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1 Kings 4:33

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And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that [is] in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes.

And he spake {H1696} of trees {H6086}, from the cedar tree {H730} that is in Lebanon {H3844} even unto the hyssop {H231} that springeth out {H3318} of the wall {H7023}: he spake {H1696} also of beasts {H929}, and of fowl {H5775}, and of creeping things {H7431}, and of fishes {H1709}.

He could discuss trees, from the cedar in the L'vanon to the hyssop growing out of the wall; he could discuss wild animals, poultry, reptiles and fish.

He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.

And he spake of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall; he spake also of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of fishes.

Commentary

1 Kings 4:33 continues the description of King Solomon's unparalleled wisdom, highlighting its incredible breadth and depth, extending to all aspects of the natural world.

Context

This verse follows a passage (verses 29-32) that extols Solomon's God-given wisdom, stating it surpassed all the wisdom of the East and Egypt. While verse 32 mentions his thousands of proverbs and songs, verse 33 elaborates on the specific subject matter of his profound understanding. It paints a picture of a monarch not only skilled in governance and jurisprudence but also deeply insightful regarding the intricacies of creation. This detailed account underscores the extraordinary nature of the wisdom God bestowed upon him, setting him apart from all his contemporaries.

Key Themes

  • Comprehensive Knowledge of Creation: Solomon's wisdom wasn't limited to human affairs or spiritual matters; it encompassed the entire natural world. His discourse covered "trees, from the cedar tree...unto the hyssop," representing the full spectrum from the largest and most majestic flora to the smallest and most humble. This comprehensive grasp extended to "beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes," covering all categories of animal life, demonstrating an almost encyclopedic understanding of nature.
  • Divine Source of Wisdom: The preceding verses clearly establish that Solomon's extraordinary wisdom was a direct gift from God (1 Kings 4:29). This verse, therefore, testifies not only to Solomon's intellect but also to the boundless knowledge of the Creator who bestowed such insight upon him. It highlights that true wisdom ultimately originates from God, who understands all His creation.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall" uses a common literary device called a merism, where two contrasting extremes represent the whole. The cedar of Lebanon (Hebrew: erez) was renowned for its height, strength, and longevity, symbolizing grandeur and majesty. The hyssop (Hebrew: ezov), a small, humble plant often found growing in cracks in walls, symbolized insignificance or humility, yet was significant in Israelite purification rites (Leviticus 14:4). This stark contrast emphasizes the exhaustive range of Solomon's botanical knowledge, covering everything from the grandest to the most minute forms of plant life.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that true wisdom, originating from God, is not narrow but expansive. It encourages us to appreciate the intricate design of the natural world, from the grandest mountains to the smallest insects, as a testament to God's creative power and intelligence. Solomon's example inspires a holistic pursuit of knowledge, recognizing that understanding creation can deepen our reverence for the Creator. For us today, studying nature, whether through science or simple observation, can be an act of worship and a path to understanding more about the God who "spake" all things into being and sustains them.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 51:7 (3 votes)

    ¶ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

  • 2 Kings 19:23 (3 votes)

    By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, [and into] the forest of his Carmel.

  • Psalms 92:12 (3 votes)

    The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

  • Hebrews 9:19 (2 votes)

    For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people,

  • Genesis 1:20 (2 votes)

    ¶ And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl [that] may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.

  • Genesis 1:25 (2 votes)

    And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that [it was] good.

  • Exodus 12:22 (2 votes)

    And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip [it] in the blood that [is] in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that [is] in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.