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I have no special credentials to pursue this, except that I'm not on any religion's payroll. I have no formal religious training. I have no visions or dreams to speak of. I have a kind of compulsion to study the Bible. I blame it on my father. Over and over he quoted Proverbs 4:7 to me as I grew up: Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding. I didn't always listen to my father when I was young. But now that I am old I am apparently incapable of not running his programing.

Forgiveness and my Religious Mind

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If Jesus prayed Father, leave them (ἄφετε αὐτούς), for they don’t know what they are doing, as He was crucified rather than Father, forgive them (αφες αυτοις), for they don’t know (οἴδασιν, a form of εἴδω) what they are doing (ποιοῦσιν, a form of ποιέω), that’s a big difference, too big to turn on the translation of one word (αφετε and αφες are forms of ἀφίημι).  Yet that seems to be my only choice when comparing Luke 23:34 with Matthew 15:14.

In Matthew 15:14 (NET) Jesus spoke to his disciples about the Pharisees, Leave (ἄφετε, a form of ἀφίημι) them!  They are blind guides.  If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.  In Luke 23:34 the Greek word εἴδω is the knowledge gained by seeing.  In contemporary colloquial usage then the word might be translated, Father, forgive them, for they don’t [see] what they are doing.  Both suffer from a lack of vision on the path they have chosen.  But the disciples were told to leave the one and God was implored to forgive the other.

My religious mind is tempted to consider that Jesus actually prayed Father, [leave them], for they don’t know what they are doing for one reason, and one reason only.  It likes rules, laws, guidelines and principles, for others certainly, but even for itself.  Within the bounds of those rules, laws, guidelines and principles it feels safe and righteous.  Adherence to rules is its primary means of self-justification.  Without rules, laws, guidelines and principles it feels desperate and lost.  My religious mind expects Jesus to follow the rules, too, particularly the rule of ἀφίημι He inspired in 1 John 1:9 and 10 (if we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous, forgiving us our sins) and articulated in Luke 17:3 and 4 (If he repents, forgive him).  But God did not bind Himself to rules when it comes to being gracious or showing mercy to humanity.

I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, I will show mercy to whom I will show mercy1 He said to Moses even after giving the law at Mount Sinai.  It makes sense then that the dying Son of God would not be constrained by the rule of ἀφίημι when he prayed for forgiveness for humanity to his Father the living God.  And John wrote (1 John 2:1, 2 NET):

(My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin [ἁμάρτητε, a form of ἁμαρτάνω].)  But if anyone does sin (ἁμάρτῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we have an advocate (παράκλητον, a form of παράκλητος) with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous One (δίκαιον, a form of δίκαιος), and he himself is the atoning sacrifice (ἱλασμός) for our sins (ἁμαρτιῶν, a form of ἁμαρτία), and not only for our sins but also for the whole world.

Paul wrote (Romans 8:31-39 NET):

What then shall we say about these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?  Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but2 gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things?  Who will bring any charge against God’s elect?  It is God who justifies.  Who is the one who will condemn?  Christ is the one who died (and more than that,3 he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us.  Who will separate us from the love of Christ?  Will trouble, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?  As it is written, “For your sake we encounter death all day long; we were considered as sheep to be slaughtered (See Table1 below) [Table].”  No, in all these things we have complete victory through him who loved us!  For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

But I would like to know what Jesus thought about it.  Interestingly, He left enough clues to indicate what He was thinking and what He was believing, the literal content of the faith that sustained Him as He died on the cross.  At about three4 o’clock Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema5 sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”6  This is the first line of Psalm 22 (See Table2 below).  When he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed!”  Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.7 Completion or accomplishment of salvation is the last thought of Psalm 22 (NET).

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?
I groan in prayer, but help seems far away [Table].
My God, I cry out during the day,
but you do not answer,
and during the night my prayers do not let up [Table].

You are holy;
you sit as king receiving the praises of Israel [Table].
In you our ancestors trusted;
they trusted in you and you rescued them [Table].
To you they cried out, and they were saved;
in you they trusted and they were not disappointed [Table].

But I am a worm, not a man;
people insult me and despise me [Table].
All who see me taunt me;
they mock me and shake their heads [Table].
They say,
“Commit yourself to the Lord!
Let the Lord rescue him!
Let the Lord deliver him, for he delights in him [Table].”

Yes, you are the one who brought me out from the womb
and made me feel secure on my mother’s breasts [Table].
I have been dependent on you since birth;
from the time I came out of my mother’s womb you have been my God [Table].
Do not remain far away from me,
for trouble is near and I have no one to help me [Table].

Many bulls surround me;
powerful bulls of Bashan hem me in [Table].
They open their mouths to devour me
like a roaring lion that rips its prey [Table].
My strength drains away like water;
all my bones are dislocated;
my heart is like wax;
it melts away inside me [Table].
The roof of my mouth is as dry as a piece of pottery;
my tongue sticks to my gums.

You set me in the dust of death [Table].
Yes, wild dogs surround me –
a gang of evil men crowd around me;
like a lion they pin my hands and feet [Table].
I can count all my bones;
my enemies are gloating over me in triumph [Table].
They are dividing up my clothes among themselves;
they are rolling dice for my garments [Table].

But you, O Lord, do not remain far away!
You are my source of strength!  Hurry and help me [Table]!
Deliver me from the sword!
Save my life from the claws of the wild dogs [Table]!
Rescue me from the mouth of the lion,
and from the horns of the wild oxen!

You have answered me! [Table]

I will declare your name to my countrymen!
In the middle of the assembly I will praise you! [Table]
You loyal followers of the Lord, praise him!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor him!
All you descendants of Israel, stand in awe of him! [Table]
For he did not despise or detest the suffering of the oppressed;
he did not ignore him;
when he cried out to him, he responded [Table].

You are the reason I offer praise in the great assembly;
I will fulfill my promises before the Lord’s loyal followers [Table].
Let the oppressed eat and be filled!
Let those who seek his help praise the Lord!
May you live forever! [Table]

Let all the people of the earth acknowledge the Lord and turn to him!

Let all the nations worship you! [Table]
For the Lord is king
and rules over the nations [Table].
All of the thriving people of the earth will join the celebration and worship;
all those who are descending into the grave will bow before him,
including those who cannot preserve their lives [Table].
A whole generation will serve him;
they will tell the next generation about the sovereign Lord [Table].
They will come and tell about his saving deeds;
they will tell a future generation what he has accomplished [Table].

Here is the forgiveness, the mercy, the grace and salvation of God in Jesus the Christ.  I do not doubt that Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.

 

 

Addendum: October 12, 2018
Tables comparing the Greek of the Old Testament quotation in Romans 8:36b with Psalm 44:22 and that in Matthew 27:46 with Psalm 22:1a in the Septuagint, and tables of Romans 8:32; 8:34 and Matthew 27:46 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Romans 8:36b (NET parallel Greek)

Psalm 44:22 (Septuagint)
ὅτι ἕνεκεν σοῦ θανατούμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν, ἐλογίσθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς ὅτι ἕνεκα σοῦ θανατούμεθα ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν ἐλογίσθημεν ὡς πρόβατα σφαγῆς
Matthew 27:46b (NET parallel Greek)

Psalm 22:1a (Septuagint)
Θεέ μου θεέ μου, ἱνατί με ἐγκατέλιπες ὁ θεὸς ὁ θεός μου πρόσχες μοι ἵνα τί ἐγκατέλιπές με
Romans 8:32 (NET)

Romans 8:32 (KJV)
Indeed, he who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, freely give us all things? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ὅς γε τοῦ ἰδίου υἱοῦ οὐκ ἐφείσατο ἀλλὰ ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν πάντων παρέδωκεν αὐτόν, πῶς οὐχὶ καὶ σὺν αὐτῷ τὰ πάντα ἡμῖν χαρίσεται ος γε του ιδιου υιου ουκ εφεισατο αλλ υπερ ημων παντων παρεδωκεν αυτον πως ουχι και συν αυτω τα παντα ημιν χαρισεται ος γε του ιδιου υιου ουκ εφεισατο αλλ υπερ ημων παντων παρεδωκεν αυτον πως ουχι και συν αυτω τα παντα ημιν χαρισεται
Romans 8:34 (NET)

Romans 8:34 (KJV)
Who is the one who will condemn?  Christ is the one who died (and more than that, he was raised), who is at the right hand of God, and who also is interceding for us. Who is he that condemneth?  It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
τίς ὁ κατακρινῶν; Χριστὸς  ὁ ἀποθανών (μᾶλλον δὲ ἐγερθείς ), ὃς |καί| ἐστιν ἐν δεξιᾷ τοῦ θεοῦ, ὃς καὶ ἐντυγχάνει ὑπὲρ ἡμῶν τις ο κατακρινων χριστος ο αποθανων μαλλον δε και εγερθεις ος και εστιν εν δεξια του θεου ος και εντυγχανει υπερ ημων τις ο κατακρινων χριστος ο αποθανων μαλλον δε και εγερθεις ος και εστιν εν δεξια του θεου ος και εντυγχανει υπερ ημων

Matthew 27:46 (NET)

Matthew 27:46 (KJV)
At about three o’clock Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
περὶ δὲ τὴν ἐνάτην ὥραν |ἀνεβόησεν| ὁ Ἰησοῦς φωνῇ μεγάλῃ λέγων· |ἠλι ἠλι| λεμα σαβαχθανι; τοῦτ᾿ ἔστιν· Θεέ μου θεέ μου, ἱνατί με ἐγκατέλιπες περι δε την εννατην ωραν ανεβοησεν ο ιησους φωνη μεγαλη λεγων ηλι ηλι λαμα σαβαχθανι τουτ εστιν θεε μου θεε μου ινα τι με εγκατελιπες περι δε την ενατην ωραν ανεβοησεν ο ιησους φωνη μεγαλη λεγων ηλι ηλι λιμα σαβαχθανι τουτ εστιν θεε μου θεε μου ινα τι με εγκατελιπες

1 Exodus 33:19b (NET) Table

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μαλλον δε και (KJV: yea rather) here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply μᾶλλον δὲ.

6 Matthew 27:46 (NET)

7 John 19:30 (NET)

Forgiveness

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After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared to his disciples (John 20:21-23 NET):

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you.  Just as the Father has sent me, I also send you.”  And after he said this, he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) anyone’s sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία), they are forgiven (ἀφέωνται, another form of ἀφίημι); if you retain (κρατῆτε, a form of κρατέω) anyone’s sins, they are retained (κεκράτηνται, another form of κρατέω).”

In John 20:23 (NET) Jesus contrasted forgiving (ἀφίημι) sins to retaining (κρατέω) them.  The contrast in Matthew 4:11 (NET) is that the devil left (ἀφίησιν, another form of ἀφίημι) [Jesus], and angels came (προσῆλθον, a form of προσέρχομαι) and began ministering to his needs.  In Matthew 4:20 (NET) Simon (called Peter) and Andrew left (ἀφέντες, another form of ἀφίημι) their nets immediately and followed (ἠκολούθησαν, a form of ἀκολουθέω) [Jesus].  In Matthew 9:25 (NET) krateō, (κρατέω) is contrasted to ekballō (ἐκβάλλω):  But when the crowd had been put outside (ἐξεβλήθη, a form of ἐκβάλλω), he went in and gently took (ἐκράτησεν, another form of κρατέω) her by the hand, and the girl got up.

I get the point that to forgive another’s sins, I send those sins away from that person, creating a distance, rather than holding them close.  This is something I do in my mind, not recalling a sin as I recall the forgiven person.  But John 20:21-23 seems to indicate that the consequence of doing (or not doing) so is farther-reaching than my mind.

Jesus taught his followers to pray (Matthew 6:12 NET), forgive (ἄφες, another form of ἀφίημι) us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven1 (ἀφήκαμεν, another form of ἀφίημι) our debtors.  How easily such prayer could become a self-invoked curse (Matthew 6:14, 15 NET): For if you forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) others their sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα), your heavenly Father will also forgive (ἀφήσει, another form of ἀφίημι) you.  But if you do not forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) others,2 your Father will not forgive (ἀφήσει, another form of ἀφίημι) you your sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα).

Jesus’ teaching recorded in Matthew 18:15-20 (NET) offers a counter example to 1 John 1:9 and 10, and aligns with his teaching recorded in John 20:21-23:

If your brother sins (ἁμαρτήσῃ, a form of ἁμαρτάνω),3 go and4 show him his fault (ἔλεγξον, a form of ἐλέγχω) when the two of you are alone.  If he listens (ἀκούσῃ, a form of ἀκούω) to you, you have regained (ἐκέρδησας, a form of κερδαίνω) your brother.  But if he does not listen (ἀκούσῃ, a form of ἀκούω), take one or two others with you, so that at the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established.  If he refuses to listen (παρακούσῃ, a form of παρακούω) to them, tell it to the church (ἐκκλησίᾳ).  If he refuses to listen (παρακούσῃ, a form of παρακούω) to the church (ἐκκλησίας, a form of ἐκκλησία), treat him like a Gentile or a tax collector.  I tell you the truth, whatever you bind (δήσητε, a form of δέω) on earth will have been bound (δεδεμένα, another form of δέω) in heaven,5 and whatever you release (λύσητε, a form of λύω) on earth will have been released (λελυμένα, another form of λύω) in heaven.  Again, I tell you the truth6, if two of7 you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.  For where two or three are assembled in my name, I am there among them.

This passage begins with instruction how to handle a person who will not confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) sin (1 John 1:9, 10 NET).

But if we confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία), he is faithful (πιστός) and righteous (δίκαιος), forgiving (ἀφῇ, another form of  ἀφίημι) us our sins (ἁμαρτίας, a form of ἁμαρτία) and cleansing (καθαρίσῃ, a form of καθαρίζω) us from all unrighteousness (ἀδικίας, a form of ἀδικία).  If we say we have not sinned (ἡμαρτήκαμεν, another form of ἁμαρτάνω), we make (ποιοῦμεν, a form of ποιέω) him a liar and his word (λόγος) is not in us.

To confess (ὁμολογῶμεν, a form of ὁμολογέω) sin is to acknowledge the word (λόγος) of Jesus concerning sin, to agree with Him that the thing in question is sin.  The purpose is not to humiliate the sinner but to regain (ἐκέρδησας, a form κερδαίνω) a brother (as opposed to winning an argument).  That purpose remains throughout, up to and including shunning.  Forgiveness is not given out of the fear of Matthew 6:14 and 15, but on the basis of God’s own forgiveness through Jesus Christ.  It is also important that the λόγος of Jesus is truly the basis for determining sin as opposed to some distinctive of a religious sect.

The binding and releasing of Matthew 18:18 seem to correspond to forgiving and retaining sins in John 20:23.  There is apparently an ongoing debate whether the binding and releasing will have been or will be bound or released in heaven.  The point seems moot.  In either case the agreement of two on earth as to what is to be bound or released, forgiven or retained, carries the imprimatur of heaven.  It’s a sobering thought.  But the scale tips toward releasing and forgiving because of the character of God.

The passage continues (Matthew 18:21, 22 NET):

Then Peter came to him and said, “Lord, how many times must I forgive (ἀφήσω, another form of ἀφίημι) my brother who sins against me?  As many as seven times?”  Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, I tell you, but seventy-seven times!”

Then Jesus told a parable that might shed some light on how literal one should be about seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:23-35 NET).

