1 Kings 8:5
New International Version
and King Solomon and the entire assembly of Israel that had gathered about him were before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and cattle that they could not be recorded or counted.

New Living Translation
There, before the Ark, King Solomon and the entire community of Israel sacrificed so many sheep, goats, and cattle that no one could keep count!

English Standard Version
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

Berean Standard Bible
There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

King James Bible
And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

New King James Version
Also King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who were assembled with him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude.

New American Standard Bible
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were gathered together to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

NASB 1995
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen they could not be counted or numbered.

NASB 1977
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen they could not be counted or numbered.

Legacy Standard Bible
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who congregated to him being with him before the ark, were sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

Amplified Bible
King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, so many that they could not be counted or numbered.

Christian Standard Bible
King Solomon and the entire congregation of Israel, who had gathered around him and were with him in front of the ark, were sacrificing sheep, goats, and cattle that could not be counted or numbered, because there were so many.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
King Solomon and the entire congregation of Israel, who had gathered around him and were with him in front of the ark, were sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted or numbered, because there were so many.

American Standard Version
And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.

Contemporary English Version
Solomon and a crowd of people stood in front of the chest and sacrificed more sheep and cattle than could be counted.

English Revised Version
And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
while King Solomon with the whole assembly from Israel were offering countless sheep and cattle sacrifices in front of the ark.

Good News Translation
King Solomon and all the people of Israel assembled in front of the Covenant Box and sacrificed a large number of sheep and cattle--too many to count.

International Standard Version
King Solomon and the entire congregation of Israel that had assembled to be with him stood in front of the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they were neither counted nor inventoried.

Majority Standard Bible
There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

NET Bible
Now King Solomon and all the Israelites who had assembled with him went on ahead of the ark and sacrificed more sheep and cattle than could be counted or numbered.

New Heart English Bible
King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted nor numbered for multitude.

Webster's Bible Translation
And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

World English Bible
King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle that could not be counted or numbered for multitude.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel who are assembled to him [are] with him before the Ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that are not counted nor numbered for multitude.

Young's Literal Translation
And king Solomon and all the company of Israel who are met unto him are with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that are not counted nor numbered for multitude.

Smith's Literal Translation
And king Solomon and all the assembly of Israel assembled together to him, with him before the ark sacrificing sheep and oxen which shall not be counted and shall not be numbered for multitude.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And king Solomon, and all the multitude of Israel, that were assembled unto him went with him before the ark, and they sacrificed sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then king Solomon, and the entire multitude of Israel, who had assembled before him, advanced with him before the ark. And they immolated sheep and oxen, which could not be numbered or estimated.

New American Bible
King Solomon and the entire community of Israel, gathered for the occasion before the ark, sacrificed sheep and oxen too many to number or count.

New Revised Standard Version
King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who had assembled before him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled to him were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen that could not be counted or numbered for multitude.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel that were assembled to him stood with him in front of the Ark, and they sacrificed sheep and bulls that were not counted and were not computed for their multitude
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the king and all Israel were occupied before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, without number.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ark Enters the Temple
4and they brought up the ark of the LORD and the Tent of Meeting with all its sacred furnishings. So the priests and Levites carried them up. 5There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered. 6Then the priests brought the ark of the covenant of the LORD to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, beneath the wings of the cherubim.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 5:6
There, before the ark, King Solomon and the whole congregation of Israel who had assembled with him sacrificed so many sheep and oxen that they could not be counted or numbered.

Exodus 40:29
He placed the altar of burnt offering near the entrance to the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the grain offering, just as the LORD had commanded him.

Leviticus 1:3-9
If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he is to present an unblemished male. He must bring it to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting for its acceptance before the LORD. / He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, so it can be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. / And he shall slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and Aaron’s sons the priests are to present the blood and splatter it on all sides of the altar at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting. ...

Numbers 7:3
They brought as their offering before the LORD six covered carts and twelve oxen—an ox from each leader and a cart from every two leaders—and presented them before the tabernacle.

2 Samuel 6:13
When those carrying the ark of the LORD had advanced six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf.

1 Chronicles 15:26
And because God helped the Levites who were carrying the ark of the covenant of the LORD, they sacrificed seven bulls and seven rams.

2 Chronicles 7:4-5
Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. / And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the people dedicated the house of God.

Hebrews 9:21-22
In the same way, he sprinkled with blood the tabernacle and all the vessels used in worship. / According to the law, in fact, nearly everything must be purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

1 Kings 3:4
Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for it was the great high place. Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on the altar there.

1 Chronicles 29:21
The next day they offered sacrifices and presented burnt offerings to the LORD: a thousand bulls, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, along with their drink offerings, and other sacrifices in abundance for all Israel.

2 Chronicles 29:31-36
Then Hezekiah said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the LORD.” So the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all whose hearts were willing brought burnt offerings. / The number of burnt offerings the assembly brought was seventy bulls, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. / And the consecrated offerings were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep. ...

Psalm 50:5
“Gather to Me My saints, who made a covenant with Me by sacrifice.”

Hebrews 10:1-4
For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves. It can never, by the same sacrifices offered year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. / If it could, would not the offerings have ceased? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt the guilt of their sins. / Instead, those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, ...

Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.

1 Peter 2:5
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.


Treasury of Scripture

And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

sacrificing sheep

1 Kings 8:62,63
And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD…

2 Samuel 6:13
And it was so, that when they that bare the ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings.

1 Chronicles 16:1
So they brought the ark of God, and set it in the midst of the tent that David had pitched for it: and they offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings before God.

