1 kings 7:14 - He was the son of a widow 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 skill, to work all works in brass. He came to king Solomon, and performed all his work.

Generated Verse: 1 kings 7:14

What does "1 kings 7:14" mean?


This verse (1 Kings 7:14) describes Hiram Abiff, a skilled craftsman who was commissioned by King Solomon to work on the construction and ornamentation of the Temple in Jerusalem. Let's break down the meaning:

"He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali...": This tells us about Hiram's maternal lineage. His mother was a widow and belonged to the tribe of Naphtali, one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This detail is significant because it indicates that Hiram had some Israelite heritage on his mother's side.

"...and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass...": This tells us about Hiram's paternal lineage and his craft. His father was from Tyre, a Phoenician city renowned for its skilled artisans, especially in working with brass (an alloy of copper and zinc, often used interchangeably with "bronze" in ancient texts). The phrase "worker in brass" highlights his father's profession and the source of Hiram's skills.

"...and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill, to work all works in brass.": This emphasizes Hiram's exceptional abilities. He was not just a craftsman; he was exceptionally gifted with wisdom (practical knowledge and judgment), understanding (insight and comprehension), and skill (expertise and dexterity) in working with brass. He was capable of creating any type of object or ornamentation from brass.

"He came to king Solomon, and performed all his work.": This tells us that Hiram was employed by King Solomon himself. Solomon specifically sought him out for his skills. The verse says Hiram "performed all his work," indicating he successfully completed all the tasks assigned to him in creating the brass furnishings and decorations for the Temple. This highlights his reliability and the high quality of his work.

In essence, this verse describes Hiram Abiff as a uniquely talented and skilled craftsman, chosen by King Solomon to be a key artisan in the construction of the Temple. His mixed Israelite and Phoenician heritage possibly contributed to his exceptional abilities, blending the cultural knowledge of both regions. His work was highly valued and essential to the grandeur and beauty of Solomon's Temple. This passage emphasizes both his skill and his dedication to completing his work for the king.

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