1 Kings 4:2
1 Kings 4:2 in Multiple Translations
and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest;
And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
And these were the princes whom he had: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest;
And these were his chief men: Azariah, the son of Zadok, was the priest;
These were his officials: Azariah, son of Zadok, was the priest;
And these were his princes, Azariah the sonne of Zadok the Priest,
and these [are] the heads whom he hath: Azariah son of Zadok [is] the priest;
These were the princes whom he had: Azariah the son of Zadok, the priest;
And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,
And these were the princes which he had: Azarias the son of Sadoc the priest:
and these were his most important officials: Zadok’s son Azariah was the priest.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 4:2
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 4:2 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וְ/אֵ֥לֶּה
הַ/שָּׂרִ֖ים
אֲשֶׁר
ל֑/וֹ
עֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ
בֶן
צָד֖וֹק
הַ/כֹּהֵֽן
וְ/אֵ֥לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Conj | Pron
הַ/שָּׂרִ֖ים
sar
H8269
ruler
Art | N-mp
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
ל֑/וֹ
Prep | Suff
עֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ
ʻĂzaryâh
H5838
Azariah
N-proper
בֶן
bên
H1121
son
N-ms
צָד֖וֹק
Tsâdôwq
H6659
Zadok
N-proper
הַ/כֹּהֵֽן
kôhên
H3548
priest
Art | N-ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 4:2
וְ/אֵ֥לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
Conj | Pron
This Hebrew word is used to point out specific people or things, like saying 'these' or 'those'. It appears in the book of Genesis, where God says 'let there be light' and separates the light from the darkness.
Definition: 1) these 1a) used before antecedent 1b) used following antecedent Aramaic equivalent: el.leh (אֵלֶּה "these" H0429)
Usage: Occurs in 697 OT verses. KJV: an-(the) other; one sort, so, some, such, them, these (same), they, this, those, thus, which, who(-m). See also: Genesis 2:4; Exodus 35:1; Deuteronomy 1:35.
הַ/שָּׂרִ֖ים
sar
H8269
"ruler"
Art | N-mp
A leader or person in charge, like a prince or captain, as seen in the Bible with King David and other rulers.
Definition: 1) prince, ruler, leader, chief, chieftain, official, captain 1a) chieftain, leader 1b) vassal, noble, official (under king) 1c) captain, general, commander (military) 1d) chief, head, overseer (of other official classes) 1e) heads, princes (of religious office) 1f) elders (of representative leaders of people) 1g) merchant-princes (of rank and dignity) 1h) patron-angel 1i) Ruler of rulers (of God) 1j) warden
Usage: Occurs in 368 OT verses. KJV: captain (that had rule), chief (captain), general, governor, keeper, lord,(-task-)master, prince(-ipal), ruler, steward. See also: Genesis 12:15; 1 Kings 22:32; 2 Chronicles 32:21.
אֲשֶׁר
ʼăsher
H834
"which"
Rel
This Hebrew word is a conjunction that connects ideas and events in the Bible, like in the book of Genesis, where it's used to describe the relationship between God and His creation.
Definition: A: 1) (relative part.) 1a) which, who 1b) that which 2) (conj) 2a) that (in obj clause) 2b) when 2c) since 2d) as 2e) conditional if B: Beth+ 1) in (that) which 2) (adv) 2a) where 3) (conj) 3a) in that, inasmuch as 3b) on account of C: Mem+ 1) from (or than) that which 2) from (the place) where 3) from (the fact) that, since D: Kaph+ 1) (conj.), according as, as, when 1a) according to that which, according as, as 1b) with a causal force: in so far as, since 1c) with a temporal force: when
Usage: Occurs in 4440 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, [idiom] alike, as (soon as), because, [idiom] every, for, [phrase] forasmuch, [phrase] from whence, [phrase] how(-soever), [idiom] if, (so) that ((thing) which, wherein), [idiom] though, [phrase] until, [phrase] whatsoever, when, where ([phrase] -as, -in, -of, -on, -soever, -with), which, whilst, [phrase] whither(-soever), who(-m, -soever, -se). As it is indeclinable, it is often accompanied by the personal pronoun expletively, used to show the connection. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 20:9; Genesis 31:16.
