1 Kings 4:23 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 4:23 mean?

1 Kings 4:23 lists part of the daily food supply for King Solomon’s royal household: ten fat oxen, twenty pasture oxen, one hundred sheep, plus deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened birds. This verse shows the large quantity and variety of food needed each day to support Solomon’s court.

The verse is part of a passage describing the wealth and organization of Solomon’s kingdom. The writer is listing the daily provisions required for the king’s household, highlighting both the abundance and the administrative structure of Solomon’s reign. The mention of specific animals and numbers gives a concrete sense of the scale of royal life in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 4:23

• "Fat" (בָּרִא, bari’): This word describes the ten oxen as being well-fed or choice animals, emphasizing the quality of food served at Solomon’s table.
• "Oxen" (בָּקָר, baqar): Used twice, this word refers to cattle, showing both stall-fed (fattened) and pasture-raised oxen were included, suggesting variety and abundance.
• "Pastures" (רַעְמָה, re’imah): This term means animals that graze freely, indicating that not all the meat came from penned or specially fattened animals.
• "Harts" (אַיָּל, ayyal), "roebucks" (צְבִי, tsevi), and "fallowdeer" (יַחְמוּר, yachmur): These are different kinds of wild game, showing that the royal menu included both domesticated and wild animals, reflecting luxury and access to diverse foods.

Why 1 Kings 4:23 matters

• 1 Kings 4:23 clears up any idea that Solomon’s court was modest; the verse shows a daily consumption that would have required a large staff and extensive resources.
• The verse emphasizes the prosperity and organization of Solomon’s reign, connecting to the wider theme of wisdom and order in his kingdom.
• By listing both domesticated and wild animals, the verse reveals the reach and wealth of Solomon’s administration, as well as the importance of hospitality and provision in royal life.