1 Kings 16:24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill.

◄ 1 Kings 16:24 ►

New International Version
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city on the hill, calling it Samaria, after Shemer, the name of the former owner of the hill.

New Living Translation
Then Omri bought the hill now known as Samaria from its owner, Shemer, for 150 pounds of silver. He built a city on it and called the city Samaria in honor of Shemer.

English Standard Version
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

Berean Standard Bible
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill.

King James Bible
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.

New King James Version
And he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; then he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, Samaria, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill.

New American Standard Bible
And he purchased the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

NASB 1995
He bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

NASB 1977
And he bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

Amplified Bible
Omri bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he built a city on the hill [and fortified it], and named the city which he built Samaria, after the owner of the hill, Shemer.

Christian Standard Bible
then he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for 150 pounds of silver, and he built up the hill. He named the city he built Samaria based on the name Shemer, the owner of the hill.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
then he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for 150 pounds of silver, and he built up the hill. He named the city he built Samaria based on the name Shemer, the owner of the hill.

American Standard Version
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria.

Contemporary English Version
then he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for 6,000 pieces of silver. He built a town there and named it Samaria, after Shemer who had owned the hill.

English Revised Version
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Omri bought a hill from Shemer for 150 pounds of silver. He fortified the hill and built the city of Samaria on it. He named the city after its former owner, Shemer.

Good News Translation
and then he bought the hill of Samaria for six thousand pieces of silver from a man named Shemer. Omri fortified the hill, built a town there, and named it Samaria, after Shemer, the former owner of the hill.

International Standard Version
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, fortified the hill, and named the city Samaria after Shemer, the former owner of the hill.

Majority Standard Bible
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill.

NET Bible
He purchased the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver. He launched a construction project there and named the city he built after Shemer, the former owner of the hill of Samaria.

New Heart English Bible
He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.

World English Bible
He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
and he buys the Mount of Samaria from Shemer with two talents of silver, and builds [on] the mountain, and calls the name of the city that he has built by the name of Shemer, lord of the hill—Samaria.

Young's Literal Translation
and he buyeth the mount Samaria from Shemer, with two talents of silver, and buildeth on the mount, and calleth the name of the city that he hath built by the name of Shemer, lord of the hill -- Samaria.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will buy the mountain Shomeron of Shomer with two talents of silver, and he will build the mountain, and call the name of the city which he built after the name of Shomer, lord of the mountain Shomeron.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And he bought the hill of Samaria of Semer for two talents of silver: and he built upon it, and he called the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Semer the owner of the hill.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he bought the mount of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver. And he built upon it, and he called the name of the city that he had built, Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the mount.

New American Bible
He then bought the mountain of Samaria from Shemer for two silver talents and built upon the mountain the city he named Samaria, after Shemer, the former owner.

New Revised Standard Version
He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; he fortified the hill, and called the city that he built, Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for one talent of silver, and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill of Samaria.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he bought the mountain of Samaria from Shamir with a talent of silver and he built on the mountain, and he called the name of the city that he built by the name of Shamir, the Lord of the Mountain of Samaria.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ambri bought the mount Semeron of Semer the lord of the mountain for two talents of silver; and he built upon the mountain, and they called the name of the mountain on which he built, after the name of Semer the lord of the mount, Semeron.

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

Omri Reigns in Israel
…23In the thirty-first year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned twelve years, six of them in Tirzah. 24He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill. 25But Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD and acted more wickedly than all who were before him.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

2 Samuel 5:7
Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

2 Samuel 24:18-25
And that day Gad came to David and said to him, “Go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.” / So David went up at the word of Gad, just as the LORD had commanded. / When Araunah looked out and saw the king and his servants coming toward him, he went out and bowed facedown before the king. ...

1 Chronicles 11:4-5
Then David and all the Israelites marched to Jerusalem (that is, Jebus), where the Jebusites inhabited the land. / The people of Jebus said to David, “You will never get in here.” Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion (that is, the City of David).

1 Chronicles 21:18-26
Then the angel of the LORD ordered Gad to tell David to go up and build an altar to the LORD on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. / So David went up at the word that Gad had spoken in the name of the LORD. / Now Ornan was threshing wheat when he turned and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves. ...

Joshua 18:28
Zelah, Haeleph, Jebus (that is, Jerusalem), Gibeah, and Kiriath-jearim—fourteen cities, along with their villages. This was the inheritance of the clans of the tribe of Benjamin.

Judges 1:21
The Benjamites, however, failed to drive out the Jebusites living in Jerusalem. So to this day the Jebusites live there among the Benjamites.

2 Kings 21:13
I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a bowl—wiping it and turning it upside down.

2 Kings 23:13
The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

Nehemiah 11:4
while some of the descendants of Judah and Benjamin settled in Jerusalem.) From the descendants of Judah: Athaiah son of Uzziah, the son of Zechariah, the son of Amariah, the son of Shephatiah, the son of Mahalalel, a descendant of Perez;

Psalm 48:2
Beautiful in loftiness, the joy of all the earth, like the peaks of Zaphon is Mount Zion, the city of the great King.