ל֑/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
עֲזַרְיָ֥הוּ
ʻĂzaryâh
H5838
"Azariah"
N-proper
Azariah was the name of nineteen different Israelites, including a king of Judah and a friend of Daniel who was renamed Abednego by King Nebuchadnezzar. His name means Jehovah has helped.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, first mentioned at Dan.1.6; also called Abednego at Dan.2.49; 3.12,13,14,16,19,20,22,23,26,28,29,30; § Azariah = "Jehovah has helped" 1) son of king Amaziah of Judah and king of Judah himself for 52 years; also 'Uzziah' 2) the godly friend of Daniel who Nebuchadnezzar renamed Abednego; one of the three friends who with Daniel refused to make themselves unclean by eating food from the king's table which went against the dietary laws which God had given the Jews; also one of the three who were thrown into the fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a graven image of Nebuchadnezzar and who were saved by the angel of the Lord 2a) also, 'Abednego' (H5664 or H5665) 3) son of Nathan and an officer of Solomon; perhaps David's grandson and Solomon's nephew 4) a prophet in the days of king Asa of Judah 5) son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah and brother to 5 6) another son of king Jehoshaphat of Judah and brother to 4 7) a priest, son of Ahimaaz, grandson of Zadok and high priest in the reign of king Solomon 8) the high priest in the reign of king Uzziah of Judah 9) a priest who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah; probably same as 18 10) a Kohathite Levite, father of Joel in the reign of king Hezekiah of Judah 11) a Merarite Levite, son of Jehalelel in the reign of king Hezekiah of Judah 12) a Kohathite Levite, son of Zephaniah and ancestor of Samuel the prophet 13) a Levite who helped Ezra in instructing the people in the law 14) son of Jeroham and one of the temple captains of Judah in the time of queen Athaliah; probably the same as 21 15) son of Maaseiah who repaired part of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 16) one of the leaders who returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel 17) a man who assisted in the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah; probably the same as 10 18) son of Johanan, one of the captains of Ephraim in the reign of king Ahaz of Judah 19) a Judaite, son of Ethan of the sons of Zerah 20) a Judaite, son of Jehu of the family of the Jerahmeelites and descended from Jarha the Egyptian slave of Sheshan; probably one of the captains of the time of queen Athaliah and the same as 15 21) a priest, son of Hilkiah 22) a priest, son of Johanan 23) son of king Jehoram of Judah; probably clerical error for 'Ahaziah' 24) son of Meraioth 25) son of Hoshaiah and one of the proud men who confronted Jeremiah
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: Azariah. See also: 1 Kings 4:2; 2 Chronicles 21:2; Jeremiah 43:2.
בֶן
bên
H1121
"son"
N-ms
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
צָד֖וֹק
Tsâdôwq
H6659
"Zadok"
N-proper
Zadok was a high priest in Israel who supported King David and anointed Solomon as king. His name means righteous and he is mentioned in 1 Kings and Nehemiah. Zadok was a key figure in Israel's history.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Neh.13.13 § Zadok = "righteous" 1) the high priest, son of Ahitub of the house of Eleazar the son of Aaron, and 11th in descent from Aaron; joined David after Saul's death and supported him against Absalom and Adonijah; anointed Solomon as king 2) a priest, son of Meraioth, father of Meshullam of the house of Ahitub; apparently a nephew of 1 3) father of Jerusha, the wife of king Uzziah and mother of king Jotham of Judah 4) son of Baana and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 5) son of Immer and repairer of the wall of Jerusalem in the time of Nehemiah 6) a leader of the people in the time of Nehemiah 7) a scribe appointed by Nehemiah as one of the treasurers over the storehouse 8) a valiant warrior of the tribe of Benjamin who joined David at Hebron. Same as 1?
Usage: Occurs in 50 OT verses. KJV: Zadok. See also: 2 Samuel 8:17; 1 Chronicles 5:34; Ezekiel 48:11.
הַ/כֹּהֵֽן
kôhên
H3548
"priest"
Art | N-ms
In the Bible, a priest is a person who serves God and leads others in worship, like the Levitical priests in Exodus. They were responsible for making sacrifices and following God's laws. This term is also used to describe Jesus as a priest-king.
Definition: 1) priest, principal officer or chief ruler 1a) priest-king (Melchizedek, Messiah) 1b) pagan priests 1c) priests of Jehovah 1d) Levitical priests 1e) Zadokite priests 1f) Aaronic priests 1g) the high priest Aramaic equivalent: ka.hen (כָּהֵן "priest" H3549)
Usage: Occurs in 653 OT verses. KJV: chief ruler, [idiom] own, priest, prince, principal officer. See also: Genesis 14:18; Leviticus 13:33; Numbers 17:2.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 4:2
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 4:2 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 4:2
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 4:2
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 4:2
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 4:2
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
- Sermons on 1 Kings 4:2
Context — Solomon’s Princes
1So King Solomon ruled over Israel,
2and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest;
3Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; 4Benaiah son of Jehoiada was in charge of the army; Zadok and Abiathar were priests;Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 18:21 | Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. |
| 2 | 1 Corinthians 12:28 | And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 8:15–18 | Thus David reigned over all Israel and administered justice and righteousness for all his people: Joab son of Zeruiah was over the army; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was the scribe; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; and David’s sons were priestly leaders. |
| 4 | 1 Chronicles 27:17 | over Levi was Hashabiah son of Kemuel; over Aaron was Zadok; |
| 5 | 1 Chronicles 6:8–10 | Ahitub was the father of Zadok, Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz, Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah, Azariah was the father of Johanan, Johanan was the father of Azariah, who served as priest in the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem, |
| 6 | 2 Samuel 20:23–26 | Now Joab was over the whole army of Israel; Benaiah son of Jehoiada was over the Cherethites and Pelethites; Adoram was in charge of the forced labor; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; Sheva was the scribe; Zadok and Abiathar were priests; and Ira the Jairite was David’s priest. |
1 Kings 4:2 Summary
This verse tells us about the important leaders in King Solomon's government, including Azariah, who was the priest. The priest was a special person who helped the people connect with God, as seen in Exodus 28:1. Azariah's role was to lead the people in worship and to teach them about God's laws, similar to the responsibilities described in Leviticus 10:10-11. By understanding Azariah's role, we can learn about the importance of spiritual leadership and how it can impact our lives, just like it did in the time of King Solomon, as seen in 1 Kings 3:3 and 1 Kings 8:61.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Azariah son of Zadok and why is he mentioned as the priest in 1 Kings 4:2?
