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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad15.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/5-14.htm" title="1 Kings 5:14">◄</a> 1 Kings 5:15 <a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm" title="1 Kings 5:16">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the hills,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Solomon also had 70,000 common laborers, 80,000 quarry workers in the hill country,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Solomon also had 70,000 burden-bearers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Solomon had seventy thousand who carried burdens, and eighty thousand who quarried <i>stone</i> in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Now Solomon had seventy thousand porters, and eighty thousand stonemasons in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Now Solomon had 70,000 transporters, and 80,000 hewers of stone in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Now Solomon had 70,000 transporters, and 80,000 hewers <i>of stone</i> in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Solomon had 70,000 who carried loads, and 80,000 hewers <i>of stone</i> in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had 70,000 burden bearers (transporters) and 80,000 stonemasons in the hill country [of Judah],<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had seventy thousand porters and eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand that were hewers in the mountains;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />He also had 80,000 workers to cut stone in the hill country of Israel, 70,000 workers to carry the stones, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand that were hewers in the mountains;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Solomon had 70,000 men who carried heavy loads, 70,000 who quarried stone in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Solomon also had 80,000 stone cutters in the hill country, with 70,000 men to carry the stones, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Solomon also employed 70,000 heavy-lift workers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Solomon also had 70,000 common laborers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hills,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Solomon had seventy thousand that bore burdens, and eighty thousand hewers in the mountains;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And King Solomon has seventy thousand bearing burdens, and eighty thousand hewing in the mountain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And king Solomon hath seventy thousand bearing burdens, and eighty thousand hewing in the mountain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And there will be to Solomon seventy thousand lifting up a burden, and eighty thousand hewing in the mountain.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And Solomon had seventy thousand to carry burdens, and eighty thousand to hew stones in the mountain: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And Solomon had seventy thousand of those who were carrying burdens, and eighty thousand of those who cut stones from the mountain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Solomon also had seventy thousand laborers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the hill country,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Solomon had seventy thousand men who bore burdens and eighty thousand hewers of stone in the mountain,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And there were seventy thousand Porters for Solomon, and eighty thousand who cut stone in the mountain.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bore burdens, and fourscore thousand that were hewers in the mountains;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Solomon had seventy thousand bearers of burdens, and eighty thousand hewers of stone in the mountain;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/5-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=1910" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/5.htm">Solomon's Workmen and Laborers</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor. <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8010.htm" title="8010: liš·lō·mōh (Prep-l:: N-proper-ms) -- David's son and successor to his throne. From shalowm; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor.">Solomon</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">had</a> <a href="/hebrew/7657.htm" title="7657: šiḇ·‘îm (Number-cp) -- Seventy (a card. number). Multiple of sheba'; seventy.">70,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: nō·śê (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">porters</a> <a href="/hebrew/5449.htm" title="5449: sab·bāl (N-ms) -- Burden bearer. From cabal; a porter."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8084.htm" title="8084: ū·šə·mō·nîm (Conj-w:: Number-cp) -- An eighty. Or shmowniym; mult. From shmoneh; eighty, also eightieth.">and 80,000</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’e·lep̄ (Number-ms) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand."></a> <a href="/hebrew/2672.htm" title="2672: ḥō·ṣêḇ (N-ms) -- Or chatseb; a primitive root; to cut or carve, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave.">stonecutters</a> <a href="/hebrew/2022.htm" title="2022: bā·hār (Prep-b, Art:: N-ms) -- Mountain, hill, hill country. A shortened form of harar; a mountain or range of hills.">in the mountains,</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>not including his 3,300 foremen who supervised the workers.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/2-2.htm">2 Chronicles 2:2</a></span><br />So he conscripted 70,000 porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/2-17.htm">2 Chronicles 2:17-18</a></span><br />Solomon numbered all the foreign men in the land of Israel following the census his father David had conducted, and there were found to be 153,600 in all. / Solomon made 70,000 of them porters, 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, and 3,600 supervisors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/1-11.htm">Exodus 1:11</a></span><br />So the Egyptians appointed taskmasters over the Israelites to oppress them with forced labor. As a result, they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-20.htm">1 Kings 9:20-21</a></span><br />As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— / their 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-11.htm">2 Samuel 5:11</a></span><br />Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/6-7.htm">1 Kings 6:7</a></span><br />The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-13.htm">1 Kings 7:13-14</a></span><br />Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre. / He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge for every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/9-15.htm">1 Kings 9:15</a></span><br />This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon imposed to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, and the wall of Jerusalem, as well as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/10-11.htm">1 Kings 10:11-12</a></span><br />(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones. / The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/8-7.htm">2 Chronicles 8:7-9</a></span><br />As for all the people who remained of the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (these people were not Israelites)— / their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites had not destroyed—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day. / But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slave labor, because they were his men of war, the leaders of his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/genesis/11-3.htm">Genesis 11:3</a></span><br />And they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” So they used brick instead of stone, and tar instead of mortar.