1 Kings 12:10
New International Version
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “These people have said to you, ‘Your father put a heavy yoke on us, but make our yoke lighter.’ Now tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.

New Living Translation
The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!

English Standard Version
And the young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus shall you speak to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you lighten it for us,’ thus shall you say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s thighs.

Berean Standard Bible
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you should make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!

King James Bible
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

New King James Version
Then the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you should speak to this people who have spoken to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you make it lighter on us’—thus you shall say to them: ‘My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s waist!

New American Standard Bible
And the young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, “This is what you should say to this people who spoke to you, saying: ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ You should speak this way to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!

NASB 1995
The young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!

NASB 1977
And the young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ But you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the young men who grew up with him spoke to him, saying, “Thus you shall say to this people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, now you make it lighter for us!’ Thus you shall speak to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!

Amplified Bible
The young men who had grown up with him answered, “This is what you should say to this people who told you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but as for you, make our yoke lighter’—say this to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins [and my reign will be even more severe].

Christian Standard Bible
The young men who had grown up with him told him, “This is what you should say to this people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you, make it lighter on us! ’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the young men who had grown up with him told him, “This is what you should say to these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you, make it lighter on us!’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins!

American Standard Version
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou speak unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.

Contemporary English Version
His younger advisors said: Here's what we think you should say to them: "Compared to me, my father was weak.

English Revised Version
And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou say unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou speak unto them, My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The young men who had grown up with him answered, "This is what you should tell them: 'My little finger is heavier than my father's whole body.

Good News Translation
They replied, "This is what you should tell them: 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist!'

International Standard Version
"This is what you should tell these people who asked you 'Your father made our burden heavy, but you must make it lighter for us!'" the young men who grew up with Rehoboam replied. "Tell them, 'My little finger will be thicker than my father's whole body!

Majority Standard Bible
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you should make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!

NET Bible
The young advisers with whom Rehoboam had grown up said to him, "Say this to these people who have said to you, 'Your father made us work hard, but now lighten our burden.' Say this to them: 'I am a lot harsher than my father!

New Heart English Bible
The young men who had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, "Thus you shall tell this people who spoke to you, saying, 'Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter to us;' you shall say to them, 'My little finger is thicker than my father's waist.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the young men that had grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak to this people who spoke to thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter to us; thus shalt thou say to them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

World English Bible
The young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Tell these people who spoke to you, saying, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but make it lighter to us’— tell them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And they speak to him—the boys who had grown up with him—saying, “Thus you say to this people who have spoken to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, and you, make [it] light on us; thus you speak to them, My little [finger] is thicker than the loins of my father;

Young's Literal Translation
And they speak unto him -- the lads who had grown up with him -- saying, 'Thus dost thou say to this people who have spoken unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, and thou, make it light upon us; thus dost thou speak unto them, My little finger is thicker than the loins of my father;

Smith's Literal Translation
And the children which grew up with him will speak to him, saying, Thus shalt thou say to this people who spake to thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, do thou lighten from upon us; thus shalt thou speak to them, My littleness thick above my father's loins.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the young men that had been brought up with him, said: Thus shalt thou speak to this people, who have spoken to thee, saying: Thy father made our yoke heavy, do thou ease us. Thou shalt say to them: My little finger is thicker than the back of my father.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the young men who had been raised with him, said: “You shall speak in this way to this people, who have spoken to you, saying: ‘Your father weighed down our yoke. You should relieve us.’ You shall say this to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than the back of my father.

New American Bible
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is what you must say to this people who have told you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy; you lighten it for us.’ You must say, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins.

New Revised Standard Version
The young men who had grown up with him said to him, “Thus you should say to this people who spoke to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must lighten it for us’; thus you should say to them, ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the young men who were grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shall you speak to the people who have said to you, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter for us; thus shall you say to them, My little finger is thicker than my father's thumb.So he went by another way, and did not return by the way that he came to Beth-el.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the boys who grew up with him said to him: “Thus say to the people who said to you, ”Your father hardened our yoke. You lighten it upon us.” Say to them, “My little finger is thicker than the thumb of my father.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the young men that were grown up with him spoke unto him, saying: 'Thus shalt thou say unto this people that spoke unto thee, saying: Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou speak unto them: My little finger is thicker than my father's loins.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the young men who had been brought up with him, who stood before his face, spoke to him, saying, Thus shalt thou say to this people who have spoken to thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, and do thou now lighten it from off us: thus shalt say to them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Rebellion Against Rehoboam
9He asked them, “What message do you advise that we send back to these people who have spoken to me, saying, ‘Lighten the yoke your father put on us’?” 10The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you should make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! 11Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’ ”…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 10:10-11
The young men who had grown up with him replied, “This is how you should answer these people who said to you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but you must make it lighter.’ This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! / Whereas my father burdened you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. Whereas my father scourged you with whips, I will scourge you with scorpions.’”

