2 Chronicles 9:4
New International Version
the food on his table, the seating of his officials, the attending servants in their robes, the cupbearers in their robes and the burnt offerings he made at the temple of the LORD, she was overwhelmed.

New Living Translation
she was overwhelmed. She was also amazed at the food on his tables, the organization of his officials and their splendid clothing, the cup-bearers and their robes, and the burnt offerings Solomon made at the Temple of the LORD.

English Standard Version
the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his cupbearers, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more breath in her.

Berean Standard Bible
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

King James Bible
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

New King James Version
the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers and their apparel, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit in her.

New American Standard Bible
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, she was breathless.

NASB 1995
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, she was breathless.

NASB 1977
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, she was breathless.

Legacy Standard Bible
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the disposition of his attendants and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of Yahweh, so that there was no more spirit in her.

Amplified Bible
and the food of his table, the [vast] seating order of his officials, the attendance and service of his ministers and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and his stairway by which he went up to the house of the LORD, she was breathless.

Christian Standard Bible
the food at his table, his servants’ residence, his attendants’ service and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and the burnt offerings he offered at the LORD’s temple, it took her breath away.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
the food at his table, his servants’ residence, his attendants’ service and their attire, his cupbearers and their attire, and the burnt offerings he offered at the LORD’s temple, it took her breath away.

American Standard Version
and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, his cupbearers also, and their apparel, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of Jehovah; there was no more spirit in her.

English Revised Version
and the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants; and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
the food on his table, his officers' seating arrangement, the organization of his officials and the uniforms they wore, his cupbearers and their uniforms, and the burnt offerings that he sacrificed at the LORD's temple, she was breathless.

Good News Translation
She saw the food that was served at his table, the living quarters for his officials, the organization of his palace staff and the uniforms they wore, the clothing of the servants who waited on him at feasts, and the sacrifices he offered in the Temple. It left her breathless and amazed.

International Standard Version
the food set at his table, his servants who waited on him, his ministers in attendance and how they were dressed, his personal staff and how they were dressed, and even his personal stairway by which he went up to the LORD's Temple, she was breathless!

Majority Standard Bible
the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, the attire of his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

NET Bible
the food in his banquet hall, his servants and attendants in their robes, his cupbearers in their robes, and his burnt sacrifices which he presented in the LORD's temple, she was amazed.

New Heart English Bible
and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their clothing, his cup bearers also, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings which he presented at the house of the LORD; it left her breathless.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the provisions of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cup-bearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

World English Bible
the food of his table, the seating of his servants, the attendance of his ministers, their clothing, his cup bearers and their clothing, and his ascent by which he went up to Yahweh’s house, there was no more spirit in her.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the standing of his ministers, and their clothing, and his stewards, and their clothing, and his burnt-offering that he offered up in the house of YHWH, and there has not been anymore spirit in her.

Young's Literal Translation
and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the standing of his ministers, and their clothing, and his stewards, and their clothing, an his burnt-offering that he offered up in the house of Jehovah, and there hath not been any more spirit in her.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the food of his table, and the seat of his servants, and the standing of those waiting upon him, and their clothing, and his cup-bearers and their clothing, and his ascent that he went up to the house of Jehovah; and no more spirit was in her.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the meats of his table, and the dwelling places of his servants, and the attendance of his officers, and their apparel, his cupbearers also, and their garments, and the victims which he offered in the house of the Lord: there was no more spirit in her, she was so astonished.

Catholic Public Domain Version
indeed also the foods of his table, and the habitations of the servants, and the duties of his ministers, and their apparel, and also his cupbearers and their garments, and the victims which he was immolating in the house of the Lord, there was no longer any spirit in her, due to astonishment.