“For this reason, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves.  As he began settling his accounts, a man who owed ten thousand talents was brought to him.  Because he was not able to repay it, the8 lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed,9 and repayment to be made.  Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying,10 ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’  The lord had compassion on that slave and released (ἀπέλυσεν, a form of ἀπολύω) him, and forgave (ἀφῆκεν, another form of ἀφίημι) him the debt.  After he went out, that same slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred silver coins.  So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back11 what12 you owe me!’  Then his fellow slave threw himself down13 and begged (παρεκάλει, a form of παρακαλέω) him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay14 you.’  But he refused.  Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until15 he repaid the debt.  When16 his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their17 lord everything that had taken place.  Then his lord called the first slave and said to him, ‘Evil slave!  I forgave (ἀφῆκα, another form of ἀφίημι) you all that debt because you begged (παρεκάλεσας, another form of παρακαλέω) me!  Should you not have shown mercy (ἐλεῆσαι, a form of ἐλεέω) to your fellow slave, just as I18 showed (ἠλέησα, another form of ἐλεέω) it to you?’  And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed.19  So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive (ἀφῆτε, a form of ἀφίημι) your brother from your heart.”20

Have faith (πίστιν, a form of πίστις) in God, Jesus told his disciples.21  For this reason I tell you, whatever22 you pray23 and24 ask for,25 believe (πιστεύετε, a form of πιστεύω) that you have received26 it, and it will be yours.27  The topic here is not forgiveness but faith in God and believing what one asks for in prayer.  Yet the connection between faith in God and forgiveness is so strong in Jesus’ mind that I find his thumb on the scale again (Mark 11:25 NET):

Whenever you stand28 praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive (ἀφίετε, another form of ἀφίημι) him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive (ἀφῇ, another form of ἀφίημι) you your sins (παραπτώματα, a form of παράπτωμα).

Watch yourselves! Jesus said.  If29 your brother sins (ἁμάρτῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω),30 rebuke (ἐπιτίμησον, a form of ἐπιτιμάω) him. If he repents (μετανοήσῃ, a form of μετανοέω), forgive (ἄφες, another form of ἀφίημι) him.  Even if he sins (ἁμαρτήσῃ, another form of ἁμαρτάνω)31 against you seven times in a day, and seven times32 returns to33 you saying, “I repent (μετανοῶ, another form of μετανοέω),” you must forgive (ἀφήσεις, another form of ἀφίημι) him.34  It is worth noting that the sinner’s repentance did not mean that the sinner’s sin had ceased.  On the contrary, Jesus’ thumb is most heavy on the scale, tipping it toward release and forgiveness, when sin against God was arguably at its zenith (Luke 23:33 NET):

So when they came35 to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified [Jesus] there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.

It was then and there that Jesus interceded for all humanity (Luke 23:34a NET):

Father, forgive them (αφες αυτοις), for they don’t know (οἴδασιν, a form of εἴδω) what they are doing (ποιοῦσιν, another form of ποιέω).

He didn’t follow the rule of ἀφίημι He inspired in 1 John 1:9 and 10 or articulated in Luke 17:3 and 4.  Jesus didn’t wait for humanity to confess (ὁμολογέω) sin or repent (μετανοέω) but prayed that God his Father would forgive anyway.  It is safe to assume that Jesus has faith in God, that He believes what He prayed and that He expects to receive what He prayed.

Or, perhaps, αφες (a form of ἀφίημι) should have been translated leave rather than forgive in Luke 23:34 (NET) as it was in Matthew 15:14 (NET):

Leave them (αφετε αυτους)!  They are blind guides.36 If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit.

 

Addendum: October 6, 2018
Tables of Matthew 6:12; 6:15; 18:15; 18:18, 19; 18:25, 26; 18:28-31; 18:33-35; Mark 11:22; 11:24, 25; Luke 17:3, 4; 23:33, 34 and Matthew 15:14 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Matthew 6:12 (NET)

Matthew 6:12 (KJV)
and forgive us our debts, as we ourselves have forgiven our debtors. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, ὡς καὶ ἡμεῖς ἀφήκαμεν τοῖς ὀφειλέταις ἡμῶν και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφιεμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφιεμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων
Matthew 6:15 (NET)

Matthew 6:15 (KJV)
But if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive you your sins. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε τοῖς ἀνθρώποις , οὐδὲ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ἀφήσει τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων
Matthew 18:15 (NET)

Matthew 18:15 (KJV)
If your brother sins, go and show him his fault when the two of you are alone.  If he listens to you, you have regained your brother. Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Ἐὰν δὲ ἁμαρτήσῃ  ὁ ἀδελφός σου, ὕπαγε ἔλεγξον αὐτὸν μεταξὺ σοῦ καὶ αὐτοῦ μόνου. ἐάν σου ἀκούσῃ, ἐκέρδησας τὸν ἀδελφόν σου εαν δε αμαρτηση εις σε ο αδελφος σου υπαγε και ελεγξον αυτον μεταξυ σου και αυτου μονου εαν σου ακουση εκερδησας τον αδελφον σου εαν δε αμαρτηση εις σε ο αδελφος σου υπαγε και ελεγξον αυτον μεταξυ σου και αυτου μονου εαν σου ακουση εκερδησας τον αδελφον σου
Matthew 18:18, 19 (NET)

Matthew 18:18, 19 (KJV)
I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν· ὅσα ἐὰν δήσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται δεδεμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ, καὶ ὅσα ἐὰν λύσητε ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς ἔσται λελυμένα ἐν οὐρανῷ αμην λεγω υμιν οσα εαν δησητε επι της γης εσται δεδεμενα εν τω ουρανω και οσα εαν λυσητε επι της γης εσται λελυμενα εν τω ουρανω αμην λεγω υμιν οσα εαν δησητε επι της γης εσται δεδεμενα εν τω ουρανω και οσα εαν λυσητε επι της γης εσται λελυμενα εν τω ουρανω
Again, I tell you the truth, if two of you on earth agree about whatever you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Πάλιν [ἀμὴν] λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι ἐὰν δύο συμφωνήσωσιν ἐξ ὑμῶν ἐπὶ τῆς γῆς περὶ παντὸς πράγματος οὗ ἐὰν αἰτήσωνται, γενήσεται αὐτοῖς παρὰ τοῦ πατρός μου τοῦ ἐν οὐρανοῖς παλιν λεγω υμιν οτι εαν δυο υμων συμφωνησωσιν επι της γης περι παντος πραγματος ου εαν αιτησωνται γενησεται αυτοις παρα του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις παλιν αμην λεγω υμιν οτι εαν δυο υμων συμφωνησωσιν επι της γης περι παντος πραγματος ου εαν αιτησωνται γενησεται αυτοις παρα του πατρος μου του εν ουρανοις
Matthew 18:25, 26 (NET)

Matthew 18:25, 26 (KJV)
Because he was not able to repay it, the lord ordered him to be sold, along with his wife, children, and whatever he possessed, and repayment to be made. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
μὴ ἔχοντος δὲ αὐτοῦ ἀποδοῦναι ἐκέλευσεν αὐτὸν ὁ κύριος πραθῆναι καὶ τὴν γυναῖκα καὶ τὰ τέκνα καὶ πάντα ὅσα ἔχει, καὶ ἀποδοθῆναι μη εχοντος δε αυτου αποδουναι εκελευσεν αυτον ο κυριος αυτου πραθηναι και την γυναικα αυτου και τα τεκνα και παντα οσα ειχεν και αποδοθηναι μη εχοντος δε αυτου αποδουναι εκελευσεν αυτον ο κυριος αυτου πραθηναι και την γυναικα αυτου και τα τεκνα και παντα οσα ειχεν και αποδοθηναι
Then the slave threw himself to the ground before him, saying, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you everything.’ The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
πεσὼν οὖν ὁ δοῦλος προσεκύνει αὐτῷ λέγων· μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοί, καὶ πάντα ἀποδώσω σοι πεσων ουν ο δουλος προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων κυριε μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα σοι αποδωσω πεσων ουν ο δουλος προσεκυνει αυτω λεγων κυριε μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα σοι αποδωσω
Matthew 18:28-31 (NET)

Matthew 18:28-31 (KJV)
After he went out, that same slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him one hundred silver coins.  So he grabbed him by the throat and started to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἐξελθὼν δὲ ὁ δοῦλος ἐκεῖνος εὗρεν ἕνα τῶν συνδούλων αὐτοῦ, ὃς ὤφειλεν αὐτῷ ἑκατὸν δηνάρια, καὶ κρατήσας αὐτὸν ἔπνιγεν λέγων· ἀπόδος εἴ τι ὀφείλεις εξελθων δε ο δουλος εκεινος ευρεν ενα των συνδουλων αυτου ος ωφειλεν αυτω εκατον δηναρια και κρατησας αυτον επνιγεν λεγων αποδος μοι ο τι οφειλεις εξελθων δε ο δουλος εκεινος ευρεν ενα των συνδουλων αυτου ος ωφειλεν αυτω εκατον δηναρια και κρατησας αυτον επνιγεν λεγων αποδος μοι ει τι οφειλεις
Then his fellow slave threw himself down and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will repay you.’ And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
πεσὼν οὖν ὁ σύνδουλος αὐτοῦ παρεκάλει αὐτὸν λέγων· μακροθύμησον ἐπ᾿ ἐμοί, καὶ ἀποδώσω σοι πεσων ουν ο συνδουλος αυτου εις τους ποδας αυτου παρεκαλει αυτον λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και παντα αποδωσω σοι πεσων ουν ο συνδουλος αυτου εις τους ποδας αυτου παρεκαλει αυτον λεγων μακροθυμησον επ εμοι και αποδωσω σοι
But he refused.  Instead, he went out and threw him in prison until he repaid the debt. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ὁ δὲ οὐκ ἤθελεν ἀλλὰ ἀπελθὼν ἔβαλεν αὐτὸν εἰς φυλακὴν ἕως ἀποδῷ τὸ ὀφειλόμενον ο δε ουκ ηθελεν αλλα απελθων εβαλεν αυτον εις φυλακην εως ου αποδω το οφειλομενον ο δε ουκ ηθελεν αλλα απελθων εβαλεν αυτον εις φυλακην εως ου αποδω το οφειλομενον
When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were very upset and went and told their lord everything that had taken place. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἰδόντες οὖν οἱ σύνδουλοι αὐτοῦ τὰ γενόμενα ἐλυπήθησαν σφόδρα καὶ ἐλθόντες διεσάφησαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἑαυτῶν πάντα τὰ γενόμενα ιδοντες δε οι συνδουλοι αυτου τα γενομενα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα και ελθοντες διεσαφησαν τω κυριω αυτων παντα τα γενομενα ιδοντες δε οι συνδουλοι αυτου τα γενομενα ελυπηθησαν σφοδρα και ελθοντες διεσαφησαν τω κυριω εαυτων παντα τα γενομενα

Matthew 18:33-35 (NET)

Matthew 18:33-35 (KJV)
Should you not have shown mercy to your fellow slave, just as I showed it to you?’ Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
οὐκ ἔδει καὶ σὲ ἐλεῆσαι τὸν σύνδουλον σου, ὡς καγὼ σὲ ἠλέησα ουκ εδει και σε ελεησαι τον συνδουλον σου ως και εγω σε ηλεησα ουκ εδει και σε ελεησαι τον συνδουλον σου ως και εγω σε ηλεησα
And in anger his lord turned him over to the prison guards to torture him until he repaid all he owed. And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ὀργισθεὶς ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ παρέδωκεν αὐτὸν τοῖς βασανισταῖς ἕως |οὗ| ἀποδῷ πᾶν τὸ ὀφειλόμενον και οργισθεις ο κυριος αυτου παρεδωκεν αυτον τοις βασανισταις εως ου αποδω παν το οφειλομενον αυτω και οργισθεις ο κυριος αυτου παρεδωκεν αυτον τοις βασανισταις εως ου αποδω παν το οφειλομενον αυτω
So also my heavenly Father will do to you, if each of you does not forgive your brother from your heart. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
οὕτως καὶ ὁ πατήρ μου ὁ οὐράνιος ποιήσει ὑμῖν, ἐὰν μὴ ἀφῆτε ἕκαστος τῷ ἀδελφῷ αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν καρδιῶν ὑμῶν ουτως και ο πατηρ μου ο επουρανιος ποιησει υμιν εαν μη αφητε εκαστος τω αδελφω αυτου απο των καρδιων υμων τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουτως και ο πατηρ μου ο επουρανιος ποιησει υμιν εαν μη αφητε εκαστος τω αδελφω αυτου απο των καρδιων υμων τα παραπτωματα αυτων

Mark 11:22 (NET)

Mark 11:22 (KJV)
Jesus said to them, “Have faith in God. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἀποκριθεὶς ὁ Ἰησοῦς λέγει αὐτοῖς· ἔχετε πίστιν θεοῦ και αποκριθεις ιησους λεγει αυτοις εχετε πιστιν θεου και αποκριθεις ο ιησους λεγει αυτοις εχετε πιστιν θεου

Mark 11:24, 25 (NET)

Mark 11:24, 25 (KJV)
For this reason I tell you, whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
διὰ τοῦτο λέγω ὑμῖν, πάντα ὅσα προσεύχεσθε καὶ αἰτεῖσθε, πιστεύετε ὅτι ἐλάβετε, καὶ ἔσται ὑμῖν δια τουτο λεγω υμιν παντα οσα αν προσευχομενοι αιτεισθε πιστευετε οτι λαμβανετε και εσται υμιν δια τουτο λεγω υμιν παντα οσα αν προσευχομενοι αιτησθε πιστευετε οτι λαμβανετε και εσται υμιν
Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive you your sins.” And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Καὶ ὅταν στήκετε προσευχόμενοι, ἀφίετε εἴ τι ἔχετε κατά τινος, ἵνα καὶ ὁ πατὴρ ὑμῶν ὁ ἐν τοῖς οὐρανοῖς ἀφῇ ὑμῖν τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν και οταν στηκητε προσευχομενοι αφιετε ει τι εχετε κατα τινος ινα και ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις αφη υμιν τα παραπτωματα υμων και οταν στηκητε προσευχομενοι αφιετε ει τι εχετε κατα τινος ινα και ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις αφη υμιν τα παραπτωματα υμων
Luke 17:3, 4 (NET)

Luke 17:3, 4 (KJV)
Watch yourselves!  If your brother sins, rebuke him.  If he repents, forgive him. Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
προσέχετε ἑαυτοῖς. Ἐὰν ἁμάρτῃ ὁ ἀδελφός σου ἐπιτίμησον αὐτῷ, καὶ ἐὰν μετανοήσῃ ἄφες αὐτῷ προσεχετε εαυτοις εαν δε αμαρτη εις σε ο αδελφος σου επιτιμησον αυτω και εαν μετανοηση αφες αυτω προσεχετε εαυτοις εαν δε αμαρτη εις σε ο αδελφος σου επιτιμησον αυτω και εαν μετανοηση αφες αυτω
Even if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times returns to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἐὰν ἑπτάκις τῆς ἡμέρας ἁμαρτήσῃ εἰς σὲ καὶ ἑπτάκις ἐπιστρέψῃ πρὸς σὲ λέγων· μετανοῶ, ἀφήσεις αὐτῷ και εαν επτακις της ημερας αμαρτη εις σε και επτακις της ημερας επιστρεψη επι σε λεγων μετανοω αφησεις αυτω και εαν επτακις της ημερας αμαρτη εις σε και επτακις της ημερας επιστρεψη λεγων μετανοω αφησεις αυτω
Luke 23:33, 34 (NET)

Luke 23:33, 34 (KJV)
So when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” they crucified him there, along with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Καὶ ὅτε ἦλθον ἐπὶ τὸν τόπον τὸν καλούμενον Κρανίον, ἐκεῖ ἐσταύρωσαν αὐτὸν καὶ τοὺς κακούργους, ὃν μὲν ἐκ δεξιῶν ὃν δὲ ἐξ ἀριστερῶν και οτε απηλθον επι τον τοπον τον καλουμενον κρανιον εκει εσταυρωσαν αυτον και τους κακουργους ον μεν εκ δεξιων ον δε εξ αριστερων και οτε απηλθον επι τον τοπον τον καλουμενον κρανιον εκει εσταυρωσαν αυτον και τους κακουργους ον μεν εκ δεξιων ον δε εξ αριστερων
[But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”]  Then they threw dice to divide his clothes. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
[[ὁ δε Ἰησοῦς ἔλεγεν· πάτερ, ἄφες αὐτοῖς, οὐ γὰρ οἴδασιν τί ποιοῦσιν.]] διαμεριζόμενοι δὲ τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ ἔβαλον |κλήρους| ο δε ιησους ελεγεν πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν διαμεριζομενοι δε τα ιματια αυτου εβαλον κληρον ο δε ιησους ελεγεν πατερ αφες αυτοις ου γαρ οιδασιν τι ποιουσιν διαμεριζομενοι δε τα ιματια αυτου εβαλον κληρον
Matthew 15:14 (NET)

Matthew 15:14 (KJV)
Leave them!  They are blind guides.  If someone who is blind leads another who is blind, both will fall into a pit. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind.  And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἄφετε αὐτούς· τυφλοί εἰσιν ὁδηγοί· τυφλὸς δὲ τυφλὸν ἐὰν ὁδηγῇ, ἀμφότεροι εἰς βόθυνον πεσοῦνται αφετε αυτους οδηγοι εισιν τυφλοι τυφλων τυφλος δε τυφλον εαν οδηγη αμφοτεροι εις βοθυνον πεσουνται αφετε αυτους οδηγοι εισιν τυφλοι τυφλων τυφλος δε τυφλον εαν οδηγη αμφοτεροι εις βοθυνον πεσουνται

 

Addendum: May 22, 2020
A table comparing Jesus’ quotation of Deuteronomy from the Septuagint follows.