Azariah son of Zadok was a high-ranking priest in King Solomon's administration, and his mention here highlights the importance of the priesthood in Israelite society, as seen in Exodus 28:1 and Leviticus 8:12.
What role did the chief officials play in King Solomon's government?
The chief officials, including Azariah, Elihoreph, Ahijah, Jehoshaphat, Benaiah, Zadok, and Abiathar, held various positions of authority and responsibility, similar to the roles described in Deuteronomy 1:15 and Numbers 11:16-17.
Why is it significant that Azariah was the son of Zadok?
As the son of Zadok, Azariah was part of a prominent priestly family, and his appointment as priest reflects the continuation of his family's legacy in serving God, as seen in 1 Samuel 2:35 and 1 Chronicles 6:8.
How does the mention of Azariah as the priest relate to the overall theme of 1 Kings?
The mention of Azariah as the priest in 1 Kings 4:2 sets the stage for the rest of the book, which explores the relationship between God and His people, particularly through the monarchy and the priesthood, as seen in 1 Kings 9:1-9 and 1 Kings 12:1-33.
Reflection Questions
- What does the appointment of Azariah as priest reveal about King Solomon's priorities and values?
- How does the role of the priest in ancient Israelite society relate to our understanding of spiritual leadership today?
- What can we learn from the example of Azariah and his family about the importance of faithfulness and legacy in our own lives?
- In what ways can we, like Azariah, serve as representatives of God in our communities and workplaces?
- What does this verse teach us about the relationship between spiritual leadership and secular authority?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 4:2
And these [were] the princes which he had,.... That were in office about him, in the highest posts of honour and trust: Azariah the son of Zadok the priest: or rather his grandson, since Ahimaaz was
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 4:2
And these were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest, These were the princes - or chief officers. Azariah the son of Zadok the priest , [ hakoheen (H3548)].
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
The princes which he had, i.e. the chief rulers or officers belonging to him. The son, or, the grandson, by comparing this with ,9. Of Zadok; either Zadok the priest, ,9, or some other of that name. The priest; So he was the second priest, or the priest that attended upon Solomon’ s person in holy offices and administrations. But when this sacred writer professeth to give an account of Solomon’ s princes, why should he put the second priest, or Solomon’ s domestic priest, in the first place? or why should he be mentioned distinctly from his father, who was generally present with Solomon, and could easily, either by himself, or some other fit person or persons appointed by him, manage all the king’ s sacred concerns? or why is he named before his father? Others therefore render this Hebrew word prince, as it is used 47:22,26 Exodus 2:16 . So he was either the chief in dignity, the first prince, and the highest officer in the state next to the king; or the chief minister of state, by whom the great affairs of state were managed and prepared for the king’ s consideration, &c.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
1 Kings 4:2 And these [were] the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest,Ver. 2. Azariah the son of Zadok,] i.e., The son’ s son. Priests and their sons were in great request in those days. Our king Edward III made clergymen his chief officers.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
(2) And these were.—The officers described are of two classes—those attached to Solomon’s Court, and those invested with local authority. The princes are evidently Solomon’s high counsellors and officers, “eating at the king’s table.” The word is derived from a root which means to “set in order.” It is significant that whereas in the lists of David’s officers in 2 Samuel 8:16-18; 2 Samuel 20:23-26, the captain of the host stands first, and is followed in one list by the captain of the body-guard, both are here preceded by the peaceful offices of the priests, scribes, and the recorder. Azariah the son of Zadok the priest.—In 1 Chronicles 6:9-10, we find Azariah described as the son of Ahimaaz, and so grandson of Zadok; and the note in 1 Kings 4:10 (which is apparently out of its right place) seems to show that he was high priest at the time when the Temple was built. The title the “priest” in this place must be given by anticipation, for it is expressly said below that “Zadok and Abiathar were now the priests.” The use of the original word, Cohen (probably signifying “one who ministers”), appears sometimes to retain traces of the old times, when the priesthood and headship of the family were united, and to be applied accordingly to princes, to whom perhaps still attached something of the ancient privilege. Thus it is given to the sons of David in 2 Samuel 8:18, where the parallel passage in 1 Chronicles 18:17 has a paraphrase, “chief about the king,” evidently intended to explain the sense in which it is used in the older record. We may remember that David himself on occasions wore the priestly ephod (see 2 Samuel 6:14). Possibly in this sense it is applied in 1 Kings 4:5 to Zabud, the “king’s friend” (where the Authorised Version renders it by “principal officer”). But in this verse there is every reason for taking it in the usual sense. Azariah was already a “prince” before he succeeded to the high priesthood. The mingling, of priestly and princely functions is characteristic of the time.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
