1 Kings 10:19
New International Version
The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them.

New Living Translation
The throne had six steps and a rounded back. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, and the figure of a lion stood on each side of the throne.

English Standard Version
The throne had six steps, and the throne had a round top, and on each side of the seat were armrests and two lions standing beside the armrests,

Berean Standard Bible
The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest.

King James Bible
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.

New King James Version
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round at the back; there were armrests on either side of the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the armrests.

New American Standard Bible
There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its back, and armrests on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

NASB 1995
There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its rear, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

NASB 1977
There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its rear, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

Legacy Standard Bible
There were six steps to the throne and a round top to the throne at its rear, and arms on each side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

Amplified Bible
The throne had six steps, and a round top was attached to the throne from the back. On either side of the seat were armrests, and two lions stood beside the armrests.

Christian Standard Bible
The throne had six steps; there was a rounded top at the back of the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The throne had six steps; there was a rounded top at the back of the throne, armrests on either side of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.

American Standard Version
There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

English Revised Version
There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Six steps led to the throne. Carved into the back of the throne was a calf 's head. There were armrests on both sides of the seat. Two lions stood beside the armrests.

International Standard Version
Six steps led up to the throne, which had a round canopy fastened to the rear of the throne and armrests on each side of the seat and two lions standing on either side of each armrest.

Majority Standard Bible
The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest.

NET Bible
There were six steps leading up to the throne, and the back of it was rounded on top. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side.

New Heart English Bible
There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were stays on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the stays.

Webster's Bible Translation
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.

World English Bible
There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were armrests on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the armrests.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
the throne has six steps, and a round top [is] to the throne behind it, and hands [are] on this [side] and on that, to the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands,

Young's Literal Translation
six steps hath the throne, and a round top is to the throne behind it, and hands are on this side and on that, unto the place of the sitting, and two lions are standing near the hands,

Smith's Literal Translation
Six steps to the throne, and the head rounded to the throne from its back parts: and hands hence and thence upon the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the hands.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It had six steps: and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were two hands on either side holding the seat: and two lions stood, one at each hand.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The throne had six steps, and the summit of the throne was rounded in the back section. And there were two hands, on one side and the other, holding the seat. And two lions were standing beside each hand,

New American Bible
The throne had six steps, a back with a round top, and an arm on each side of the seat, with two lions standing next to the arms,

New Revised Standard Version
The throne had six steps. The top of the throne was rounded in the back, and on each side of the seat were arm rests and two lions standing beside the arm rests,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were arm rests on either side at the place of the seat, and two lions stood on either side of the seat.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he made for the throne six steps and the top of the throne was round from behind it, and the arms on either side at the place of the seat, and two lions stood on either side.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There were six steps to the throne, and the top of the throne was round behind; and there were arms on either side by the place of the seat, and two lions standing beside the arms.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The throne had six steps, and calves in bold relief to the throne behind it, and side-pieces on either hand of the place of the seat, and two lions standing by the side-pieces,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Wealth and Splendor
18Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. 19The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. 20Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 9:18
The throne had six steps, and a footstool of gold was attached to it. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest.

Revelation 4:2-4
At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. / The One seated there looked like jasper and carnelian, and a rainbow that gleamed like an emerald encircled the throne. / Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and on these thrones sat twenty-four elders dressed in white, with golden crowns on their heads.

Psalm 45:6
Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Hebrews 1:8
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom.

Isaiah 6:1
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Ezekiel 1:26
Above the expanse over their heads was the likeness of a throne with the appearance of sapphire, and on the throne high above was a figure like that of a man.

Daniel 7:9
As I continued to watch, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took His seat. His clothing was white as snow, and the hair of His head was like pure wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.

Matthew 25:31
When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne.

Revelation 3:21
To the one who overcomes, I will grant the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.

Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; loving devotion and faithfulness go before You.

Jeremiah 17:12
A glorious throne, exalted from the beginning, is the place of our sanctuary.

Luke 1:32-33
He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, / and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever. His kingdom will never end!”

Revelation 20:11
Then I saw a great white throne and the One seated on it. Earth and heaven fled from His presence, and no place was found for them.

Psalm 47:8
God reigns over the nations; God is seated on His holy throne.


Treasury of Scripture

The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.