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 29:12
If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.

Ecclesiastes 10:16
Woe to you, O land whose king is a youth, and whose princes feast in the morning.

Isaiah 3:4-5
“I will make mere lads their leaders, and children will rule over them.” / The people will oppress one another, man against man, neighbor against neighbor; the young will rise up against the old, and the base against the honorable.

Isaiah 9:16
For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.

Jeremiah 5:31
The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?

Jeremiah 23:22
But if they had stood in My council, they would have proclaimed My words to My people and turned them back from their evil ways and deeds.”

Ezekiel 34:4
You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bound up the injured, brought back the strays, or searched for the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty.

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them aside and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave— ...

Matthew 23:4
They tie up heavy, burdensome loads and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.

Mark 10:42-45
So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. / But it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, / and whoever wants to be first must be the slave of all. ...

Luke 22:25-27
So Jesus declared, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those in authority over them call themselves benefactors. / But you shall not be like them. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. / For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines? But I am among you as one who serves.

Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.

Romans 16:18
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.


Treasury of Scripture

And the young men that were grown up with him spoke to him, saying, Thus shall you speak to this people that spoke to you, saying, Your father made our yoke heavy, but make you it lighter to us; thus shall you say to them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins.

Thus shalt thou

2 Samuel 17:7-13
And Hushai said unto Absalom, The counsel that Ahithophel hath given is not good at this time…

2 Chronicles 10:10,11
And the young men that were brought up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou answer the people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it somewhat lighter for us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father's loins…

Proverbs 10:14
Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.

Proverbs 18:6,7
A fool's lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes…

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1 Kings 12
1. The Israelites, assembled at Shechem to crown Rehoboam,
4. by Jeroboam make a suit of relaxation unto him
6. Rehoboam, refusing the old men's counsel, answers them roughly
16. Ten tribes revolting, kill Adoram, and make Rehoboam flee
21. Rehoboam, raising an army, is forbidden by Shemaiah
25. Jeroboam strengthens himself by cities
26. and by idolatry of the two calves














The young men who had grown up with him
This phrase refers to the peers of Rehoboam, Solomon's son, who ascended to the throne of Israel. The Hebrew word for "young men" is "נַעַר" (na'ar), which can denote youthfulness and inexperience. These young men, having grown up in the royal court, likely lacked the wisdom and experience of the older advisors. Their counsel reflects a lack of understanding of the burdens faced by the people, highlighting the importance of seeking wise and seasoned counsel, as emphasized in Proverbs 11:14, "Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety."

replied
The act of replying here is significant as it shows the influence of peer pressure and the echo chamber effect. Rehoboam's decision to heed the advice of his peers rather than the elders demonstrates the danger of surrounding oneself with voices that only reinforce one's own desires or biases. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking diverse perspectives and the wisdom that comes from a multitude of counselors.

This is how you should answer these people
The directive nature of this phrase indicates a prescriptive approach, suggesting a lack of empathy or understanding of the people's plight. The Hebrew root "אָמַר" (amar) for "answer" implies a declaration or command, rather than a dialogue or negotiation. This reflects a top-down leadership style that contrasts with the servant leadership model exemplified by Christ, who taught that the greatest among us should be the servant of all (Matthew 23:11).

