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Genesis 25:6
But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country.

Job 1:3
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Daniel 1:20
And in all matters of wisdomand understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magiciansand astrologers thatwere in all his realm.

the wisdom of Egypt

Isaiah 19:11,12
Surely the princes of Zoanare fools, the counsel of the wise counsellers of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, Iam the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings? …

Acts 7:22
And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds.

greater than all the wisdom of Egypt
Egypt was a center of learning and culture in the ancient world, famous for its advancements in architecture, medicine, and writing. The wisdom of Egypt was legendary, with its priests and scholars being highly esteemed. By stating that Solomon's wisdom exceeded that of Egypt, the text emphasizes the extraordinary nature of his insight and knowledge. This comparison also serves to elevate the God of Israel above the gods of Egypt, as Solomon's wisdom is a direct result of divine favor. The mention of Egypt may also remind readers of the Exodus narrative, where God's power was demonstrated over the Egyptian deities. Solomon's wisdom, therefore, is not only a personal attribute but also a testament to the superiority of Israel's God.

• God Himself was the source: “I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been anyone like you, nor will there ever be” (1 Kings 3:12).

• The gift was immeasurable: “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29).

• The scope of that wisdom drew the nations: “The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart” (1 Kings 10:24).

• Because the Author of wisdom granted it without limit (James 1:5;Proverbs 2:6), Solomon’s capacity eclipsed every human standard of his day.

• “Men of the East” were renowned sages—patriarchs like Job (Job 1:3), traders and counselors from Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Edom (Jeremiah 49:7;Obadiah 1:8).

• Their reputations rested on practical insight:

– Observing the skies for seasons (Genesis 11:31 implies Chaldean astronomy).

– Formulating proverbs and riddles (Judges 14:14 shows such Eastern pastimes).

• By asserting Solomon’s superiority, Scripture says his wisdom surpassed the best collective intellect of regions historically celebrated for discernment, fulfilling God’s promise in1 Kings 3:12.

• Egypt stood as the academic powerhouse of the ancient world:

– “Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians” (Acts 7:22).

– Pharaoh’s cabinet of magicians and wise men (Genesis 41:8) exemplified advanced learning in medicine, engineering, and literature.

• Isaiah later mocks Egypt’s trusted brain trust: “The wise counselors of Pharaoh give senseless advice” (Isaiah 19:11). Solomon eclipsed even that storied legacy.

• By pairing Egypt with “the East,” the text covers the full cultural spectrum—north, south, east—leaving no rival unaccounted for (cf.1 Kings 10:23).

1 Kings 4:30 declares that God-given wisdom made Solomon the unrivaled sage of his era. His understanding rose above the celebrated scholars of Arabia and Mesopotamia and surpassed the famed learning of Egypt. The verse vindicates God’s promise, showcases divine generosity, and underscores that the fear of the LORD is the fountain of true knowledge (Proverbs 9:10).

(30)The wisdom of all the children of the east.--The phrase "children of the east" is apparently used (seeGenesis 29:1;Judges 6:3;Judges 6:33;Judges 7:12;Judges 8:10) for the tribes of the country lying between the country of Israel and Mesopotamia. Of these "men of the east," Job is expressly said to be one, and among the chief (Job 1:3), What their wisdom was, the utterances of Job and his friends may testify, showing as they do large knowledge of nature and of man, speculating on the deepest moral questions, and throughout resting, though with an awe greater than was felt within the circle of the Abrahamic covenant, upon the consciousness of the one God. The Book of Job also shows that this wisdom was not unconnected with the proverbial "wisdom of Egypt," with which it is here joined. The Egyptian wisdom (as the monuments show) was a part of a more advanced and elaborate civilisation, enriched by learning and culture, and manifesting itself in art and science, but perhaps less free and vigorous than the simpler patriarchal wisdom of the children of the east. . . .