King James Version
1 Kings 4:32 in the King James Version says “And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.
“And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.”
1 Kings 4:32 · KJV
And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
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.
And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.
And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.
And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom.
KJV Study — Public Domain
“And he spake”
H1696perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
“thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
“proverbs”
H4912properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
“thousand”
H505hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
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.
1 Kings 4:32 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.