1 Kings 5:15Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains;
The setting
Jerusalem quarries, ~960 BC. 150,000 workers cutting and hauling massive limestone blocks for the temple foundation. Modern-day Jerusalem, Israel.
The emotion here: awe at the massive scale of Solomon's ambition and resources
The original word
sabal (סַבָּל) — burden-bearer, one who carries heavy loads on their back
Why it matters
The temple stones were so precisely cut that no hammer or chisel was heard during assembly
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Kings 5:15
This workforce was larger than most ancient armies - 150,000 men just for one building
Common misconceptionPeople assume this was volunteer work for God, but these were conscripted laborers who had no choice in the matter.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Kings 5:15
Bible Genome reading
1 Kings 5:15 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Kings 5:15 comes from the book of 1 Kings, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is starting, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is reflective. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include magnitude, workforce. Notable phrases: seventy thousand; eighty thousand.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same starting
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
— Genesis 1:1
“God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.”
— Genesis 1:3
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
— Philippians 4:13
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and t…”
— Acts 1:8
“Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receiv…”
— Acts 2:38
Your reflection
What does 1 Kings 5:15 mean to you, today?
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