590. oni
Lexical Summary
oni: Affliction, poverty, misery

Original Word: אֱנִי
Part of Speech: Noun
Transliteration: oniy
Pronunciation: oh-nee
Phonetic Spelling: (on-ee')
KJV: galley, navy (of ships)
NASB: ships, boat, fleet, fleet of ships
Word Origin: [probably from H579 (אָנָה - befall) (in the sense of conveyance)]

1. a ship
2. (collectively) a fleet

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
galley, navy of ships

Probably from 'anah (in the sense of conveyance); -a ship or (collectively)a fleet -- galley, navy (of ships).

see HEBREW 'anah

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
from an unused word
Definition
ships, a fleet
NASB Translation
boat (1), fleet (1), fleet of ships (1), ships (4).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
אֳנִי noun masculine1Kings 10:11 & feminine1Kings 10:22

collective Ships, fleet — absolute 1 Kings 9:26 +; construct 1 Kings 10:11 +; — of Solomon 1 Kings 9:26,27; called תַרְשִׁישׁ ׳א (i.e. large, sea-going vessels, such as sail to Tarshish) 1 Kings 10:22 (twice in verse); חִירָם ׳א 1 Kings 10:11,22; propelled by oars שַֿׁיִט׳א Isaiah 33:21.

Topical Lexicon
Word Overview

Strong’s Hebrew 590 (אֱנִי) designates seagoing vessels—“ships” that ply long waterways or oceans. The term appears seven times, concentrating in the reign of Solomon and once in Isaiah. Its distribution ties the word to commercial expansion, international partnership, and prophetic contrast between human prowess and divine sufficiency.

Occurrences in the Historical Books

1 Kings 9:26 notes Solomon’s construction of a fleet at Ezion Geber on the Red Sea; it is the first biblical mention of Israel’s direct maritime capacity. Verse 27 immediately adds that “Hiram sent his servants, experienced sailors, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants”, highlighting Gentile partnership in Israel’s endeavors. In 1 Kings 10:11 the same fleet returns with gold, almug wood, and precious stones—resources that furnish the temple and palace and testify to God’s promised blessing of material abundance (Deuteronomy 28:1–13). Three further references in 1 Kings 10:22 describe the tri-year voyages of “the ships of Tarshish” that brought “gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks”. Together, these passages present the zenith of Israel’s economic reach under Solomon’s wisdom.

Solomon’s Maritime Endeavors

The narrative locates Ezion Geber near Elath, a strategic port granting access to the Red Sea and, by extension, to East Africa, Arabia, and India. Archaeological finds from the region reveal copper smelting and trade, lending historical plausibility to the biblical account. By commissioning ships, Solomon fulfills the promise of dominion “from the River to the ends of the earth” (compare Psalm 72 and Genesis 15:18). The involvement of Tyrian sailors underscores the necessity of specialized skill; Israel’s blessing overflows through cooperation rather than isolation.

Economic and Geopolitical Significance

The commodities listed—gold, almug (sandalwood), ivory, exotic fauna—mirror the luxury trade of the ancient Near East. These imports supported the construction of the temple (1 Kings 6) and palace complex (1 Kings 7), visually proclaiming Yahweh’s glory to surrounding nations (1 Kings 10:24). Thus the ships symbolize more than commerce; they are vessels of testimony, carrying evidence of covenant faithfulness across international lines.

Prophetic Imagery in Isaiah

Isaiah 33:21 employs אֱנִי in a striking reversal: “There the LORD in majesty will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams where no galley with oars will go, nor majestic ship pass”. Whereas Solomon’s fleets display royal splendor, Isaiah pictures Zion’s ultimate security as one that needs no naval defense or mercantile enterprise. God Himself supplies protection and prosperity—an implicit call to trust in divine kingship rather than human fleets.

Theological Themes

1. Covenant Blessing: The ships illustrate God’s promise to bless Israel and, through her, the nations (Genesis 12:3).
2. Wisdom and Stewardship: Solomon’s administration models prudent use of resources and partnerships, yet the larger narrative (1 Kings 11) warns that unchecked affluence can lead to idolatry.
3. Gentile Inclusion: Tyrian sailors and the goods of distant lands foreshadow the gathering of the nations into the people of God (Isaiah 60:9; Revelation 21:24).
4. Divine Sufficiency: Isaiah’s vision resets priorities—national security rests not in naval power but in the presence of the LORD.

Practical Ministry Reflections

• Mission: Like Solomon’s ships, the church is sent to the ends of the earth, bearing treasures infinitely greater—the gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19).
• Collaboration: Effective ministry often requires partnerships that cross cultural lines, reflecting the Tyre-Israel alliance.
• Stewardship vs. Materialism: Wealth is a gift for kingdom purposes, not an end in itself. Ministers must cultivate Solomon’s wisdom without succumbing to Solomon’s later excesses.
• Hope: Isaiah assures believers that God Himself is our safe harbor; when earthly resources fail, His kingdom remains unshaken.

Summary

אֱנִי spotlights Israel’s maritime moment under Solomon and serves as a metaphor for divine provision, human endeavor, and ultimate reliance on the LORD. Whether laden with Ophir’s gold or absent from Zion’s eternal waterways, these “ships” point to the greater reality of God’s sovereign rule and the worldwide reach of His redemptive plan.

Forms and Transliterations
אֳנִ֣י אֳנִ֨י אֳנִי־ אני אני־ בָּֽאֳנִי֙ באני וָאֳנִ֡י ואני ’o·nî ’o·nî- ’onî ’onî- bā’onî bā·’o·nî booNi oNi vooNi wā’onî wā·’o·nî
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
1 Kings 9:26
HEB: וָאֳנִ֡י עָשָׂה֩ הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ
NAS: also built a fleet of ships in Ezion-geber,
KJV: made a navy of ships in Eziongeber,
INT: A fleet built King

1 Kings 9:27
HEB: וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח חִירָ֤ם בָּֽאֳנִי֙ אֶת־ עֲבָדָ֔יו
NAS: his servants with the fleet, sailors
KJV: sent in the navy his servants,
INT: sent and Hiram the fleet his servants another

1 Kings 10:11
HEB: וְגַם֙ אֳנִ֣י חִירָ֔ם אֲשֶׁר־
NAS: Also the ships of Hiram, which
KJV: And the navy also of Hiram,
INT: Also the ships of Hiram which

1 Kings 10:22
HEB: כִּי֩ אֳנִ֨י תַרְשִׁ֤ישׁ לַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙
NAS: had at sea the ships of Tarshish
KJV: had at sea a navy of Tharshish
INT: for the ships of Tarshish the king

1 Kings 10:22
HEB: בַּיָּ֔ם עִ֖ם אֳנִ֣י חִירָ֑ם אַחַת֩
NAS: of Tarshish with the ships of Hiram;
KJV: of Tharshish with the navy of Hiram:
INT: sea with the ships of Hiram once

1 Kings 10:22
HEB: שָׁנִ֜ים תָּב֣וֹא ׀ אֳנִ֣י תַרְשִׁ֗ישׁ נֹֽשְׂאֵת֙
NAS: years the ships of Tarshish
KJV: came the navy of Tharshish,
INT: years came the ships of Tarshish bringing

Isaiah 33:21
HEB: תֵּ֤לֶךְ בּוֹ֙ אֳנִי־ שַׁ֔יִט וְצִ֥י
NAS: On which no boat with oars
KJV: no galley with oars,
INT: no will go boat oars ship

7 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 590
7 Occurrences


bā·’o·nî — 1 Occ.
’o·nî — 5 Occ.
wā·’o·nî — 1 Occ.

589
Top of Page
Top of Page