Matthew 18:16b (NET Parallel Greek)

 Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων ἢ τριῶν σταθῇ πᾶν ρῆμα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων στήσεται πᾶν ρῆμα

Matthew 18:16b (NET)

 Deuteronomy 19:15 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (English Elpenor)
at the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter may be established By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall any word be sustained. by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, shall every word be established

Tables comparing Deuteronomy 19:15 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and Deuteronomy 19:15 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Tanakh)

 Deuteronomy 19:15 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (NET)
One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth; at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be establishment One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. A single witness may not testify against another person for any trespass or sin that he commits.  A matter may be legally established only on the testimony of two or three witnesses.

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
οὐκ ἐμμενεῗ μάρτυς εἷς μαρτυρῆσαι κατὰ ἀνθρώπου κατὰ πᾶσαν ἀδικίαν καὶ κατὰ πᾶν ἁμάρτημα καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν ἁμαρτίαν ἣν ἂν ἁμάρτῃ ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων σταθήσεται πᾶν ῥῆμα Οὐκ ἐμμενεῖ μάρτυς εἷς μαρτυρῆσαι κατὰ ἀνθρώπου κατὰ πᾶσαν ἀδικίαν καὶ κατὰ πᾶν ἁμάρτημα καὶ κατὰ πᾶσαν ἁμαρτίαν, ἣν ἐὰν ἁμάρτῃ· ἐπὶ στόματος δύο μαρτύρων καὶ ἐπὶ στόματος τριῶν μαρτύρων στήσεται πᾶν ρῆμα

Deuteronomy 19:15 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 19:15 (English Elpenor)
One witness shall not suffice against a person in any injustice and in any wrongdoing and in any sin that he may sin.  By the mouth of two or three witnesses shall any word be sustained. One witness shall not stand to testify against a man for any iniquity, or for any fault, or for any sin which he may commit; by the mouth of two witnesses, or by the mouth of three witnesses, shall every word be established.

2 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τα παραπτωματα αυτων (KJV: their trespasses) following others.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had εις σε (KJV: against thee) following sins.  The NET parallel Greek text did not.  With the words εις σε this is instruction for dealing with a fellow believer who sins against me personally. Without the words εις σε this is a command to police every believer I encounter.

4 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και (KJV: and) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

5 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the article τω preceding heaven (both occurrences).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

8 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτου following both lord and wife (KJV: his).  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

9 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ἔχει here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ειχεν (KJV: had).

10 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had κυριε (KJV: Lord) following saying.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

11 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had μοι (KJV: me) following Pay back.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

12 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had ο τι (KJV: that) here, where the NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text had εἴ τι.

13 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις τους ποδας αυτου (KJV: at his feet) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

14 The Stephanus Textus Receptus had παντα (KJV: all) here.  The NET parallel Greek text, NA28 and Byzantine Majority Text did not.

15 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εως ου (KJV: till) here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply ἕως.

16 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὖν here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had δε (KJV: So when).

18 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had καγὼ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had και εγω.

19 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αυτω (KJV: unto him) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

20 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τα παραπτωματα αυτων (KJV: their trespasses) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

21 Mark 11:22 (NET)

22 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had αν (KJV: soever) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

27 Mark 11:24 (NET)

30 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις σε (KJV: against thee) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.  See comment at note 3.

32 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εις σε (KJV: against thee) here.  The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

33 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had πρὸς σὲ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus had επι σὲ.  The Byzantine Majority Text had neither.

34 Luke 17:3, 4 (NET)

36 The Stephanus Textus Receptus, Byzantine Majority Text and NA28 had τυφλων (KJV: of the blind) here. The NET parallel Greek text did not.

The Holy Spirit is Given

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Luke recorded the following concerning the promised Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-13 NET):

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all1 together2 in one place.  Suddenly a sound like a violent wind blowing came from heaven and filled (ἐπλήρωσεν, a form of πληρόω) the entire house where they were sitting.  And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on3 each one of them.  All4 of them were filled (ἐπλήσθησαν, a form of πλήθω) with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in5 Jerusalem.  When this sound occurred, a crowd (πλῆθος) gathered and was in confusion, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  Completely6 baffled, they said,7 “Aren’t8 all9 these who are speaking Galileans?  And how is it that each one of us hears them in our own native language?  Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and the province of Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – we hear them speaking in our own languages about the great deeds God has done!”  All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What10 does this mean?”11  But others jeered12 at the speakers, saying, “They are drunk on new wine!”

 

Addendum: September 29, 2018
Tables of Acts 2:1; 2:3-5; 2:7 and 2:12, 13 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Acts 2:1 (NET)

Acts 2:1 (KJV)
Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Καὶ ἐν τῷ συμπληροῦσθαι τὴν ἡμέραν τῆς πεντηκοστῆς ἦσαν πάντες ὁμοῦ ἐπὶ τὸ αὐτό και εν τω συμπληρουσθαι την ημεραν της πεντηκοστης ησαν απαντες ομοθυμαδον επι το αυτο και εν τω συμπληρουσθαι την ημεραν της πεντηκοστης ησαν απαντες ομοθυμαδον επι το αυτο
Acts 2:3-5 (NET)

Acts 2:3-5 (KJV)
And tongues spreading out like a fire appeared to them and came to rest on each one of them. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ὤφθησαν αὐτοῖς διαμεριζόμεναι γλῶσσαι ὡσεὶ πυρὸς καὶ ἐκάθισεν ἐφ᾿ ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν και ωφθησαν αυτοις διαμεριζομεναι γλωσσαι ωσει πυρος εκαθισεν τε εφ ενα εκαστον αυτων και ωφθησαν αυτοις διαμεριζομεναι γλωσσαι ωσει πυρος εκαθισεν τε εφ ενα εκαστον αυτων
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit, and they began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἐπλήσθησαν πάντες πνεύματος ἁγίου καὶ ἤρξαντο λαλεῖν ἑτέραις γλώσσαις καθὼς τὸ πνεῦμα ἐδίδου ἀποφθέγγεσθαι αὐτοῖς και επλησθησαν απαντες πνευματος αγιου και ηρξαντο λαλειν ετεραις γλωσσαις καθως το πνευμα εδιδου αυτοις αποφθεγγεσθαι και επλησθησαν απαντες πνευματος αγιου και ηρξαντο λαλειν ετεραις γλωσσαις καθως το πνευμα εδιδου αυτοις αποφθεγγεσθαι
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven residing in Jerusalem. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
῏Ησαν δὲ |εἰς| Ἰερουσαλὴμ κατοικοῦντες Ἰουδαῖοι, ἄνδρες εὐλαβεῖς ἀπὸ παντὸς ἔθνους τῶν ὑπὸ τὸν οὐρανόν ησαν δε εν ιερουσαλημ κατοικουντες ιουδαιοι ανδρες ευλαβεις απο παντος εθνους των υπο τον ουρανον ησαν δε εν ιερουσαλημ κατοικουντες ιουδαιοι ανδρες ευλαβεις απο παντος εθνους των υπο τον ουρανον
Acts 2:7 (NET)

Acts 2:7 (KJV)
Completely baffled, they said, “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?

NET Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἐξίσταντο δὲ καὶ ἐθαύμαζον λέγοντες· |οὐχ| ἰδοὺ |ἅπαντες| οὗτοι εἰσιν οἱ λαλοῦντες Γαλιλαῖοι εξισταντο δε παντες και εθαυμαζον λεγοντες προς αλληλους ουκ ιδου παντες ουτοι εισιν οι λαλουντες γαλιλαιοι εξισταντο δε παντες και εθαυμαζον λεγοντες προς αλληλους ουκ ιδου παντες ουτοι εισιν οι λαλουντες γαλιλαιοι

Acts 2:12, 13 (NET)

Acts 2:12, 13 (KJV)
All were astounded and greatly confused, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἐξίσταντο δὲ πάντες καὶ |διηπόρουν|, ἄλλος πρὸς ἄλλον λέγοντες· τί θέλει τοῦτο εἶναι εξισταντο δε παντες και διηπορουν αλλος προς αλλον λεγοντες τι αν θελοι τουτο ειναι εξισταντο δε παντες και διηπορουν αλλος προς αλλον λεγοντες τι αν θελοι τουτο ειναι
But others jeered at the speakers, saying, “They are drunk on new wine!” Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
NET Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἕτεροι δὲ διαχλευάζοντες ἔλεγον ὅτι γλεύκους μεμεστωμένοι εἰσίν ετεροι δε χλευαζοντες ελεγον οτι γλευκους μεμεστωμενοι εισιν ετεροι δε χλευαζοντες ελεγον οτι γλευκους μεμεστωμενοι εισιν

2 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had ὁμοῦ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ομοθυμαδον (KJV: with one accord).

3 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had the particle τε preceding on. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

5 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had εἰς here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had εν (KJV: at).

6 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had παντες (KJV: all) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

7 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had προς αλληλους (KJV: one to another) here. The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 did not.

8 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had οὐχ here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had ουκ (KJV: not).

10 The Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had τι αν (KJV: What) here, where the NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had simply τί.

11 The NET parallel Greek text and NA28 had θέλει here, where the Stephanus Textus Receptus and Byzantine Majority Text had θελοι (KJV: meaneth).

What Kind of Carpenter Is Jesus?

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God said it.  I believe it.  That settles it.

This is the epitome of the relationship between truth and faith I inherited from my elders.  I could tell by the way they said it, it was meant to be a direct arc, a syllogism where the minor premise—“I believe it”—and the conclusion—“That settles it”—were already contained within the major premise—“God said it.”

“To speak the truth and shoot straight with arrows.”1  That was Persian virtue according to Nietzsche.   By the way, to miss that mark is the primary meaning of “sin” in the Bible.

I am a fan of such simple goodness.  But like most fans I am better at cheering on the practitioners of simple goodness than I am at practicing it myself.  You see, though everything flows from the major premise—“God said it”—in practice, I must derive God’s word from Bible study.

Suddenly, the simple self-contained major premise is a question: “Well, what did God say?”  Even, “What did He mean by that?”  Once God’s speaking is derived by internal and external debate, the only rational response—believing what He says—becomes a question as well.  “Well, do I believe that?”  And the resultant certainty and peace of mind is also open to question.

That’s why I intended to call this An Impractical Bible Study.  A practical Bible study should propel one on the straight and simple trajectory outlined by my elders.  This one will wander and meander and ponder and wonder: What is truth? What is faith? Who is God? What is He trying to say to us?  So, since I’m not even aiming at the mark, I probably should have called it A Sinner’s Impractical Bible Study.  But would anyone have any interest in that?

What Kind of Carpenter Is Jesus? is catchier, and in some ways, more to the point.  First, it’s a question.  I’ll ask a lot of questions.  And I’ll have to do something more, and something less, than turn to the Gospel According to Mark chapter six verse three for an answer.

 

Addendum: September 29, 2108
A table of Mark 6:3 comparing the NET and KJV follows.

Mark 6:3 (NET)

Mark 6:3 (KJV)
Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon?  And aren’t his sisters here with us?” And so they took offense at him. Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

 

Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
οὐχ οὗτος ἐστιν ὁ τέκτων, ὁ υἱὸς τῆς Μαρίας καὶ ἀδελφὸς Ἰακώβου καὶ Ἰωσῆτος καὶ Ἰούδα καὶ Σίμωνος; καὶ οὐκ εἰσὶν αἱ ἀδελφαὶ αὐτοῦ ὧδε πρὸς ἡμᾶς; καὶ ἐσκανδαλίζοντο ἐν αὐτῷ ουχ ουτος εστιν ο τεκτων ο υιος μαριας αδελφος δε ιακωβου και ιωση και ιουδα και σιμωνος και ουκ εισιν αι αδελφαι αυτου ωδε προς ημας και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω ουχ ουτος εστιν ο τεκτων ο υιος μαριας αδελφος δε ιακωβου και ιωση και ιουδα και σιμωνος και ουκ εισιν αι αδελφαι αυτου ωδε προς ημας και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω

The Holy Spirit is the ἐπαγγελία of the Father

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Luke continued his written account in Acts 1:1-8 (NET):

I wrote (ἐποιησάμην, a form of ποιέω) the former account, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do (ποιεῖν, another form of ποιέω) and teach (διδάσκειν, a form of διδάσκω) until the day he was taken up to heaven, after he had given orders by the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen.  To the same apostles also, after his suffering (παθεῖν, a form of πάσχω), he presented himself alive with many convincing proofs.  He was seen by them over a forty-day period and spoke about matters concerning the kingdom of God.  While he was with them, he declared, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait there for what my Father promised (ἐπαγγελίαν, a form of ἐπαγγελία), which you heard about from me.  For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

So when they had gathered together, they began to ask1 him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?”  He told them, “You are not permitted to know (γνῶναι, a form of γινώσκω) the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority (ἐξουσίᾳ).  But you will receive power (δύναμιν, a form of δύναμις) when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my2 witnesses (μάρτυρες, a form of μάρτυς) in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.”

 

Addendum: September 29, 2018
Tables of Acts 1:6 and 1:8 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Acts 1:6 (NET)

Acts 1:6 (KJV)
So when they had gathered together, they began to ask him, “Lord, is this the time when you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Οἱ μὲν οὖν συνελθόντες ἠρώτων αὐτὸν λέγοντες· κύριε, εἰ ἐν τῷ χρόνῳ τούτῳ ἀποκαθιστάνεις τὴν βασιλείαν τῷ Ἰσραήλ οι μεν ουν συνελθοντες επηρωτων αυτον λεγοντες κυριε ει εν τω χρονω τουτω αποκαθιστανεις την βασιλειαν τω ισραηλ οι μεν ουν συνελθοντες επηρωτων αυτον λεγοντες κυριε ει εν τω χρονω τουτω αποκαθιστανεις την βασιλειαν τω ισραηλ
Acts 1:8 (NET)

Acts 1:8 (KJV)
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest parts of the earth.” But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἀλλὰ λήμψεσθε δύναμιν ἐπελθόντος τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος ἐφ᾿ ὑμᾶς καὶ ἔσεσθε μου μάρτυρες ἔν τε Ἰερουσαλὴμ καὶ [ἐν] πάσῃ τῇ Ἰουδαίᾳ καὶ Σαμαρείᾳ καὶ ἕως ἐσχάτου τῆς γῆς αλλα ληψεσθε δυναμιν επελθοντος του αγιου πνευματος εφ υμας και εσεσθε μοι μαρτυρες εν τε ιερουσαλημ και εν παση τη ιουδαια και σαμαρεια και εως εσχατου της γης αλλα ληψεσθε δυναμιν επελθοντος του αγιου πνευματος εφ υμας και εσεσθε μοι μαρτυρες εν τε ιερουσαλημ και εν παση τη ιουδαια και σαμαρεια και εως εσχατου της γης

Solomon’s Wealth, Part 5

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Remember Solomon’s Wealth?  In and of itself I said so what? what does it mean?  Now that wealth, which is at least possible to measure, has been coupled in a promise with a wise and discerning mind1 which is difficult to measure.  Solomon’s wealth is hard to deny (whether I argue with the superlative degree of it or not).  I am reminded of a story about Jesus (Matthew 9:2-8 NET):

…some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son!  Your2 sins are forgiven.”3  Then some of the experts in the law said4 to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”  When Jesus saw their reaction he said, “Why do you5 respond with evil in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your6 sins are forgiven’7 or to say, ‘Stand up8 and walk’?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority (ἐξουσίαν, a form of ἐξουσία) on earth to forgive sins” – then he said to the paralytic – “Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”  And he stood up and went home.  When the crowd saw this, they were afraid9 and honored God who had given such authority (ἐξουσίαν, a form of ἐξουσία) to men.

