1 Kings 4:22

22 erat autem cibus Salomonis per dies singulos triginta chori similae et sexaginta chori farinae

1 Kings 4:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 4:22

And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of
fine flour
The measure here used was the "corus", or "cor", the same with the homer, which was equal to ten ephahs, and, according to Bishop Cumberland F23, held seventy five wine gallons and five pints, and somewhat more; by which may be known how many gallons of fine flour these thirty measures held, which were all consumed in one day:

and threescore measures of meal:
sixty measures of a coarser sort, for the servants, not so finely dressed; the same measure is here used as before; and it is observed by some, that one cor is equivalent to six hundred forty eight Roman pounds, and allowing to one man two pounds a day for his food, there would be food enough for 29,160 men out of 90 times 648, or 58,320 pounds F24. Others exaggerate the account; Vilalpandus says it would have sufficed 48,600 persons; Seth Calvisius 54,000, and Salianus 70,000 F25; the Jews say F26 that he had 60,000 that ate at his table; that is, who were maintained at his court.


FOOTNOTES:

F23 Scripture Weights and Measures, ch. 3. p. 86.
F24 Vid. Scheuchzer. Physic. Sacr. p. 516.
F25 Vid. Witsii Miscellan. tom. 2. exercit. 10. sect. 26.
F26 Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 8. 2.

1 Kings 4:22 In-Context

20 Iuda et Israhel innumerabiles sicut harena maris in multitudine comedentes et bibentes atque laetantes
21 Salomon autem erat in dicione sua habens omnia regna sicut a flumine terrae Philisthim usque ad terminum Aegypti offerentium sibi munera et servientium ei cunctis diebus vitae eius
22 erat autem cibus Salomonis per dies singulos triginta chori similae et sexaginta chori farinae
23 decem boves pingues et viginti boves pascuales et centum arietes excepta venatione cervorum caprearum atque bubalorum et avium altilium
24 ipse enim obtinebat omnem regionem quae erat trans flumen quasi a Thapsa usque Gazam et cunctos reges illarum regionum et habebat pacem ex omni parte in circuitu
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.