Lexical Summary qoph: Ape Original Word: קוֹף Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ape Or qoph {kofe}; probably of foreign origin; a monkey -- ape. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition an ape NASB Translation apes (2). Brown-Driver-Briggs [קוֺף] noun [masculine] ape, so Vrss, ᵐ5 πίθηκοι (omitted by ᵐ5B in Kings) (foreign word; probably = Sanskrit kapi, id.; Egyptian as loan-word gôfë WMMAs.u.Eur.95, gi'f ErmanZMG xlvi (1892), 121; Greek κῆβος, κῆπος is of Egyptian origin according to LewyFremdw. 6); — plural קֹפִים 1 Kings 10:22 = קוֺפִים2Chronicles 9:21, brought to Solomon [from southeast] by Phoenician fleet; compare Arabic proverb 'donum regionis Jemen simiae sunt,' FreyProvv.iii.3160. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrences 1 Kings 10:22; 2 Chronicles 9:21 Context in Solomon’s Maritime Trade The only biblical mentions of קוֹף appear in parallel accounts describing Solomon’s “ships of Tarshish.” These voyages, launched from Ezion-Geber on the Gulf of Aqaba, sailed with Phoenician partners to distant ports thought to include Ophir and points east along the Arabian and Indian coasts. The returning fleets delivered “gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks” (1 Kings 10:22). The presence of exotic fauna such as קוֹף testifies to the geographic reach and commercial sophistication of Solomon’s reign. It confirms the historical portrait of a king whose wisdom translated into international alliances and flourishing trade networks, thus fulfilling the promise of prosperity in 1 Kings 3:13. Zoological Identification While modern English versions render קוֹף as “apes” or “monkeys,” the specific species remains debated. Some favor the long-tailed macaques native to South Asia; others suggest African species transported through Red Sea routes. Egyptian reliefs from the Eighteenth Dynasty depict trained macaques, indicating that such animals were valued possessions long before Solomon. Whatever the precise identity, the term clearly denotes primates remarkable enough to be catalogued among royal treasures. Cultural and Economic Value in the Ancient Near East Exotic animals symbolized dominion over distant lands and mastery of creation. Kings paraded them in courts and menageries to impress visiting dignitaries (compare Daniel 5:4). The inclusion of קוֹף in the cargo lists underscores their luxury status: difficult to obtain, costly to transport, and impossible to breed locally. Their arrival every three years corresponds to monsoon-driven sailing cycles between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, providing indirect corroboration of the biblical timeline. Theological and Ministry Insights 1. God’s creative diversity: The mention of primates alongside precious metals and ivory reminds readers that living creatures are treasures in their own right, part of the “very good” world declared in Genesis 1:31. Typological and Christological Reflections Solomon’s kingdom, resplendent with rare animals, prefigures the greater glory of the Messiah’s reign when “the wealth of the nations shall come” (Isaiah 60:5). In that eschatological vision, all creation—including the animal kingdom—finds its rightful place under the righteous Son of David (Romans 8:21). Thus, even the humble קוֹף points beyond itself to the comprehensive peace of the future kingdom. Applications for Contemporary Faith • Cultivate wonder: Recognize in every creature a witness to God’s wisdom (Job 12:7-10). Related Scriptures for Further Study Genesis 1:26-31; Job 39; Psalm 104:24-25; Proverbs 30:24-28; Isaiah 60:5-7; Romans 8:18-25 Forms and Transliterations וְקֹפִ֖ים וְקוֹפִ֖ים וקופים וקפים vekoFim wə·qō·p̄îm wə·qō·w·p̄îm wəqōp̄îm wəqōwp̄îmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 10:22 HEB: וָכֶ֔סֶף שֶׁנְהַבִּ֥ים וְקֹפִ֖ים וְתֻכִּיִּֽים׃ NAS: ivory and apes and peacocks. KJV: ivory, and apes, and peacocks. INT: and silver ivory and apes and peacocks 2 Chronicles 9:21 2 Occurrences |
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