Greek word · G4672

Σολομών, Σαλωμών

solomōn, salōmōn

Solomon

The personal name of David's son (Hebrew Shelomoh, linked to shalom). In Second Temple Judaism Solomon was a byword for wealth, wisdom, and royal and temple magnificence. He was also linked with knowledge of plants (1 Kings 4:33) and with the Song of Songs, where lilies (LXX krinon) appear often.

Appears 12 times in 10 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

Σολομών, -ῶνος (so prop., but Rec. has frequently -ῶν, -ῶντος, as also WH in Acts 3:11 5:12; in Acts 7:47 T has Σαλωμών, as LXX freq., indecl.; see B1., § 10, 1; Tdf., Prol., 104, 119; WH, App., 158), ὁ (Heb. שְׁלֹמֹה),

Solomon: Matthew 1:6-7 6:29 12:42, Luke 11:31 12:27, John 10:23, Acts 3:11 5:12 7:47.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Matthew 6:29

Range of meaning

The personal name of David's son (Hebrew Shelomoh, linked to shalom). In Second Temple Judaism Solomon was a byword for wealth, wisdom, and royal and temple magnificence. He was also linked with knowledge of plants (1 Kings 4:33) and with the Song of Songs, where lilies (LXX krinon) appear often.

Against the English

No translation problem. The force of the name, "the richest, most splendid man in our history", is easy for modern readers to miss.

Used elsewhere in the period

1 Kings 10:4–7, 14–23 (Queen of Sheba amazed at his court, "the attire of his servants", gold beyond counting); 2 Chronicles 9; Josephus, Antiquities 8; later Jewish tradition elaborating his splendor and wisdom.

From the study of John 10:23

Range of meaning

The personal name of David's son, king of Israel. He built the first temple and dedicated it (1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5–7).

Against the English

All versions read 'Solomon's'. The only difference is the form: 'Solomon's porch' versus 'the porch/colonnade of Solomon'.

Used elsewhere in the period

Josephus, Ant. 20.220–221, says the eastern portico of the temple was believed to rest on works built by Solomon, and that it overlooked a deep valley (the Kidron). The same colonnade is a meeting place for the early Jerusalem believers in Acts 3:11 and 5:12.

Where it appears

Matthew · 5

  1. Matthew 1:6 Σολομῶνα Solomon

    and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

    Here: Solomon, David's son and heir to the throne, the builder of the Temple. Through him Matthew traces the royal line of the kings of Judah. Luke's genealogy goes instead through another son, Nathan (Luke 3:31).

  2. Matthew 1:7 Σολομὼν Solomon

    Solomon the father of Rehoboam, Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asa.

    Here: David's son by Bathsheba (v.6), the builder of the temple. His Hebrew name, Shelomoh, echoes shalom, 'peace' or 'wholeness.' Here he is the subject: the line goes on through him.

  3. Matthew 6:29 Σολομὼν Solomon

    Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

    Here: David's son, king of Israel. In Jewish memory his name stood for unmatched wealth, wisdom and royal display (1 Kings 10).

  4. Matthew 12:42 Σολομῶνος· Σολομῶνος of Solomon;, than Solomon

    The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

    Here: Son of David, the model wise king, and in Jesus' day also remembered as a master over demons.

Luke · 3

  1. Luke 11:31 Σολομῶνος, Σολομῶνος of Solomon,, than Solomon

    The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

  2. Luke 12:27 Σολομὼν Solomon

    Consider how the lilies grow: They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.

John · 1

  1. John 10:23 Σολομῶνος. of Solomon.

    and Jesus was walking in the temple courts in Solomon’s Colonnade.

    Here: The colonnade was popularly named after King Solomon, who built and dedicated the first temple. Josephus says the eastern portico stood on foundations attributed to him.

Acts · 3

  1. Acts 3:11 Σολομῶντος Solomon’s

    While the man clung to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and ran to them in the walkway called Solomon’s Colonnade.

  2. Acts 5:12 Σολομῶντος· of Solomon;

    The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people, and with one accord the believers gathered together in Solomon’s Colonnade.

    Here: The hall's popular name. Tradition linked it to the original builder of the temple (Josephus, Antiquities 20.221).

  3. Acts 7:47 Σολομὼν Solomon

    But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.