God’s Word Translation
1 Kings 10:19
19Six steps led to the throne. Carved into the back of the throne was a calf’s head. There were armrests on both sides of the seat. Two lions stood beside the armrests.
1 Kings 10:19 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.
- New International Version (NIV)The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,
- New King James Version (NKJV)The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round at the back; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.
Context of 1 Kings 10:19
17He also made 300 small shields of hammered gold, using four pounds of gold on each shield. The king put them in the hall ⌞which he called⌟ the Forest of Lebanon. 18The king also made a large ivory throne and covered it with fine gold. Six steps led to the throne. Carved into the back of the throne was a calf’s head. There were armrests on both sides of the seat. Two lions stood beside the armrests. 20Twelve lions stood on six steps, one on each side. Nothing like this had been made for any other kingdom. 21All King Solomon’s cups were gold, and all the utensils for the hall ⌞which he called⌟ the Forest of Lebanon were fine gold. (Nothing was silver, because it wasn’t considered valuable in Solomon’s time.)
Read all of 1 Kings 101 Kings 10:19 word by word
שֵׁ֧שׁ מַעֲל֣וֹת לַכִּסֵּ֗ה וְרֹאשׁ־עָגֹ֤ל לַכִּסֵּה֙ מֵאַֽחֲרָ֔יו וְיָדֹ֛ת מִזֶּ֥ה וּמִזֶּ֖ה אֶל־מְק֣וֹם הַשָּׁ֑בֶת וּשְׁנַ֣יִם אֲרָי֔וֹת עֹמְדִ֖ים אֵ֥צֶל הַיָּדֽוֹת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- The throneכִּסֵּאkissê' kissêh · throneH3678
- had sixשֵׁשׁshêsh shishshâh · sixH8337
- stepsמַעֲלָהma‛ălâh · stepH4609
- and the topרֹאשׁrô'sh · head: topH7218
- roundעָגֹל‛âgôl ‛âgôl · roundH5696
- behindאַחַר'achar · afterH310
- staysיָדyâd · handH3027
- on either side on the placeמָקוֹםmâqôm mâqôm meqômâh meqômâh · placeH4725
- of the seatשֶׁ֫בֶתshebeth · seatH7675
- and twoשְׁנַ֫יִםshenayim shettayim · twoH8147
- lionsאֲרִי'ărîy 'aryêh · lionH738
- stoodעָמַד‛âmad · to stand: standH5975
- besideאֵ֫צֶל'êtsel · besideH681
Commentaries on 1 Kings 10:19
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 19The throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side - This description seems to indicate that the throne was in the form of one of our ancient round-topped, two-armed chairs. This throne or chair of state was raised on a platform, the ascent to which consisted of six steps. What we call stays is in the Hebrew ידת yadoth, hands, which serves to confirm the conjecture above.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 19Representations of thrones are frequent in the Egyptian and Assyrian sculptures. They have no steps up to them, but frequently stand upon square bases. The back appears to be flat at the top, not rounded. Assyrian thrones have “stays” or arms on either side, and they stand generally upon lion‘s feet. They are always accompanied by a footstool. Lions stood beside the stays - The arms of Assyrian thrones are occasionally supported by figures of animals. The…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 14-29Verses 14-29 Solomon increased his wealth. Silver was nothing accounted of. Such is the nature of worldly wealth, plenty of it makes it the less valuable; much more should the enjoyment of spiritual riches lessen our esteem of all earthly possessions. If gold in abundance makes silver to be despised, shall not wisdom, and grace, and the foretastes of heaven, which are far better than gold, make gold to be lightly esteemed? See in Solomon's greatness the…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 18-21Solomon got ivory by trading with Hiram. Kings in the Ancient Near East often used lion figures to show royal power and to symbolize divine protection of the throne.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 18-2618-26. a great throne of ivory--It seems to have been made not of solid ivory, but veneered. It was in the form of an armchair, with a carved back. The ascent to it was by six steps, on each of which stood lions, in place of a railing--while a lion, probably of gilt metal, stood at each side, which, we may suppose from the analogy of other Oriental thrones, supported a canopy. A golden footstool is mentioned (2Ch 9:18) as attached to this throne, whose…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Kings 10:19
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Kings 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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