King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 7:14 Mean?

1 Kings 7:14 in the King James Version says “He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled wi... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work. a widow's: Heb. the son of a widow woman

1 Kings 7:14 · KJV


Context

12

And the great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.

13

And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.

14

He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work. a widow's: Heb. the son of a widow woman

15

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece : and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about. cast: Heb. fashioned

16

And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of temple furnishings and solomon's palace, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. Solomon's God-given wisdom points to Christ, 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Colossians 2:3).

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 does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
בֶּן1 of 30

son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

אִשָּׁה֩2 of 30

He was a widow's

H802

a woman

אַלְמָנָ֨ה3 of 30
H490

a widow; also a desolate place

ה֜וּא4 of 30
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

מִמַּטֵּ֣ה5 of 30

of the tribe

H4294

a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),

נַפְתָּלִ֗י6 of 30

of Naphtali

H5321

naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory

וְאָבִ֣יו7 of 30

and his father

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אִישׁ8 of 30

was a man

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

צֹרִי֮9 of 30

of Tyre

H6876

a tsorite or inhabitant of tsor (i.e., syrian)

חֹרֵ֣שׁ10 of 30

a worker

H2790

to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad

בַּנְּחֹ֑שֶׁת11 of 30

in brass

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

וַ֠יִּמָּלֵא12 of 30

and he was filled

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

אֶת13 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַחָכְמָ֤ה14 of 30

with wisdom

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

וְאֶת15 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַתְּבוּנָה֙16 of 30

and understanding

H8394

intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice

וְאֶת17 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַדַּ֔עַת18 of 30

and cunning

H1847

knowledge

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ19 of 30

and wrought

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כָּל20 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃21 of 30

all his work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

בַּנְּחֹ֑שֶׁת22 of 30

in brass

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

וַיָּבוֹא֙23 of 30

And he came

H935

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

אֶל24 of 30
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ25 of 30

to king

H4428

a king

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה26 of 30

Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

וַיַּ֖עַשׂ27 of 30

and wrought

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת28 of 30
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל29 of 30
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃30 of 30

all his work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)


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 7:14 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 7:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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