Jump to Previous
Arm Armrests Arms Calf's Either Hands Head Lions Rear Rests Round Rounded Seat Side Sides Six Standing Stays Steps Stood Throne Top
Jump to Next
Arm Armrests Arms Calf's Either Hands Head Lions Rear Rests Round Rounded Seat Side Sides Six Standing Stays Steps Stood Throne Top
1 Kings 10
1. The queen of Sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon
14. Solomon's gold
16. His targets
18. The throne of ivory
21. His vessels
24. His presents
26. his chariots and horse
28. his tribute














The throne had six steps
The number six in biblical numerology often represents human effort or imperfection, as it falls short of the divine number seven. However, in this context, the six steps leading to Solomon's throne symbolize a progression towards wisdom and authority. The throne's elevation signifies the king's exalted status and the reverence due to him. Historically, such architectural features were common in ancient Near Eastern royal thrones, emphasizing the king's role as a mediator between the divine and the earthly realms.

its back had a rounded top
The rounded top of the throne's back may symbolize completeness and unity, reflecting the wholeness of Solomon's wisdom and reign. In ancient craftsmanship, rounded designs were often associated with perfection and eternity, suggesting that Solomon's rule was seen as divinely ordained and complete. This design element also highlights the artistic and cultural sophistication of Solomon's era, as described in the biblical narrative.

There were armrests on both sides of the seat
Armrests on a throne signify stability and support, indicating the king's firm grasp on power and governance. In the context of Solomon's reign, these armrests could symbolize the wisdom and understanding that supported his rule. The presence of armrests also suggests a sense of comfort and authority, as the king could rest his arms while making judgments or decrees, underscoring his role as a wise and just ruler.

with a lion standing beside each armrest
Lions are a powerful biblical symbol of strength, courage, and royalty. In the ancient Near East, lions were often associated with kingship and divine protection. The presence of a lion beside each armrest on Solomon's throne emphasizes his authority and the divine endorsement of his reign. Scripturally, lions are also linked to the tribe of Judah, from which Solomon descended, reinforcing his legitimate claim to the throne and his role as a leader of God's chosen people. The imagery of lions further underscores the majesty and grandeur of Solomon's kingdom, as described in the biblical account.

Verse 19. - The throne had six steps ["The characteristic feature in the royal throne was its elevation" (Dict. Bib. ill. p. 1493); cf. Isaiah 6:1], and the top [Heb. head] of the throne was round behind [same word ch. 7:23, 24. Thenius and Bahr understand it of an arched or rounded canopy attached to the back; Keil supposes that the back was arched or rounded in form]: and there were stays [Heb. hands, i.e., arms] on either side on the place of the seat [see drawing of Assyrian throne in Layard's "Nineveh," 2:301; Dict. Bib. 52. p. 1494], and two liens [probably of wood overlaid with gold. Cf. Jeremiah 10:3, 4] stood beside the stays.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The throne
לַכִּסֵּ֗ה (lak·kis·sêh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

had six
שֵׁ֧שׁ (šêš)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8337: Six (a cardinal number)

steps
מַעֲל֣וֹת (ma·‘ă·lō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4609: Elevation, the act, the condition, a climactic progression

and a rounded
עָגֹ֤ל (‘ā·ḡōl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5696: Circular

top
וְרֹאשׁ־ (wə·rōš-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

at the back
מֵאַֽחֲרָ֔יו (mê·’a·ḥă·rāw)
Preposition-m | third person masculine singular
Strong's 310: The hind or following part

of the throne.
לַכִּסֵּה֙ (lak·kis·sêh)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3678: Seat of honor, throne

There were armrests
וְיָדֹ֛ת (wə·yā·ḏōṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand

on both sides
וּמִזֶּ֖ה (ū·miz·zeh)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

of
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

the seat,
מְק֣וֹם (mə·qō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

with [a]
וּשְׁנַ֣יִם (ū·šə·na·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Number - md
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

lion
אֲרָי֔וֹת (’ă·rā·yō·wṯ)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 738: A lion

standing
עֹמְדִ֖ים (‘ō·mə·ḏîm)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

beside
אֵ֥צֶל (’ê·ṣel)
Preposition
Strong's 681: A joining together, proximity

each armrest.
הַיָּדֽוֹת׃ (hay·yā·ḏō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 3027: A hand


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OT History: 1 Kings 10:19 There were six steps to the throne (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 10:18
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