Lectionary Calendar
Sunday, December 21st, 2025
the Fourth Week of Advent
the Fourth Week of Advent
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Douay-Rheims Bible
1 Kings 4:20
Juda and Israel were innumerable, as the sand of the sea in multitude; eating and drinking, and rejoicing.
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- CondensedParallel Translations
Christian Standard Bible®
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea; they were eating, drinking, and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea; they were eating, drinking, and rejoicing.
Hebrew Names Version
Yehudah and Yisra'el were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Yehudah and Yisra'el were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
King James Version
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
English Standard Version
Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy.
Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea. They ate and drank and were happy.
New Century Version
There were as many people in Judah and Israel as grains of sand on the seashore. The people ate, drank, and were happy.
There were as many people in Judah and Israel as grains of sand on the seashore. The people ate, drank, and were happy.
New English Translation
The people of Judah and Israel were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore; they had plenty to eat and drink and were happy.
The people of Judah and Israel were as innumerable as the sand on the seashore; they had plenty to eat and drink and were happy.
Amplified Bible
[The people of] Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is in abundance by the sea; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
[The people of] Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is in abundance by the sea; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
New American Standard Bible
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating, drinking, and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating, drinking, and rejoicing.
Geneva Bible (1587)
Iudah and Israel were many, as the sand of the sea in number, eating, drinking, and making merry.
Iudah and Israel were many, as the sand of the sea in number, eating, drinking, and making merry.
Legacy Standard Bible
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and being glad.
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and being glad.
Contemporary English Version
There were so many people living in Judah and Israel while Solomon was king that they seemed like grains of sand on a beach. Everyone had enough to eat and drink, and they were happy.
There were so many people living in Judah and Israel while Solomon was king that they seemed like grains of sand on a beach. Everyone had enough to eat and drink, and they were happy.
Complete Jewish Bible
Y'hudah and Isra'el were as numerous as sand grains on the seashore; they ate, drank and enjoyed themselves.
Y'hudah and Isra'el were as numerous as sand grains on the seashore; they ate, drank and enjoyed themselves.
Darby Translation
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Easy-to-Read Version
In Judah and Israel there were as many people as sand on the seashore. The people were happy and had plenty to eat and drink.
In Judah and Israel there were as many people as sand on the seashore. The people were happy and had plenty to eat and drink.
George Lamsa Translation
Judah and Israel were as many in multitude as the sand which is by the sea; they ate and drank and made merry.
Judah and Israel were as many in multitude as the sand which is by the sea; they ate and drank and made merry.
Good News Translation
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore; they ate and drank, and were happy.
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the grains of sand on the seashore; they ate and drank, and were happy.
Lexham English Bible
Judah and Israel were as many as the sand which is on the seashore in abundance, eating and drinking and rejoicing!
Judah and Israel were as many as the sand which is on the seashore in abundance, eating and drinking and rejoicing!
Literal Translation
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand by the sea in multitude; eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand by the sea in multitude; eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
As for Iuda and Israel, they were in nombre as the sonde of the see, and ate and dronke, and were mery.
As for Iuda and Israel, they were in nombre as the sonde of the see, and ate and dronke, and were mery.
American Standard Version
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Bible in Basic English
Judah and Israel were as great in number as the sand by the seaside, and they took their food and drink with joy in their hearts.
Judah and Israel were as great in number as the sand by the seaside, and they took their food and drink with joy in their hearts.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And Iuda and Israel were many [euen] as the sande of the sea in numbre, eating, drincking, and making mery.
And Iuda and Israel were many [euen] as the sande of the sea in numbre, eating, drincking, and making mery.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
King James Version (1611)
Iudah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merrie.
Iudah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merrie.
English Revised Version
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Berean Standard Bible
Judah and Israel became as numerous as the sand by the sea, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel became as numerous as the sand by the sea, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
Juda and Israel weren vnnoumbrable, as the soond of the see in multitude, etynge, and drynkynge, and beynge glad.
Juda and Israel weren vnnoumbrable, as the soond of the see in multitude, etynge, and drynkynge, and beynge glad.
Young's Literal Translation
Judah and Israel [are] many, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel [are] many, as the sand that [is] by the sea for multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Update Bible Version
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Webster's Bible Translation
Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry.
World English Bible
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
Judah and Israel were many as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and making merry.
New King James Version
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.
New Living Translation
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They were very contented, with plenty to eat and drink.
The people of Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand on the seashore. They were very contented, with plenty to eat and drink.
New Life Bible
There were many people in Judah and Israel, as much as the sand beside the sea. They were eating and drinking and full of joy.
There were many people in Judah and Israel, as much as the sand beside the sea. They were eating and drinking and full of joy.
New Revised Standard
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea; they ate and drank and were happy.
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea; they ate and drank and were happy.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Judah and Israel, were many, as the sand that is by the sea, for multitude, - eating and drinking, and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel, were many, as the sand that is by the sea, for multitude, - eating and drinking, and rejoicing.
Revised Standard Version
Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea; they ate and drank and were happy.
Judah and Israel were as many as the sand by the sea; they ate and drank and were happy.
THE MESSAGE
Judah and Israel were densely populated—like sand on an ocean beach! All their needs were met; they ate and drank and were happy. Solomon was sovereign over all the kingdoms from the River Euphrates in the east to the country of the Philistines in the west, all the way to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and were vassals of Solomon all his life.
