1 Kings 9:23
1 Kings 9:23 in Multiple Translations
They were also the chief officers over Solomon’s projects: 550 supervisors over the people who did the work.
These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon’s work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.
These were the chief officers that were over Solomon’s work, five hundred and fifty, who bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.
These were the chiefs of the overseers of Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, in authority over the people who did the work.
They were also the chief officers in charge of Solomon's programs: 550 in command of the people who carried out the work.
These were the princes of the officers, that were ouer Salomons worke: euen fiue hundreth and fiftie, and they ruled the people that wrought in the worke.
These [are] the heads of the officers who [are] over the work of Solomon, fifty and five hundred, those ruling among the people who are labouring in the work.
These were the five hundred fifty chief officers who were over Solomon’s work, who ruled over the people who labored in the work.
These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, who bore rule over the people that wrought in the work.
And there were five hundred and fifty chief officers set over all the works of Solomon, and they had people under them, and had charge over the appointed works.
There were 550 officials who supervised the slaves who worked to build all those places.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 9:23
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 9:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֵ֣לֶּה
שָׂרֵ֣י
הַ/נִּצָּבִ֗ים
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
עַל
הַ/מְּלָאכָה֙
לִ/שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים
וַ/חֲמֵ֣שׁ
מֵא֑וֹת
הָ/רֹדִ֣ים
בָּ/עָ֔ם
הָ/עֹשִׂ֖ים
בַּ/מְּלָאכָֽה
אֵ֣לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
these
Pron
שָׂרֵ֣י
sar
H8269
ruler
N-mp
הַ/נִּצָּבִ֗ים
nâtsab
H5324
to stand
Art | V-Niphal
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
ʼăsher
H834
which
Rel
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
הַ/מְּלָאכָה֙
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
Art | N-fs
לִ/שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
Solomon
Prep | N-proper
חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים
chămishshîym
H2572
fifty
Adj
וַ/חֲמֵ֣שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
five
Conj | Adj
מֵא֑וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
hundred
Adj
הָ/רֹדִ֣ים
râdâh
H7287
to rule
Art | V-Qal
בָּ/עָ֔ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
Prep | N-ms
הָ/עֹשִׂ֖ים
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Art | V-Qal
בַּ/מְּלָאכָֽה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
work
Prep | N-fs
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 9:23
אֵ֣לֶּה
ʼêl-leh
H428
"these"
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.
שָׂרֵ֣י
sar
H8269
"ruler"
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.
הַ/נִּצָּבִ֗ים
nâtsab
H5324
"to stand"
Art | V-Niphal
To stand or station oneself, either physically or as an appointed official. This word is used in various contexts, including setting up a monument or establishing a leader. It can also mean to stand firm or be established in a position.
Definition: 1) to stand, take one's stand, stand upright, be set (over), establish 1a) (Niphal) 1a1) to station oneself, take one's stand 1a2) to stand, be stationed 1a3) to stand, take an upright position 1a4) to be stationed, be appointed 1a5) deputy, prefect, appointed, deputed (subst) 1a6) to stand firm 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to station, set 1b2) to set up, erect 1b3) to cause to stand erect 1b4) to fix, establish 1c) (Hophal) to be fixed, be determined, be stationary
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: appointed, deputy, erect, establish, [idiom] Huzzah (by mistake for a proper name), lay, officer, pillar, present, rear up, set (over, up), settle, sharpen, establish, (make to) stand(-ing, still, up, upright), best state. See also: Genesis 18:2; 1 Samuel 15:12; Psalms 39:6.
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
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.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
הַ/מְּלָאכָה֙
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
Art | N-fs
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
לִ/שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה
Shᵉlômôh
H8010
"Solomon"
Prep | N-proper
Shelomoh, or Solomon, was a king of Judah and successor of his father David, first mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:14 and known for his wisdom.
Definition: A king of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 2Sa.5.14; son of: David (H1732) and Bathsheba (H1339); brother of: Shammua (H8051H), Shobab (H7727) and Nathan (H5416); half-brother of: Amnon (H0550), Chileab (H3609), Absalom (H0053), Adonijah (H0138), Shephatiah (H8203), Ithream (H3507), Ibhar (H2984), Elishua (H0474), Nepheg (H5298H), Japhia (H3309I), Elishama (H0476H), Eliada (H0450), Eliphelet (H0467), Tamar (H8559H), Elpelet (H0467I), Nogah (H5052) and Jerimoth (H3406N); married to daughter_of_Pharaoh (H6547P) and Naamah (H5279A); father of: Taphath (H2955), Basemath (H1315) and Rehoboam (H7346); also called Jedidiah at 2Sa.12.25; § Solomon = "peace" son of David by Bathsheba and 3rd king of Israel; author of Proverbs and Song of Songs
Usage: Occurs in 263 OT verses. KJV: Solomon. See also: 2 Samuel 5:14; 1 Kings 9:25; 2 Chronicles 7:8.
חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים
chămishshîym
H2572
"fifty"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number fifty, used in various biblical contexts like measurements and quantities. It appears in Leviticus and Numbers.
Definition: 1) fifty 1a) fifty (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of fifty (with other numbers) 1c) fiftieth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 141 OT verses. KJV: fifty. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:2; Isaiah 3:3.
וַ/חֲמֵ֣שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
מֵא֑וֹת
mêʼâh
H3967
"hundred"
Adj
Means a hundred, used as a simple number or part of a larger number in the Bible. It appears in various forms, including fractions like one one-hundredth. Found in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) hundred 1a) as simple number 1b) as part of larger number 1c) as a fraction-one one-hundredth (1/100) Aramaic equivalent: me.ah (מְאָה "hundred" H3969)
Usage: Occurs in 511 OT verses. KJV: hundred((-fold), -th), [phrase] sixscore. See also: Genesis 5:3; Numbers 2:6; Judges 18:17.
