1 Kings 4:12

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Baana the son of Ahilud; [to him pertained] Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which [is] by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, [even] unto [the place that is] beyond Jokneam:

Complete Jewish Bible:

Ba'ana the son of Achilud, in Ta'anakh, Megiddo, and all Beit-Sh'an by Tzartan below Yizre'el, from Beit-Sh'an to Avel-M'cholah, as far as beyond Yokme'am;

Berean Standard Bible:

Baana son of Ahilud in Taanach, in Megiddo, and in all of Beth-shean next to Zarethan below Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah and on past Jokmeam;

American Standard Version:

Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth-shean to Abel-meholah, as far as beyond Jokmeam;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Baana^{H1195} the son^{H1121} of Ahilud^{H286}; to him pertained Taanach^{H8590} and Megiddo^{H4023}, and all Bethshean^{H1052}, which is by^{H681} Zartanah^{H6891} beneath Jezreel^{H3157}, from Bethshean^{H1052} to Abelmeholah^{H65}, even unto the place that is beyond^{H5676} Jokneam^{H3361}:

Cross-References (KJV):

Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:

BibleHub.com BibleRef.com

Commentary for 1 Kings 4:12

1 Kings 4:12 is part of a larger section in the Hebrew Bible that details the administrative districts and officials appointed by King Solomon to manage his vast kingdom. The verse specifically mentions Baana, the son of Ahilud, who was one of Solomon's twelve governors charged with overseeing a particular region of Israel. Baana's jurisdiction included the cities of Taanach and Megiddo, as well as the entire area of Bethshean, which stretched from the vicinity of Zartanah beneath Jezreel to Abelmeholah and even beyond to Jokneam.

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the United Monarchy period, when Solomon's reign was marked by peace, prosperity, and significant construction projects, including the First Temple in Jerusalem. The appointment of these officials and the delineation of their territories reflect Solomon's efforts to consolidate his power and efficiently administer his realm. The regions governed by these officials were responsible for providing for the royal court on a monthly basis, which is indicative of the economic system Solomon established to support his grand building projects and the opulence of his court.

The mention of specific cities like Megiddo, a strategic location that controlled the international trade route known as the Via Maris, underscores the importance of these regions in terms of trade, military strategy, and economic stability. The detailed description of Baana's territory highlights the meticulous organization of Solomon's kingdom and the administrative sophistication of the time. This verse, along with the surrounding text, not only provides a snapshot of the territorial divisions during Solomon's reign but also reflects the broader themes of governance, economic management, and the centralization of power characteristic of Solomon's rule.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H1195
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בַּעֲנָא
   Transliteration: Baʻănâʼ
   Pronunciation: bah-an-aw'
   Description: the same as בַּעֲנָה; Banana, the name of four Israelite; Baana, Baanah.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1121
   There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּן
   Transliteration: bên
   Pronunciation: bane
   Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [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.
   
3. Strong's Number: H286
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֲחִילוּד
   Transliteration: ʼĂchîylûwd
   Pronunciation: akh-ee-lood'
   Description: from אָח and יָלַד; brother of one born; Achilud, an Israelite; Ahilud.
   
4. Strong's Number: H8590
   There are 7 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תַּעֲנָךְ
   Transliteration: Taʻănâk
   Pronunciation: tah-an-awk'
   Description: or תַּעְנָךְ; of uncertain derivation; Taanak or Tanak, a place in Palestine; Taanach, Tanach.
   
5. Strong's Number: H4023
   There are 12 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְגִדּוֹן
   Transliteration: Mᵉgiddôwn
   Pronunciation: meg-id-done'
   Description: (Zechariah אַבְדָן) or מְגִדּוֹ; from גָּדַד; rendezvous; Megiddon or Megiddo, a place in Palestine; Megiddo, Megiddon.
   
6. Strong's Number: H1052
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בֵּית שְׁאָן
   Transliteration: Bêyth Shᵉʼân
   Pronunciation: bayth she-awn'
   Description: or בֵּית שָׁן; from בַּיִת and שָׁאַן; house of ease; Beth-Shean or Beth-Shan, a place in Palestine; Beth-shean, Beth-Shan.
   
7. Strong's Number: H681
   There are 165 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֵצֶל
   Transliteration: ʼêtsel
   Pronunciation: ay'-tsel
   Description: from אָצַל (in the sense of joining); a side; (as a preposition) near; at, (hard) by, (from) (beside), near (unto), toward, with. See also בֵּית הָאֵצֶל.
   
8. Strong's Number: H6891
   There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָרְתָן
   Transliteration: Tsârᵉthân
   Pronunciation: tsaw-reth-awn'
   Description: perhaps for צְרֵדָה; Tsarethan, a place in Palestine; Zarthan. q
   
9. Strong's Number: H3157
   There are 32 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִזְרְעֵאל
   Transliteration: Yizrᵉʻêʼl
   Pronunciation: yiz-reh-ale'
   Description: from זָרַע and אֵל; God will sow; Jizreel, the name of two places in Palestine and of two Israelites; Jezreel.
   
10. Strong's Number: H65
    There are 1345 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אָבֵל מְחוֹלָה
    Transliteration: ʼÂbêl Mᵉchôwlâh
    Pronunciation: aw-bale' mekh-o-law'
    Description: from אָבֵל and מְחֹלָהxlit mᵉchôwlâh corrected to mᵉchôlâh; meadow of dancing; Abel-Mecholah, a place in Palestine; Abel-meholah.
    
11. Strong's Number: H5676
    There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: עֵבֶר
    Transliteration: ʻêber
    Pronunciation: ay'-ber
    Description: from עָבַר; properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on the opposite side (especially of the Jordan; ususally meaning the east); [idiom] against, beyond, by, [idiom] from, over, passage, quarter, (other, this) side, straight.
    
12. Strong's Number: H3361
    There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יׇקְמְעָם
    Transliteration: Yoqmᵉʻâm
    Pronunciation: yok-meh-awm'
    Description: from קוּם and עַם; (the) people will be raised; Jokmeam, a place in Palestine; Jokmeam. Compare יְקַמְעָם, יׇקְנְעָם.