1 Kings 4:29 And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.

◄ 1 Kings 4:29 ►

New International Version
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.

New Living Translation
God gave Solomon very great wisdom and understanding, and knowledge as vast as the sands of the seashore.

English Standard Version
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore,

Berean Standard Bible
And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.

King James Bible
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

New King James Version
And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.

New American Standard Bible
Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.

NASB 1995
Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.

NASB 1977
Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore.

Legacy Standard Bible
And God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of understanding in his heart, like the sand that is on the seashore.

Amplified Bible
Now God gave Solomon [exceptional] wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand of the seashore.

Christian Standard Bible
God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
God gave Solomon wisdom, very great insight, and understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore.

American Standard Version
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.

Contemporary English Version
Solomon was brilliant. God had blessed him with insight and understanding.

English Revised Version
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
God gave Solomon wisdom-keen insight and a mind as limitless as the sand on the seashore.

Good News Translation
God gave Solomon unusual wisdom and insight, and knowledge too great to be measured.

International Standard Version
God gave Solomon wisdom and great discernment. His insights were as numerous as sand on the seashore.

Majority Standard Bible
And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore.

NET Bible
God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore.

New Heart English Bible
God gave Solomon wisdom and exceptional insight, and very great understanding, even as the sand that is on the seashore.

Webster's Bible Translation
And God gave Solomon great wisdom and understanding, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.

World English Bible
God gave Solomon abundant wisdom, understanding, and breadth of mind like the sand that is on the seashore.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And God gives very much wisdom and understanding to Solomon, and breadth of heart, as the sand that [is] on the edge of the sea;

Young's Literal Translation
And God giveth wisdom to Solomon, and understanding, very much, and breadth of heart, as the sand that is on the edge of the sea;

Smith's Literal Translation
And God will give wisdom to Solomon, and understanding exceeding much, and breadth of heart as the sand which is upon the lip of the sea.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And God gave to Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart as the sand that is on the sea shore.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And God gave wisdom to Solomon, and an exceedingly great prudence, and a spacious heart, like the sand which is on the shore of the sea.

New American Bible
Moreover, God gave Solomon wisdom, exceptional understanding, and knowledge, as vast as the sand on the seashore.

New Revised Standard Version
God gave Solomon very great wisdom, discernment, and breadth of understanding as vast as the sand on the seashore,

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And God gave to Solomon wisdom and understanding and greatness of heart in great abundance.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the Lord gave understanding to Solomon, and very much wisdom, and enlargement of heart, as the sand on the seashore.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Solomon's Wisdom
29And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. 30Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

James 1:5
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Proverbs 2:6
For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Ecclesiastes 1:16
I said to myself, “Behold, I have grown and increased in wisdom beyond all those before me who were over Jerusalem, and my mind has observed a wealth of wisdom and knowledge.”

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.

Proverbs 9:10
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Isaiah 11:2
The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Proverbs 3:13-18
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. ...

Ephesians 1:17
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him.

Job 28:28
And He said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”

Luke 2:40
And the Child grew and became strong. He was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon Him.

Proverbs 8:12-14
I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion. / To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech. / Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have insight and strength.

Daniel 1:17
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. And Daniel had insight into all kinds of visions and dreams.

Treasury of Scripture

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.

God

1 Kings 3:12,28
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee…

1 Kings 10:23,24
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom…

2 Chronicles 1:10-12
Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? …

largeness

Isaiah 60:5
Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee.

as the sand

1 Kings 4:20
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.

Genesis 41:49
And Joseph gathered corn as the sand of the sea, very much, until he left numbering; for it was without number.

Judges 7:12
And the Midianites and the Amalekites and all the children of the east lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude; and their camels were without number, as the sand by the sea side for multitude.

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1 Kings 4

1. Solomon's princes
7. His twelve officers for provision
20. The peace and largeness of his kingdom
22. His daily provision
26. His stable
29. His wisdom

Berean Study Bible

And God gave Solomon wisdom
The phrase begins with the acknowledgment that wisdom is a divine gift. The Hebrew word for "wisdom" is "חָכְמָה" (chokmah), which encompasses not only knowledge but also the skillful application of that knowledge in practical life. In the ancient Near Eastern context, wisdom was highly valued, often associated with the ability to govern effectively and make just decisions. Solomon's wisdom is a fulfillment of God's promise to him in 1 Kings 3:12, where God grants him a wise and discerning heart. This divine endowment sets Solomon apart as a king who can lead Israel with justice and righteousness.