Psalm 87:2
The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.

Isaiah 29:1
Woe to you, O Ariel, the city of Ariel where David camped! Year upon year let your festivals recur.

Isaiah 31:5
Like birds hovering overhead, so the LORD of Hosts will protect Jerusalem. He will shield it and deliver it; He will pass over it and preserve it.”

Jeremiah 6:6
For this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Cut down the trees and raise a siege ramp against Jerusalem. This city must be punished; there is nothing but oppression in her midst.

Matthew 5:35
or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.

Treasury of Scripture

And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.

the name of the city

1 Kings 13:32
For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which are in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.

1 Kings 18:2
And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And there was a sore famine in Samaria.

1 Kings 20:1
And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.

Samaria [heb] Shomeron

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Bought Buildeth Building Built Buyeth City Former Fortified Hill Mount Naming Owner Price Samaria Sama'ria Shemer Silver Talents

1 Kings 16

1. Jehu's prophecy against Baasha
5. Elah succeeds him
8. Zimri, conspiring against Elah, succeeds him
11. Zimri executes Jehu's prophecy
15. Omri, made king by the soldiers, forces Zimri desperately to burn himself
21. The kingdom being divided, Omri prevails against Tibni
23. Omri builds Samaria
25. His wicked reign
27. Ahab succeeds him
29. Ahab's most wicked reign
34. Joshua's curse upon Hiel the builder of Jericho

Berean Study Bible

He bought the hill of Samaria
This phrase introduces us to the significant action of King Omri, who is purchasing a strategic location. The Hebrew word for "bought" is "קָנָה" (qanah), which implies a transaction of ownership, indicating a deliberate and purposeful acquisition. The "hill of Samaria" is geographically significant, offering a defensible position and a central location in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This purchase marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as Samaria becomes the capital and a symbol of Omri's reign.

from Shemer
The name "Shemer" is crucial as it connects the land to its previous owner. In Hebrew, "שֶׁמֶר" (Shemer) can mean "preserved" or "guarded," which may reflect the nature of the land or its previous use. The mention of Shemer personalizes the transaction and roots the narrative in a real historical context, emphasizing the continuity and change in the land's ownership.

for two talents of silver
The "two talents of silver" represent a significant sum, indicating the value and importance of the land. In ancient times, silver was a common medium of exchange, and a talent was a large unit of weight, approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilograms. This detail underscores the economic and strategic investment Omri made in securing this location, reflecting his ambition and foresight as a ruler.

and built a city there
The act of building a city signifies the establishment of a new center of power and governance. The Hebrew word "בָּנָה" (banah) means to build or establish, suggesting not just physical construction but also the creation of a new political and cultural hub. This city would become the heart of the Northern Kingdom, influencing its history and identity.

calling it Samaria
Naming the city "Samaria" after the hill and its previous owner, Shemer, reflects a common ancient practice of naming places after prominent individuals or features. The name "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן, Shomron) would become synonymous with the Northern Kingdom itself, representing its political and religious identity. This act of naming signifies authority and the beginning of a new era under Omri's leadership.

after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill
This phrase ties the new city to its historical roots, acknowledging the previous ownership and perhaps honoring Shemer's legacy. It highlights the continuity between past and present, as well as the transformation brought about by Omri's reign. The acknowledgment of Shemer's name in the city's identity suggests a respect for history and the significance of land ownership in Israel's narrative.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(24) Built on the hill.--Omri only followed the usual practice of a new dynasty in the East, of which Jeroboam had set an example at Shechem, and probably Baasha at Tirzah. Possibly the seeds of disaffection may have still lurked in Tirzah, the place of Zimri's conspiracy, and (as has been conjectured) of Tibni's rival power. But the site of Samaria must have been chosen by a soldier's eye. Its Hebrew name (Shomeron) means a "watch-tower," and may well have had a double derivation, from its natural position, as well as from its owner's name. Its position was one of great beauty, and, in the warfare of those days, of singular strength, as is shown by the long sieges which it withstood (1Kings 20:1; 2Kings 6:24; 2Kings 17:5; 2Kings 18:9-10). It lay north-west of Shechem, on an isolated hill with precipitous sides, rising in the middle of a basin of the hills of Ephraim, not far from the edge of the maritime plain, and commanding a view of the sea. Its history vindicated the sagacity of its founder. Even after its destruction and depopulation by the Assyrians, it seems to have revived, for Alexander took it on his invasion of Palestine, and placed a Greek colony there. Again destroyed by John Hyrcanus, it was rebuilt by Herod, and called Sebaste, in honour of Augustus. In the Assyrian inscriptions it is known as Beth-Khumri ("the house of Omri").

