1 Kings 3:25
1 Kings 3:25 in Multiple Translations
and the king declared, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
And the king said, Let the living child be cut in two and one half given to one woman and one to the other.
“Cut the child that's alive in two, and give half to one woman and half to another,” he commanded.
And the King sayde, Deuide ye the liuing child in twaine, and giue the one halfe to the one, and the other halfe to the other.
and the king saith, 'Cut the living child into two, and give the half to the one, and the half to the other.'
The king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.”
And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
Divide, said he, the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.
Then the king said to the servant, “Cut the baby that is alive into two parts. Give one part to each of the women.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 3:25
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 3:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ
גִּזְר֛וּ
אֶת
הַ/יֶּ֥לֶד
הַ/חַ֖י
לִ/שְׁנָ֑יִם
וּ/תְנ֤וּ
אֶֽת
הַ/חֲצִי֙
לְ/אַחַ֔ת
וְ/אֶֽת
הַ/חֲצִ֖י
לְ/אֶחָֽת
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
גִּזְר֛וּ
gâzar
H1504
to cut
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/יֶּ֥לֶד
yeled
H3206
youth
Art | N-ms
הַ/חַ֖י
chay
H2416
alive
Art | Adj
לִ/שְׁנָ֑יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Prep | Adj
וּ/תְנ֤וּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/חֲצִי֙
chêtsîy
H2677
half
Art | N-ms
לְ/אַחַ֔ת
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
וְ/אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/חֲצִ֖י
chêtsîy
H2677
half
Art | N-ms
לְ/אֶחָֽת
ʼechâd
H259
one
Prep | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 3:25
וַ/יֹּ֣אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
הַ/מֶּ֔לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
Art | N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
גִּזְר֛וּ
gâzar
H1504
"to cut"
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to cut or divide something, like cutting down a tree or deciding a matter. It is used in various ways, such as cutting off or destroying something. This word appears in books like Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: 1) to cut, divide, cut down, cut off, cut in two, snatch, decree 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut in two, divide 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to cut off, destroy, exterminate 1a4) to decree 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off, separated, excluded 1b2) to be destroyed, cut off 1b3) to be decreed
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: cut down (off), decree, divide, snatch. See also: 1 Kings 3:25; Psalms 88:6; Psalms 136:13.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/יֶּ֥לֶד
yeled
H3206
"youth"
Art | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a young person, like a child or teenager, such as the youth who helped David in 1 Samuel 20:1. It can also mean offspring or descendants, like the children of Israel in Exodus 12:37.
Definition: 1) child, son, boy, offspring, youth 1a) child, son, boy 1b) child, children 1c) descendants 1d) youth 1e) apostate Israelites (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 76 OT verses. KJV: boy, child, fruit, son, young man (one). See also: Genesis 4:23; 1 Kings 12:10; Isaiah 2:6.
הַ/חַ֖י
chay
H2416
"alive"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this word means life or being alive. It can refer to physical life, like in Genesis 1:20, or spiritual life, like in Psalm 30:5.
Definition: adj 1) living, alive 1a) green (of vegetation) 1b) flowing, fresh (of water) 1c) lively, active (of man) 1d) reviving (of the springtime) Aramaic equivalent: chay (חַי "living" H2417)
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] age, alive, appetite, (wild) beast, company, congregation, life(-time), live(-ly), living (creature, thing), maintenance, [phrase] merry, multitude, [phrase] (be) old, quick, raw, running, springing, troop. See also: Genesis 1:20; Deuteronomy 4:9; 2 Kings 5:16.
לִ/שְׁנָ֑יִם
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Prep | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
וּ/תְנ֤וּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Conj | V-Qal-Impv-2mp
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/חֲצִי֙
chêtsîy
H2677
"half"
Art | N-ms
This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.
Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.
לְ/אַחַ֔ת
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
וְ/אֶֽת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/חֲצִ֖י
chêtsîy
H2677
"half"
Art | N-ms
This word means half or middle, describing a division or a part of something. It is used to talk about physical things or time, like half of the day. The Bible uses it in various contexts.
Definition: 1) half 1a) half 1b) middle
Usage: Occurs in 101 OT verses. KJV: half, middle, mid(-night), midst, part, two parts. See also: Exodus 12:29; Ruth 3:8; Psalms 102:25.
לְ/אֶחָֽת
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Prep | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 3:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Solomon Judges Wisely
23Then the king replied, “This woman says, ‘My son is alive and yours is dead,’ but that woman says, ‘No, your son is dead and mine is alive.’”
24The king continued, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought him a sword,
25and the king declared, “Cut the living child in two and give half to one and half to the other.”
