1 Kings 5:15

KJV

And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;

KJV (with Strong's)

And Solomon {H8010} had threescore and ten {H7657} thousand {H505} that bare {H5375} burdens {H5449}, and fourscore {H8084} thousand {H505} hewers {H2672} in the mountains {H2022};

Complete Jewish Bible

Shlomo had 70,000 men to carry loads and another 80,000 stonecutters in the hills,

Berean Standard Bible

Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,

American Standard Version

And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand that were hewers in the mountains;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 5:15 provides a precise numerical account of the vast non-Israelite labor force mobilized by King Solomon for the monumental construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This verse details two distinct groups: seventy thousand individuals designated as "burden bearers," responsible for transporting raw materials, and eighty thousand "hewers in the mountains," who were skilled stonecutters and quarrymen. These immense figures underscore the unprecedented scale of the Temple project, reflecting Solomon's administrative capacity and the considerable resources of his kingdom, all meticulously directed towards fulfilling God's divine purpose for a permanent dwelling place for His name among His people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the broader narrative of Solomon's extensive preparations for building the Temple. It immediately follows the description of a levy of 30,000 Israelites dispatched to Lebanon in rotational shifts to assist with timber ([1 Kings 5:13-14](/1_kings/5-13-14 "1 Kings 5:13-14 - Solomon's Levy of Israelites")). While the preceding verses detail the Israelite contribution, 1 Kings 5:15 shifts focus to the much larger, non-Israelite workforce, providing a more comprehensive picture of the human resources dedicated to this colossal endeavor. The subsequent verse, [1 Kings 5:16](/1_kings/5-16 "1 Kings 5:16 - Chief Officers Overseeing Labor"), further illustrates the meticulous organization by mentioning the 3,300 chief officers responsible for overseeing these laborers. This entire chapter, [1 Kings 5](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Preparations for the Temple"), meticulously sets the stage for the actual commencement of construction, which is detailed in [1 Kings 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Building the Temple").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The mobilization of such a massive labor force was a characteristic feature of large-scale building projects throughout the ancient Near East, frequently involving conscripted labor from conquered or vassal peoples. While Israelites were explicitly exempt from forced labor of this nature ([1 Kings 9:22](/1_kings/9-22 "1 Kings 9:22 - Israelites Not Enslaved")), the non-Israelite populations within Solomon's dominion, particularly those inherited from his father David's conquests, were subject to such levies ([1 Kings 9:20-21](/1_kings/9-20-21 "1 Kings 9:20-21 - Non-Israelite Forced Labor")). The "hewers in the mountains" likely worked in the renowned quarries of Lebanon, celebrated for their high-quality stone, especially given Solomon's strategic alliance with King Hiram of Tyre, who also provided skilled craftsmen and timber ([1 Kings 5:6-10](/1_kings/5-6-10 "1 Kings 5:6-10 - Hiram's Assistance for Temple Building")). This intricate system reflects the immense power, wealth, and sophisticated administrative capabilities of Solomon's kingdom at its zenith, enabling him to orchestrate such a demanding logistical operation.

