1 Kings 11:16
1 Kings 11:16 in Multiple Translations
Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.
(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
(for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom);
(For Joab and all Israel were there six months till every male in Edom had been cut off;)
Joab and the whole Israelite army had spent six months there destroying them all.
(For six moneths did Ioab remaine there, and all Israel, till he had destroyed all the males in Edom)
for six months did Joab abide there, and all Israel, till the cutting off of every male in Edom —
(for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom),
(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
(For Joab remained there six months with all Israel, till he had slain every male in Edom,)
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 11:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 11:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כִּ֣י
שֵׁ֧שֶׁת
חֳדָשִׁ֛ים
יָֽשַׁב
שָׁ֥ם
יוֹאָ֖ב
וְ/כָל
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
עַד
הִכְרִ֥ית
כָּל
זָכָ֖ר
בֶּ/אֱדֽוֹם
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
for
Conj
שֵׁ֧שֶׁת
shêsh
H8337
six
Adj
חֳדָשִׁ֛ים
chôdesh
H2320
month
N-mp
יָֽשַׁב
yâshab
H3427
to dwell
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
שָׁ֥ם
shâm
H8033
there
Adv
יוֹאָ֖ב
Yôwʼâb
H3097
Joab
N-proper
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
הִכְרִ֥ית
kârath
H3772
to cut
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
זָכָ֖ר
zâkâr
H2145
male
Adj
בֶּ/אֱדֽוֹם
ʼĔdôm
H123
Edom
Prep | N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 11:16
כִּ֣י
kîy
H3588
"for"
Conj
A conjunction used to show cause or connection, as in Genesis 2:23 where Adam says the woman is bone of his bone because she was taken out of him. It is often translated as 'for', 'because', or 'since'.
Definition: 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore
Usage: Occurs in 3910 OT verses. KJV: and, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + till, truly, + until, when, whether, while, whom, yea, yet. See also: Genesis 1:4; Genesis 26:16; Genesis 42:15.
שֵׁ֧שֶׁת
shêsh
H8337
"six"
Adj
This Hebrew word means the number six, and is often used in the Bible to describe measurements, like the six days of creation in Genesis 1.
Definition: 1) six 1a) six (cardinal number) 1b) sixth (ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: shet (שֵׁת "six" H8353)
Usage: Occurs in 202 OT verses. KJV: six(-teen, -teenth), sixth. See also: Genesis 7:6; 1 Kings 6:6; Proverbs 6:16.
חֳדָשִׁ֛ים
chôdesh
H2320
"month"
N-mp
The Hebrew term for month, specifically referring to the new moon and the lunar cycle, as described in the book of Exodus and the festivals of Israel. It marks the beginning of a new month in the Hebrew calendar.
Definition: : month 1) the new moon, month, monthly 1a) the first day of the month 1b) the lunar month
Usage: Occurs in 224 OT verses. KJV: month(-ly), new moon. See also: Genesis 7:11; 1 Chronicles 3:4; Psalms 81:4.
יָֽשַׁב
yâshab
H3427
"to dwell"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to sit or dwell, and can also mean to remain or abide. It's used in the Bible to describe people living in a place or staying with someone, like in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) to dwell, remain, sit, abide 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to sit, sit down 1a2) to be set 1a3) to remain, stay 1a4) to dwell, have one's abode 1b) (Niphal) to be inhabited 1c) (Piel) to set, place 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to sit 1d2) to cause to abide, set 1d3) to cause to dwell 1d4) to cause (cities) to be inhabited 1d5) to marry (give an dwelling to) 1e) (Hophal) 1e1) to be inhabited 1e2) to make to dwell Aramaic equivalent: ye.tiv (יְתִב "to dwell" H3488)
Usage: Occurs in 977 OT verses. KJV: (make to) abide(-ing), continue, (cause to, make to) dwell(-ing), ease self, endure, establish, [idiom] fail, habitation, haunt, (make to) inhabit(-ant), make to keep (house), lurking, [idiom] marry(-ing), (bring again to) place, remain, return, seat, set(-tle), (down-) sit(-down, still, -ting down, -ting (place) -uate), take, tarry. See also: Genesis 4:16; Leviticus 25:18; Joshua 13:6.