The Greek word ἐξουσίαν (a form of ἐξουσία) makes it fairly clear that the crowd honored God for the authority to forgive sins that was given to men.  The authority to say, Stand up and walk, was merely the kicker, so to speak, to persuade the crowd that the authority to forgive sins was truly given to men.

Is it possible that a wise and discerning mind given by God, would not be wise or discerning enough to prevent Solomon’s disobedience to God’s laws?  That’s what the Bible seems to be saying here.  And Solomon’s wealth is sort of the kicker to make that point.  At the moment, however, a more pressing issue gnaws at my certainty and peace of mind; namely, is it possible that one thing—Solomon’s wealth—can be both at one and the same time the fulfillment of God’s promise and Solomon’s direct disobedience to God’s laws for kings?

There is an easy and obvious negative answer to this question, obvious if you have read the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche.  A Nietzschean reading of Solomon’s wealth would go something like this: The laundry list (1 Kings 10:14-28) could stand pretty much as is.  The people of Israel were proud of their richest, wisest king, like any prosperous people would be.  The next chapter was just more bragging originally (verses 1, 3, and 8).  Solomon conquered the hearts of many hot foreign women and built places for them to worship their gods.  The other stuff was added in the time of Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-2), a much later eight-year-old king of Judah.

The priests of Judah had eighteen long years (2 Kings 22:3,
8, 10, 12, 13) to falsify the whole history of Israel and present the newly discovered scroll to the twenty-five-year-old king raised under their tutelage.  Even as it stands, however, the discerning reader can see through the Scripture to the historical truth hidden inside.  Solomon worshiped Yahweh just as he paid every other god his due, much like the people of Josiah’s day (2 Kings 23:4).  But the priests of Yahweh wanted more than their due.  They knew that the kingdom was divided in the days of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son.  The simple truth that Solomon’s conscription and taxation were onerous on the people and that Rehoboam threatened to be worse than his father was not the cause of the people’s rebellion.  No, it was because Solomon had sinned against Yahweh, broken every commandment they cleverly placed in the writings of Moses to get some control over this new naïve and gullible King Josiah (1 Kings 11:11-13).  Though it was well known that no evil worthy of Yahweh’s wrath came upon Solomon or Israel during Solomon’s reign, the priests had an answer for this as well.  The evil would come on Rehoboam because Yahweh longed to show mercy to Solomon’s father David, the poet king of Yahweh, and man after Yahweh’s own heart.  On the other hand Solomon was too well known for his wisdom and wealth to discard that fact (1 Kings 3:28).  So, Solomon’s wisdom was not an accident of birth, nor the result of privilege and education.  No, it was Yahweh’s answer to an overwhelmed young man’s request for aid in fulfilling his role as king (1 Kings 3:11-12).  Yahweh just threw in the wealth for good measure, since every priest hopes the path of wisdom leads to riches.  (Never mind that they made Solomon’s wealth an act of disobedience to Yahweh’s laws.  Maybe that’s evidence of a theological rift in the priestly caste.  Yeah, that’s what happened.)

On and on this entirely fanciful reading of the Bible goes.  The key is that every word or act, promise or prophecy of God is a lie concocted by priests, because the truth is, there is no God.  Later, after the Babylonian exile, the prophets must have pulled the same nasty trick on the priests that the priests pulled on the kings of Israel.  I’m not really sure who lambasted the prophets, or when.  All this to maintain a faith that should have long ago been abandoned in a failed god named Yahweh.

I’m not saying I subscribe to a theory of Bible interpretation that posits that the Scripture was rewritten at least twice by fanatical people hell-bent on making Yahweh look better than he ought to for their own selfish gain.  I brought it up precisely because I have reasons of my own to believe differently, and I’m ready to plunge headlong into the very thickets this kind of analysis purports to untangle.  I intend to forge ahead with the confidence that God has reasons of his own for the apparent tangle and complexity of these thickets, and He does not require lying priests and prophets to account for them.

So, I’ll expand the context again.  When the elders of Israel first asked for a king, God took it personally (1 Samuel 8:7, 8a NET).

The Lord said to Samuel, “Do everything the people request of you.  For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king [Table].  Just as they have done from the day that I brought them up from Egypt until this very day, they have rejected me and have served other gods [Table].

 

Addendum: September 28, 2018
Tables of Matthew 9:2-5 and 9:8 comparing the NET and KJV follow.

Matthew 9:2-5 (NET) Matthew 9:2-5 (KJV)
Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son!  Your sins are forgiven.” And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἰδοὺ προσέφερον αὐτῷ παραλυτικὸν ἐπὶ κλίνης βεβλημένον. καὶ ἰδὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὴν πίστιν αὐτῶν εἶπεν τῷ παραλυτικῷ· θάρσει, τέκνον, ἀφίενται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι και ιδου προσεφερον αυτω παραλυτικον επι κλινης βεβλημενον και ιδων ο ιησους την πιστιν αυτων ειπεν τω παραλυτικω θαρσει τεκνον αφεωνται σοι αι αμαρτιαι σου και ιδου προσεφερον αυτω παραλυτικον επι κλινης βεβλημενον και ιδων ο ιησους την πιστιν αυτων ειπεν τω παραλυτικω θαρσει τεκνον αφεωνται σοι αι αμαρτιαι σου
Then some of the experts in the law said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ ἰδού τινες τῶν γραμματέων εἶπαν ἐν ἑαυτοῖς οὗτος βλασφημεῖ και ιδου τινες των γραμματεων ειπον εν εαυτοις ουτος βλασφημει και ιδου τινες των γραμματεων ειπον εν εαυτοις ουτος βλασφημει
When Jesus saw their reaction he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts? And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
καὶ |ἰδὼν| ὁ Ἰησοῦς τὰς ἐνθυμήσεις αὐτῶν εἶπεν· ἱνατί ἐνθυμεῖσθε πονηρὰ ἐν ταῖς καρδίαις ὑμῶν και ιδων ο ιησους τας ενθυμησεις αυτων ειπεν ινα τι υμεις ενθυμεισθε πονηρα εν ταις καρδιαις υμων και ιδων ο ιησους τας ενθυμησεις αυτων ειπεν ινα τι υμεις ενθυμεισθε πονηρα εν ταις καρδιαις υμων
Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?
Net Parallel Greek Stephanus Textus Receptus Byzantine Majority Text
τί γάρ ἐστιν εὐκοπώτερον, εἰπεῖν· ἀφίενται σου αἱ ἁμαρτίαι, ἢ εἰπεῖν· ἔγειρε καὶ περιπάτει τι γαρ εστιν ευκοπωτερον ειπειν αφεωνται σοι αι αμαρτιαι η ειπειν εγειραι και περιπατει τι γαρ εστιν ευκοπωτερον ειπειν αφεωνται σου αι αμαρτιαι η ειπειν εγειραι και περιπατει

Matthew 9:8 (NET)

Matthew 9:8 (KJV)
When the crowd saw this, they were afraid and honored God who had given such authority to men. But when the multitude saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.

Net Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
ἰδόντες δὲ οἱ ὄχλοι ἐφοβήθησαν καὶ ἐδόξασαν τὸν θεὸν τὸν δόντα ἐξουσίαν τοιαύτην τοῖς ἀνθρώποις ιδοντες δε οι οχλοι εθαυμασαν και εδοξασαν τον θεον τον δοντα εξουσιαν τοιαυτην τοις ανθρωποις ιδοντες δε οι οχλοι εθαυμασαν και εδοξασαν τον θεον τον δοντα εξουσιαν τοιαυτην τοις ανθρωποις

Solomon’s Wealth, Part 4

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In his dream Solomon asked for a discerning mind, to distinguish right from wrong (1 Kings 3:6-9 NET).

You demonstrated great loyalty to your servant, my father David, as he served you faithfully, properly, and sincerely.  You have maintained this great loyalty to this day by allowing his son to sit on his throne.  Now, O Lord (yehôvâh, יהוה) my God (ʼĕlôhı̂ym, אלהי), you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.  Your servant stands among your chosen people; they are a great nation that is too numerous to count or number.  So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong.  Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours [Table].

In response God promised Solomon a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you1—in the dream.  But Solomon broke every law God gave the kings of Israel while wide-awake.  Surely Solomon’s alleged wisdom was grossly overstated!

Okay, enough of this self-righteous snit.  You notice what just happened.  I’m all up in arms because the wise and discerning mind God allegedly gave Solomon was neither wise enough nor discerning enough to protect Solomon from falling afoul of the laws God gave the kings of Israel.  I reasoned that God-given discernment at a minimum should have made the king wise enough to follow God’s rules for kings, or God-given discernment can’t be discernment given by God.  It must have been only a dream.

Now faith becomes an act of self-denial, denying my reasoning to accept the difficult proposition that God-given discernment to know right from wrong was not sufficient to keep Solomon, the one given a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed him, from falling afoul of God’s law.  (And reasoning may be over or under stating the case a bit.  The premise that God-given discernment at a minimum should have made the king wise enough to follow God’s rules for kings seemed obvious, intuitive, even axiomatic to me.)

I want to review what has happened to me here.  First when I focused only on the passage titled Solomon’s Wealth, I understood that Solomon was rich, powerful and wise.  Faith was fairly easy, requiring little of me.  When I expanded the context to include Solomon’s dream, faith became more demanding.  I needed to confront and either ignore or deny the wisdom of scholarly historians.  When I expanded the context to include God’s law faith, holding all three of these passages simultaneously in a state of equilibrium I call true, requires me to deny my intuition, my reason and my wisdom.  This is the most difficult demand of all.  Is this what God meant by the passage titled Solomon’s Wealth?

I said I don’t believe in God because Solomon was richer than all his contemporaries.  Why do I believe?

I would like to elevate the tip of my nose a few degrees above the horizon and say that years of Bible study have persuaded me that the Bible is true and therefore the God revealed in its pages is also true and my God.  But that’s not true.  The Bible has been a source of inspiration, irritation and frustration ever since I was old enough to read it.  It’s not the reason I believe God.  It may be what I believe about God, but my reasons for believing are more personal.

I remember what my life was like when I believed God was evil, at least devious and misleading.  I told him I understood his silly little game and I would beat him at it.  I remember what I meant by “silly little game.”  I don’t have a clue how I intended to beat him at it.  That might have been youthful bravado rather than a seriously considered point of view.

Believing in an evil God was more than I could do for the long haul.  Eventually, I didn’t believe in Him at all, or didn’t believe that He existed at all.  I remember what my life was like as an atheist.

I’ll use the term atheist from time to time, but don’t think I was a happy, relieved or content atheist.  I was pissed off that I’d wasted so much of my life believing in “dog spelled backwards.”  Though I didn’t go quite so far in my own thinking I can certainly appreciate Nietzsche’s dilemma revealed in his later writings (Ecce Homo especially), the atheist who absolutely needed God to exist just so he could justify hating him so much.

I remember what my life was like as a naïve and religious child.  I remember what my life was like as a philosophical and legalistic young man fighting his way back from atheism.  And I certainly know my life as an older man with a, by and large, open-ended confidence in the goodness of God.  And I’m not going to throw that away because I’m having some difficulty wrapping my mind around a couple of passages in the Bible.

I’ve already acknowledged that I am rarely, if ever, working with something so concrete as “God said it.”  I’m always working with my understanding, my interpretation of what God said.  I might even put words in God’s mouth sometimes.  So when I’m having a rational problem with passages in the Bible, the first place to look for something squeegee is in my understanding, my interpretation and the words I’ve put in God’s mouth.  I’ve learned to give God and the Bible the benefit of the doubt.  It comes at the sacrifice of some certainty and peace of mind, changing my mind periodically, what I think I know.  But it keeps an old man nimble and light on his feet.

 

Addendum: April 15, 2020
Tables comparing 1 Kings 3:6; 3:7 and 3:8 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and 1 Kings (3 Kings, 3 Reigns) 3:6; 3:7 and 3:8 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

1 Kings 3:6 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:6 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:6 (NET)
And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee; and thou hast kept for him this great kindness, that thou hast given him a son to sit on his throne, as it is this day. Solomon replied, “You demonstrated great loyalty to your servant, my father David, as he served you faithfully, properly, and sincerely. You have maintained this great loyalty to this day by allowing his son to sit on his throne.

1 Kings 3:6 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν Σαλωμων σὺ ἐποίησας μετὰ τοῦ δούλου σου Δαυιδ τοῦ πατρός μου ἔλεος μέγα καθὼς διῆλθεν ἐνώπιόν σου ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἐν εὐθύτητι καρδίας μετὰ σοῦ καὶ ἐφύλαξας αὐτῷ τὸ ἔλεος τὸ μέγα τοῦτο δοῦναι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου αὐτοῦ ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη καὶ εἶπεν Σαλωμών· σὺ ἐποίησας μετὰ τοῦ δούλου σου Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρός μου ἔλεος μέγα, καθὼς διῆλθεν ἐνώπιόν σου ἐν ἀληθείᾳ καὶ ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ ἐν εὐθύτητι καρδίας μετὰ σοῦ, καὶ ἐφύλαξας αὐτῷ τὸ ἔλεος τὸ μέγα τοῦτο δοῦναι τὸν υἱὸν αὐτοῦ ἐπὶ τοῦ θρόνου αὐτοῦ, ὡς ἡ ἡμέρα αὕτη

3 Reigns 3:6 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:6 (English Elpenor)
And Salomon said, “You did great mercy with your slave, my father Dauid, as he passed through before you in truth and in righteousness and in uprightness of heart with you, and you have kept for him this great mercy to give his son on his throne, as this day. And Solomon said, Thou hast dealt very mercifully with thy servant David my father according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee, and thou hast kept for him this great mercy, to set his son upon his throne, as [it is] this day.

1 Kings 3:7 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:7 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:7 (NET)
And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in my father David’s place, even though I am only a young man and am inexperienced.

1 Kings 3:7 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ νῦν κύριε ὁ θεός μου σὺ ἔδωκας τὸν δοῦλόν σου ἀντὶ Δαυιδ τοῦ πατρός μου καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι παιδάριον μικρὸν καὶ οὐκ οἶδα τὴν ἔξοδόν μου καὶ τὴν εἴσοδόν μου καὶ νῦν, Κύριε ὁ Θεός μου, σὺ ἔδωκας τὸν δοῦλόν σου ἀντὶ Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρός μου, καὶ ἐγώ εἰμι παιδάριον μικρὸν καὶ οὐκ οἶδα τὴν ἔξοδόν μου καὶ τὴν εἴσοδόν μου

3 Reigns 3:7 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:7 (English Elpenor)
And now, O Lord my God, you gave your slave in place of my father Dauid, and I am a little lad, and I do not know my going out and my coming in, And now, O Lord my God, thou hast appointed thy servant in the room of David my father; and I am a little child, and know not my going out an my coming in.

1 Kings 3:8 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:8 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:8 (NET)
And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. Your servant stands among your chosen people; they are a great nation that is too numerous to count or number.

1 Kings 3:8 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὁ δὲ δοῦλός σου ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ σου ὃν ἐξελέξω λαὸν πολύν ὃς οὐκ ἀριθμηθήσεται ὁ δὲ δοῦλός σου ἐν μέσῳ τοῦ λαοῦ σου, ὃν ἐξελέξω λαὸν πολύν, ὃς οὐκ ἀριθμηθήσεται

3 Reigns 3:8 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:8 (English Elpenor)
but your slave is in the midst of your people whom you chose, a large people, who shall not be counted, And now, O Lord my God, thou hast appointed thy servant in the room of David my father; and I am a little child, and know not my going out an my coming in.

