King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
¶ Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Y'hudah and Isra'el were as numerous as sand grains on the seashore; they ate, drank and enjoyed themselves.
Berean Standard Bible:
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore, and they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
American Standard Version:
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Judah{H3063} and Israel{H3478} were many{H7227}, as the sand{H2344} which is by the sea{H3220} in multitude{H7230}, eating{H398} and drinking{H8354}, and making merry{H8056}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Genesis 22:17
- That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which [is] upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
1 Kings 3:8
- And thy servant [is] in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.
Genesis 32:12
- And thou saidst, I will surely do thee good, and make thy seed as the sand of the sea, which cannot be numbered for multitude.
Zechariah 9:15
- The LORD of hosts shall defend them; and they shall devour, and subdue with sling stones; and they shall drink, [and] make a noise as through wine; and they shall be filled like bowls, [and] as the corners of the altar.
Isaiah 22:13
- And behold joy and gladness, slaying oxen, and killing sheep, eating flesh, and drinking wine: let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die.
Zechariah 3:10
- In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, shall ye call every man his neighbour under the vine and under the fig tree.
1 Chronicles 12:39
- And there they were with David three days, eating and drinking: for their brethren had prepared for them.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 4:20
1 Kings 4:20 is a verse that captures a period of prosperity and peace in the history of Israel. The verse is set during the reign of Solomon, who is renowned for his wisdom and wealth. It reflects the thematic fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham, that his descendants would be as numerous as the sands of the sea (Genesis 22:17). The historical context is the United Monarchy, a time when the tribes of Judah and Israel were united under Solomon's rule.
The verse paints a picture of a thriving nation, emphasizing the abundant population and the joy and satisfaction of the people. The comparison of the multitude of people to the innumerable grains of sand by the sea underscores the remarkable growth of the Israelite population. The mention of eating, drinking, and making merry suggests a time of plenty, where the basic needs of the people are met and there is cause for celebration and contentment. This verse, therefore, encapsulates a golden era of peace and prosperity, where the blessings of stability and God's favor are evident in the daily lives of the people of Judah and Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H3063
There are 754 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהוּדָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhûwdâh
Pronunciation: yeh-hoo-daw'
Description: from יָדָה; celebrated; Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory; Judah. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H7227
There are 439 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רַב
Transliteration: rab
Pronunciation: rab
Description: by contracted from רָבַב; abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality); (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). - Strong's Number: H2344
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חוֹל
Transliteration: chôwl
Pronunciation: khole
Description: from חוּל; sand (as round or whirling particles); sand. - Strong's Number: H3220
There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָם
Transliteration: yâm
Pronunciation: yawm
Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H7230
There are 149 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רֹב
Transliteration: rôb
Pronunciation: robe
Description: from רָבַב; abundance (in any respect); abundance(-antly), all, [idiom] common (sort), excellent, great(-ly, -ness, number), huge, be increased, long, many, more in number, most, much, multitude, plenty(-ifully), [idiom] very (age). - Strong's Number: H398
There are 825 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכַל
Transliteration: ʼâkal
Pronunciation: aw-kal'
Description: a primitive root; to eat (literally or figuratively); [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. - Strong's Number: H8354
There are 193 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁתָה
Transliteration: shâthâh
Pronunciation: shaw-thaw'
Description: a primitive root; to imbibe (literally or figuratively); [idiom] assuredly, banquet, [idiom] certainly, drink(-er, -ing), drunk ([idiom] -ard), surely. (Prop. intensive of שָׁקָה.) - Strong's Number: H8056
There are 23 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׂמֵחַ
Transliteration: sâmêach
Pronunciation: saw-may'-akh
Description: from שָׂמַח; blithe or gleeful; (be) glad, joyful, (making) merry((-hearted), -ily), rejoice(-ing).