New American Bible
the food at his table, the seating of his ministers, the attendance and dress of his waiters, his cupbearers and their dress, and the burnt offerings he sacrificed in the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

New Revised Standard Version
the food of his table, the seating of his officials, and the attendance of his servants, and their clothing, his valets, and their clothing, and his burnt offerings that he offered at the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit left in her.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the food of his table and the seating of his servants and the attendance of his ministers and their apparel, his cupbearers also and their apparel, and the sacrifices that he offered in the house of the LORD, there was no more spirit left in her to see more.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the food of his table, and the seating of his Servants, and the standing of his Ministers and their clothing, and his Cup Bearers and their clothing, and the sacrifices that he offered in the house of LORD JEHOVAH, and there was no more spirit in her to see any more.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and the food of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
and the meat of the tables, and the sitting of his servants, and the standing of his ministers, and their raiment; and his cupbearers, and their apparel; and the whole-burnt-offerings which he offered up in the house of the Lord; then she was in ecstasy.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Queen of Sheba
3When the queen of Sheba saw the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, 4the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants and cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away. 5She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true.…

Cross References
1 Kings 10:4-5
When the queen of Sheba saw all the wisdom of Solomon, the palace he had built, / the food at his table, the seating of his servants, the service and attire of his attendants, his cupbearers, and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD, it took her breath away.

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.

1 Kings 4:22-23
Solomon’s provisions for a single day were thirty cors of fine flour, sixty cors of meal, / ten fat oxen, twenty range oxen, and a hundred sheep, as well as deer, gazelles, roebucks, and fattened poultry.

1 Kings 4:27
Each month the governors in turn provided food for King Solomon and all who came to his table. They saw to it that nothing was lacking.

1 Kings 10:6-7
She said to the king, “The report I heard in my own country about your words and wisdom is true. / But I did not believe these things until I came and saw with my own eyes. Indeed, not even half was told to me. Your wisdom and prosperity have far exceeded the report I heard.

1 Kings 10:21
All King Solomon’s drinking cups were gold, and all the utensils of the House of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. There was no silver, because it was accounted as nothing in the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 10:23-25
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

1 Kings 10:8
How blessed are your men! How blessed are these servants of yours who stand continually before you and hear your wisdom!

1 Kings 10:18-20
Additionally, the king made a great throne of ivory and overlaid it with pure gold. / The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. There were armrests on both sides of the seat, with a lion standing beside each armrest. / Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like this had ever been made for any kingdom.

1 Kings 10:12
The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)

1 Kings 10:16-17
King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; six hundred shekels of gold went into each shield. / He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold went into each shield. And the king put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon.

1 Kings 10:14-15
The weight of gold that came to Solomon each year was 666 talents, / not including the revenue from the merchants, traders, and all the Arabian kings and governors of the land.

1 Kings 10:26-29
Solomon accumulated 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. / The king made silver as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as abundant as sycamore in the foothills. / Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue. ...

1 Kings 4:1-19
So King Solomon ruled over Israel, / and these were his chief officials: Azariah son of Zadok was the priest; / Elihoreph and Ahijah, the sons of Shisha, were secretaries; Jehoshaphat son of Ahilud was the recorder; ...

1 Kings 4:29-34
And God gave Solomon wisdom, exceedingly deep insight, and understanding beyond measure, like the sand on the seashore. / Solomon’s wisdom was greater than that of all the men of the East, greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. / He 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. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

the meat

1 Kings 4:22,23
And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, …

Proverbs 9:5
Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled.

John 6:53-57
Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you…

the sitting

1 Kings 10:5
And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

Luke 12:37
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them.

Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

cup-bearers.

Nehemiah 1:11
O Lord, I beseech thee, let now thine ear be attentive to the prayer of thy servant, and to the prayer of thy servants, who desire to fear thy name: and prosper, I pray thee, thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.

ascent

2 Chronicles 23:13
And she looked, and, behold, the king stood at his pillar at the entering in, and the princes and the trumpets by the king: and all the people of the land rejoiced, and sounded with trumpets, also the singers with instruments of musick, and such as taught to sing praise. Then Athaliah rent her clothes, and said, Treason, Treason.

2 Kings 16:18
And the covert for the sabbath that they had built in the house, and the king's entry without, turned he from the house of the LORD for the king of Assyria.

1 Chronicles 9:18
Who hitherto waited in the king's gate eastward: they were porters in the companies of the children of Levi.

there was

Psalm 119:81
CAPH. My soul fainteth for thy salvation: but I hope in thy word.

Psalm 143:7
Hear me speedily, O LORD: my spirit faileth: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit.

Song of Solomon 5:8
I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.