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 24. ? And he bought [i.e., after the six years just mentioned. During the four years of anarchy Omri would seem to have retained possession of the capital which he had taken (ver. 18) on Zimri's death. But the palace being burnt and the defences perhaps weakened by the siege, he determined, rather than rebuild it, to found a capital elsewhere] the hill Samaria [Heb. Shomeron, called by Herod Sebaste, whence its modern name Sebustieh. In his selection of Samaria for the seat of government, Omri acted with singular judgment. It has been said that "Shechem is the natural capital of Palestine," and no doubt it enjoys a commanding position and great advantages, but Samaria has even superior recommendations. It is a site with which no traveller can fail to be deeply impressed. Even Van de Velde, who says, "I do not agree with Dr. Robinson and other writers who follow him that the mountain of Samaria presents so admirable a combination of strength, fertility, and beauty, that the like is hardly to be found in Palestine" (vol. 1. pp. 374, 375), nevertheless readily allows its superiority to Tirzah, and remarks on the strength of its position. "Many travellers have expressed a conviction that the spot was in most respects much preferable to the site of Jerusalem" (Kitto). It is a large oval or oblong mound, with a level surface, adapted for buildings, with steep sides to make its position impregnable, and surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills. "Samaria is in a position of great strength., and must before the invention of gunpowder have been almost impregnable. It stands some 400 feet above the valley, the sides of the hill being steep and terraced in every direction for cultivation, or perhaps for defensive purposes.. broad and open valleys stretch north and south, and the hill is thus almost isolated," Conder, p. 47, who adds, "Strategical reasons may be supposed to have dictated the choice of the capital of Omri, for on the north the hill commands the main road to Jezreel over a steep pass, on the west it dominates the road to the coast, and on the east that to the Jordan" (p. 49). Grove (Dict. Bib. 3:1099) speaks of "the singular beauty of the spot," and Stanley ("Jewish Church" it. p. 284) justly sees in the selection of this spot a proof of Omri's sagacity. But perhaps the best proof is that which the subsequent history supplies. Shechem and Tirzah had each been tried, and each in turn had been abandoned. But Samaria continued to be the capital so long as the kingdom lasted] of Shemer for two talents of silver [variously estimated at £500 and £800. This purchase, obviously of the freehold, i.e., in perpetuity, was in contravention of the law of Leviticus 25:23. David had bought the threshing floor of Ornan, but that was

(1) from a Jebusite, and

(2) for a high religious purpose (2 Samuel 24:24).

It has been suggested that this purchase may have inspired Ahab with the idea of buying the vineyard of Naboth], and built on [Heb. built] the hill and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria. [It is not improbable that the vendor bargained that the land should retain his name (cf. Psalm 49:11). The reluctance of the Israelite to part with his patrimony, even to the king, is brought out very strikingly in ch. 21. Shemer, in selling his choice parcel of land for a capital, might well wish to connect his name with it. The fact that שֹׁמְרון means watch mountain (Gesen.), and that we should have expected a name formed from Shemer to take the form Shimron - Shomeron would strictly imply an original Shomer - is not by any means a proof that our historian is at fault in his derivation. For, in the first place, the names Shomer and Shemer are used of the same person in 1 Chronicles 7:32, 34. And secondly, nothing would be more in accordance with Jewish ideas than that Omri, in naming the hill after its owner, should give a turn to the word which would also express at the same time its characteristic feature. A pun, or play upon word, was the form which wit assumed amongst the Semitic races (as, indeed, is the case still, see Conder, p. 801), and the form Shomeron would at once perpetuate the memory of Shemer, and express the hope and purpose of Omri. It is a curious fact that the later Samaritans did play upon this very word, representing themselves as guardians (שֹּׁמְרִים) of the law (Ewald). The Greek form of the name, Σαμάρεια, would seem to have been derived through the Chaldee שִׁמְרָיִן as found in Ezra 4:10, 17.]

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

He bought
וַיִּ֜קֶן (way·yi·qen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

the hill
הָהָ֥ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

of Samaria
שֹׁמְר֛וֹן (šō·mə·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

from
מֵ֥אֶת (mê·’eṯ)
Preposition | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

Shemer
שֶׁ֖מֶר (še·mer)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8106: Shemer -- three Israelites

for two talents
בְּכִכְּרַ֣יִם (bə·ḵik·kə·ra·yim)
Preposition-b | Noun - fd
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

of silver
כָּ֑סֶף (kā·sep̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

and built [a city]
וַיִּ֙בֶן֙ (way·yi·ḇen)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1129: To build

[there],
הָהָ֔ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

calling
וַיִּקְרָ֗א (way·yiq·rā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read

[it]
הָעִיר֙ (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

Samaria
שֹׁמְרֽוֹן׃ (šō·mə·rō·wn)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8111: Samaria -- capital of northern kingdom of Israel

after
עַ֣ל (‘al)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the name
שֶׁם־ (šem-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8034: A name

of Shemer,
שֶׁ֔מֶר (še·mer)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8106: Shemer -- three Israelites

who had owned
אֲדֹנֵ֖י (’ă·ḏō·nê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 113: Sovereign, controller

the hill.
הָהָ֥ר (hā·hār)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

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OT History: 1 Kings 16:24 He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)