הָ/רֹדִ֣ים
râdâh
H7287
"to rule"
Art | V-Qal
This word means to have power or control over someone or something. It can also mean to scrape or crumble something, like scraping out a bowl.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, dominate, tread down 1a) (Qal) to have dominion, rule, subjugate 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to dominate
Usage: Occurs in 25 OT verses. KJV: (come to, make to) have dominion, prevail against, reign, (bear, make to) rule,(-r, over), take. See also: Genesis 1:26; 2 Chronicles 8:10; Psalms 49:15.
בָּ/עָ֔ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
Prep | N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
הָ/עֹשִׂ֖ים
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Art | V-Qal
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
בַּ/מְּלָאכָֽה
mᵉlâʼkâh
H4399
"work"
Prep | N-fs
Means work or employment, like a job or business, and is used to describe someone's occupation or the result of their labor, as seen in the Bible's description of various professions and industries.
Definition: 1) occupation, work, business 1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship 1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious
Usage: Occurs in 149 OT verses. KJV: business, [phrase] cattle, [phrase] industrious, occupation, ([phrase] -pied), [phrase] officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work((-man), -manship). See also: Genesis 2:2; 1 Chronicles 9:13; Psalms 73:28.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 9:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 9:23 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 9:23
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 9:23
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 9:23
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 9:23
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
Context — Solomon’s Additional Achievements
21their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction —Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.
22But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.
23They were also the chief officers over Solomon’s projects: 550 supervisors over the people who did the work.
24As soon as Pharaoh’s daughter had come up from the City of David to the palace that Solomon had built for her, he built the supporting terraces. 25Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the LORD, burning incense with them before the LORD. So he completed the temple.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 5:16 | not including his 3,300 foremen who supervised the workers. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 8:10 | They were also the chief officers for King Solomon: 250 supervisors. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 2:18 | Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors. |
1 Kings 9:23 Summary
This verse tells us that Solomon had 550 supervisors overseeing the people who were working on his projects. These supervisors were in charge of making sure the work got done, and they were responsible for managing the laborers. This shows us that Solomon was a good leader who knew how to organize and delegate tasks, which is an important skill for anyone in a position of authority, as seen in Exodus 18:13-27. By trusting others with responsibility, Solomon was able to accomplish great things and fulfill his vision for Israel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of projects was Solomon overseeing with these 550 supervisors?
The projects Solomon was overseeing included the construction of the temple, his palace, and other buildings, as mentioned in 1 Kings 7:1-12 and 1 Kings 9:15-19.
Who were the people doing the work under these supervisors?
The people doing the work were the descendants of the nations that the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction, as mentioned in 1 Kings 9:21, and they were forced laborers.
Why were the Israelites not forced to do this labor?
The Israelites were not forced to do this labor because they were considered men of war, servants, officers, captains, and commanders of Solomon's chariots and cavalry, as mentioned in 1 Kings 9:22.
How does this verse relate to the overall story of Solomon's reign?
This verse shows Solomon's organizational skills and his ability to delegate tasks, which was important for the completion of his many projects, including the temple, as mentioned in 1 Kings 8:1-66.
Reflection Questions
- What can we learn from Solomon's example of delegating tasks and trusting others with responsibility?
- How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship and using our resources wisely, as mentioned in Matthew 25:14-30?
- What role do supervisors and leaders play in the body of Christ, and how can we support and pray for them?
- How can we apply the principle of organization and delegation in our own lives and ministries?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 9:23
These were the chief of the officers over Solomon's work,.... In building the above houses and cities: five hundred and fifty which bore rule over the people that wrought in the work; in 2 Chronicles
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 9:23
These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
Object. They were only two hundred and fifty in . Answ. First, Those might be officers of another sort; for they are not said to be over the work, as these are, but only over the people. Secondly, The two hundred and fifty were Israelites, who are therefore distinctly mentioned in that book, where many things are more exactly noted than in the former; and the other three hundred were strangers, who therefore are neglected in that more accurate account. Or, thirdly, There was but two hundred and fifty at one time, which is noted there, and two hundred and fifty at another time, (for it is apparent they did their work by turns,) and the other fifty either were superior to all the rest, or rather were a reserve to supply the place of any of the five hundred when there was occasion, which might frequently happen. And so this was an act not unbecoming Solomon’ s wisdom, to make provision for emergencies.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
1 Kings 9:23 These [were] the chief of the officers that [were] over Solomon’ s work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.Ver. 23. Five hundred and fifty.] Nothing so many as he had about his temple work. These also took their turns, two hundred and fifty at a time, and fifty to be over them also.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
(23) Five hundred and fifty.—In 1 Kings 5:16 we read of just six times as many officers as those here mentioned over the workers for the Temple. But in that passage there would seem to be reference to the special levy then raised; here the description is apparently of a regularly established system.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 9:23
23. These were the chief of the officers] Better, with R.V. the chief officers. This is a select class out of the whole number of such officers. A greater number, 3300, is spoken of in chap. 1 Kings 5:16, and it may be that while the works in Lebanon, and at the Temple and the king’s house, were in progress, the larger number of chief officers was engaged in the supervision; but afterwards, for the ordinary fortification and pleasaunce-building, the smaller number was found sufficient. In 2 Chronicles 8:11, two hundred and fifty is given as the number of these officials. Kennicott explains this variation by the reading of one letter for another in the Hebrew system of indicating numbers by the letters of the alphabet.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 9:23
Five hundred and fifty - See 1 Kings 5:16 note.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 9:23
23. Five hundred and fifty — See note on 1 Kings 5:16.