1 Kings 5:9
My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
Original Language Analysis
יֹרִ֨דוּ
shall bring them down
H3381
יֹרִ֨דוּ
shall bring them down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
2 of 25
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
בַּיָּם֙
them by sea
H3220
בַּיָּם֙
them by sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
5 of 25
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
אֲשִׂימֵ֨ם
and I will convey
H7760
אֲשִׂימֵ֨ם
and I will convey
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
7 of 25
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
בַּיָּם֙
them by sea
H3220
בַּיָּם֙
them by sea
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
9 of 25
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
עַֽד
H5704
עַֽד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
10 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַמָּק֞וֹם
unto the place
H4725
הַמָּק֞וֹם
unto the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִּשְׁלַ֥ח
that thou shalt appoint
H7971
תִּשְׁלַ֥ח
that thou shalt appoint
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
13 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְנִפַּצְתִּ֥ים
me and will cause them to be discharged
H5310
וְנִפַּצְתִּ֥ים
me and will cause them to be discharged
Strong's:
H5310
Word #:
15 of 25
to dash to pieces, or scatter
שָׁ֖ם
H8033
תִשָּׂ֑א
there and thou shalt receive
H5375
תִשָּׂ֑א
there and thou shalt receive
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
18 of 25
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה
them and thou shalt accomplish
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה
them and thou shalt accomplish
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 25
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
חֶפְצִ֔י
my desire
H2656
חֶפְצִ֔י
my desire
Strong's:
H2656
Word #:
22 of 25
pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)
לָתֵ֖ת
in giving
H5414
לָתֵ֖ת
in giving
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
23 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Cross References
Ezekiel 27:17Judah, and the land of Israel, they were thy merchants: they traded in thy market wheat of Minnith, and Pannag, and honey, and oil, and balm.Ezra 3:7They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.Acts 12:20And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.2 Chronicles 2:16And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in flotes by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
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
My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').
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.