Judah and Israel were densely populated—like sand on an ocean beach! All their needs were met; they ate and drank and were happy. Solomon was sovereign over all the kingdoms from the River Euphrates in the east to the country of the Philistines in the west, all the way to the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and were vassals of Solomon all his life.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand that is on the seashore in abundance; they were eating and drinking and rejoicing.
Contextual Overview
20 Juda and Israel were innumerable, as the sand of the sea in multitude; eating and drinking, and rejoicing. 21 And Solomon had under him all the kingdoms, from the river to the land of the Philistines, even to the border of Egypt: and they brought him presents, and served him all the days of his life. 22 And the provision of Solomon, for each day, was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal; 23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty out of the pastures, and a hundred rams; besides venison of harts, roes, and buffles, and fatted fowls. 24 For he had all the country which was beyond the river, from Thaphsa to Gazan, and all the kings of those countries: and he had peace on every side round about. 25 And Juda, and Israel, dwelt without any fear, every one under his vine, and under his fig tree, from Dan to Bersabee, all the days of Solomon. 26 And Solomon had forty thousand stalls of chariot horses, and twelve thousand for the saddle. 27 And the foresaid governors of the king fed them; and they furnished the necessaries also for king Solomon’s table, with great care, in their time. 28 They brought barley also, and straw for the horses and beasts, to the place where the king was, according as it was appointed them.
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
as the sand: 1 Kings 3:8, Genesis 13:16, Genesis 15:5, Genesis 22:17, Proverbs 14:28
eating: 1 Samuel 30:16, 1 Chronicles 12:39, Job 1:18, Psalms 72:3-7, Ecclesiastes 2:24, Isaiah 22:13, Micah 4:4, Zechariah 3:10, Zechariah 9:15, Acts 2:46
Reciprocal: Genesis 49:11 - he washed Numbers 1:46 - General Joshua 11:4 - as the sand 2 Samuel 17:11 - as the sand 1 Kings 4:29 - as the sand 1 Kings 12:4 - our yoke 2 Kings 18:31 - eat ye 1 Chronicles 22:9 - I will give 2 Chronicles 10:4 - grievous Psalms 68:13 - the wings Psalms 72:16 - of the city Psalms 80:9 - and it Isaiah 10:22 - though thy Isaiah 36:16 - eat ye Jeremiah 22:15 - eat Zechariah 10:8 - and they Hebrews 11:12 - as the sand Revelation 20:8 - the number
Cross-References
Genesis 4:2
And again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, and Cain a husbandman.
And again she brought forth his brother Abel. And Abel was a shepherd, and Cain a husbandman.
Genesis 4:4
Abel also offered of the firstlings of his flock, and of their fat: and the Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offerings.
Abel also offered of the firstlings of his flock, and of their fat: and the Lord had respect to Abel, and to his offerings.
Genesis 4:5
But to Cain and his offerings he had no respect: and Cain was exceeding angry, and his countenance fell.
But to Cain and his offerings he had no respect: and Cain was exceeding angry, and his countenance fell.
Genesis 4:9
And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered: I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?
And the Lord said to Cain: Where is thy brother Abel? And he answered: I know not: am I my brother’s keeper?
Genesis 4:10
And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth to me from the earth.
And he said to him: What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth to me from the earth.
Genesis 4:11
Now therefore cursed shalt thou be upon the earth, which hath opened her mouth and received the blood of thy brother at thy hand.
Now therefore cursed shalt thou be upon the earth, which hath opened her mouth and received the blood of thy brother at thy hand.
Genesis 4:12
When thou shalt till it, it shall not yield to thee its fruit: a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be upon the earth.
When thou shalt till it, it shall not yield to thee its fruit: a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be upon the earth.
Genesis 4:21
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of them that play upon the harp and the organs.
And his brother’s name was Jubal: he was the father of them that play upon the harp and the organs.
Genesis 25:27
And when they were grown up, Esau became a skilful hunter, and a husbandman: but Jacob, a plain man, dwelt in tents.
And when they were grown up, Esau became a skilful hunter, and a husbandman: but Jacob, a plain man, dwelt in tents.
John 8:44
You are of your father the devil: and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning: and he stood not in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
You are of your father the devil: and the desires of your father you will do. He was a murderer from the beginning: and he stood not in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
Judah and Israel [were] many, as the sand which [is] by the sea in multitude,.... Being blessed with great fruitfulness in their families, and having no pestilential disease among them, nor wars to lessen their number, and so the promise to Abraham was fulfilled, Genesis 22:17; and which was an emblem of Christ's spiritual subjects, especially in the latter day, whom Solomon was a type of, see Hosea 1:10;
eating, and drinking, and making merry; having a large increase of the fruits of the earth, and in no fear of any enemies; expressive of the spiritual joy of believers in the kingdom of Christ, and under the word and ordinances, Song of Solomon 2:3.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
There is some doubt about the proper arrangement of the remainder of this chapter. The best alteration, if we alter the Hebrew order at all, would be to place 1 Kings 4:20-21 after 1 Kings 4:25.
Many ... - See 1 Kings 3:8 note; and compare Psalms 127:1-5, which is traditionally ascribed to Solomon, and which celebrates the populousness and security of Israel in his day.
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Kings 4:20. Eating and drinking, and making merry. — They were very comfortable, very rich, very merry, and very corrupt. And this full feeding and dissipation led to a total corruption of manners.
