1 Kings Chapter 4 · Verse 25

Authorized King James Version

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And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֵּשֶׁב֩ dwelt H3427
וַיֵּשֶׁב֩ dwelt
Strong's: H3427
Word #: 1 of 16
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
יְהוּדָ֨ה And Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֨ה And Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 2 of 16
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל and Israel H3478
וְיִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל and Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 3 of 16
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לָבֶ֗טַח safely H983
לָבֶ֗טַח safely
Strong's: H983
Word #: 4 of 16
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
אִ֣ישׁ every man H376
אִ֣ישׁ every man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 5 of 16
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
תַּ֤חַת H8478
תַּ֤חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 6 of 16
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
גַּפְנוֹ֙ under his vine H1612
גַּפְנוֹ֙ under his vine
Strong's: H1612
Word #: 7 of 16
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
וְתַ֣חַת H8478
וְתַ֣חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 8 of 16
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
תְּאֵֽנָת֔וֹ and under his fig tree H8384
תְּאֵֽנָת֔וֹ and under his fig tree
Strong's: H8384
Word #: 9 of 16
the fig (tree or fruit)
מִדָּ֖ן from Dan H1835
מִדָּ֖ן from Dan
Strong's: H1835
Word #: 10 of 16
dan, one of the sons of jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory; likewise a place in palestine colonized by them
וְעַד H5704
וְעַד
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 11 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
בְּאֵ֣ר H0
בְּאֵ֣ר
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 16
שָׁ֑בַע even to Beersheba H884
שָׁ֑בַע even to Beersheba
Strong's: H884
Word #: 13 of 16
beer-sheba, a place in palestine
כֹּ֖ל H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 14 of 16
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְמֵ֥י all the days H3117
יְמֵ֥י all the days
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 15 of 16
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ of Solomon H8010
שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ of Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 16 of 16
shelomah, david's successor

Analysis & Commentary

And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig tree, from Dan even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of solomon's administration and prosperity, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.

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.

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