Jump to Previous
Apparel Ascent Attendance Attendants Attending Attire Bearers Burnt Clothing Cup Cupbearers Cup-Bearers Deportment Food House Meat Ministers Offered Offerings Officials Order Overwhelmed Places Provisions Robes s Seated Seating Servants Service Sitting Spirit Stairway Standing Stewards Table Temple Waiting Wine-Servants
Jump to Next
Apparel Ascent Attendance Attendants Attending Attire Bearers Burnt Clothing Cup Cupbearers Cup-Bearers Deportment Food House Meat Ministers Offered Offerings Officials Order Overwhelmed Places Provisions Robes s Seated Seating Servants Service Sitting Spirit Stairway Standing Stewards Table Temple Waiting Wine-Servants
2 Chronicles 9
1. The queen of sheba admires the wisdom of Solomon
13. Solomon's revenue in gold
15. His targets and shields
17. The throne of ivory
20. His vessels
23. His presents
25. His chariots and horse
26. His tributes
29. His reign and death














the food at his table
This phrase highlights the abundance and quality of Solomon's provisions, reflecting the prosperity and divine blessing upon his reign. In the Hebrew context, "food" (Hebrew: מַאֲכָל, ma'akal) signifies not just sustenance but also the richness of God's provision. The table, often a symbol of fellowship and covenant, underscores the peace and stability of Solomon's kingdom, reminiscent of the Lord's provision in Psalm 23:5, "You prepare a table before me."

the seating of his servants
The arrangement and order of the servants' seating reflect the wisdom and organization of Solomon's court. In ancient Near Eastern culture, seating arrangements were significant, indicating rank and honor. This orderliness is a testament to Solomon's wisdom, as described in 1 Kings 4:29-34, where his understanding and discernment are highlighted.

the service and attire of his attendants
The service (Hebrew: מְשָׁרֵת, mesharet) and attire (Hebrew: מַלְבּוּשׁ, malbush) of Solomon's attendants demonstrate the excellence and splendor of his administration. The meticulous attention to their roles and appearance reflects the glory and majesty of Solomon's reign, which was a shadow of the heavenly order and beauty, as seen in the priestly garments described in Exodus 28.

his cupbearers
The role of the cupbearer was one of great trust and honor, as they were responsible for the king's safety and well-being. This position, seen in figures like Nehemiah (Nehemiah 1:11), signifies the intimate and trusted relationship between the king and his servants, reflecting the loyalty and faithfulness expected in God's kingdom.

and their attire
The attire of the cupbearers further emphasizes the grandeur and dignity of Solomon's court. Clothing in the biblical context often symbolizes righteousness and status. The detailed description of their attire points to the care and reverence in serving the king, paralleling the garments of righteousness believers are called to wear (Isaiah 61:10).

and the burnt offerings he presented at the house of the LORD
The burnt offerings (Hebrew: עֹלוֹת, olot) signify Solomon's devotion and obedience to God. These offerings, made at the temple, were acts of worship and atonement, reflecting the centrality of God in Solomon's reign. The house of the LORD, the temple, was the focal point of Israel's spiritual life, symbolizing God's presence among His people, as seen in 1 Kings 8:10-11.

it took her breath away
This phrase captures the overwhelming impression made on the Queen of Sheba by Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom. Her reaction is a testament to the fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon, as his wisdom and wealth were unparalleled, drawing nations to witness the glory of God through Israel, as prophesied in Deuteronomy 28:10. This awe-inspiring scene foreshadows the ultimate revelation of God's glory in Christ, who is greater than Solomon (Matthew 12:42).

(4) And his ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord.--Kings, "And his burnt offering which he offered in the house of the Lord." The LXX., Syr., and Vulg. here agree with Kings; and the Arab. reads, "the altar on which he offered." In all other passages, the word used in our text ('aliy?h) means not ascent, but upper chamber; it is likely, therefore, that in the present instance it is merely an error of transcription for the term occurring in Kings ('ol?h, "burnt-offering").

