1 Kings 4:32
New International Version
He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

New Living Translation
He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.

English Standard Version
He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

Berean Standard Bible
Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

King James Bible
And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

New King James Version
He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were one thousand and five.

New American Standard Bible
He also told three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered 1,005.

NASB 1995
He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

NASB 1977
He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

Legacy Standard Bible
He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

Amplified Bible
He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005.

Christian Standard Bible
Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs numbered 1,005.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Solomon composed 3,000 proverbs, and his songs numbered 1,005.

American Standard Version
And he spake three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five.

Contemporary English Version
Solomon wrote 3,000 wise sayings and composed more than 1,000 songs.

English Revised Version
And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Solomon spoke 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.

Good News Translation
He composed three thousand proverbs and more than a thousand songs.

International Standard Version
Solomon wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs.

Majority Standard Bible
Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

NET Bible
He composed 3,000 proverbs and 1,005 songs.

New Heart English Bible
He spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were one thousand five.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he spoke three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

World English Bible
He spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered one thousand five.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he speaks three thousand allegories, and his songs [are] one thousand and five;

Young's Literal Translation
And he speaketh three thousand similes, and his songs are five, and the chief one;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will speak three thousand parables: and his songs will be five and a thousand.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Solomon also spoke three thousand parables: and his poems were a thousand and five.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Solomon also spoke three thousand parables. And his verses were one thousand and five.

New American Bible
Solomon also uttered three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

New Revised Standard Version
He composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs were one thousand and five.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he spoke three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Solomon spoke three thousand proverbs, and his songs were five thousand.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Wisdom
31He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations. 32Solomon composed three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five. 33He spoke of trees, from the cedar in Lebanon to the hyssop growing in the wall, and he taught about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.…

Cross References
Proverbs 1:1
These are the proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel,

Ecclesiastes 12:9
Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught the people knowledge; he pondered, searched out, and arranged many proverbs.

Proverbs 10:1
The proverbs of Solomon: A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son grief to his mother.

Proverbs 25:1
These are additional proverbs of Solomon, which were copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah:

Song of Solomon 1:1
This is Solomon’s Song of Songs.

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.

2 Chronicles 9:22-23
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / All the kings of the earth sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart.

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. ...

Ecclesiastes 1:1
These are the words of the Teacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem:

James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...

Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

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

Proverbs 8:1-36
Does not wisdom call out, and understanding raise her voice? / On the heights overlooking the road, at the crossroads she takes her stand. / Beside the gates to the city, at the entrances she cries out: ...

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

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


Treasury of Scripture

And he spoke three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five.

he spake

Proverbs 1:1-33
The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel; …

Ecclesiastes 12:9
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.

Matthew 13:35
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.

songs

Song of Solomon 1:1
The song of songs, which is Solomon's.

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Chief Five Maker Numbered Proverbs Sayings Similes Songs Speaketh Thousand Three Uttered Wise
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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














Solomon composed
The phrase "Solomon composed" highlights the active role of King Solomon in the creation of wisdom literature. The Hebrew root for "composed" is "דָּבַר" (dabar), which means to speak or declare. This suggests that Solomon's wisdom was not only a divine gift but also an active pursuit. Solomon's compositions were a result of his God-given wisdom, as seen in 1 Kings 3:12, where God grants him unparalleled wisdom. This act of composing reflects the importance of wisdom and knowledge in ancient Israelite culture, where oral and written traditions were vital for teaching and governance.

three thousand proverbs
The "three thousand proverbs" indicate the vastness and depth of Solomon's wisdom. The Hebrew word for "proverbs" is "מִשְׁלֵי" (mishlei), which refers to short, pithy sayings that convey moral or practical truths. Proverbs were a common literary form in the ancient Near East, used to impart wisdom across generations. Solomon's proverbs, many of which are preserved in the Book of Proverbs, cover a wide range of topics, including morality, ethics, and human behavior, reflecting the comprehensive nature of his wisdom.

and his songs numbered
The phrase "and his songs numbered" introduces another dimension of Solomon's creative output. The Hebrew word for "songs" is "שִׁיר" (shir), which denotes lyrical compositions often used in worship and celebration. Solomon's ability to compose songs demonstrates his versatility and the cultural importance of music in Israelite worship and society. Music was a means of expressing devotion, joy, and lament, and Solomon's contributions would have enriched the spiritual and cultural life of Israel.

a thousand and five
The specific number "a thousand and five" underscores the prolific nature of Solomon's songwriting. This precise count suggests a historical record-keeping practice, emphasizing the significance of his contributions. The sheer volume of his work indicates not only his personal dedication but also the value placed on artistic and spiritual expression in his reign. Solomon's songs, though not all preserved in the biblical text, would have played a role in temple worship and royal ceremonies, reflecting the integration of faith and governance in ancient Israel.

(32) Proverbs.--The word "proverb" (mashal), from a root signifying "comparison," has the various meanings of (a) parable or allegory, (b) proverb in the modern sense, (c) riddle or enigmatical poem, (d) figurative and antithetical poetry, like the "parable" of Balaam. The Book of Proverbs belongs mainly, but not exclusively, to the second class. Its main part consists of two series of "Proverbs of Solomon" (Proverbs 10-24, 25-29), composed or collected by him; falling, however, far short of the number given in this verse. The earlier portion (see especially 1Kings 1:20-33; 1Kings 1:2; 1Kings 1:8) partakes more of the character of the first and fourth classes; and in Ecclesiastes 12:3-6, and perhaps Proverbs 30:15-16; Proverbs 30:24-31, we have specimens of the third. If the "three thousand" of the text be intended to be taken literally, it is obvious that only a small part of Solomon's proverbs has been preserved. His declension into idolatry might induce care in selection. by such prophetic compilers as "the men of Hezekiah" (Proverbs 25). . . . Verse 32. - And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. [Of the former, less than one-third are preserved in the Book of Proverbs (see Proverbs 1:1; Proverbs 25:1); the rest are lost to us. The Book of Ecclesiastes, even if the composition of Solomon, can hardly be described as proverbs. Of his songs all have perished, except the Song of Solomon, and possibly Psalm 72, 127. (see the titles), and, according to some, 128.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Solomon composed
וַיְדַבֵּ֕ר (way·ḏab·bêr)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

three
שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ)
Number - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice

thousand
אֲלָפִ֖ים (’ă·lā·p̄îm)
Number - masculine plural
Strong's 505: A thousand

proverbs,
מָשָׁ֑ל (mā·šāl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4912: A pithy maxim, a simile

and his songs
שִׁיר֖וֹ (šî·rōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7892: A song, singing

numbered
וַיְהִ֥י (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

a thousand
וָאָֽלֶף׃ (wā·’ā·lep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Number - masculine singular
Strong's 505: A thousand

and five.
חֲמִשָּׁ֥ה (ḥă·miš·šāh)
Number - masculine singular
Strong's 2568: Five


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OT History: 1 Kings 4:32 He spoke three thousand proverbs (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 4:31
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