Solomon’s Wealth, Part 3

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Since I opened this context can of worms, and found that expanding the context gave me a different perspective on the meaning of a particular passage, I’ll expand the context again.  Even before there were kings in Israel, God gave laws for the then future kings (Deuteronomy 17:14-20).

When he sits on his royal throne he must make a copy of this law on a scroll given to him by the Levitical priests.  It must be with him constantly and he must read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and observe all the words of this law and these statutes and carry them out.1

The passage titled Solomon’s Wealth goes on and on about Solomon’s gold.  The law he was supposed to read everyday said he must not accumulate much silver and gold (Deuteronomy 17:17 NET).  Solomon’s wealth included a massive throne exalted six steps above everyone else in the room.  The law Solomon was commanded to follow carefully said he should not exalt himself above his fellow citizens  (Deuteronomy 17:19-20 NET).  Solomon’s twelve thousand Egyptian horses were also explicitly forbidden by the law intended to ensure that he and his descendants will enjoy many years ruling over his kingdom in Israel (Deuteronomy 17:16, 20 NET).

Here is a contrast of the two passages:

Solomon’s Wealth (1 Kings 10:14-28 NET)

Provision for Kingship (Deuteronomy 17:16-20 NET)
Solomon received 666 talents of gold per year [Table], besides what he collected from the merchants, traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land [Table].  King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures of gold were used for each shield [Table].  He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were used for each of these shields.  The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest [Table].

1 Kings 10:14-17 (NET)

 

All of King Solomon’s cups were made of gold, and all the household items in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest were made of pure gold.  There were no silver items, for silver was not considered very valuable in Solomon’s time [Table].  Along with Hiram’s fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships that sailed the sea.  Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks [Table].  King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth [Table].  Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom [Table].  Year after year visitors brought their gifts, which included items of silver, items of gold, clothes, perfume, spices, horses, and mules [Table].

1 Kings 10:21-25 (NET)

 …he must not accumulate much silver and gold.

Deuteronomy 17:17b (NET)
The king made a large throne decorated with ivory and overlaid it with pure gold [Table].  There were six steps leading up to the throne, and the back of it was rounded on top.  The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side [Table].  There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step.  There was nothing like it in any other kingdom [Table].

1 Kings 10:18-20 (NET)

 When he sits on his royal throne he must make a copy of this law on a scroll given to him by the Levitical priests.  It must be with him constantly and he must read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and observe all the words of this law and these statutes and carry them out.  Then he will not exalt himself above his fellow citizens or turn from the commandments to the right or left…

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 (NET)
Solomon accumulated chariots and horses.  He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses.  He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem [Table].  The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the lowlands [Table].  Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que [Table].

1 Kings 10:26-28 NET

 Moreover, he must not accumulate horses for himself or allow the people to return to Egypt to do so, for the Lord has said you must never again return that way.

Deuteronomy 17: 16 (NET)

If I ignore the topical headings and chapter markings in 1 Kings, both of which are later additions to the text, and simply continue reading after the section called Solomon’s Wealth, I find that Solomon had seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.  Solomon followed his wives in the worship of other gods (1 Kings 11:1-5).  The law for the kings of Israel stated explicitly that the king should not take many wives lest his affections turn aside (Deuteronomy 17:17 NET).

The Lord Punishes Solomon for Idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8 NET)

Provision for Kingship (Deuteronomy 17:16-20 NET)
King Solomon fell in love with many foreign women (besides Pharaoh’s daughter), including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites.  They came from nations about which the Lord had warned the Israelites, “You must not establish friendly relations with them!  If you do, they will surely shift your allegiance to their gods.”  But Solomon was irresistibly attracted to them.  He had 700 royal wives and 300 concubines; his wives had a powerful influence over him.  When Solomon became old, his wives shifted his allegiance to other gods; he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been.  Solomon worshiped the Sidonian goddess Astarte and the detestable Ammonite god Milcom.

1 Kings 11:1-5 (NET)

 

Furthermore, on the hill east of Jerusalem Solomon built a high place for the detestable Moabite god Chemosh and for the detestable Ammonite god Milcom.  He built high places for all his foreign wives so they could burn incense and make sacrifices to their gods.

1   Kings 11:7, 8 (NET)

 Furthermore, he must not marry many wives lest his affections turn aside (e.g, from the commandments to the right or left)…

Deuteronomy 17:17a (NET)

There is a summation statement: Solomon did evil in the Lord’s sight…2  With a topical heading, Solomon’s Wealth, and another topical heading, The Lord Punishes Solomon for Idolatry, and a chapter change from ten to chapter eleven, this summation appears only to apply to Solomon’s many wives and idolatry.  But if I consider that Solomon defied every law God gave the kings of Israel—Because you insist on doing these things and have not kept the covenantal rules I gave you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant3—I need to question the reliability of the topical headings and chapter break here.

So I have one passage in the Bible that seemed at first glance (with my view limited only to that particular passage) to be a laundry list of Solomon’s wealth and power.  When I expanded the context to include an incident from Solomon’s life, the same passage became the fulfillment of God’s promise to Solomon.  When I expanded the context again to include God’s law (an incident in the life of the nation of Israel) the same passage became an indictment of Solomon’s reign as king.  Now I’m ready to recant and say that Solomon’s dream was just a dream, that it had nothing to do with how rich he was or wasn’t.

 

Addendum: April 7, 2020
Near the climax of the movie “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen,” combat veteran Major Lennox (Josh Duhamel) shouts to two unarmed civilians caught in combat: “You guys stick with me, you understand?  You stay on my ass.”  He takes one of them, Mikaela (Megan Fox), by the hand.  The other, Sam (Shia LaBeouf), heads off his own way.  Mikaela lives; Sam dies.

Jesus walking by the Sea of Galilee…saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen).  He said to them, “Follow me.”4  The Greek words translated Follow me were δεῦτε ὀπίσω μου.  According to the Koine Greek Lexicon online ὀπίσω means “toward the back, after, back, backward, (get) behind; follow, close behind (in time); backside, buttocks.”  Though it may offend the religious mind, Jesus said essentially, “You stay on my ass,” and I will turn you into fishers of people!5  Solomon did not stay on the Lord’s (yehôvâh, יְהֹוָ֖ה) ass, as his father David had done.

Masoretic Text

 Septuagint
1 Kings 11:6 (Tanakh) 1 Kings 11:6 (NET) 3 Reigns 11:8 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:6 (Elpenor English)
And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after (אַחֲרֵ֥י) the LORD, as did David his father. Solomon did evil in the Lord’s sight; he did not remain loyal to (ʼachar, אַחֲרֵ֥י) the Lord, as his father David had. and Salomon did evil before the Lord; he did not go after (ὀπίσω) the Lord as Dauid his father. And Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he went not after (ὀπίσω) the Lord, as David his father.

Tables comparing Deuteronomy 17:18; 17:19; 17:17; 17:20; 17:16; 1 Kings 11:1; 11:2; 11:3; 11:4; 11:5; 11:7; 11:8 and 11:6 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing Deuteronomy 17:18; 17:19; 17:17; 17:20; 17:16; 1 Kings (3 Kings, 3 Reigns) 11:1; 11:2; 11:3; 11:4; 11:5 (11:6); 11:7 (11:5); 11:8 (11:7) and 11:6 (11:8) in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.  Following these is a table comparing Matthew 4:18 in the NET and KJV.

Deuteronomy 17:18 (Tanakh)

 Deuteronomy 17:18 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 17:18 (NET)
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is before the priests the Levites. And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: When he sits on his royal throne he must make a copy of this law on a scroll given to him by the Levitical priests.

Deuteronomy 17:18 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 17:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἔσται ὅταν καθίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ καὶ γράψει ἑαυτῷ τὸ δευτερονόμιον τοῦτο εἰς βιβλίον παρὰ τῶν ἱερέων τῶν Λευιτῶν καὶ ὅταν καθίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ, καὶ γράψει αὐτῷ τὸ δευτερονόμιον τοῦτο εἰς βιβλίον παρὰ τῶν ἱερέων τῶν Λευιτῶν

Deuteronomy 17:18 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 17:18 (English Elpenor)
And it shall be, when he has set upon the seat of his rule, that he shall write for himself this second law in a book from the priests, the Leuites. And when he shall be established in his government, then shall he write for himself this repetition of the law into a book by the hands of the priests the Levites;

Deuteronomy 17:19 (Tanakh)

 Deuteronomy 17:19 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 17:19 (NET)
And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear HaShem his G-d, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them; And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: It must be with him constantly, and he must read it as long as he lives, so that he may learn to revere the Lord his God and observe all the words of this law and these statutes and carry them out.

Deuteronomy 17:19 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 17:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἔσται μετ᾽ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀναγνώσεται ἐν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ ἵνα μάθῃ φοβεῗσθαι κύριον τὸν θεὸν αὐτοῦ φυλάσσεσθαι πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα ταῦτα ποιεῗν καὶ ἔσται μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀναγνώσεται ἐν αὐτῷ πάσας τὰς ἡμέρας τῆς ζωῆς αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μάθῃ φοβεῖσθαι Κύριον τὸν Θεόν σου καὶ φυλάσσεσθαι πάσας τὰς ἐντολὰς ταύτας καὶ τὰ δικαιώματα ταῦτα ποιεῖν

Deuteronomy 17:19 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 17:19 (English Elpenor)
And it shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life so that he may learn to fear the Lord his God, to keep all these commandments and these statutes to do them and it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord thy God, and to keep all these commandments, and to observe these ordinances:

Deuteronomy 17:17 (Tanakh)

 Deuteronomy 17:17 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 17:17 (NET)
Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away; neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. Furthermore, he must not marry many wives lest his affections turn aside, and he must not accumulate much silver and gold.

Deuteronomy 17:17 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 17:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ οὐ πληθυνεῗ ἑαυτῷ γυναῗκας οὐδὲ μεταστήσεται αὐτοῦ ἡ καρδία καὶ ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον οὐ πληθυνεῗ ἑαυτῷ σφόδρα καὶ οὐ πληθυνεῖ ἑαυτῷ γυναῖκας, ἵνα μὴ μεταστῇ αὐτοῦ ἡ καρδία· καὶ ἀργύριον καὶ χρυσίον οὐ πληθυνεῖ ἑαυτῷ σφόδρα

Deuteronomy 17:17 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 17:17 (English Elpenor)
And he shall not multiply wives for himself, neither shall he turn his heart away; also silver and gold he shall not multiply exceedingly for himself. And he shall not multiply to himself wives, lest his heart turn away; and he shall not greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

Deuteronomy 17:20 (Tanakh)

 Deuteronomy 17:20 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 17:20 (NET)
that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left; to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he and his children, in the midst of Israel. That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. Then he will not exalt himself above his fellow citizens or turn from the commandments to the right or left, and he and his descendants will enjoy many years ruling over his kingdom in Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:20 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 17:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἵνα μὴ ὑψωθῇ ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ ἵνα μὴ παραβῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν δεξιὰ ἢ ἀριστερά ὅπως ἂν μακροχρονίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῗς υἱοῗς Ισραηλ ἵνα μὴ ὑψωθῇ ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ ἀπὸ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ, ἵνα μὴ παραβῇ ἀπὸ τῶν ἐντολῶν δεξιὰ ἢ ἀριστερά, ὅπως ἂν μακροχρονίσῃ ἐπὶ τῆς ἀρχῆς αὐτοῦ, αὐτὸς καὶ οἱ υἱοὶ αὐτοῦ ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραήλ

Deuteronomy 17:20 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 17:20 (English Elpenor)
so that his heart may not be exalted above his brothers so that he turn not aside from the commandments, right or left, in order that he be long-lived in his rule, he and his sons among the sons of Israel. that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, that he depart not from the commandments on the right hand or on the left; that he and his sons may reign long in his dominion among the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 17:16 (Tanakh)

 Deuteronomy 17:16 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 17:16 (NET)
Only he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses; forasmuch as HaShem hath said unto you: ‘Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.’ But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Moreover, he must not accumulate horses for himself or allow the people to return to Egypt to do so, for the Lord has said you must never again return that way.

Deuteronomy 17:16 (Septuagint BLB)

Deuteronomy 17:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
διότι οὐ πληθυνεῗ ἑαυτῷ ἵππον οὐδὲ μὴ ἀποστρέψῃ τὸν λαὸν εἰς Αἴγυπτον ὅπως πληθύνῃ ἑαυτῷ ἵππον ὁ δὲ κύριος εἶπεν οὐ προσθήσετε ἀποστρέψαι τῇ ὁδῷ ταύτῃ ἔτι διότι οὐ πληθυνεῖ ἑαυτῷ ἵππον οὐδὲ μὴ ἀποστρέψῃ τὸν λαὸν εἰς Αἴγυπτον, ὅπως μὴ πληθύνῃ αὐτῷ ἵππον, ὁ δὲ Κύριος εἶπεν· οὐ προσθήσεσθε ἀποστρέψαι τῇ ὁδῷ ταύτῃ ἔτι

Deuteronomy 17:16 (NETS)

Deuteronomy 17:16 (English Elpenor)
For he shall not multiply cavalry for himself or return the people to Egypt in order to multiply cavalry for himself, but the Lord has said to you, “You shall never add to return that way.” For he shall not multiply to himself horses, and he shall by no means turn the people back to Egypt, lest he should multiply to himself horses; for the Lord said, Ye shall not any more turn back by that way.

1 Kings 11:1 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:1 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:1 (NET)
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; King Solomon fell in love with many foreign women (besides Pharaoh’s daughter), including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites.

1 Kings 11:1 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:1 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαλωμων ἦν φιλογύναιος καὶ ἦσαν αὐτῷ ἄρχουσαι ἑπτακόσιαι καὶ παλλακαὶ τριακόσιαι καὶ ἔλαβεν γυναῗκας ἀλλοτρίας καὶ τὴν θυγατέρα Φαραω Μωαβίτιδας Αμμανίτιδας Σύρας καὶ Ιδουμαίας Χετταίας καὶ Αμορραίας ΚΑΙ ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαλωμὼν ἦν φιλογύνης. καὶ ἦσαν αὐτῷ γυναῖκες ἄρχουσαι ἑπτακόσιαι καὶ παλλακαὶ τριακόσιαι. καὶ ἔλαβε γυναῖκας ἀλλοτρίας καὶ τὴν θυγατέρα Φαραώ, Μωαβίτιδας, ᾿Αμμανίτιδας, Σύρας καὶ ᾿Ιδουμαίας, Χετταίας καὶ ᾿Αμορραίας,

3 Reigns 11:1 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:1 (English Elpenor)
And King Salomon was a philogynist.  And he had seven hundred ruling women and three hundred concubines.  And he took foreign women, both the daughter of Pharao, Moabites, Ammonites, Syrians and Idumeans, Chettites and Amorrites, And king Solomon was a lover of women. [Table16 below]  And he took strange women, as well as the daughter of Pharao, Moabitish, Ammanitish women, Syrians and Idumeans, Chettites, and Amorites;

1 Kings 11:2 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:2 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:2 (NET)
Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. They came from nations about which the Lord had warned the Israelites, “You must not establish friendly relations with them!  If you do, they will surely shift your allegiance to their gods.”  But Solomon was irresistibly attracted to them.

1 Kings 11:2 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:2 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἐκ τῶν ἐθνῶν ὧν ἀπεῗπεν κύριος τοῗς υἱοῗς Ισραηλ οὐκ εἰσελεύσεσθε εἰς αὐτούς καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς ὑμᾶς μὴ ἐκκλίνωσιν τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὀπίσω εἰδώλων αὐτῶν εἰς αὐτοὺς ἐκολλήθη Σαλωμων τοῦ ἀγαπῆσαι ἐκ τῶν ἐθνῶν, ὧν ἀπεῖπε Κύριος τοῖς υἱοῖς ᾿Ισραήλ· οὐκ εἰσελεύσεσθε εἰς αὐτούς, καὶ αὐτοὶ οὐκ εἰσελεύσονται εἰς ὑμᾶς, μὴ ἐκκλίνωσι τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν ὀπίσω εἰδώλων αὐτῶν· εἰς αὐτοὺς ἐκολλήθη Σαλωμὼν τοῦ ἀγαπῆσαι

3 Reigns 11:2 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:2 (English Elpenor)
from the nations that the Lord forbade to the sons of Israel: “You shall not go into them, and they shall not go in to you, lest they turn away your hearts after their idols”; Salomon clung to them for love. of the nations concerning whom the Lord forbade the children of Israel, [saying], Ye shall not go in to them, and they shall not come in to you, lest they turn away your hearts after their idols: Solomon clave to these in love.