* **Key Themes:** This verse significantly contributes to several key themes within the book of 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the **Monumental Scale of the Temple Project**, emphasizing that the construction of God's dwelling was an undertaking of unprecedented magnitude, requiring vast human and material resources. Secondly, it underscores **Solomon's Administrative Prowess**, showcasing his remarkable ability to organize, provision, and manage an enormous, diverse workforce over many years, a testament to his divinely granted wisdom and the kingdom's prosperity ([1 Kings 4:29-34](/1_kings/4-29-34 "1 Kings 4:29-34 - Solomon's Wisdom and Prosperity")). Finally, and most importantly, this massive effort represents the **Fulfillment of Divine Purpose**, as the Temple's construction was a pivotal moment in Israelite history, realizing God's promise to establish a permanent place for His name and presence among His people, a task specifically reserved for Solomon after his father David's desire ([2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Promise to David about Solomon Building the Temple")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Threescore and ten thousand (Hebrew, _shivʿîym ʾeleph_):** This archaic English expression from the KJV accurately translates to "seventy thousand" (from H7657, _shibʻîym_, "seventy," and H505, _ʼeleph_, "thousand"). The sheer numerical value immediately conveys the immense scale of this segment of the workforce. These individuals were primarily responsible for the arduous task of transporting heavy raw materials, signifying a vast, organized logistical operation critical for the Temple's construction.
* **Bare burdens (Hebrew, _nâsâʾ_ H5375, _çabbâl_ H5449):** The phrase "bare burdens" describes the laborers engaged in physically demanding work. The Hebrew verb _nâsâʾ_ (H5375) means "to lift, to bear, to carry," while _çabbâl_ (H5449) refers to a "porter" or "burden-bearer." Combined, they denote those who carried heavy loads of stone, timber, and other supplies from quarries and forests to the construction site in Jerusalem. Their role, though seemingly unskilled, was foundational and indispensable to the entire project's success.
* **Hewers (Hebrew, _châtsab_ H2672):** This term refers to "stonecutters" or "quarrymen." Unlike the burden bearers, these individuals possessed specialized skills in extracting and shaping large stones. Their work was crucial for preparing the precise, massive blocks required for the Temple's foundations and walls, often involving intricate techniques to ensure a perfect fit, as noted by the fact that no iron tools were used on the building site itself ([1 Kings 6:7](/1_kings/6-7 "1 Kings 6:7 - Temple Stones Cut at the Quarry")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens":** This initial clause introduces the first major contingent of Solomon's labor force, numbering 70,000 individuals. These were the porters and transporters, tasked with the physically demanding work of moving raw materials. This highlights the vast logistical undertaking and the sheer volume of materials required for the Temple's construction.
* **"and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;":** This second clause details another enormous group, 80,000 skilled laborers. These "hewers" were stonecutters and quarrymen, whose specialized work in the mountains (likely the quarries of Lebanon) involved extracting and shaping the massive stones needed for the Temple. This emphasizes both the precision and craftsmanship involved, as well as the broad geographical scope of the project.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Enumeration** and **Hyperbole** (or at least a representation of immense scale) to impress upon the reader the monumental nature of the Temple project and Solomon's extraordinary organizational capabilities. The precise, round numbers (70,000 and 80,000) serve to quantify the immense human effort involved, creating a sense of awe and grandeur. The clear distinction between "burden bearers" and "hewers" utilizes **Categorization** to highlight the division of labor and the specialized skills required, even within such a vast workforce. The phrase "in the mountains" provides a vivid, albeit concise, **Setting**, grounding the arduous labor in its natural, demanding environment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The immense labor force detailed in 1 Kings 5:15 serves as a powerful testament to the scale of God's purposes and the human effort required to bring them to fruition. The construction of the Temple was not merely a royal building project but the fulfillment of a divine promise and the establishment of a central place for God's presence among His people. This verse, therefore, underscores the theological principle that significant divine undertakings often demand substantial human commitment, organization, and sacrifice. While the conscription of non-Israelite labor might seem harsh by modern standards, it reflects the ancient Near Eastern geopolitical realities and Solomon's divinely granted authority and prosperity, all channeled towards a sacred end. The sheer numbers evoke the idea that when God's will is being accomplished, resources and personnel can be marshaled in extraordinary ways, demonstrating His enabling power and the collective effort involved in His grand designs.