Verse 2. These were the princes which he had; Azariah the son of Zadok the priest.] These were his great, chief, or principal men. None of them were princes in the common acceptation of the word.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 4:2
2. Azariah the son of Zadok the priest] The two last words are to be referred to Azariah and not to Zadok. The Vat. LXX. omits the title, but the Alex. text has ὁἱερεύς. On the contrary the Vulgate renders ‘Sadoc Sacerdotis.’ The Zadok here named is the son of Ahitub (1 Chronicles 6:8), and Azariah was really his grandson, the order being Zadok-Ahimaaz-Azariah. The use of ‘son’ thus loosely for grandson is not uncommon in the Old Test. Thus (Genesis 29:5) Laban is called the son of Nahor. He was really the son of Bethuel. Similarly (Ezra 5:1) Zachariah the prophet is called the son of Iddo, though Barachiah was his father and Iddo his grandfather. The words ‘the priest’ have caused much discussion, and on the margin of the A.V. ‘chief officer’ is given as an alternative meaning.
That the word may have another sense seems plain from 2 Samuel 8:18. In that passage the same word is used of David’s sons, and is rendered ‘chief rulers’ or ‘princes’ in A.V. The R.V. translates ‘priests’ in the text, with ‘chief ministers’ in the margin. We can hardly however think that David’s sons were priests. But in the verse before us Azariah belongs to the priestly family, as much as Zadok and Abiathar who are called ‘priests’ (the same Hebrew word) in 1 Kings 4:4. Where there is no such connexion with the priestly line, Zabud the son of Nathan, in 1 Kings 4:5, is styled ‘principal officer’; the R.V. is consistent and renders ‘priest’ there too, but puts ‘chief minister’ as an alternative. It is probably on account of the difficulty of so many persons being called by the title usually rendered ‘priest’ that the LXX. omits the title both after Azariah’s name, and after Zabud’s, calling the latter merely ἑταῖροςτοῦβασιλέως. It seems clear however from the instance of David’s sons that the title had a sense in which it could be applied to others than those of the priestly line.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 4:2
Azariah, the son of Zadok, the priest - “The priest” here belongs to Azariah, not to Zadok. The term used כהן kôhên means sometimes a priest, sometimes a civil officer, with perhaps a semi-priestly character.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 4:2
2. Princes — Hebrew, the Sarim, Superior officers; high state-dignitaries, in distinction from the prefects, or lesser officers mentioned below, 1 Kings 4:7-19.
Sermons on 1 Kings 4:2
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Nahshon by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the book of Numbers in the Bible and the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The speaker highlights the tragic nature |
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(Through the Bible) Exodus 16-18 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of having a genuine fear of God and the accountability that comes with being a teacher of the Word. He shares his personal str |
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The Meaning of Head in the Bible by Wayne Grudem | In this sermon transcript, the speaker discusses the importance of citing references in a way that makes them difficult to locate. He emphasizes that evangelical scholarship should |
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If My People - Part 1 by Shane Idleman | This sermon emphasizes the importance of addressing controversial topics and recapturing the prophetic zeal in churches. It highlights the impact of the Johnson Amendment on church |
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Give Me More, Give Me More - Part 1 by Steve Mays | In this sermon, Pastor Steve Mays discusses the issue of coveting and its impact on society. He emphasizes that the greed and covetousness of individuals and nations are causing co |
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Keeping the Flock by Samuel Logan Brengle | Samuel Logan Brengle emphasizes the vital role of soul-winners in nurturing and maintaining the faith of their converts, drawing parallels to Paul's dedication in strengthening bel |
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Precious in the Sight of God by K.P. Yohannan | K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the significance of fearing God, illustrating that this reverence is what makes individuals precious in His sight. He highlights Job as a prime example, no |