1 Kings 11:3 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:3 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:3 (NET)
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. He had 700 royal wives and 300 concubines; his wives had a powerful influence over him.

1 Kings 11:3 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:3 (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA (See verse 1 Table12 above) NA (See verse 1 Table12 above)

3 Reigns 11:3 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:3 (English Elpenor)
NA (See verse 1 Table12 above) NA (Verse 1: καὶ ἦσαν αὐτῷ γυναῖκες ἄρχουσαι ἑπτακόσιαι καὶ παλλακαὶ τριακόσιαι was not translated into English)

1 Kings 11:4 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:4 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:4 (NET)
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. When Solomon became old, his wives shifted his allegiance to other gods; he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord his God, as his father David had been.

1 Kings 11:4 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν καιρῷ γήρους Σαλωμων καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ τελεία μετὰ κυρίου θεοῦ αὐτοῦ καθὼς ἡ καρδία Δαυιδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐξέκλιναν αἱ γυναῗκες αἱ ἀλλότριαι τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ὀπίσω θεῶν αὐτῶν καὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν καιρῷ γήρους Σαλωμὼν καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἡ καρδία αὐτοῦ τελεία μετὰ Κυρίου Θεοῦ αὐτοῦ, καθὼς ἡ καρδία Δαυὶδ τοῦ πατρὸς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐξέκλιναν γυναῖκες αἱ ἀλλότριαι τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ὀπίσω θεῶν αὐτῶν

3 Reigns 11:4 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:4 (English Elpenor)
And it happened at the time of Salomon’s old age that his heart was not perfect with the Lord, his God, as was the heart of his father Dauid, and his foreign wives turned away his heart after their gods. And it came to pass in the time of the old age of Solomon, that his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as [was] the heart of David his father. (not translated: καὶ ἐξέκλιναν γυναῖκες αἱ ἀλλότριαι τὴν καρδίαν αὐτοῦ ὀπίσω θεῶν αὐτῶν)

1 Kings 11:5 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:5 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:5 (NET)
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon worshiped the Sidonian goddess Astarte and the detestable Ammonite god Milcom.

1 Kings 11:5 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:6 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ τῇ Ἀστάρτῃ βδελύγματι Σιδωνίων καὶ τῇ ᾿Αστάρτῃ βδελύγματι Σιδωνίων

3 Reigns 11:6 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:5 (English Elpenor)
and to Astarte, abomination of the Sidonians. and to Astarte the abomination of the Sidonians.

1 Kings 11:7 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:7 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:7 (NET)
Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. Furthermore, on the hill east of Jerusalem Solomon built a high place for the detestable Moabite god Chemosh and for the detestable Ammonite god Milcom.

1 Kings 11:7 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)
τότε ᾠκοδόμησεν Σαλωμων ὑψηλὸν τῷ Χαμως εἰδώλῳ Μωαβ καὶ τῷ βασιλεῗ αὐτῶν εἰδώλῳ υἱῶν Αμμων τότε ᾠκοδόμησε Σαλωμὼν ὑψηλὸν τῷ Χαμώς, εἰδώλῳ Μωὰβ καὶ τῷ βασιλεῖ αὐτῶν εἰδώλῳ υἱῶν ᾿Αμμὼν

3 Reigns 11:5 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:7 (English Elpenor)
Then Salomon built a high place to Chamos, idol of Moab, and to their king, idol of the sons of Ammon, Then Solomon built a high place to Chamos the idol of Moab, and to their king the idol of the children of Ammon,

1 Kings 11:8 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:8 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:8 (NET)
And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. He built high places for all his foreign wives so they could burn incense and make sacrifices to their gods.

1 Kings 11:8 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:7 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησεν πάσαις ταῗς γυναιξὶν αὐτοῦ ταῗς ἀλλοτρίαις ἐθυμίων καὶ ἔθυον τοῗς εἰδώλοις αὐτῶν καὶ οὕτως ἐποίησε πάσαις ταῖς γυναιξὶν αὐτοῦ ταῖς ἀλλοτρίαις, αἳ ἐθυμίων καὶ ἔθυον τοῖς εἰδώλοις αὐτῶν

3 Reigns 11:7 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:8 (English Elpenor)
And thus he did for all his foreign wives; they were offering incense and sacrificing to their idols, And thus he acted towards all his strange wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed to their idols.

1 Kings 11:6 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 11:6 (KJV)

1 Kings 11:6 (NET)
And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. Solomon did evil in the Lord’s sight; he did not remain loyal to the Lord, as his father David had.

1 Kings 11:6 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 11:8 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐποίησεν Σαλωμων τὸ πονηρὸν ἐνώπιον κυρίου οὐκ ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω κυρίου ὡς Δαυιδ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἐποίησε Σαλωμὼν τὸ πονηρὸν ἐνώπιον Κυρίου· οὐκ ἐπορεύθη ὀπίσω Κυρίου ὡς Δαυὶδ ὁ πατὴρ αὐτοῦ

3 Reigns 11:8 (NETS)

3 Kings 11:6 (English Elpenor)
and Salomon did evil before the Lord; he did not go after the Lord as Dauid his father. And Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord: he went not after the Lord, as David his father.

Matthew 4:18 (NET)

Matthew 4:18 (KJV)
As he was walking by the Sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Simon (called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishermen). And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers.

Net Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
Περιπατῶν δὲ παρὰ τὴν θάλασσαν τῆς Γαλιλαίας εἶδεν δύο ἀδελφούς, Σίμωνα (τὸν λεγόμενον Πέτρον) καὶ Ἀνδρέαν τὸν ἀδελφὸν αὐτοῦ, βάλλοντας ἀμφίβληστρον εἰς τὴν θάλασσαν (ἦσαν γὰρ ἁλιεῖς) περιπατων δε ο ιησους παρα την θαλασσαν της γαλιλαιας ειδεν δυο αδελφους σιμωνα τον λεγομενον πετρον και ανδρεαν τον αδελφον αυτου βαλλοντας αμφιβληστρον εις την θαλασσαν ησαν γαρ αλιεις περιπατων δε παρα την θαλασσαν της γαλιλαιας ειδεν δυο αδελφους σιμωνα τον λεγομενον πετρον και ανδρεαν τον αδελφον αυτου βαλλοντας αμφιβληστρον εις την θαλασσαν ησαν γαρ αλιεις

Solomon’s Wealth, Part 2

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Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof,1 for correction, and for training in righteousness, Paul told a young preacher named Timothy.2  Solomon was rich, powerful and wise.  What’s useful about this information?  I’ll expand the context a bit.

Earlier, God had appeared to Solomon in a dream (1 Kings 3:4-15 NET).  God asked Solomon, Tell me what I should give you.3  Solomon recounted God’s faithfulness to his father David and confessed that he was young and inexperienced.  He asked for a discerning mind to distinguish right from wrong.  God promised to grant Solomon’s request along with riches and honor so that Solomon would be the greatest king of his generation.

Now I have something.  The laundry list titled Solomon’s Wealth isn’t really about Solomon.  It’s about God’s faithfulness and the reliability of his word.  He does what he says and makes it so.  This is right on target, then:  God said it.  I believe it.  That settles it.  God said it.  Solomon believed it.  That’s what happened.

Of course, now that trouble I wasn’t looking for is unavoidable.  The scholars who argued that the Pharaoh in Egypt was richer than Solomon are a force to be reckoned with.  When I thought the message of Solomon’s Wealth was that he was rich, powerful and wise, I didn’t need him to be absolutely the richest of his contemporaries.  His critics were easy to dismiss.  But now if I accept that Solomon’s wealth is the fulfillment of God’s promise to make him the richest of his contemporaries, detractors must be 1) proved false or 2) consciously disregarded.

Faith now is something more and something less than the rational response to, and direct deduction from, the premise—God said it.  Faith is my decision now to believe the Bible in the face of contradictory statements from historians.  And it prompts an honest question:  Do I believe because it is true, or do I believe that my faith makes it true?

If I could send accountants back to Solomon’s time, and they appraised the wealth of every contemporary king on earth, and then returned to me with their spreadsheets, do I believe the total at the bottom of each financial statement would be less than the list in 1 Kings?  Let me turn that around.  If the total at the bottom of the spreadsheets of several kings, or even one king, was greater than the list in 1 Kings would I conclude that God is a liar, let’s be done with this god business once and for all?

The answer is clearly, “No.”

If I had irrefutable proof that one of Solomon’s contemporaries was richer than he, I’d reinterpret the meaning of the passage.  After all, God promised riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.4  I assumed that riches were greater than every other king and honor was greater than every other king.  I don’t know how to measure honor so I measured riches.  Maybe it is the sum of riches and honor that is greater than every other king.  In other words, what Solomon lacked in riches he made up for in honor.  Or, maybe it wasn’t God speaking to Solomon in a dream at all.  Maybe it was just a dream.

My point [See Addendum: March 30, 2020 below.] is I don’t believe God because Solomon was richer than all of his contemporaries.

 

Addendum: September 28, 2018
A table comparing 2 Timothy 3:16 in the NET and KJV follows.

2 Timothy 3:16 (NET)

2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV)
Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Net Parallel Greek

 Stephanus Textus Receptus

Byzantine Majority Text
πᾶσα γραφὴ θεόπνευστος καὶ ὠφέλιμος πρὸς διδασκαλίαν, πρὸς ἐλεγμόν, πρὸς ἐπανόρθωσιν, πρὸς παιδείαν τὴν ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ πασα γραφη θεοπνευστος και ωφελιμος προς διδασκαλιαν προς ελεγχον προς επανορθωσιν προς παιδειαν την εν δικαιοσυνη πασα γραφη θεοπνευστος και ωφελιμος προς διδασκαλιαν προς ελεγχον προς επανορθωσιν προς παιδειαν την εν δικαιοσυνη

 

Addendum: March 30, 2020
A table comparing English translations of 1 Kings (3 Kings, 3 Reigns) 3:13 from the Masoretic text and Septuagint follows.

Masoretic Text

 Septuagint
1 Kings 3:13 (Tanakh) 1 Kings 3:13 (NET) 3 Reigns 3:13 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:13 (Elpenor English)
And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request—riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation. And I have given you what you did not request, both riches and honor; there has not been a man like you among kings, And I have given thee what thou hast not asked, wealth and glory, so that there has not been any one like thee among kings.

It seems that the translators of the Elpenor Septuagint added so that to conform better to the Masoretic text.  I don’t see it in the Greek.  The NETS looks like the more accurate translation, which would lead me to believe that God had surveyed the men who reigned over the other kingdoms of the world and found none who had asked for an understanding heart (1 Kings 3:9-12 Tanakh):

Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?  And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing.

And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.

It would have been better if I had made my point from 1 Kings (3 Kings, 3 Reigns) 10:23 where the Masoretic text and Septuagint are in better agreement:

Masoretic Text

 Septuagint
1 Kings 10:23 (Tanakh) 1 Kings 10:23 (NET) 3 Reigns 10:23 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:23 (Elpenor English)
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth. And Salomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in discernment. And Solomon increased beyond all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom.

Tables comparing 1 Kings 3:5; 3:13; 3:9; 3:10; 3:11 and 3:12 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing 1 Kings (3 Kings, 3 Reigns) 3:5; 3:13; 3:9; 3:10; 3:11 and 3:12 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

1 Kings 3:5 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:5 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:5 (NET)
In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. One night in Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. God said, “Tell me what I should give you.”

1 Kings 3:5 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:5 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ὤφθη κύριος τῷ Σαλωμων ἐν ὕπνῳ τὴν νύκτα καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς Σαλωμων αἴτησαί τι αἴτημα σαυτῷ καὶ ὤφθη Κύριος τῷ Σαλωμὼν ἐν ὕπνῳ τὴν νύκτα, καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Σαλωμών· αἴτησαί τι αἴτημα σεαυτῷ

3 Reigns 3:5 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:5 (English Elpenor)
And the Lord appeared to Salomon in a dream by night, and the Lord said to Salomon, “Request some request for yourself.” And the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and the Lord said to Solomon, Ask some petition for thyself.

1 Kings 3:13 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:13 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:13 (NET)
And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. Furthermore, I am giving you what you did not request—riches and honor so that you will be the greatest king of your generation.

1 Kings 3:13 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:13 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἃ οὐκ ᾐτήσω δέδωκά σοι καὶ πλοῦτον καὶ δόξαν ὡς οὐ γέγονεν ἀνὴρ ὅμοιός σοι ἐν βασιλεῦσιν καὶ ἃ οὐκ ᾐτήσω, δέδωκά σοι, καὶ πλοῦτον καὶ δόξαν, ὡς οὐ γέγονεν ἀνὴρ ὅμοιός σοι ἐν βασιλεῦσι

3 Reigns 3:13 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:13 (English Elpenor)
And I have given you what you did not request, both riches and honor; there has not been a man like you among kings, And I have given thee what thou hast not asked, wealth and glory, so that there has not been any one like thee among kings.

1 Kings 3:9 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:9 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:9 (NET)
Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? So give your servant a discerning mind so he can make judicial decisions for your people and distinguish right from wrong.  Otherwise no one is able to make judicial decisions for this great nation of yours.”

1 Kings 3:9 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:9 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ δώσεις τῷ δούλῳ σου καρδίαν ἀκούειν καὶ διακρίνειν τὸν λαόν σου ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ τοῦ συνίειν ἀνὰ μέσον ἀγαθοῦ καὶ κακοῦ ὅτι τίς δυνήσεται κρίνειν τὸν λαόν σου τὸν βαρὺν τοῦτον καὶ δώσεις τῷ δούλῳ σου καρδίαν ἀκούειν καὶ διακρίνειν τὸν λαόν σου ἐν δικαιοσύνῃ καὶ τοῦ συνιεῖν ἀνὰ μέσον ἀγαθοῦ καὶ κακοῦ· ὅτι τίς δυνηθήσεται κρίνειν τὸν λαόν σου τὸν βαρὺν τοῦτον

3 Reigns 3:9 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:9 (English Elpenor)
and you shall give your slave a heart to hear and to judge your people in righteousness to discern between good and evil; for who will be able to judge this your weighty people?” Thou shalt give therefore to thy servant a heart to hear and to judge thy people justly, and to discern between good and evil: for who will be able to judge this thy great people?

1 Kings 3:10 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:10 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:10 (NET)
And the speech pleased the LORD, that Solomon had asked this thing. And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. The Lord was pleased that Solomon made this request.

1 Kings 3:10 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:10 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἤρεσεν ἐνώπιον κυρίου ὅτι ᾐτήσατο Σαλωμων τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ ἤρεσεν ἐνώπιον Κυρίου, ὅτι ᾐτήσατο Σαλωμὼν τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο

3 Reigns 3:10 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:10 (English Elpenor)
And it was pleasing before the Lord that Salomon requested this thing. And it was pleasing before the Lord, that Solomon asked this thing.

1 Kings 3:11 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:11 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:11 (NET)
And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; God said to him, “Because you asked for the ability to make wise judicial decisions, and not for long life, or riches, or vengeance on your enemies,

1 Kings 3:11 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:11 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ εἶπεν κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν ἀνθ᾽ ὧν ᾐτήσω παρ᾽ ἐμοῦ τὸ ῥῆμα τοῦτο καὶ οὐκ ᾐτήσω σαυτῷ ἡμέρας πολλὰς καὶ οὐκ ᾐτήσω πλοῦτον οὐδὲ ᾐτήσω ψυχὰς ἐχθρῶν σου ἀλλ᾽ ᾐτήσω σαυτῷ σύνεσιν τοῦ εἰσακούειν κρίμα καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς αὐτόν· ἀνθ᾿ ὧν ᾐτήσω παρ᾿ ἐμοῦ τὸ ρῆμα τοῦτο καὶ οὐκ ᾐτήσω σεαυτῷ ἡμέρας πολλὰς καὶ οὐκ ᾐτήσω πλοῦτον, οὐδὲ ᾐτήσω ψυχὰς ἐχθρῶν σου, ἀλλ᾿ ᾐτήσω σεαυτῷ τοῦ συνιεῖν τοῦ εἰσακούειν κρίμα,

3 Reigns 3:11 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:11 (English Elpenor)
And the Lord said to him, “Because you requested this thing from me and did not request for yourself many days and did not request riches and did not request lives of your enemies but requested for yourself understanding to listen to judgment, And the Lord said to him, Because thou hast asked this thing of me, and hast not asked for thyself long life, and hast not asked wealth, nor hast asked the lives of thine enemies, but hast asked for thyself understanding to hear judgment;

1 Kings 3:12 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 3:12 (KJV)

1 Kings 3:12 (NET)
Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. I grant your request and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.

