1 Kings 3:27
1 Kings 3:27 in Multiple Translations
Then the king gave his ruling: “Give the living baby to the first woman. By no means should you kill him; she is his mother.”
Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother thereof.
Then the king made answer and said, Give her the child, and do not put it to death; she is the mother of it.
The king gave his verdict. “Give the child that's alive to the first woman,” he ordered. “On no account kill him, for she is his real mother.”
Then the King answered, and sayde, Giue her the liuing childe, and slay him not: this is his mother.
And the king answereth and saith, 'Give ye to her the living child, and put it not at all to death; she [is] its mother.'
Then the king answered, “Give the first woman the living child, and definitely do not kill him. She is his mother.”
Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she is the mother of it.
The king answered, and said: Give the living child to this woman, and let it not be killed, for she is the mother thereof.
Then the king said to the servant, “Do not kill the baby. Give the baby to the woman who said ‘Do not cut the baby in half,’ because she is truly the baby’s mother.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 3:27
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 3:27 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּ֨עַן
הַ/מֶּ֜לֶךְ
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
תְּנוּ
לָ/הּ֙
אֶת
הַ/יָּל֣וּד
הַ/חַ֔י
וְ/הָמֵ֖ת
לֹ֣א
תְמִיתֻ֑/הוּ
הִ֖יא
אִמּֽ/וֹ
וַ/יַּ֨עַן
ʻânâh
H6030
to dwell
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
הַ/מֶּ֜לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
Art | N-ms
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
תְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
to give
V-Qal-Impv-2mp
לָ/הּ֙
Prep | Suff
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/יָּל֣וּד
yâlad
H3205
to beget
Art | V-Qal-Inf-c
הַ/חַ֔י
chay
H2416
alive
Art | Adj
וְ/הָמֵ֖ת
mûwth
H4191
to die
Conj | V-Hiphil-Ptc
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
תְמִיתֻ֑/הוּ
mûwth
H4191
to die
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp | Suff
הִ֖יא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
אִמּֽ/וֹ
ʼêm
H517
mother
N-fs | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 3:27
וַ/יַּ֨עַן
ʻânâh
H6030
"to dwell"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to sing or make music, but also to respond or give an answer. In the Bible, it is used to describe praising God in song or responding to a question. The KJV translates it as 'sing' or 'answer'.
Definition: (Qal) to dwell
Usage: Occurs in 316 OT verses. KJV: give account, afflict (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), (cause to, give) answer, bring low (by mistake for H6031 (עָנָה)), cry, hear, Leannoth, lift up, say, [idiom] scholar, (give a) shout, sing (together by course), speak, testify, utter, (bear) witness. See also H1042 (בֵּית עֲנוֹת), H1043 (בֵּית עֲנָת). See also: Genesis 18:27; 2 Samuel 14:19; Job 40:2.
הַ/מֶּ֜לֶךְ
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.
וַ/יֹּ֗אמֶר
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.
תְּנוּ
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
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.
לָ/הּ֙
""
Prep | Suff
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/יָּל֣וּד
yâlad
H3205
"to beget"
Art | V-Qal-Inf-c
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to give birth or beget a child, like when Eve gave birth to Cain in Genesis 4:1. It can also mean to help someone give birth, like a midwife. This word is used in many KJV translations, including Genesis and Isaiah.
Definition: 1) to bear, bringforth, beget, gender, travail 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to bear, bring forth 1a1a) of child birth 1a1b) of distress (simile) 1a1c) of wicked (behaviour) 1a2) to beget 1b) (Niphal) to be born 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to cause or help to bring forth 1c2) to assist or tend as a midwife 1c3) midwife (participle) 1d) (Pual) to be born 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to beget (a child) 1e2) to bear (fig. -of wicked bringing forth iniquity) 1f) (Hophal) day of birth, birthday (infinitive) 1g) (Hithpael) to declare one's birth (pedigree)
Usage: Occurs in 403 OT verses. KJV: bear, beget, birth(-day), born, (make to) bring forth (children, young), bring up, calve, child, come, be delivered (of a child), time of delivery, gender, hatch, labour, (do the office of a) midwife, declare pedigrees, be the son of, (woman in, woman that) travail(-eth, -ing woman). See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 30:19; 2 Samuel 21:22.
הַ/חַ֔י
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.
וְ/הָמֵ֖ת
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
Conj | V-Hiphil-Ptc
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
לֹ֣א
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
תְמִיתֻ֑/הוּ
mûwth
H4191
"to die"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-2mp | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to die, either literally or as a punishment, and is used in books like Genesis and Exodus. It can also mean to perish or be killed. This concept is seen in the story of Adam and Eve, where death enters the world as a result of sin.
