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 9:26KJV
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1 Kings 9:26 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 9:26 mean?

1 Kings 9:26 describes how King Solomon established a fleet of ships at Eziongeber, near Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea in the territory of Edom. This verse highlights Solomon’s efforts to expand Israel’s trade and influence by developing a navy at a strategic southern port.

Solomon, the king of Israel, is the main figure in this verse, and the setting is after the completion of the temple and Solomon’s palace. The verse notes the specific location—Eziongeber, close to Eloth—situated on the Red Sea’s shore within Edom’s land. This move allowed Israel access to important trade routes toward Africa and Arabia, showing Solomon’s interest in economic growth and international connections.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 9:26

  • אֵילֹת (Eloth, transliterated "Eloth"): This is the name of a port city near Eziongeber. Its mention shows the exact location of Solomon’s naval base, emphasizing the real-world geography behind the story.
  • יָם־סוּף (Yam Suf, transliterated "Red Sea"): This phrase refers to the body of water bordering Edom. The term often means the Red Sea or Sea of Reeds, highlighting the southern sea access Israel gained through Edom’s territory.
  • אֱדוֹם (Edom, transliterated "Edom"): This is the region south of Israel. The verse’s mention of Edom shows that Solomon’s activities extended into neighboring lands, which was significant for trade and political influence.

Why 1 Kings 9:26 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Solomon’s kingdom was not just focused on internal building projects but also on expanding Israel’s reach through maritime trade.
  • Mentioning Edom and the Red Sea shows the importance of international relationships and access to global trade routes in Solomon’s reign.
  • This detail sets up later stories about Solomon’s wealth and trade partnerships, especially with places like Ophir, and helps explain how Israel became more prosperous during his rule.

Where else these words appear

“ships” Hebrew H590 · used in 5 verses

  • 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 10:11 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 10:22 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.

“Eloth” Hebrew H359 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:8 And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
  • 2 Kings 14:22 He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:17 Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

“Eziongeber” Hebrew H6100 · used in 7 verses

  • Numbers 33:35 And they departed from Ebronah, and encamped at Eziongaber.
  • Deuteronomy 2:8 And when we passed by from our brethren the children of Esau, which dwelt in Seir, through the way of the plain from Elath, and from Eziongaber, we turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:17 Then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.

“Red” Hebrew H5488 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 2:3 And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.
  • Numbers 33:10 And they removed from Elim, and encamped by the Red sea.
  • Nehemiah 9:9 And didst see the affliction of our fathers in Egypt, and heardest their cry by the Red sea;