1 Kings 3:12 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 3:12 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἰδοὺ πεποίηκα κατὰ τὸ ῥῆμά σου ἰδοὺ δέδωκά σοι καρδίαν φρονίμην καὶ σοφήν ὡς σὺ οὐ γέγονεν ἔμπροσθέν σου καὶ μετὰ σὲ οὐκ ἀναστήσεται ὅμοιός σοι ἰδοὺ πεποίηκα κατὰ τὸ ρῆμά σου· ἰδοὺ δέδωκά σοι καρδίαν φρονίμην καὶ σοφήν, ὡς σὺ οὐ γέγονεν ἔμπροσθέν σου καὶ μετὰ σὲ οὐκ ἀναστήσεται ὅμοιός σοι

3 Reigns 3:12 (NETS)

3 Kings 3:12 (English Elpenor)
behold, I have done according to your word; behold, I have given you a prudent and wise heart; like you there has not been before you, and after you there shall not arise similar to you. behold, I have done according to thy word: behold, I have given thee an understanding and wise heart: there has not been [any one] like thee before thee, and after thee there shall not arise one like thee.

Solomon’s Wealth, Part 1

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I want to begin to develop some Bible study skills, get the feel for the lay of the land, so to speak, before attacking my main objective.  Solomon’s Wealth is a simple place to start.  That’s the title of a section of 1 Kings (1 Kings 10:14-28 NET) in the Old Testament that lists the accumulated wealth and power of the third king of Israel.

Solomon received 666 talents of gold per year,1 besides what he collected from the merchants, traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land.  King Solomon made two hundred large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures of gold were used for each shield.  He also made three hundred small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were used for each of these shields.  The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest.

The king made a large throne decorated with ivory and overlaid it with pure gold.  There were six steps leading up to the throne, and the back of it was rounded on top.  The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side.  There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step.  There was nothing like it in any other kingdom.

All of King Solomon’s cups were made of gold, and all the household items in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest were made of pure gold.  There were no silver items, for silver was not considered very valuable in Solomon’s time.  Along with Hiram’s fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.2

King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.  Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.  Year after year visitors brought their gifts, which included items of silver, items of gold, clothes, perfume, spices, horses, and mules.

Solomon accumulated chariots and horses.  He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses.  He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem.3
 The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the lowlands.  Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que.

So Solomon was rich, powerful and wise.  Okay, I can buy that.  I’ve heard scholars argue against his wealth relative to Egypt.  I realize the text says wealthier than any other king.  But I’m not looking for trouble.   Wiser than any other king is not even something I know how to quantify.  So, in a general way I can apply the simple syllogism: God said it.  I believe it.  That settles it.  Solomon was rich, powerful and wise.

Eventually, a pernicious little question starts to gnaw at my certainty and peace of mind: “So what?”  If God said it, why did He say it?  What did He mean by it?

 

Addendum: March 21, 2020
The Elpenor version of the Septuagint and NETS have 1 Kings 9:15, 17-22 between 1 Kings 10:22 and 10:23.

Masoretic Text Septuagint
1 Kings 9:15, 17-22 (Tanakh) 1 Kings 9:15, 17-22 (NET) 3 Reigns 10:22a-c (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22α-γ (Elpenor English)
And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted to build the Lord’s temple, his palace, the terrace, the wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. This was the business of the foraging that King Salomon brought to build the house of the Lord and the house of the king and the wall of Ierousalem and the citadel, to fortify all round the fence of the city of Dauid and Assour and Magdan and Gazer and Upper Baithoron and Iethermath and all the cities for the chariots and all the cities for the horsemen and the business of Salomon which he was engaged in, to build in Ierousalem and in all the land, This was the arrangement of the provision which king Solomon fetched to build the house of the Lord, and the house of the king, and the wall of Jerusalem, and the citadel; to fortify the city of David, and Assur, and Magdal, and Gazer, and Baethoron the upper, and Jethermath, and all the cities of the chariots, and all the cities of the horsemen, and the fortification of Solomon which he purposed to build in Jerusalem and in all the land, so that none of the people should rule over him.
And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, Solomon built up Gezer, lower Beth Horon,
And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, Baalath, Tadmor in the wilderness,
And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. all the storage cities that belonged to him, and the cities where chariots and horses were kept.  He built whatever he wanted in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout his entire kingdom.
And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, Now several non-Israelite peoples were left in the land after the conquest of Joshua, including the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. so that all the people who remained of the Chettite and of the Amorrite and of the Pherezite and of the Chananite and of the Heuite and of the Iebousite and of the Gergesite, those who were not of the sons of Israel— their children who remained after them in the land, those whom the sons of Israel were not able to destroy—would not rule over him.  And Salomom brought them under tribute until this day. All the people that was left of the Chettite and the Amorite, and the Pherezite, and the Chananite, and the Evite, and the Jebusite, and the Gergesite, who were not of the children of Israel, their descendants who had been left with him in the land, whom the children of Israel could not utterly destroy; and Solomon made them tributaries until this day.
Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. Their descendants remained in the land (the Israelites were unable to wipe them out completely).  Solomon conscripted them for his work crews, and they continue in that role to this very day.
But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, attendants, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces. And from the sons of Israel Salomon exacted nothing, for they were men who fought, and his servants and captains of his chariots and his horsemen. But of the children of Israel Solomon made nothing; for they were the warriors, and his servants and rulers, and captains of the third order, and the captains of his chariots, and his horsemen.

The Elpenor version of the Septuagint and NETS have 1 Kings 4:21 between 1 Kings 10:26 and 10:27.

Masoretic Text

 Septuagint
1 Kings 4:21 (Tanakh) 1 Kings 4:21 (NET) 3 Reigns 10:26a (NETS)

3 Kings 10:26β (Elpenor English)
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. Solomon ruled all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.  These kingdoms paid tribute as Solomon’s subjects throughout his lifetime. And he was ruling all the kings from the river and as far as the land of allophyles and to the borders of Egypt. and he ruled over all the kings from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the borders of Egypt.

Tables comparing 1 Kings 10:14; 10:15; 10:16; 10:17; 10:18; 10:19; 10:20; 10:21; 10:22; 9:15; 9:17; 9:18; 9:19; 9:20; 9:21; 9:22; 10:23; 10:24; 10:25; 10:26; 4:21; 10:27 and 10:28 in the Tanakh, KJV and NET, and comparing 1 Kings (3 Kings, 3 Reigns) 10:14; 10:15; 10:16; 10:17; 10:18; 10:19; 10:20; 10:21; 10:22; 9:15 (10:22α-1); 9:17 (10:22α-2); 9:18 (10:22α-3); 9:19 (10:22α-4); 9:20 (10:22β-1); 9:21 (10:22β-2); 9:22 (10:22γ); 10:23; 10:24; 10:25; 10:26; 4:21 (10:26a, 10:26β); 10:27 and 10:28 in the Septuagint (BLB and Elpenor) follow.

1 Kings 10:14 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:14 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:14 (NET)
Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six talents of gold, Solomon received 666 talents of gold per year,

1 Kings 10:14 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:14 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἦν ὁ σταθμὸς τοῦ χρυσίου τοῦ ἐληλυθότος τῷ Σαλωμων ἐν ἐνιαυτῷ ἑνὶ ἑξακόσια καὶ ἑξήκοντα ἓξ τάλαντα χρυσίου Καὶ ἦν ὁ σταθμὸς τοῦ χρυσίου τοῦ ἐληλυθότος τῷ Σαλωμὼν ἐν ἐνιαυτῷ ἑνὶ ἑξακόσια καὶ ἐξηκοντα ὲξ τάλαντα χρυσίου,

3 Reigns 10:14 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:14 (English Elpenor)
And the weight of gold that had come to Salomon in one year was six hundred sixty-six talents of gold, And the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold.

1 Kings 10:15 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:15 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:15 (NET)
Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country. Beside that he had of the merchantmen, and of the traffick of the spice merchants, and of all the kings of Arabia, and of the governors of the country. besides what he collected from the merchants, traders, Arabian kings, and governors of the land.

1 Kings 10:15 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:15 (Septuagint Elpenor)
χωρὶς τῶν φόρων τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων καὶ τῶν ἐμπόρων καὶ πάντων τῶν βασιλέων τοῦ πέραν καὶ τῶν σατραπῶν τῆς γῆς χωρὶς τῶν φόρων τῶν ὑποτεταγμένων καὶ τῶν ἐμπόρων καὶ πάντων τῶν βασιλέων τοῦ πέραν καὶ τῶν σατραπῶν τῆς γῆς

3 Reigns 10:15 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:15 (English Elpenor)
besides the tributes from those subjected and from the merchants and from all the kings who are from beyond the satraps of the land. Besides the tributes of them that were subjects, both merchants and all the kings of the [country] beyond [the river], and of the princes of the land.

1 Kings 10:16 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:16 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:16 (NET)
And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target. And king Solomon made two hundred targets of beaten gold: six hundred shekels of gold went to one target. King Solomon made 200 large shields of hammered gold; 600 measures of gold were used for each shield.

1 Kings 10:16 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:16 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐποίησεν Σαλωμων τριακόσια δόρατα χρυσᾶ ἐλατά τριακόσιοι χρυσοῗ ἐπῆσαν ἐπὶ τὸ δόρυ τὸ ἕν καὶ ἐποίησε Σαλωμὼν τριακόσια δόρατα χρυσᾶ ἐλατά. —τριακόσιοι χρυσοῖ ἐπῆσαν ἐπὶ τὸ δόρυ τὸ ἓν—

3 Reigns 10:16 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:16 (English Elpenor)
And Salomon made three hundred beaten gold spears; three hundred gold pieces went into one spear. And Solomon made three hundred spears of beaten gold: three hundred shekels of gold were upon one spear.

1 Kings 10:17 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:17 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:17 (NET)
And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. And he made three hundred shields of beaten gold; three pound of gold went to one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon. He also made 300 small shields of hammered gold; three minas of gold were used for each of these shields.  The king placed them in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest.

1 Kings 10:17 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:17 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ τριακόσια ὅπλα χρυσᾶ ἐλατά τρεῗς μναῗ χρυσίου ἐνῆσαν εἰς τὸ ὅπλον τὸ ἕν καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰ εἰς οἶκον δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου καὶ τριακόσια ὅπλα χρυσᾶ ἐλατὰ —καὶ τρεῖς μναῖ ἐνῆσαν χρυσοῦ εἰς τὸ ὅπλον τὸ ἓν— καὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτὰ ὁ βασιλεὺς εἰς οἶκον δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου

3 Reigns 10:17 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:17 (English Elpenor)
And he made three hundred beaten gold weapons; three minas of gold went into the one weapon, and he put them in the House of the Forest of Lebanon. And three hundred shields of beaten gold: and three pounds of gold were in one shield: and the king put them in the house of the forest of Lebanon.

1 Kings 10:18 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:18 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:18 (NET)
Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. Moreover the king made a great throne of ivory, and overlaid it with the best gold. The king made a large throne decorated with ivory and overlaid it with pure gold.

1 Kings 10:18 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:18 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς θρόνον ἐλεφάντινον μέγαν καὶ περιεχρύσωσεν αὐτὸν χρυσίῳ δοκίμῳ καὶ ἐποίησεν ὁ βασιλεὺς θρόνον ἐλεφάντινον μέγαν καὶ περιεχρύσωσεν αὐτὸν χρυσίῳ δοκίμῳ

3 Reigns 10:18 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:18 (English Elpenor)
And the king made a great ivory throne and gilded it with pure gold; And the king made a great ivory throne, and gilded it with pure gold.

1 Kings 10:19 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:19 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:19 (NET)
The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays. There were six steps leading up to the throne, and the back of it was rounded on top. The throne had two armrests with a statue of a lion standing on each side.

1 Kings 10:19 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:19 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ἓξ ἀναβαθμοὶ τῷ θρόνῳ καὶ προτομαὶ μόσχων τῷ θρόνῳ ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ καὶ χεῗρες ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν ἐπὶ τοῦ τόπου τῆς καθέδρας καὶ δύο λέοντες ἑστηκότες παρὰ τὰς χεῗρας ἓξ ἀναβαθμοὶ ἐν θρόνῳ καὶ προτομαὶ μόσχων τῷ θρόνῳ ἐκ τῶν ὀπίσω αὐτοῦ καὶ χεῖρες ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν ἐπὶ τοῦ τόπου τῆς καθέδρας, καὶ δύο λέοντες ἑστηκότες παρὰ τὰς χεῖρας

3 Reigns 10:19 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:19 (English Elpenor)
the throne had six steps, and the throne had heads of calves in relief behind it and on this side and on that, on the place of the seat, were arms and two lions standing beside the arms The throne [had] six steps, and calves in bold relief to the throne behind it, and side-pieces on either hand of the place of the seat, and two lions standing by the side-pieces,

1 Kings 10:20 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:20 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:20 (NET)
and twelve lions standing on this side and on that, on the six steps; it was not done so in any kingdom. And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom. There were twelve statues of lions on the six steps, one lion at each end of each step. There was nothing like it in any other kingdom.

1 Kings 10:20 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:20 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ δώδεκα λέοντες ἑστῶτες ἐπὶ τῶν ἓξ ἀναβαθμῶν ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν οὐ γέγονεν οὕτως πάσῃ βασιλείᾳ καὶ δώδεκα λέοντες ἑστῶτες ἐκεῖ ἐπὶ τῶν ἓξ ἀναβαθμῶν ἔνθεν καὶ ἔνθεν· οὐ γέγονεν οὕτως πάσῃ βασιλείᾳ

3 Reigns 10:20 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:20 (English Elpenor)
and twelve lions standing on this side and on that, on the six steps; it was not done so in any kingdom. and twelve lions standing there on the six steps on either side: it was not so done in any [other] kingdom.

1 Kings 10:21 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:21 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:21 (NET)
And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. And all king Solomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; none were of silver: it was nothing accounted of in the days of Solomon. All of King Solomon’s cups were made of gold, and all the household items in the Palace of the Lebanon Forest were made of pure gold. There were no silver items, for silver was not considered very valuable in Solomon’s time.

1 Kings 10:21 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:21 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη τοῦ πότου Σαλωμων χρυσᾶ καὶ λουτῆρες χρυσοῗ πάντα τὰ σκεύη οἴκου δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου χρυσίῳ συγκεκλεισμένα οὐκ ἦν ἀργύριον ὅτι οὐκ ἦν λογιζόμενον ἐν ταῗς ἡμέραις Σαλωμων καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ Σαλωμὼν γεγονότα χρυσᾶ καὶ λουτῆρες χρυσοῖ, καὶ πάντα τὰ σκεύη οἴκου δρυμοῦ τοῦ Λιβάνου χρυσίῳ συγκεκλεισμένα, οὐκ ἦν ἀργύριον, ὅτι οὐκ ἦν λογιζόμενον ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις Σαλωμών

3 Reigns 10:21 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:21 (English Elpenor)
And all Salomon’s drinking vessels were of gold, and gold washbasins, all the vessels of the House of the Forest of Lebanon, were of overlaid with gold; there was no silver, for it was not reckoned in the days of Salomon. And all the vessels made by Solomon [were] of gold, and the lavers [were] golden, and all the vessels of the house of the forest of Lebanon were of pure gold; there was no silver, for it was not accounted of in the days of Solomon.