שָׁ֥ם
shâm
H8033
"there"
Adv
The Hebrew word sham means there or then, often used to describe a location or point in time. It can also mean thither or thence, indicating movement or direction. This word is used frequently in the Bible to provide context and clarify the setting of a story.
Definition: 1) there, thither 1a) there 1b) thither (after verbs of motion) 1c) from there, thence 1d) then (as an adverb of time) Aramaic equivalent: tam.mah (תַּמָּה "there" H8536)
Usage: Occurs in 732 OT verses. KJV: in it, [phrase] thence, there (-in, [phrase] of, [phrase] out), [phrase] thither, [phrase] whither. See also: Genesis 2:8; Exodus 21:33; Deuteronomy 19:4.
יוֹאָ֖ב
Yôwʼâb
H3097
"Joab"
N-proper
Joab was a prominent Israelite, his name means Jehovah is father. He was King David's nephew and army general, playing a key role in the Bible, including in the books of Samuel and Kings.
Definition: A man living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at Ezr.8.9 § Joab = "Jehovah is father" 1) son of David's sister Zeruiah and general of David's army 2) a Judaite descendant of Kenaz 3) a post exilic family
Usage: Occurs in 124 OT verses. KJV: Joab. See also: 1 Samuel 26:6; 2 Samuel 19:2; Psalms 60:2.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
הִכְרִ֥ית
kârath
H3772
"to cut"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to cut or destroy something, but it also has a special meaning related to making a covenant or agreement. In Genesis 15:18, God makes a covenant with Abram, symbolized by cutting animals in half, showing the seriousness of the promise. This word is used to describe important agreements and alliances.
Definition: : cut/fell 1) to cut, cut off, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, cut a covenant 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to cut off 1a1a) to cut off a body part, behead 1a2) to cut down 1a3) to hew 1a4) to cut or make a covenant 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be cut off 1b2) to be cut down 1b3) to be chewed 1b4) to be cut off, fail 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to be cut off 1c2) to be cut down 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cut off 1d2) to cut off, destroy 1d3) to cut down, destroy 1d4) to take away 1d5) to permit to perish 1e) (Hophal) cut off
Usage: Occurs in 280 OT verses. KJV: be chewed, be con-(feder-) ate, covenant, cut (down, off), destroy, fail, feller, be freed, hew (down), make a league (covenant), [idiom] lose, perish, [idiom] utterly, [idiom] want. See also: Genesis 9:11; 1 Samuel 24:6; Psalms 12:4.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
זָכָ֖ר
zâkâr
H2145
"male"
Adj
This word means male, referring to men or male animals, emphasizing their importance. It is used in the Bible to distinguish between males and females. The word is often translated as 'him' or 'male' in English.
Definition: 1) male (of humans and animals) adj 2) male (of humans)
Usage: Occurs in 80 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] him, male, man(child, -kind). See also: Genesis 1:27; Numbers 3:22; Isaiah 66:7.
בֶּ/אֱדֽוֹם
ʼĔdôm
H123
"Edom"
Prep | N-proper
Edom was the twin brother of Jacob and the region where he lived. He was the son of Isaac and Rebekah, and his story is told in Genesis 25. Edom is also another name for Esau.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.25; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Israel (H3478); married to Oholibamah (H0173), Judith (H3067), Adah (H5711H) and Mahalath (H4258); father of: Eliphaz (H0464), Reuel (H7467), Jeush (H3266), Jalam (H3281) and Korah (H7141); also called Edom at Gen.25.30; 36.1,8,19,21; 1x,54; Another name of e.sav (עֵשָׂו "Esau" H6215G) § Edom = "red" 1) Edom 2) Edomite, Idumean-descendants of Esau 3) land of Edom, Idumea-land south and south east of Palestine
Usage: Occurs in 93 OT verses. KJV: Edom, Edomites, Idumea. See also: Genesis 25:30; 1 Chronicles 1:54; Psalms 60:2.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 11:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Hadad’s Return
14Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom.
