1 Kings 4:29

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

¶ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that [is] on the sea shore.

Complete Jewish Bible:

God gave Shlomo exceptional wisdom and understanding, as well as a heart as vast as the sandy beach by the sea.

Berean Standard Bible:

And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.

American Standard Version:

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And God^{H430} gave^{H5414} Solomon^{H8010} wisdom^{H2451} and understanding^{H8394} exceeding^{H3966} much^{H7235}, and largeness^{H7341} of heart^{H3820}, even as the sand^{H2344} that is on the sea^{H3220} shore^{H8193}.

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Commentary for 1 Kings 4:29

1 Kings 4:29 is a verse that highlights the divine gift of wisdom bestowed upon King Solomon, one of the most renowned figures in the Hebrew Bible. This verse is set within the broader context of Solomon's reign over a united and prosperous Israel, following the death of his father, King David. Solomon is known for his role in building the First Temple in Jerusalem and for his legendary wisdom.

The verse specifically mentions that God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding that were exceedingly great. The phrase "largeness of heart" can be interpreted as a generous and discerning spirit, reflecting Solomon's capacity for judicious governance and his ability to relate to his subjects with empathy and insight. The simile comparing his wisdom to "the sand that is on the seashore" emphasizes the vastness and immeasurable nature of this divine endowment.

Historically, this verse reflects the ancient Near Eastern tradition of attributing a king's success to the favor of the deities. In the case of Solomon, his wisdom is portrayed as a direct gift from God, setting him apart as a just and capable ruler. This wisdom is not only intellectual but also moral and spiritual, enabling him to administer justice and to compose proverbs and songs that were revered for generations (as seen in other parts of the Bible, such as the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes). The verse underscores the theme of divine favor as a crucial element in leadership within the narrative of the Old Testament.

*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: H430
   There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
   Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
   Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty.
   
2. Strong's Number: H5414
   There are 1816 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָתַן
   Transliteration: nâthan
   Pronunciation: naw-than'
   Description: a primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.); add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8010
   There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שְׁלֹמֹה
   Transliteration: Shᵉlômôh
   Pronunciation: shel-o-mo'
   Description: from שָׁלוֹם; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor; Solomon.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2451
   There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חׇכְמָה
   Transliteration: chokmâh
   Pronunciation: khok-maw'
   Description: from חָכַם; wisdom (in a good sense); skilful, wisdom, wisely, wit.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8394
   There are 42 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: תָּבוּן
   Transliteration: tâbûwn
   Pronunciation: taw-boon'
   Description: and (feminine) תְּבוּנָה; or תּוֹבֻנָה; from בִּין; intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice; discretion, reason, skilfulness, understanding, wisdom.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3966
   There are 278 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: מְאֹד
   Transliteration: mᵉʼôd
   Pronunciation: meh-ode'
   Description: from the same as אוּד; properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated); diligently, especially, exceeding(-ly), far, fast, good, great(-ly), [idiom] louder and louder, might(-ily, -y), (so) much, quickly, (so) sore, utterly, very ([phrase] much, sore), well.
   
7. Strong's Number: H7235
   There are 211 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רָבָה
   Transliteration: râbâh
   Pronunciation: raw-baw'
   Description: a primitive root; to increase (in whatever respect); (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for רָבַב), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very.
   
8. Strong's Number: H7341
   There are 89 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רֹחַב
   Transliteration: rôchab
   Pronunciation: ro'-khab
   Description: from רָחַב; width (literally or figuratively); breadth, broad, largeness, thickness, wideness.
   
9. Strong's Number: H3820
   There are 550 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: לֵב
   Transliteration: lêb
   Pronunciation: labe
   Description: a form of לֵבָב; the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything; [phrase] care for, comfortably, consent, [idiom] considered, courag(-eous), friend(-ly), ((broken-), (hard-), (merry-), (stiff-), (stout-), double) heart(-ed), [idiom] heed, [idiom] I, kindly, midst, mind(-ed), [idiom] regard(-ed), [idiom] themselves, [idiom] unawares, understanding, [idiom] well, willingly, wisdom.
   
10. 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.
    
11. 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).
    
12. Strong's Number: H8193
    There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: שָׂפָה
    Transliteration: sâphâh
    Pronunciation: saw-faw'
    Description: or (in dual and plural) שֶׂפֶת; probably from סָפָה or שָׁפָה through the idea of termination (compare סוֹף); the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.); band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.