1 Kings 10:22 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:22 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:22 (NET)
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. 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. Along with Hiram’s fleet, the king had a fleet of large merchant ships that sailed the sea. Once every three years the fleet came into port with cargoes of gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

1 Kings 10:22 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22 (Septuagint Elpenor)
ὅτι ναῦς Θαρσις τῷ βασιλεῗ ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ μετὰ τῶν νηῶν Χιραμ μία διὰ τριῶν ἐτῶν ἤρχετο τῷ βασιλεῗ ναῦς ἐκ Θαρσις χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου καὶ λίθων τορευτῶν καὶ πελεκητῶν ὅτι ναῦς Θαρσὶς τῷ βασιλεῖ Σαλωμὼν ἐν τῇ θαλάσσῃ μετὰ τῶν νηῶν Χιράμ, μία διὰ τριῶν ἐτῶν ἤρχετο τῷ βασιλεῖ ναῦς ἐκ θαρσὶς χρυσίου καὶ ἀργυρίου καὶ λίθων τορευτῶν καὶ πελεκητῶν.

3 Reigns 10:22 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22 (English Elpenor)
For the king had a ship of Tharsis at sea with the ships of Chiram, one ship used to come to the king from Tharsis every three years with gold and silver and carved and hewn stones. For Solomon had a ship of Tharsis in the sea with the ships of Chiram: one ship came to the king every three years out of Tharsis, [laden with] gold and silver, and wrought stones, and hewn stones.

1 Kings 9:15 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 9:15 (KJV)

1 Kings 9:15 (NET)
And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer. Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted to build the Lord’s temple, his palace, the terrace, the wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.

1 Kings 9:15 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22α-1 (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA Αὕτη ἦν ἡ πραγματεία τῆς προνομῆς, ἧς ἀνήνεγκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς Σαλωμὼν οἰκοδομῆσαι τὸν οἶκον Κυρίου καὶ τὸν οἶκον τοῦ βασιλέως καὶ τὸ τεῖχος ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ τὴν ἄκραν, τοῦ περιφράξαι τὸν φραγμὸν τῆς πόλεως Δαυὶδ καὶ τὴν ᾿Ασσοὺρ καὶ τὴν Μαγδὰλ καὶ τὴν Γαζὲρ

3 Reigns 10:22a-1 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22α-1 (English Elpenor)
This was the business of the foraging that King Salomon brought to build the house of the Lord and the house of the king and the wall of Ierousalem and the citadel, to fortify all round the fence of the city of Dauid and Assour and Magdan and Gazer This was the arrangement of the provision which king Solomon fetched to build the house of the Lord, and the house of the king, and the wall of Jerusalem, and the citadel; to fortify the city of David, and Assur, and Magdal, and Gazer,

1 Kings 9:17 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 9:17 (KJV)

1 Kings 9:17 (NET)
And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether, Solomon built up Gezer, lower Beth Horon,

1 Kings 9:17 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22α-2 (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA καὶ τὴν Βαιθωρὼν τὴν ἀνωτέρω

3 Reigns 10:22a-2 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22α-2 (English Elpenor)
and Upper Baithoron and Baethoron the upper,

1 Kings 9:18 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 9:18 (KJV)

1 Kings 9:18 (NET)
And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land, Baalath, Tadmor in the wilderness,

1 Kings 9:18 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22α-3 (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA καὶ τὴν ᾿Ιεθαρμὰθ

3 Reigns 10:22a-3 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22α-3 (English Elpenor)
and Iethermath and Jethermath,

1 Kings 9:19 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 9:19 (KJV)

1 Kings 9:19 (NET)
And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. all the storage cities that belonged to him, and the cities where chariots and horses were kept.  He built whatever he wanted in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout his entire kingdom.

1 Kings 9:19 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22α-4 (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA καὶ πάσας τὰς πόλεις τῶν ἁρμάτων καὶ πάσας τὰς πόλεις τῶν ἱππέων καὶ τὴν πραγματείαν Σαλωμών, ἣν ἐπραγματεύσατο οἰκοδομῆσαι ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ καὶ ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ, τοῦ μὴ κατάρξαι αὐτοῦ

3 Reigns 10:22a-4 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22α-4 (English Elpenor)
and all the cities for the chariots and all the cities for the horsemen and the business of Salomon which he was engaged in, to build in Ierousalem and in all the land, and all the cities of the chariots, and all the cities of the horsemen, and the fortification of Solomon which he purposed to build in Jerusalem and in all the land, so that none of the people should rule over him.

1 Kings 9:20 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 9:20 (KJV)

1 Kings 9:20 (NET)
And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, Now several non-Israelite peoples were left in the land after the conquest of Joshua, including the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

1 Kings 9:20 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22β-1 (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA πάντα τὸν λαὸν τὸν ὑπολελειμμένον ὑπὸ τοῦ Χετταίου καὶ τοῦ ᾿Αμορραίου καὶ τοῦ Φερεζαίου καὶ τοῦ Χαναναίου καὶ τοῦ Εὐαίου καὶ τοῦ ᾿Ιεβουσαίου καὶ τοῦ Γεργεσαίου, τῶν μὴ ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραὴλ ὄντων

3 Reigns 10:22b-1 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22β-1 (English Elpenor)
so that all the people who remained of the Chettite and of the Amorrite and of the Pherezite and of the Chananite and of the Heuite and of the Iebousite and of the Gergesite, those who were not of the sons of Israel— All the people that was left of the Chettite and the Amorite, and the Pherezite, and the Chananite, and the Evite, and the Jebusite, and the Gergesite, who were not of the children of Israel,

1 Kings 9:21 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 9:21 (KJV)

1 Kings 9:21 (NET)
Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day. Their descendants remained in the land (the Israelites were unable to wipe them out completely).  Solomon conscripted them for his work crews, and they continue in that role to this very day.

1 Kings 9:21 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22β-2 (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA τὰ τέκνα αὐτῶν τὰ ὑπολελειμμένα μετ᾿ αὐτοῦ ἐν τῇ γῇ, οὓς οὐκ ἐδύναντο οἱ υἱοὶ ᾿Ισραὴλ ἐξολοθρεῦσαι αὐτούς, καὶ ἀνήγαγεν αὐτοὺς Σαλωμὼν εἰς φόρον ἕως τῆς ἡμέρας ταύτης

3 Reigns 10:22b-2 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22β-2 (English Elpenor)
their children who remained after them in the land, those whom the sons of Israel were not able to destroy—would not rule over him.  And Salomom brought them under tribute until this day. their descendants who had been left with him in the land, whom the children of Israel could not utterly destroy; and Solomon made them tributaries until this day.

1 Kings 9:22 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 9:22 (KJV)

1 Kings 9:22 (NET)
But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen. Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, attendants, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces.

1 Kings 9:22 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:22γ (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA καὶ ἐκ τῶν υἱῶν ᾿Ισραὴλ οὐκ ἔδωκε Σαλωμὼν πρᾶγμα, ὅτι αὐτοὶ ἦσαν ἄνδρες οἱ πολεμισταὶ καὶ παῖδες αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντες καὶ τρισσοὶ αὐτοῦ καὶ ἄρχοντες τῶν ἁρμάτων αὐτοῦ καὶ ἱππεῖς αὐτοῦ

3 Reigns 10:22c (NETS)

3 Kings 10:22γ (English Elpenor)
And from the sons of Israel Salomon exacted nothing, for they were men who fought, and his servants and captains of his chariots and his horsemen. But of the children of Israel Solomon made nothing; for they were the warriors, and his servants and rulers, and captains of the third order, and the captains of his chariots, and his horsemen.

1 Kings 10:23 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:23 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:23 (NET)
So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. So king Solomon exceeded all the kings of the earth for riches and for wisdom. King Solomon was wealthier and wiser than any of the kings of the earth.

1 Kings 10:23 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:23 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθη Σαλωμων ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς βασιλεῗς τῆς γῆς πλούτῳ καὶ φρονήσει Καὶ ἐμεγαλύνθη Σαλωμὼν ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς πλούτῳ καὶ φρονήσει

3 Reigns 10:23 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:23 (English Elpenor)
And Salomon was greater than all the kings of the earth in riches and in discernment. And Solomon increased beyond all the kings of the earth in wealth and wisdom.

1 Kings 10:24 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:24 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:24 (NET)
And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. And all the earth sought to Solomon, to hear his wisdom, which God had put in his heart. Everyone in the world wanted to visit Solomon to see him display his God-given wisdom.

1 Kings 10:24 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:24 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ πάντες βασιλεῗς τῆς γῆς ἐζήτουν τὸ πρόσωπον Σαλωμων τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φρονήσεως αὐτοῦ ἧς ἔδωκεν κύριος ἐν τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ καὶ πάντες βασιλεῖς τῆς γῆς ἐζήτουν τὸ πρόσωπον Σαλωμὼν τοῦ ἀκοῦσαι τῆς φρονήσεως αὐτοῦ, ἧς ἔδωκε Κύριος τῇ καρδίᾳ αὐτοῦ

3 Reigns 10:24 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:24 (English Elpenor)
And all the kings of the earth were seeking the face of Salomon to hear his discernment, which the Lord gave into his heart. And all the kings of the earth sought the presence of Solomon, to hear his wisdom which the Lord [had] put into his heart.

1 Kings 10:25 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:25 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:25 (NET)
And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. And they brought every man his present, vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and garments, and armour, and spices, horses, and mules, a rate year by year. Year after year visitors brought their gifts, which included items of silver, items of gold, clothes, perfume, spices, horses, and mules.

1 Kings 10:25 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:25 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔφερον ἕκαστος τὰ δῶρα αὐτοῦ σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἱματισμόν στακτὴν καὶ ἡδύσματα καὶ ἵππους καὶ ἡμιόνους τὸ κατ᾽ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτόν καὶ αὐτοὶ ἔφερον ἕκαστος τὰ δῶρα, σκεύη χρυσᾶ καὶ ἱματισμόν, στακτὴν καὶ ἡδύσματα καὶ ἵππους καὶ ἡμιόνους τὸ κατ᾿ ἐνιαυτὸν ἐνιαυτῷ

3 Reigns 10:25 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:25 (English Elpenor)
And they each would bring their gifts, gold utensils and raiment, oil of myrrh and spices and horses and mules, this every year by year. And they brought every one their gifts, vessels of gold, and raiment, and stacte, and spices, and horses, and mules, a rate year by year.

1 Kings 10:26 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:26 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:26 (NET)
And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem. Solomon accumulated chariots and horses.  He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses.  He kept them in assigned cities and in Jerusalem.

1 Kings 10:26 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:26 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἦσαν τῷ Σαλωμων τέσσαρες χιλιάδες θήλειαι ἵπποι εἰς ἅρματα καὶ δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἱππέων καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὰς ἐν ταῗς πόλεσι τῶν ἁρμάτων καὶ μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν Ιερουσαλημ καὶ ἦσαν τῷ Σαλωμὼν τέσσαρες χιλιάδες θήλειαι ἵπποι εἰς ἅρματα καὶ δώδεκα χιλιάδες ἱππέων, καὶ ἔθετο αὐτὰς ἐν ταῖς πόλεσι τῶν ἁρμάτων καὶ μετὰ τοῦ βασιλέως ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλήμ

3 Reigns 10:26 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:26 (English Elpenor)
And Salomon had four thousand mares for chariots and twelve thousand horsemen, and he put them in the cities for the chariots and with the king in Ierousalem. And Solomon had four thousand mares for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen: and he put them in the cities of his chariots, and with the king in Jerusalem:

1 Kings 4:21 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 4:21 (KJV)

1 Kings 4:21 (NET)
And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. Solomon ruled all the kingdoms from the Euphrates River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt.  These kingdoms paid tribute as Solomon’s subjects throughout his lifetime.

1 Kings 4:21 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:26α (Septuagint Elpenor)
NA καὶ ἦν ἡγούμενος πάντων τῶν βασιλέων ἀπὸ τοῦ ποταμοῦ καὶ ἕως γῆς ἀλλοφύλων καὶ ἕως ὁρίων Αἰγύπτου

3 Reigns 10:26a (NETS)

3 Kings 10:26β (English Elpenor)
And he was ruling all the kings from the river and as far as the land of allophyles and to the borders of Egypt. and he ruled over all the kings from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the borders of Egypt.

1 Kings 10:27 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:27 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:27 (NET)
And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. And the king made silver to be in Jerusalem as stones, and cedars made he to be as the sycomore trees that are in the vale, for abundance. The king made silver as plentiful in Jerusalem as stones; cedar was as plentiful as sycamore fig trees are in the foothills.

1 Kings 10:27 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:27 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἔδωκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον ἐν Ιερουσαλημ ὡς λίθους καὶ τὰς κέδρους ἔδωκεν ὡς συκαμίνους τὰς ἐν τῇ πεδινῇ εἰς πλῆθος καὶ ἔδωκεν ὁ βασιλεὺς τὸ χρυσίον καὶ τὸ ἀργύριον ἐν ῾Ιερουσαλὴμ ὡς λίθους, καὶ τὰς κέδρους ἔδωκεν ὡς συκαμίνους τὰς ἐν τῇ πεδινῇ εἰς πλῆθος

3 Reigns 10:27 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:27 (English Elpenor)
And the king gave gold and silver in Ierousalem like stones, and he gave the cedars like sycamores that are in a plain in abundance. And the king made gold and silver in Jerusalem as stones, and he made cedars as the sycamores in the plain for multitude.

1 Kings 10:28 (Tanakh)

 1 Kings 10:28 (KJV)

1 Kings 10:28 (NET)
And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. Solomon acquired his horses from Egypt and from Que; the king’s traders purchased them from Que.

1 Kings 10:28 (Septuagint BLB)

3 Kings 10:28 (Septuagint Elpenor)
καὶ ἡ ἔξοδος τῶν ἵππων Σαλωμων ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐκ Θεκουε ἔμποροι τοῦ βασιλέως ἐλάμβανον ἐκ Θεκουε ἐν ἀλλάγματι καὶ ἡ ἔξοδος Σαλωμὼν τῶν ἱππέων καὶ ἐξ Αἰγύπτου καὶ ἐκ Θεκουέ, ἔμποροι τοῦ βασιλέως ἐλάμβανον ἐκ Θεκουὲ ἐν ἀλλάγματι

3 Reigns 10:28 (NETS)

3 Kings 10:28 (English Elpenor)
And Salomon’s import of horses was from Egypt and Thekoue, and the king’s traders would receive them from Thekoue by barter, And the goings forth of Solomon’s horsemen [was] also out of Egypt, and the king’s merchants [were] of Thecue; and they received them out of Thecue at a price.

1 From NET note 26:The Hebrew term כִּכָּר (kikkar, “circle”) refers generally to something that is round. When used of metals it can refer to a disk-shaped weight made of the metal or to a standard unit of weight, generally regarded as a talent. Since the accepted weight for a talent of metal is about 75 pounds, this would have amounted to about 50,000 pounds of gold (cf. NCV); CEV, NLT “twenty-five tons”; TEV “almost 23,000 kilogrammes.”

2 The Septuagint had the following additional text here: This was the arrangement of the provision which king Solomon fetched to build the house of the Lord, and the house of the king, and the wall of Jerusalem, and the citadel; to fortify the city of David, and Assur, and Magdal, and Gazer, and Baethoron the upper, and Jethermath, and all the cities of the chariots, and all the cities of the horsemen, and the fortification of Solomon which he purposed to build in Jerusalem and in all the land, so that none of the people should rule over him.  All the people that was left of the Chettite and the Amorite, and the Pherezite, and the Chananite, and the Evite, and the Jebusite, and the Gergesite, who were not of the children of Israel, their descendants who had been left with him in the land, whom the children of Israel could not utterly destroy; and Solomon made them tributaries until this day.  But of the children of Israel Solomon made nothing; for they were the warriors, and his servants and rulers, and captains of the third order, and the captains of his chariots, and his horsemen (3 Kings 10:22α-22γ Elpenor).

3 The Septuagint had the following additional text here: and he ruled over all the kings from the river to the land of the Philistines, and to the borders of Egypt (3 Kings 10:26β Elpenor).