15Earlier, when David was in Edom, Joab the commander of the army had gone to bury the dead and had struck down every male in Edom.
16Joab and all Israel had stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom.
17But Hadad, still just a young boy, had fled to Egypt, along with some Edomites who were servants of his father. 18Hadad and his men set out from Midian and went to Paran. They took men from Paran with them and went to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house and land and provided him with food.1 Kings 11:16 Summary
This verse tells us that Joab and the Israelite army stayed in Edom for six months to fulfill God's judgment on the Edomites. This was a difficult and bloody time, but it shows us that God is serious about sin and will judge those who rebel against Him (as seen in Ezekiel 25:12-14). We can learn from Joab's example by trusting in God's sovereignty and following His will, even when it is hard. By doing so, we can demonstrate our commitment to following God's commands, just like the psalmist in Psalm 119:30.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Joab stay in Edom for six months to kill every male?
Joab's actions in Edom were a fulfillment of God's judgment on the Edomites, as seen in Genesis 25:23 and Ezekiel 25:12-14, where God declared His intention to punish Edom for their sins against Israel.
Was it right for Joab to kill every male in Edom?
According to the Bible, God is the ultimate judge of nations and peoples, and His ways are not always understandable to humans, as stated in Romans 11:33-36, but in this case, Joab's actions were in line with God's declared intentions for Edom.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the story of King Solomon?
This verse is part of a larger narrative about the rise of adversaries against King Solomon, including Hadad the Edomite, who would later become a thorn in Solomon's side, as seen in 1 Kings 11:14-22 and 1 Kings 12:15.
What can we learn from Joab's obedience to God's will in this situation?
Joab's actions demonstrate a commitment to following God's will, even when it is difficult or unpopular, as seen in Psalm 119:30, where the psalmist writes about the importance of following God's commands.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse reveal about God's character and His relationship with nations?
- How can I, like Joab, demonstrate obedience to God's will in my own life, even when it is challenging?
- What are some ways that God's judgment can be seen in the world today, and how should I respond to these situations?
- In what ways can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when I do not understand His ways, as seen in this verse and in Romans 11:33-36?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 11:16
For six months did Joab remain with all Israel,.... With the whole army: until he had cut off every male in Edom; as he supposed; for it was not fact, since after this they increased again, and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 11:16
(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:) No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 11:16
1 Kings 11:16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)Ver. 16. Until he had cut off every male,] viz., That was taken in the heat of the fight.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 11:16
(14-25) The events recorded in this section belong, at least in part, to the early years of the reign of Solomon. when the deaths of the warlike David and Joab, and the accession of a mere youth of avowedly peaceful character, may have naturally encouraged insurrection against the dominion of Israel. They are, no doubt, referred to in this place in connection with the prophecy just recorded, and the notice of Jeroboam’s earlier career which it suggests. But it is implied in the case of Hadad, as it is expressly declared in the case of Rezon, that their resistance continued through all Solomon’s reign. They were not, therefore, crushed, even in the days of his greatness, although then probably reduced to practical insignificance; they seem to have become formidable again during his declining years.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 11:16
16. for six months] Not too long a time to be spent in establishing garrisons which might hold the land. with all Israel] This like the last verse must be understood only of such forces as were engaged in this war. David with a sufficient bodyguard would retire northward, through a country all his own, and where no greater force was needed, leaving Joab and the bulk of the host to complete the arrangements for the holding of Edom.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 11:16
Every male in Edom - i. e., every male whom he could find. As did Hadad and his company 1 Kings 11:17, so others would escape in various directions. The Edomite nation was not destroyed on the occasion.