Lexical Summary oni: Affliction, poverty, misery Original Word: אֱנִי 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 Originfrom 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). 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). 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·nîLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman'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 1 Kings 10:11 1 Kings 10:22 1 Kings 10:22 1 Kings 10:22 Isaiah 33:21 7 Occurrences |