And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug trees, and precious stones.

1 KINGS 10:11KJV
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1 Kings 10:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 10:11 mean?

1 Kings 10:11 describes how King Hiram’s fleet brought valuable goods to King Solomon from a distant place called Ophir, including a large supply of almug trees and precious stones. This verse highlights the wealth and resources that were brought into Israel during Solomon’s reign through international trade.

The setting is the time of King Solomon, with the narrative describing the partnership between Solomon and Hiram, king of Tyre. Hiram’s sailors are returning from Ophir, a region known for its riches, and they deliver rare materials to Solomon. These imports—especially the almug trees (a type of valuable wood) and precious stones—are part of the broader story showing Solomon’s prosperity and the splendor of his kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 10:11

  • אָלְמֻגִּים (’almuggim, transliterated “almug”): This word refers to a rare and valuable type of wood, though its exact species is debated. Its mention here emphasizes the luxury and rarity of the materials Solomon received.
  • אוֹפִיר (Ophir): This is the name of a distant land, often associated with great wealth. The repeated mention of Ophir underlines the exotic and far-reaching nature of Solomon’s trade connections.
  • רַב (rav, translated “great plenty”): This word means “abundance” or “a large quantity,” stressing just how much was brought back, not just the rarity but also the sheer volume of the goods.

Why 1 Kings 10:11 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that Solomon’s wealth was not just from local resources but also from extensive international trade, showing the global reach of his kingdom.
  • The mention of specific materials like almug trees and precious stones connects to later verses describing the construction and decoration of the temple and Solomon’s palace, giving context to the grandeur described elsewhere.
  • Understanding the partnership with Hiram and the repeated reference to Ophir highlights the importance of alliances and trade in ancient Israel’s prosperity, rather than only military or agricultural strength.

Where else these words appear

“almug” Hebrew H484 · used in 2 verses

  • 1 Kings 10:12 And the king made of the almug trees pillars for the house of the LORD, and for the king's house, harps also and psalteries for singers: there came no such almug trees, nor were seen unto this day.

“navy” Hebrew H590 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 9:26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
  • 1 Kings 9:27 And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
  • 1 Kings 10:22 For the king had at sea a navy of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram: once in three years came the navy of Tharshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, and apes, and peacocks.

“Ophir” Hebrew H211 · used in 12 verses

  • Genesis 10:29 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab: all these were the sons of Joktan.
  • 1 Chronicles 1:23 And Ophir, and Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan.
  • Job 22:24 Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks.

“Hiram” Hebrew H2438 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Samuel 5:11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
  • 1 Kings 5:11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
  • 1 Kings 9:11 ( Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.