exceedingly deep insight
The Hebrew term for "insight" is "תְּבוּנָה" (tevunah), which implies understanding or discernment. The phrase "exceedingly deep" suggests a profound level of comprehension that goes beyond surface knowledge. This depth of insight is crucial for a ruler, as it allows Solomon to perceive the underlying principles and truths in complex situations. In a broader biblical context, such insight is often linked to the fear of the Lord, as seen in Proverbs 9:10, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

and understanding beyond measure
The word "understanding" in Hebrew is "בִּינָה" (binah), which refers to the ability to discern or distinguish between things. The phrase "beyond measure" indicates an immeasurable or infinite quality, suggesting that Solomon's understanding was vast and unparalleled. This kind of understanding is essential for making wise judgments and decisions, particularly in the context of leading a nation. It reflects the biblical ideal of a leader who can discern God's will and apply it to the governance of His people.

like the sand on the seashore
This simile is a common biblical expression used to denote vastness or innumerability, as seen in God's promise to Abraham in Genesis 22:17. The imagery of sand on the seashore conveys the idea of abundance and inexhaustibility. In the context of Solomon's wisdom, it suggests that his capacity for knowledge and understanding was as vast and boundless as the grains of sand. This hyperbolic expression emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Solomon's God-given wisdom, setting a standard for the ideal king in Israel's history.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(29) Wisdom and understanding . . . and largeness of heart.--In this passage, "understanding," which is high intellectual power, and "largeness of heart," which is clearly capacity of knowledge, boundless as "the sand on the sea-shore," are both distinguished from the higher gift of wisdom, to which they are but means--the one being the capacity of wisdom within, the other the education of that capacity from without, (a) Wisdom, in the true sense in which it is used in Scripture (especially in the Books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes), is properly the attribute of God, and then, by His gifts of revelation and inspiration, reflected in man. The "wisdom of God" (see, for example, Proverbs 8) is, in relation to man, His Divine purpose in the creation and government of the world, which all things work out. The "wisdom of man" is the knowledge of the true end and object of his own being--which if he fulfil not, it were better for him not to have been born--whether that object be called happiness or perfection. For such knowledge the Book of Ecclesiastes describes a vain search. Such knowledge, as found already, is embodied in the Proverbs; sometimes in the lowest sense of knowledge of what will conduce to our own happiness; sometimes in the higher knowledge of what will best serve man; most often in the supreme knowledge, how we may best do God's will and show forth His glory. (b) But, since the purpose of our own being cannot be discovered, if our life be regarded as isolated from the history of the world and from its great design, this wisdom in man is regarded as possible, only when he has some glimpse of the wisdom of God, as manifested to man in His visible Providence, in His declared law, and His special revelation to the soul. Hence, "the fear of the Lord" is its "beginning;" and faith in God is the supplement of its necessary imperfection. (c)It will be obvious that, even so considered, this desire for wisdom is more self-contained and self-conscious than "the thirst for God, even the living God," in which the soul of the Psalmist expresses absolute dependence on God. If the sense of the need of God's revelation and of the necessity of faith beyond knowledge be lost, then this consciousness of wisdom may well become a self-idolatry, in which the mind prides itself on having pierced to the secret of being, holds that by such knowledge it becomes superior to ordinary law and duty, and delights in philosophical contemplation, rather than in active energy and religious devotion.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 29. - And God gave Solomon [in fulfilment of the promise of chap. 3:12] wisdom and understanding (חָכְמָה, wisdom, knowledge; תְּבוּנָה discernment, penetration. The historian, after describing the prosperity of the realm, proceeds to speak of the personal endowments of its head] and largeness of heart exceeding much [the Easterns speak of the heart where we should talk of head or intellect (1 Kings 3:9, 12; 1 Kings 10:24. Cf. Matthew 15:19; Ephesians 1:18 (Greek); Hebrews 4:12). The "large heart" is the ingenium capax, as Thenius. These different words indicate the variety and scope of his talents, in agreement with ver. 33] as the sand that is on the seashore. [Same expression in Genesis 22:17; Genesis 32:12; Genesis 41:49; Joshua 11:4; Judges 7:12, etc.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

And God
אֱלֹהִ֨ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative

gave
וַיִּתֵּן֩ (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

Solomon
לִשְׁלֹמֹ֛ה (liš·lō·mōh)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

wisdom,
חָכְמָ֧ה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

exceedingly
מְאֹ֑ד (mə·’ōḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 3966: Vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily

deep
הַרְבֵּ֣ה (har·bêh)
Verb - Hifil - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 7235: To be or become much, many or great

insight,
וּתְבוּנָ֖ה (ū·ṯə·ḇū·nāh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8394: Intelligence, an argument, caprice

and understanding
לֵ֔ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

beyond measure,
וְרֹ֣חַב (wə·rō·ḥaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7341: Breadth, width

like the sand
כַּח֕וֹל (ka·ḥō·wl)
Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2344: Sand

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the seashore.
שְׂפַ֥ת (śə·p̄aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

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OT History: 1 Kings 4:29 God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)