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Ark Assembled Assembly Cattle Company Congregation Counted Entire Gathered Israel Making Met Multitude Numbered Offerings Oxen Recorded Sacrificing Sheep Solomon Together
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Ark Assembled Assembly Cattle Company Congregation Counted Entire Gathered Israel Making Met Multitude Numbered Offerings Oxen Recorded Sacrificing Sheep Solomon Together
1 Kings 8
1. The feast of the temple
12. Solomon's blessing
22. Solomon's prayer
54. Solomon's blessing
62. His sacrifice of peace offerings














There, before the ark
The "ark" refers to the Ark of the Covenant, a sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, Aaron's rod, and a pot of manna. In Hebrew, the word for ark is "aron," which signifies a chest or box. The Ark symbolized God's presence among His people and was central to Israelite worship. Its placement in the newly built temple signified the culmination of God's promise to dwell among His people. The reverence shown by Solomon and the Israelites underscores the Ark's significance as a divine throne, a place where heaven and earth meet.

King Solomon
Solomon, the son of David, was chosen by God to build the temple in Jerusalem. His name in Hebrew, "Shlomo," is derived from "shalom," meaning peace. Solomon's reign was marked by peace and prosperity, allowing him to focus on constructing the temple. His leadership in this event highlights his role as a mediator between God and Israel, fulfilling his father David's vision and God's covenantal promise.

and the whole congregation of Israel
The "whole congregation" indicates the unity and collective participation of the Israelites in this sacred event. The Hebrew term "qahal" refers to an assembly or gathering, emphasizing the communal aspect of worship. This gathering represents the entire nation coming together in a shared act of devotion, reflecting the covenant relationship between God and His people.

who had assembled with him
The act of assembling signifies intentional gathering for a purpose. The Hebrew root "asaph" means to gather or collect. This assembly was not just a physical gathering but a spiritual unification under God's covenant. It demonstrates the importance of community in worship and the collective acknowledgment of God's sovereignty.

were sacrificing so many sheep and oxen
Sacrifices were central to Israelite worship, symbolizing atonement, thanksgiving, and dedication to God. The Hebrew word for sacrifice, "zebach," implies an offering that is pleasing to God. The abundance of sacrifices reflects the people's gratitude and reverence. Sheep and oxen were common sacrificial animals, representing wealth and devotion. This act of sacrifice was a tangible expression of worship and submission to God's will.

that they could not be counted or numbered
The phrase "could not be counted or numbered" emphasizes the magnitude and extravagance of the offerings. In Hebrew, "mispar" means number, and the inability to count signifies overwhelming abundance. This hyperbolic expression highlights the people's generosity and the limitless nature of their devotion. It serves as a reminder of God's infinite grace and the boundless gratitude of His people.

(5) Sacrificing.--This inaugural sacrifice corresponded on a grand scale to the ceremonial of the day, when David brought up the ark to Zion. "When they that bare the ark of the Lord had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings," "seven bullocks and seven rams" (2Samuel 6:13; 1Chronicles 15:26). It was offered "before the ark," either as it left Mount Zion, or on arrival in the Temple, before it passed out of sight into the oracle.

Verse 5. - And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him were with him; before the ark [Prayers and sacrifices alike were offered toward the mercy seat (Psalm 28:2; cf. Exodus 25:22) ], sacrificing sheep and oxen [apparently the ark festal en route (cf. 2 Samuel 6:18) whilst the sacrifices were offered. The object of the sacrifice was to testify the grateful joy of the people at the proximate realization of their hopes. There may have been also in the background the idea of averting the Divine anger, of making a propitiation for possible errors and imperfections in their service. There were tragedies connected with the removal of the ark in time past (1 Samuel 4:17; 1 Samuel 6:19; 2 Samuel 6:7) which, we may be sure, were not altogether forgotten on this occasion] that could not be told or numbered for multitude. [Cf. 2 Samuel 6:13. But the sacrifices on that occasion were on a much smaller scale (1 Chronicles 15:26). Josephus adds (Ant. 8:04. 1), that a vast quantity of incense was burnt, and that men preceded the ark, singing and dancing, until it reached its destination].

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There, before
לִפְנֵ֣י (lip̄·nê)
Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the ark,
הָֽאָר֑וֹן (hā·’ā·rō·wn)
Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 727: A chest, ark

King
וְהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ (wə·ham·me·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

and all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the congregation
עֲדַ֤ת (‘ă·ḏaṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 5712: A stated assemblage

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

who had assembled
הַנּוֹעָדִ֣ים (han·nō·w·‘ā·ḏîm)
Article | Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 3259: To fix upon, to meet, to summon, to direct, to engage

with him
עָלָ֔יו (‘ā·lāw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

sacrificed
מְזַבְּחִים֙ (mə·zab·bə·ḥîm)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2076: To slaughter for sacrifice

so many
מֵרֹֽב׃ (mê·rōḇ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

sheep
צֹ֣אן (ṣōn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6629: Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock

and oxen
וּבָקָ֔ר (ū·ḇā·qār)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

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

they could not
לֹֽא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be counted
יִסָּפְר֛וּ (yis·sā·p̄ə·rū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5608: To count, recount, relate

or numbered.
יִמָּנ֖וּ (yim·mā·nū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4487: To weigh out, to allot, constitute officially, to enumerate, enroll


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OT History: 1 Kings 8:5 King Solomon and all the congregation (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:4
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