navy

H590

-a ship or (collectively) a fleet

חִירָ֑ם8 of 20

of Hiram

H2438

chiram or chirom, the name of two tyrians

אַחַת֩9 of 20

once

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

לְשָׁלֹ֨שׁ10 of 20

in three

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

שָׁנִ֜ים11 of 20

years

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

תָּב֣וֹא׀12 of 20

came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֳנִ֣י13 of 20

a navy

H590

-a ship or (collectively) a fleet

תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ14 of 20

of Tharshish

H8659

tarshish, a place on the mediterranean, hence, the ephithet of a merchant vessel (as if for or from that port); also the name of a persian and of an i

נֹֽשְׂאֵת֙15 of 20

bringing

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

זָהָ֣ב16 of 20

gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וָכֶ֔סֶף17 of 20

and silver

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים18 of 20

ivory

H8143

probably, tooth of elephants, i.e., ivory tusk

וְקֹפִ֖ים19 of 20

and apes

H6971

a monkey

וְתֻכִּיִּֽים׃20 of 20

and peacocks

H8500

probably of foreign derivation; some imported creature, probably a peacock


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 10:22 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 10:22 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study