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/31-1.htm">Exodus 31:1-6</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses, / “See, I have called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. / And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/35-30.htm">Exodus 35:30-35</a></span><br />Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has called by name Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. / And He has filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability, and knowledge in all kinds of craftsmanship, / to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/nehemiah/4-17.htm">Nehemiah 4:17</a></span><br />who were rebuilding the wall. The laborers who carried materials worked with one hand and held a weapon with the other.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/60-10.htm">Isaiah 60:10</a></span><br />Foreigners will rebuild your walls, and their kings will serve you. Although I struck you in anger, yet in favor I will show you mercy.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Solomon had three score and ten thousand that bore burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/9-20.htm">1 Kings 9:20-22</a></b></br> <i>And</i> all the people <i>that were</i> left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which <i>were</i> not of the children of Israel, … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/2-17.htm">2 Chronicles 2:17,18</a></b></br> And Solomon numbered all the strangers that <i>were</i> in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/8-7.htm">2 Chronicles 8:7-9</a></b></br> <i>As for</i> all the people <i>that were</i> left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which <i>were</i> not of Israel, … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/1-6.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-21.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-12.htm">Burdens</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Carriers</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-14.htm">Country</a> <a href="/ruth/2-7.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-35.htm">Eighty</a> <a href="/2_samuel/19-35.htm">Fourscore</a> <a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-6.htm">Hewing</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-8.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/1_samuel/23-14.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-9.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/2_samuel/1-21.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-15.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-13.htm">Solomon</a> <a href="/1_kings/1-9.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-18.htm">Stonecutters</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-14.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-14.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-22.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/numbers/4-49.htm">Transport</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-13.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/9-23.htm">Bare</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm">Bore</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-2.htm">Burdens</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-2.htm">Carriers</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-41.htm">Country</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">Cutters</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-21.htm">Eighty</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-21.htm">Fourscore</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">Hewers</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-18.htm">Hewing</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Hill</a> <a href="/1_kings/20-23.htm">Hills</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Mountain</a> <a href="/1_kings/19-11.htm">Mountains</a> <a href="/2_kings/10-1.htm">Seventy</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm">Solomon</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-17.htm">Stone</a> <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">Stonecutters</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-3.htm">Ten</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-2.htm">Threescore</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-25.htm">Transport</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm">Work</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/5-1.htm">Hiram, sending to congratulate Solomon, is desired to furnish him with timber</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/5-7.htm">Hiram, blessing God for Solomon, furnishes him with trees.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/5-13.htm">The number of Solomon's workmen and laborers</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Solomon had 70,000 porters</b><br>This phrase highlights the vast workforce that King Solomon employed for the construction of the temple, a project of immense scale and significance. The use of 70,000 porters, or laborers, indicates the logistical complexity and the massive human resources required. This workforce was likely composed of non-Israelite laborers, possibly Canaanites or other subjugated peoples, reflecting the socio-political dynamics of the time. The number also underscores Solomon's wealth and the kingdom's prosperity, as such a large labor force would require substantial resources to maintain. This aligns with the biblical narrative of Solomon's reign as a period of peace and prosperity, allowing for such grand projects.<p><b>and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains</b><br>The mention of 80,000 stonecutters emphasizes the skilled labor necessary for the temple's construction, particularly in quarrying and shaping the stones used in the building. The "mountains" likely refer to the region around Jerusalem, where limestone quarries were abundant. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of such quarries, which would have been essential for providing the high-quality stone needed for the temple. The stonecutters' work was crucial, as the temple was to be a permanent and magnificent dwelling place for God, reflecting His glory and the covenant with Israel. This labor force's size and specialization highlight the temple's importance and the meticulous care taken in its construction, foreshadowing the New Testament's depiction of Jesus as the cornerstone of the spiritual temple, the Church.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel. Known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, he was tasked with constructing the Temple in Jerusalem.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/p/porters.htm">Porters</a></b><br>These were laborers responsible for carrying materials. In the context of Solomon's temple construction, they played a crucial role in transporting the necessary resources.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/stonecutters.htm">Stonecutters</a></b><br>Skilled workers who extracted and shaped stones from the mountains. Their work was essential for the construction of the Temple, which required precise and high-quality materials.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/mountains.htm">Mountains</a></b><br>The location where the stonecutters worked. The mountains provided the raw materials needed for the Temple's construction, symbolizing the strength and permanence of God's dwelling place.