26Then the woman whose son was alive spoke to the king because she yearned with compassion for her son. “Please, my lord,” she said, “give her the living baby. Do not kill him!” But the other woman said, “He will be neither mine nor yours. Cut him in two!” 27Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 25:8 | do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? |
1 Kings 3:25 Summary
In this verse, King Solomon suggests cutting a living child in two to determine which woman is the true mother. This may seem like a strange or even cruel idea, but it was actually a test to see which woman would put the child's needs before her own desires, as seen in 1 Kings 3:26. The true mother was willing to give up her claim to the child in order to save its life, demonstrating the kind of selfless love that is described in John 15:13. This verse shows us that true wisdom and justice are based on a deep understanding of human nature and a commitment to doing what is right, as seen in Proverbs 21:15.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did King Solomon suggest cutting the living child in two?
King Solomon suggested cutting the living child in two to determine the true mother, as the woman who was willing to give up her child to save its life would be the real mother, as seen in 1 Kings 3:26, where the true mother begged the king to spare the child's life.
Is this verse promoting violence or harm towards children?
No, this verse is not promoting violence or harm towards children, but rather it is a test of the women's character and a demonstration of King Solomon's wisdom, as he later reveals in 1 Kings 3:27 that the child should be given to the true mother.
What can we learn from King Solomon's approach to solving this problem?
We can learn that King Solomon's approach was based on his understanding of human nature, as seen in Proverbs 10:8, which says that the wise in heart will receive commandments, and that his goal was to reveal the truth and bring justice, as seen in Proverbs 21:15, which says that it is a joy for the just to do justice.
How does this verse relate to the concept of wisdom in the Bible?
This verse relates to the concept of wisdom in the Bible, as King Solomon's wisdom is being demonstrated, and it is a fulfillment of the promise made to him in 1 Kings 3:12, where God says that He will give him wisdom and wealth, and it is also a reflection of the wisdom literature in the Bible, such as in the book of Proverbs, which emphasizes the importance of wisdom and discernment.
Reflection Questions
- What would you do if you were in the shoes of the true mother in this story, and how would you respond to the king's suggestion?
- How can we apply the principle of selfless love, as demonstrated by the true mother, in our own lives and relationships?
- What does this verse reveal about the character of King Solomon, and what can we learn from his example?
- How does this verse relate to the broader theme of justice and righteousness in the Bible, and what are the implications for our own lives?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 3:25
And the king said,.... To one of his officers: divide the living child in two; not that he meant it should be actually done, though it might at first be thought he really intended it, and so strike
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:25
He said this with seeming sincerity and earnestly, though with a design far above the reach of the two women or of the people present, who probably with admiration and horror expected the execution of it.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:25
1 Kings 3:25 And the king said, Divide the living child in two, and give half to the one, and half to the other.Ver. 25. Divide the living child in two.] This he spake for trial, and that he might make nature speak in the true mother. The like is recorded of Claudius Caesar, and of Galba, of Charles the Great, and of Alphonsus of Arragon, when but newly come to his crown. And give half to the one, &c.] So the Arminians would divide man’ s salvation between God’ s free grace and man’ s free will; Papists between Christ and their own good works. Some appearance of evil is not to be disliked.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:25
Verse 25. Divide the living child in two] This was apparently a very strange decision, and such as nothing could vindicate had it been carried into execution; but Solomon saw that the only way to find out the real mother was by the affection and tenderness which she would necessarily show to her offspring. He plainly saw that the real mother would rather relinquish her claim to her child than see it hewn in pieces before her eyes, while it was probable the pretender would see this with indifference. He therefore orders such a mode of trial as would put the maternal affection of the real mother to the utmost proof; the plan was tried, and it succeeded. This was a proof of his sound judgment, penetration, and acquaintance with human nature; but surely it is not produced as a proof of extraordinary and supernatural wisdom. We have several similar decisions even among heathens. Suetonius, in his life of the Emperor Claudius, cap. xv., whom he celebrates for his wonderful sagacity and penetration on some particular occasions, tells us, that this emperor discovered a woman to be the mother of a certain young man, whom she refused to acknowledge as her son, by commanding her to marry him, the proofs being doubtful on both sides; for, rather than commit this incest, she confessed the truth. His words are: Feminam, non agnoscentem fllium suum, dubia utrinque argumentorum fide, ad confessionem compulit, indicto matrimonio juvenis. Ariopharnes, king of Thrace, being appointed to decide between three young men, who each professed to be the son of the deceased king of the Cimmerians, and claimed the crown in consequence, found out the real son by commanding each to shoot an arrow into the body of the dead king: two of them did this without hesitation, the third refused, and was therefore judged by Ariopharnes to be the real son of the deceased. Grotius, on this place, quotes this relation from Diodorus Siculus; I quote this on his authority, but have not been able to find the place in Diodorus.
This is a parallel case to that in the text; a covert appeal was made to the principle of affection; and the truth was discovered, as in the case of the mother of the living child.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 3:25
25. Divide the living child] According to Josephus, the order of the king was that both the living and the dead child should be divided and half of either be given to each mother. But this was not in Solomon’s thought. He was not wishing to make a fair division of the two children, but, by threatening the living one, to bring to light the maternal feeling and so to find out to which of them it really belonged.