Lexical Summary makkoleth: Food, provision Original Word: מַכֹּלֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance food From 'akal; nourishment -- food. see HEBREW 'akal NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom akal Definition foodstuff NASB Translation food (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs מַכֹּ֫לֶת noun feminine food-stuff, consisting in חִטִּים, 1 Kings 5:25 (on form see Bö§ 415 Sta§ 112 a. 2). **So read also "" 2 Chron 2:9 (MT מַכּוֺת). Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Makkoleth denotes a provision of food, especially grain, supplied to sustain a household or workforce. It is broader than a single meal, highlighting an ongoing allotment that maintains life and enables productive labor. Occurrence in Scripture 1 Kings 5:11 records the sole use: “Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty thousand cors of beaten oil; Solomon continued to provide this for Hiram year after year”. Here the term encapsulates a calculated, covenantal ration that bound two monarchs in mutual service. Historical Background • Diplomatic Tribute. In the tenth century B.C., Tyre controlled prized timber; Israel held vast agricultural potential. Wheat and oil flowed north; cedar and cypress south. Makkoleth, therefore, describes a royal tribute that stabilized a political alliance and secured materials for the Temple. Theological Themes • Covenant Faithfulness. Solomon “continued to provide…year after year,” portraying steadfastness that mirrors the Lord’s own faithfulness to His people (Deuteronomy 7:9). Covenantal Hospitality Ancient Near Eastern treaties often included meal-sharing or regular food deliveries to confirm loyalty. By calling the allotment makkoleth, the writer highlights the personal dimension—Hiram’s own “household” ate Israel’s bread. Such hospitality echoes the patriarchal model (Genesis 18:1-8) and foreshadows the church’s table fellowship (Acts 2:46). Applications for Ministry Today • Strategic Generosity. Churches and believers may employ practical resources—food banks, mission support, disaster relief—as bridges for gospel witness, following Solomon’s pattern of purposeful provision. Related Biblical Themes Provision for workers: Nehemiah 5:17-18; Luke 10:7. National grain reserves: Genesis 41:46-57. Covenant meals: Exodus 24:9-11; 2 Samuel 9:7-13. Summary Makkoleth is more than a Hebrew word for “food”; it is an emblem of covenantal generosity that sustained an international alliance, enabled the building of God’s house, and foreshadows the divine, unfailing provision fulfilled in Christ. Forms and Transliterations מַכֹּ֣לֶת מכלת mak·kō·leṯ makKolet makkōleṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 5:11 HEB: כֹּ֤ר חִטִּים֙ מַכֹּ֣לֶת לְבֵית֔וֹ וְעֶשְׂרִ֥ים NAS: of wheat as food for his household, KJV: of wheat [for] food to his household, INT: kors of wheat food his household and twenty 1 Occurrence |
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