Definition: 1) to die, kill, have one executed 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to die 1a2) to die (as penalty), be put to death 1a3) to die, perish (of a nation) 1a4) to die prematurely (by neglect of wise moral conduct) 1b) (Polel) to kill, put to death, dispatch 1c) (Hiphil) to kill, put to death 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be killed, be put to death 1d1a) to die prematurely
Usage: Occurs in 695 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, [idiom] crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-mancer), [idiom] must needs, slay, [idiom] surely, [idiom] very suddenly, [idiom] in (no) wise. See also: Genesis 2:17; Exodus 21:18; Numbers 35:21.
הִ֖יא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
אִמּֽ/וֹ
ʼêm
H517
"mother"
N-fs | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'mother' is used in the Bible to describe a female parent or a maternal figure. It can also refer to the source or origin of something, such as a river or a family. In some cases, it is used figuratively to describe a person's relationship to others.
Definition: 1) mother 1a) of humans 1b) of Deborah's relationship to the people (fig.) 1c) of animals 2) point of departure or division
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: dam, mother, [idiom] parting. See also: Genesis 2:24; 2 Kings 4:19; Psalms 22:10.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 3:27
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Solomon Judges Wisely
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.”
28When all Israel heard of the judgment the king had given, they stood in awe of him, for they saw that the wisdom of God was in him to administer justice.1 Kings 3:27 Summary
In this verse, King Solomon makes a wise decision to give the living baby to the true mother, showing that he values the life of the baby and the well-being of the mother. This story teaches us about the importance of compassion, kindness, and justice, and how these values should guide our decisions, just like they guided King Solomon's decision (Proverbs 21:15). It also reminds us that God is a God of justice and mercy, and that He desires for us to reflect these qualities in our own lives (Micah 6:8). By looking at this story, we can learn how to make wise decisions and show love and care for those around us, just like the true mother did.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did King Solomon determine who the true mother of the baby was?
King Solomon determined who the true mother was by observing the women's reactions to his initial ruling, as seen in 1 Kings 3:26, and then making a wise decision based on their responses, ultimately giving the baby to the woman who showed compassion and a desire to protect her child, as stated in 1 Kings 3:27.
What does this verse reveal about King Solomon's character?
This verse reveals that King Solomon was a wise and just ruler, as he was able to make a fair decision in a difficult situation, and it also shows that he valued the life of the baby and the well-being of the true mother, demonstrating a heart of compassion and kindness, similar to the heart of God described in Psalms 103:13.
How does this verse relate to the concept of justice in the Bible?
This verse relates to the concept of justice in the Bible by showing that true justice is not just about following rules, but also about showing mercy and compassion, as seen in Micah 6:8, and that a just ruler will seek to protect and care for the vulnerable, such as the baby in this story.
What can we learn from the true mother's actions in this verse?
We can learn from the true mother's actions that a mother's love is selfless and sacrificial, as seen in her willingness to give up her claim to the baby in order to save his life, and that this kind of love is a reflection of God's love for us, as described in John 3:16.
Reflection Questions
- What would I have done if I were in the true mother's situation, and how can I apply her selfless love to my own life?
- How can I demonstrate wisdom and justice in my own decisions, like King Solomon did in this situation?
- What are some ways that I can show compassion and kindness to those around me, just like the true mother showed to her baby?
- How can I trust God's sovereignty and wisdom in difficult situations, just like King Solomon did in this story?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 3:27
Then the king answered and said, give her the living child, and in no wise slay it,.... That is, to her who desired it might not be slain, but rather be given to her who had no right to it: she [is]
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:27
As is evident from her natural and motherly affection to the child, which she had rather have alienated and given away from her than destroyed.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 3:27
1 Kings 3:27 Then the king answered and said, Give her the living child, and in no wise slay it: she [is] the mother thereof.Ver. 27. She is the mother thereof.] As appeareth by her natural affection. Ownness maketh love. Prolem quisque amat non quia pulchram, sed quia suam.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 3:27
27. Give her the living child] Not referring to the woman who had last spoken as the sequence of the clauses might lead us to expect. The king no doubt pointed to the mother who was desirous at all cost to keep the child alive. The late Dr Bernard had a most ingenious explanation of the construction of this passage. The king, he said, was pondering the words of the two women. At last he broke forth in the language of the mother who had said ‘Give her the living child and in no wise slay it.’ And to that sentence, taken as representative of the person who had spoken it, he adds his own decision, ‘She is the mother thereof.’