1 Kings 5:16
 1 Kings 5:16 
New International Version (©2011)
as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project and directed the workers.

New Living Translation (©2007)
and 3,600 foremen to supervise the work.

English Standard Version (©2001)
besides Solomon’s 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
besides Solomon's 3,300 chief deputies who were over the project and who ruled over the people who were doing the work.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
not including his 3,300 deputies in charge of the work. They ruled over the people doing the work.

International Standard Version (©2012)
Solomon also employed 3,300 officials to supervise the work and to manage the people employed in the construction.

NET Bible (©2006)
besides 3,300 officials who supervised the workers.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
and 3,300 foremen who were in charge of the workers.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Besides the chief of Solomon's officers who were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, who ruled over the people that labored in the work.

American King James Version
Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that worked in the work.

American Standard Version
besides Solomon's chief officers that were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, who bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

Douay-Rheims Bible
Besides the overseers who were over every work, in number three thousand, and three hundred that ruled over the people, and them that did the work.

Darby Bible Translation
besides the overseers whom Solomon had set over the work, three thousand three hundred, who ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

English Revised Version
besides Solomon's chief officers that were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

Webster's Bible Translation
Besides the chief of Solomon's officers who were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, who ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

World English Bible
besides Solomon's chief officers who were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, who bore rule over the people who labored in the work.

Young's Literal Translation
apart from the heads of the officers of Solomon, who are over the work, three thousand and three hundred, those ruling over the people who are working in the business.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:10-18 The temple was chiefly built by the riches and labour of Gentiles, which typified their being called into the church. Solomon commanded, and they brought costly stones for the foundation. Christ, who is laid for a Foundation, is a chosen and precious Stone. We should lay our foundation firm, and bestow most pains on that part of our religion which lies out of the sight of men. And happy those who, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Who among us will build in the house of the Lord?


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 16. - Beside [without counting] the chief of Solomon's officers [Heb. the princes of the overseers, i.e., the princes who acted as overseers, principes qui praefecti erant (Vatabl.)] which were over the work three thousand and three hundred [This large number proves that the "chiefs of the overseers" cannot be meant. Were all the 3,300 superior officers, there must have been quite an army of subalterns. But we read of none. In 1 Kings 9:23, an additional number of 550 "princes of the overseers" (same expression) is mentioned, making a total of 3,850 superintendents, which agrees with the total stated in the Book of Chronicles. It is noteworthy, however, that the details differ from those of the Kings. In 2 Chronicles 2:17 we read of a body of 3,600 "overseers to set the people a work," whilst in 1 Kings 8:10 mention is made of 250 "princes of the overseers." These differences result, no doubt, from difference of classification and arrangement (J.H. Michaelis). In Chronicles the arrangement is one of race, i.e., 3,600 aliens גּרֵים; cf. 2 Chronicles 2:18) and 250 Israelites, whilst in Kings it is one of status, i.e., 3,300 inferior and 550 superior officers. It follows consequently that all the inferior and 300 of the superior overseers were Canaanites] which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Besides the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work,.... Over the whole work, preparatory for the building of the temple; though it seems chiefly to have respect to that of hewing the stones, and bringing them to the city:

three thousand and three hundred which ruled over the people that wrought in the work; to keep them to their work, and to see that they performed it well: in 2 Chronicles 2:18; they are said to be 3600, which is three hundred more than here; those three hundred are the chief officers mentioned in the former part of this verse, which were over the whole work, and even over the 3600 overseers, and with them made up the sum of 3600; so Jacob Leon (h) observes there were 3300 master workmen, and three hundred commanders over them all.

(h) Relation of Memorable Things in the Temple, ch. 3. p. 14.


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Solomon's Workmen and Laborers
15And Solomon had three score and ten thousand that bore burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; 16Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that worked in the work. 17And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.

1 Kings 9:23 They were also the chief officials in charge of Solomon's projects--550 officials supervising those who did the work.
2 Chronicles 2:2 He conscripted 70,000 men as carriers and 80,000 as stonecutters in the hills and 3,600 as foremen over them.