1 Kings 7:14
He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
son
H1121
בֶּן
son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 30
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
ה֜וּא
H1931
ה֜וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
4 of 30
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
מִמַּטֵּ֣ה
of the tribe
H4294
מִמַּטֵּ֣ה
of the tribe
Strong's:
H4294
Word #:
5 of 30
a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising (figuratively, correction), ruling (a sceptre), throwing (a lance),
נַפְתָּלִ֗י
of Naphtali
H5321
נַפְתָּלִ֗י
of Naphtali
Strong's:
H5321
Word #:
6 of 30
naphtali, a son of jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory
וְאָבִ֣יו
and his father
H1
וְאָבִ֣יו
and his father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
7 of 30
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
אִישׁ
was a man
H376
אִישׁ
was a man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
8 of 30
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)
חֹרֵ֣שׁ
a worker
H2790
חֹרֵ֣שׁ
a worker
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
10 of 30
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
בַּנְּחֹ֑שֶׁת
in brass
H5178
בַּנְּחֹ֑שֶׁת
in brass
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
11 of 30
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וַ֠יִּמָּלֵא
and he was filled
H4390
וַ֠יִּמָּלֵא
and he was filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
12 of 30
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַתְּבוּנָה֙
and understanding
H8394
הַתְּבוּנָה֙
and understanding
Strong's:
H8394
Word #:
16 of 30
intelligence; by implication, an argument; by extension, caprice
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַיַּ֖עַשׂ
and wrought
H6213
וַיַּ֖עַשׂ
and wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
19 of 30
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
20 of 30
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃
all his work
H4399
מְלַאכְתּֽוֹ׃
all his work
Strong's:
H4399
Word #:
21 of 30
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
בַּנְּחֹ֑שֶׁת
in brass
H5178
בַּנְּחֹ֑שֶׁת
in brass
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
22 of 30
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וַיָּבוֹא֙
And he came
H935
וַיָּבוֹא֙
And he came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
23 of 30
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַיַּ֖עַשׂ
and wrought
H6213
וַיַּ֖עַשׂ
and wrought
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
27 of 30
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
28 of 30
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
2 Chronicles 4:16The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass.2 Chronicles 2:14The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
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
He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of temple furnishings and solomon's palace, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. Solomon's God-given wisdom points to Christ, 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Colossians 2:3).
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.