Your father made our yoke heavy
The "yoke" symbolizes the burdens and obligations imposed by Solomon's reign, which included heavy taxation and forced labor for his grand building projects. The historical context here is crucial; Solomon's reign, while prosperous, placed significant demands on the people. The Hebrew word "עֹל" (ol) for "yoke" conveys the idea of oppression and servitude, reminiscent of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt. This serves as a reminder of the need for leaders to be mindful of the burdens they place on their people.

but you, make it lighter for us
This plea from the people reflects a desire for relief and a more compassionate governance. The Hebrew word "קַל" (qal) for "lighter" suggests ease and relief. The people's request is a call for justice and mercy, principles that are foundational in the biblical narrative. Micah 6:8 encapsulates this divine expectation: "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist
This metaphorical expression is a boastful declaration of strength and authority. The imagery of the "little finger" (Hebrew "קָטָן" - qatan) being "thicker" (Hebrew "עָבָה" - avah) than Solomon's "waist" (Hebrew "מָתְנַיִם" - motnayim) is hyperbolic, emphasizing Rehoboam's intent to assert dominance rather than show leniency. This reflects a misunderstanding of true strength, which in the biblical sense, is found in humility and service. Jesus' teaching in Matthew 20:26-28, where He states that whoever wants to become great must be a servant, stands in stark contrast to Rehoboam's approach.

(10) Thus shalt thou speak.--The advice of the young men--the spoilt children of a magnificent and luxurious despotism, of which alone they had experience--is the language of the arrogant self-confidence, which mistakes obstinacy for vigour, and, blind to all signs of the times, supposes that what once was possible, and perhaps good for the national progress, must last for ever. It is couched in needlessly and absurdly offensive language; but it is, as all history shows--perhaps not least the history of our own Stuart dynasty--a not unfrequent policy in revolutionary times; holding that to yield in one point is to endanger the whole fabric of sovereign power; relying on the prestige of an authority proudly confident in itself; and trusting to cow by threats the classes long subject to despotic oppression, and despised accordingly by those who wield it. It can succeed only when the popular disaffection is superficial, or when a nation is wearied out with revolutionary fanaticism and failure.

Verse 10. - And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people [There is a certain amount of contemptuousness in the expression (cf. St. John 7:49) ] that spake unto thee [The repetition, "speak, spake," is probably not undesigned. It suggests the idea of retaliation, or that it was a piece of presumption on their part to have spoken at all], saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us [lit., from upon us]; thus shalt thou say unto them [This iteration is expressive of determination and resentment. We may read between the lines, "I would make short work with them, and teach them a lesson they will not forget"], My little finger ["Finger" is not in the original, but the meaning is indisputable] shall be [or is, עָבָה, strictly, was thicker. The LXX. has simply παχυτέρα] thicker than my father's loins. [A figurative and perhaps proverbial expression. The sense is clear. "My hand shall be heavier than my father's, my force greater than his, my weakness even stronger than his strength." The counsel of the young men is full of flattery, which would be acceptable to a young king.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The young men
הַיְלָדִים֙ (hay·lā·ḏîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3206: Something born, a lad, offspring

who
אֲשֶׁ֨ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

had grown up
גָּדְל֣וּ (gā·ḏə·lū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1431: To grow up, become great

with him
אִתּוֹ֮ (’it·tōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 854: Nearness, near, with, by, at, among

replied,
וַיְדַבְּר֣וּ (way·ḏab·bə·rū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

“This is how
כֹּֽה־ (kōh-)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

you should answer
תֹאמַ֣ר (ṯō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

these
הַזֶּ֡ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

people
לָעָ֣ם (lā·‘ām)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

who
אֲשֶׁר֩ (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

said
דִּבְּר֨וּ (dib·bə·rū)
Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

to you,
אֵלָ֗יו (’ê·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘Your father
אָבִ֙יךָ֙ (’ā·ḇî·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

made our yoke
עֻלֵּ֔נוּ (‘ul·lê·nū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common plural
Strong's 5923: A yoke

heavy,
הִכְבִּ֣יד (hiḵ·bîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3513: To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome

but you
וְאַתָּ֖ה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

should make it lighter.’
הָקֵ֣ל (hā·qêl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7043: To be slight, swift or trifling

This is what
כֹּ֚ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

you should tell
תְּדַבֵּ֣ר (tə·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

them:
אֲלֵיהֶ֔ם (’ă·lê·hem)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

‘My little finger
קָֽטָנִּ֥י (qā·ṭān·nî)
Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 6995: A pettiness, the little finger

is thicker
עָבָ֖ה (‘ā·ḇāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5666: To be thick, fat, or gross

than my father’s
אָבִֽי׃ (’ā·ḇî)
Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 1: Father

waist!
מִמָּתְנֵ֥י (mim·mā·ṯə·nê)
Preposition-m | Noun - mdc
Strong's 4975: The waist, small of the back, the loins


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OT History: 1 Kings 12:10 The young men who had grown up (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 12:9
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