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/temple_construction.htm">Temple Construction</a></b><br>A significant event in Israel's history, the building of the Temple was a fulfillment of God's promise to David and a central place of worship for the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_teamwork_in_god's_work.htm">The Importance of Teamwork in God's Work</a></b><br>Solomon's use of a large workforce illustrates the necessity of collaboration and diverse skills in accomplishing God's purposes. In the church today, every member's contribution is vital.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_of_resources_and_skills.htm">God's Provision of Resources and Skills</a></b><br>Just as God provided Solomon with the resources and skilled workers needed for the Temple, He equips His people with the necessary gifts and talents to fulfill His mission.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_significance_of_preparation_and_planning.htm">The Significance of Preparation and Planning</a></b><br>Solomon's organization of laborers and materials reflects the importance of careful planning in executing God's work. We are called to be diligent and intentional in our service to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership_in_god's_kingdom.htm">The Role of Leadership in God's Kingdom</a></b><br>Solomon's leadership in mobilizing and managing the workforce demonstrates the responsibility of leaders to guide and support their communities in fulfilling God's vision.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_symbolism_of_the_temple_as_god's_dwelling.htm">The Symbolism of the Temple as God's Dwelling</a></b><br>The construction of the Temple signifies God's desire to dwell among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to live lives that reflect His presence.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_1_kings_5_13-16's_labor_force_plausible.htm">How plausible is the vast conscripted labor force of tens of thousands in 1 Kings 5:13-16, given population estimates of the time?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_2_chronicles_2_2_workforce_feasible.htm">In 2 Chronicles 2:2, is the workforce of 70,000 laborers and 80,000 stonecutters feasible given ancient population estimates?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_chr_28_5_align_with_david's_succession.htm">Does 1 Chronicles 28:5, where David says God chose Solomon as king, align with or contradict other biblical passages about political intrigue in David's succession?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_david_called_upright_despite_sins.htm">How can 1 Kings 15:5 declare David upright aside from Uriah's case when there are other recorded sins in Scripture?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains.</span> [These 150,000, destined for the more laborious and menial works, were not Israelites, but Canaanites. We learn from <a href="/2_chronicles/2-17.htm">2 Chronicles 2:17, 18</a> that "all the strangers that were in the land of Israel" were subjected to forced labour by Solomon - there were, that is to say, but 150,000 of them remaining. They occupied a very different position from that of the 30,000 Hebrews. None of the latter were reduced to bondage (<a href="/1_kings/9-22.htm">1 Kings 9:22</a>), while the former had long been employed in servile work. The Gibeonites were reduced to serfdom by Joshua (<a href="/joshua/9-27.htm">Joshua 9:27</a>), and the rest of the Canaanites as they were conquered (<a href="/joshua/6-10.htm">Joshua 6:10</a>; <a href="/joshua/17-13.htm">Joshua 17:13</a>; <a href="/judges/1-29.htm">Judges 1:29, 30</a>). In <a href="/1_chronicles/22-2.htm">1 Chronicles 22:2</a>, we find some of them employed on public works by David. By the "hewers" many commentators have supposed that stonecutters alone are intended (so Jos., Ant., 8:02.9) partly because stone is mentioned presently, and partly because <span class="hebrew">חָצַב</span> is mostly used of the quarrying or cutting of stone, as in <a href="/deuteronomy/6-11.htm">Deuteronomy 6:11</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/8-9.htm">Deuteronomy 8:9</a>; <a href="/2_kings/12-12.htm">2 Kings 12:12</a>, etc. Gesenius understands the word both of stone and wood cutters. But is it not probable that the latter alone are indicated? That the word is sometimes used of woodcutting <a href="/isaiah/10-15.htm">Isaiah 10:15</a> shows. And the words, "<span class="accented">in</span> <span class="accented">the mountain"</span> (<span class="hebrew">בָּהָר</span>) almost compel us so to understand it here. "The mountain" must be Lebanon. But surely the <span class="accented">stone</span> was not transported, to any great extent, like the wood, so great a distance over land and sea, especially when it abounded on the spot. (The tradition that the stone was quarried at Baalbek is quite unworthy of credence. It has no doubt sprung from the huge stones found there. "The temple was built of the beautiful white stone of the country, the hard <span class="accented">missal"</span> (Warren, p. 60.) It is true the number of wood cutters would thus appear to be very great, but it is to be remembered how few comparatively were the appliances or machines of those days: almost everything must be done by manual labour. And Pliny tells us that no less than 360,000 men were employed for twenty years on one of the pyramids. It is possible, however, that the huge foundations mentioned below (ver. 17) were brought from Lebanon.] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/5-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Solomon</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁלֹמֹ֛ה</span> <span class="translit">(liš·lō·mōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8010.htm">Strong's 8010: </a> </span><span class="str2">Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne</span><br /><br /><span class="word">had</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">70,000 {}</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁבְעִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(šiḇ·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7657.htm">Strong's 7657: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seventy (a cardinal number)</span><br /><br /><span class="word">porters</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹשֵׂ֣א</span> <span class="translit">(nō·śê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and 80,000 {}</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׁמֹנִ֥ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·šə·mō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8084.htm">Strong's 8084: </a> </span><span class="str2">Eighty, eightieth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">stonecutters</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹצֵ֥ב</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·ṣêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2672.htm">Strong's 2672: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, carve, to hew, split, square, quarry, engrave</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in the mountains,</span><br /><span class="heb">בָּהָֽר׃</span> <span class="translit">(bā·hār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2022.htm">Strong's 2022: </a> </span><span class="str2">Mountain, hill, hill country</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/5-15.htm">1 Kings 5:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/5-15.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 5:15 Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/5-14.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 5:14"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 5:14" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/5-16.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 5:16"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 5:16" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>