1 Kings 3:4
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
Original Language Analysis
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ
H1980
וַיֵּ֨לֶךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
1 of 16
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לִזְבֹּ֣חַ
to sacrifice
H2076
לִזְבֹּ֣חַ
to sacrifice
Strong's:
H2076
Word #:
4 of 16
to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
שָׁ֔ם
H8033
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
6 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
הַהֽוּא׃
there for that
H1931
הַהֽוּא׃
there for that
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
7 of 16
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה
was the great
H1419
הַגְּדוֹלָ֑ה
was the great
Strong's:
H1419
Word #:
9 of 16
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
אֶ֤לֶף
a thousand
H505
אֶ֤לֶף
a thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 16
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
עֹלוֹת֙
burnt offerings
H5930
עֹלוֹת֙
burnt offerings
Strong's:
H5930
Word #:
11 of 16
a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke)
יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
offer
H5927
יַֽעֲלֶ֣ה
offer
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 16
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַ֖ל
H5921
עַ֖ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
1 Chronicles 16:39And Zadok the priest, and his brethren the priests, before the tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon,2 Chronicles 7:5And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.2 Chronicles 1:3So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon; for there was the tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness.1 Chronicles 21:29For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon.Isaiah 40:16And Lebanon is not sufficient to burn, nor the beasts thereof sufficient for a burnt offering.Joshua 9:3And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,1 Kings 8:63And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.2 Chronicles 30:24For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there; for that was the great high place: a thousand burnt offerings did Solomon offer upon that altar.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's wisdom and the famous judgment, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.