Verse 4. - The meat of his table (see 1 Kings 4:22, 23). Translating our thoughts rather violently into modern language, we might picture the queen inspecting the kitchens of the palace, and remember that the kitchens of an Oriental court did the work, not of an individual "table," but of those of a very large domestic and official retinue; much more these of Solomon now. Keil and Bertheau, however, with others, refer this expression to the set-out of one meal-table (as e.g. that of a modern banquet, wedding breakfast, or the like), where both the abounding lading of the table and the ample variety of the courses, and the rich foreign or home fruits, in season or out of season, and the furnishing and decorating of the table, all come in to add their contribution of effect; and they quote not inaptly our ver. 20, elucidated by 1 Kings 10:21. This was a daily glory with Solomon's palace-establishment. The immediate connection and the contents of this verse, though difficult, favour this direction of explanation, as will be seen in the succeeding clauses. The sitting of his servants. The word here used (מושָׁב) occurs forty-three times, and is rendered in the Authorized Version thirty-two of these times as "habitation" or "dwelling." Of the remaining eleven times, one or other of those words would be almost the synonym of the word used, and in every ease the rendering "dwelling," if kept to the general idea of a dwelling or resting-place more or less temporary, would not be inappropriate or inconsistent with the evident drift of the connection; only here and in the parallel is the inconvenient rendering "sitting" adopted by the Authorized Version. Hence we disagree with Professor Dr. Murphy's explanation, the sitting, i.e. "in council of his chief officers." What the nature of the location (to use a term least specific) of the servants pointed to here is, nevertheless, still not quite clear. It is evidently placed in some antithesis with the standing (i.e. the standing-place) here rendered 'inadequately or incorrectly, the attendance of his ministers. The attendance, i.e. "the station (מַעֲמָד) (see the four other occurrences of this' word: 1 Kings 10:5; 1 Chronicles 23:28; 2 Chronicles 35:15; Isaiah 22:19). Of his ministers; Hebrew, מְשָׁרְתָיו, participle of a piel verb, שָׁרֵת. This word, in an amazing majority of the hundred occurrences of it, expresses ministry of sacred service of some kind. It may, indeed, be said that the present passage, with only one or two others, are doubtful in this meaning or character of explanation. To our next clause, referring to their apparel, we find in the parallel mention, as here, of the cupbearers, though the matter of their apparel is not included as it is here. Part of the difficulty of the verse arises from the consideration that up to this point the contents of the successive clauses of it may compose possibly enough a sharp graphic description of the daily banquet scene. An apt reference to similar description of Arabian banquets is given in the 'Speaker's Commentary ' as to be found in vol. it. pp. 213-215 of 'Ancient Monarchies.' Our next clause, however, brings us back into difficulty by its reference to Solomon's ascent by which he went up into the house of the Lord (1 Chronicles 26:16 with our Exposition, 'Pulpit Commentary'), apparently so unseasonably; nor are we much helped by reading, with the Septuagint, "the burnt offerings which he offered at the house of the Lord." The obscurity and lack of coherence are not formidable, indeed, and perhaps may be with moderate satisfaction set down again to the account of the occasionally careless selection of the compilers from the material of the older work. Possibly the allusion in our ver. 11 to the terraces, or stairs, or highways (see margin) to "the house of the Lord," and to the king's palace, may hold some clue to the ascent being adverted to here.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
the food
וּמַאֲכַ֣ל (ū·ma·’ă·ḵal)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3978: An eatable

at his table,
שֻׁלְחָנ֡וֹ (šul·ḥā·nōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7979: A table, a meal

the seating
וּמוֹשַׁ֣ב (ū·mō·wō·šaḇ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4186: A seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers

of his servants,
עֲבָדָיו֩ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

the service
וּמַעֲמַ֨ד (ū·ma·‘ă·maḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4612: Office, function, service

and attire
וּמַלְבּֽוּשֵׁיהֶ֗ם (ū·mal·bū·šê·hem)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 4403: A garment, clothing

of his attendants
מְשָׁרְתָ֜יו (mə·šā·rə·ṯāw)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8334: To attend as a, menial, worshipper, to contribute to

and cupbearers,
וּמַשְׁקָיו֙ (ū·maš·qāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4945: Causing to drink, a butler, drink, a well-watered region

and the burnt offerings
וַעֲלִיָּת֔וֹ (wa·‘ă·lî·yā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5930: Whole burnt offering

he presented
יַעֲלֶ֖ה (ya·‘ă·leh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927: To ascend, in, actively

at the house
בֵּ֣ית (bêṯ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the LORD,
יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

it took her breath away.
רֽוּחַ׃ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit


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OT History: 2 Chronicles 9:4 And the food of his table (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)
2 Chronicles 9:3
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