* [Exodus 1:11-14](/exodus/1-11-14 "Exodus 1:11-14 - Israelite Forced Labor in Egypt")
* [Deuteronomy 17:16-17](/deuteronomy/17-16-17 "Deuteronomy 17:16-17 - Warnings Against Royal Excesses")
* [Nehemiah 4:10](/nehemiah/4-10 "Nehemiah 4:10 - The Burden of Building")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of Solomon's vast workforce for the Temple's construction offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. Just as every "burden bearer" and "hewer" played an indispensable role in building the physical dwelling for God's name, so too does every member of the body of Christ have a unique and vital function in constructing God's spiritual house, the Church. This verse reminds us that great visions, especially those aligned with God's purposes, demand not only strategic leadership but also the coordinated and dedicated efforts of many individuals, each contributing their distinct gifts and labor. It challenges us to consider our own role within God's ongoing work, recognizing that even seemingly mundane or physically demanding tasks contribute to the larger, divine masterpiece. No contribution is too small or insignificant when it is offered in service to God's kingdom. We are called to participate wholeheartedly, knowing that our collective efforts, guided by divine wisdom, build something far greater than ourselves, a testament to God's enduring presence and power.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "burdens" or "heavy lifting" is God calling me to bear in His kingdom work today?**
* **In what ways can I develop or utilize my "hewing" skills—my unique talents and abilities—to build up the body of Christ?**
* **How does the sheer scale of the Temple project inspire or challenge my understanding of God's capacity to accomplish His purposes through His people?**
* **Am I willing to contribute my labor, whether visible or unseen, to the collective effort of building God's spiritual house?**

### FAQ
**Were these laborers Israelites or foreigners?**

Answer: While [1 Kings 5:13-14](/1_kings/5-13-14 "1 Kings 5:13-14 - Solomon's Levy of Israelites") mentions a levy of 30,000 Israelites who worked in Lebanon on a rotational basis, the much larger numbers in [1 Kings 5:15](/1_kings/5-15 "1 Kings 5:15 - Solomon's Labor Force") are generally understood to refer to non-Israelite populations. This is explicitly confirmed later in [1 Kings 9:20-21](/1_kings/9-20-21 "1 Kings 9:20-21 - Solomon's Forced Labor"), which states that "all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel... upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day." Israelites, by contrast, were not enslaved for such labor ([1 Kings 9:22](/1_kings/9-22 "1 Kings 9:22 - Israelites Not Enslaved as Bondservants")). This distinction highlights the nature of Solomon's kingdom, leveraging the resources and populations within its dominion for major state projects, particularly those inherited from David's conquests.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The vast, arduous labor involved in constructing Solomon's Temple, as detailed in [1 Kings 5:15](/1_kings/5-15 "1 Kings 5:15 - Solomon's Labor Force"), finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a physical edifice, but in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the earthly Temple was a dwelling place for God's presence, a place of sacrifice and worship, Jesus declared Himself to be the true Temple, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")). John clarifies that He "spake of the temple of his body" ([John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). The immense human effort to build Solomon's Temple, even with its seventy thousand burden bearers and eighty thousand hewers, pales in comparison to the divine labor of Christ, who, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, built the ultimate dwelling place for God's Spirit—His own body, and by extension, the Church. We, as believers, are now "living stones" being "built up a spiritual house" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")), with Christ Himself as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The laborious quarrying and transporting of materials for the Old Testament Temple foreshadow the profound and costly work of grace by which God gathers and shapes His people into a holy temple, a habitation for God through the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:22](/ephesians/2-22 "Ephesians 2:22 - A Dwelling for God's Spirit")). Thus, the physical Temple, built with human hands and immense effort, points to the spiritual Temple, built by the divine hand of Christ through His ultimate sacrifice and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit, a dwelling infinitely more glorious and eternal.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 9:20

[And] all the people [that were] left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which [were] not of the children of Israel,

1 Kings 9:22

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they [were] men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.

2 Chronicles 2:17

And Solomon numbered all the strangers that [were] 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.

2 Chronicles 2:18

And he set threescore and ten thousand of them [to be] bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand [to be] hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

Ezra 2:58

All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, [were] three hundred ninety and two.

Nehemiah 7:60

All the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants, [were] three hundred ninety and two.

2 Chronicles 8:7

[As for] all the people [that were] left of the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which [were] not of Israel,