1 Kings Chapter 5 · Verse 13

Authorized King James Version

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And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּ֨עַל raised H5927
וַיַּ֨עַל raised
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 1 of 11
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ And king H4428
הַמֶּ֧לֶךְ And king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 2 of 11
a king
שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה Solomon H8010
שְׁלֹמֹ֛ה Solomon
Strong's: H8010
Word #: 3 of 11
shelomah, david's successor
הַמַּ֔ס a levy H4522
הַמַּ֔ס a levy
Strong's: H4522
Word #: 4 of 11
properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor
מִכָּל H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 5 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל out of all Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל out of all Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 6 of 11
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיְהִ֣י H1961
וַיְהִ֣י
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 7 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
הַמַּ֔ס a levy H4522
הַמַּ֔ס a levy
Strong's: H4522
Word #: 8 of 11
properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים was thirty H7970
שְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים was thirty
Strong's: H7970
Word #: 9 of 11
thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
אֶ֖לֶף thousand H505
אֶ֖לֶף thousand
Strong's: H505
Word #: 10 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
אִֽישׁ׃ men H376
אִֽישׁ׃ men
Strong's: H376
Word #: 11 of 11
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)

Analysis & Commentary

And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of preparations for building the temple, 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