Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
5:17-18 Large blocks of high-quality stone were probably cut to size (see 7:10) in a quarry near Jerusalem (6:7). The need to handle these massive stones is probably what led Solomon to institute forced labor. The craftsmen included men from . . . Gebal (Byblos), a port known for exporting timber, according to ancient Egyptian inscriptions.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
5:17-18 Large blocks of high-quality stone were probably cut to size (see 7:10) in a quarry near Jerusalem (6:7). The need to handle these massive stones is probably what led Solomon to institute forced labor. The craftsmen included men from . . . Gebal (Byblos), a port known for exporting timber, according to ancient Egyptian inscriptions.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And the king commanded, and they hewed out great stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with wrought stone.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
The king commanded, and they cut out large stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with worked stone.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
By the king's orders great stones, stones of high price, were cut out, so that the base of the house might be made of squared stone.