Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the term "apes" appears in the Old Testament, specifically in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. These references provide insight into the wealth and trade practices during the reign of King Solomon.
Biblical References:1.
1 Kings 10:22 : "For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with the fleet of Hiram. Once every three years, the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks."
2.
2 Chronicles 9:21 : "For the king’s ships went to Tarshish with the servants of Huram. Once every three years, they would return, bringing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks."
These passages highlight the extensive trade networks established during Solomon's reign, which brought exotic goods from distant lands. The mention of apes, along with gold, silver, ivory, and peacocks, underscores the opulence and grandeur of Solomon's court. The inclusion of apes in these lists suggests their value as exotic animals, likely kept for their novelty and as a display of wealth and power.
Historical and Cultural Context:The term "apes" in these passages is translated from the Hebrew word "קֹפִים" (qophim). The exact species referred to by this term is not definitively known, but it is generally understood to refer to some type of primate. Given the trade routes mentioned, it is plausible that these apes were imported from regions such as Africa or India, where various species of primates are native.
The presence of apes in the royal court of Solomon reflects the broader ancient Near Eastern practice of collecting exotic animals. Such animals were often kept in royal menageries, serving as symbols of the king's ability to command resources from far-flung territories.
Theological Implications:From a theological perspective, the mention of apes in the context of Solomon's wealth serves to illustrate the fulfillment of God's promise to bless Solomon with unparalleled wisdom and prosperity (
1 Kings 3:12-13). The accumulation of wealth, including exotic animals, is seen as a testament to the divine favor bestowed upon Solomon's reign.
However, the narrative of Solomon's wealth also serves as a cautionary tale. While his riches and wisdom were gifts from God, Solomon's later years were marked by a departure from God's commandments, leading to idolatry and the eventual division of the kingdom. The opulence of Solomon's court, including the acquisition of apes, can be viewed as both a blessing and a potential source of spiritual distraction.
Conclusion:The references to apes in the Bible, though brief, provide a window into the economic and cultural exchanges of the ancient world. They also serve as a reminder of the complexities of wealth and the importance of maintaining faithfulness to God's commandments amidst prosperity.
Smith's Bible Dictionary
Apes(Heb.kophim) are mentioned in (1 Kings 10:22) and 2Chr 9:21 There can be little doubt that the apes were brought from the same country which supplied ivory and peacocks, both of which are common in Ceylon; and Sir E. Tennent has drawn attention to the fact that the Tamil names for apes, ivory and peacocks are identical with the Hebrew.
Strong's Hebrew
6971. qoph -- an ape... an ape. Transliteration: qoph Phonetic Spelling: (kofe) Short Definition:
apes.
Word Origin of foreign origin Definition an ape NASB Word Usage
apes (2). ape.
...Library
In Addition to all that He Has Already Said...
... and it does not become worse; nor does God after a time bring it back to himself;
nor is He angry on account of men any more than on account ofapes or flies...
The Scaffolding Left in the Body
... that the class of animals in which Science, in the very nature of the case, is
compelled to look for the closest affinities to human beings is that of theApes...
Renewed Cautions.
... For these are subtle wolves, [1242] andapes that mimic the appearance of men.
Footnotes: [1240] Philippians 3:18, 19. [1241] The text is here doubtful....
Old Revival Hymns.
... and prayer-meetings in the same way that old slave-hymns and the "Jubilee Singers"
refrains are sometimes sung now, was composed by WilliamApes, a converted...
Miscellaneous.
... If man lived up in the bushes, like the Chimpanzee and otherapes, he would need
more movable ribs so that he might not be ruined by broken ribs every time he...
The Release of Saint George.
... Saint George, and the faithful De Fistycuff, lay groaning in their far-off dungeon
in Egypt, for having ventured to assert that crocodiles, andapes, and snakes...
Index of Names.
... Mrs. CF, 414 ALLEN, George N., 412 ALLEN, JO, 129 ALMOND, "", 364, 365 ALTENBURG,
Johan M., 84 AMBROSE, xiii, 1, 2, 3 ANATOLIUS, 354APES, William, 265...
Shall we Abandon Our Religion?
... for in so doing I would ape the unbelievers. I have no great love forapes.
So far as old, effete, erroneous opinions and faiths...
They Deceive, Instead of Healing.
... the more powerful Lord, but rather seek to cure yourself, like the dog with grass,
or the stag with a viper, or the hog with river-crabs, or the lion withapes...
Christmas Day
... That we are brutes, great God, we know too well;Apes daintier-featured; silly birds
who flaunt Their plumes unheeding of the fowler's step; Spiders, who catch...
Thesaurus
Apes (2 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Apes (2 Occurrences). 1 Kings 10:22 For the king
had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once
...Ape
... The higher forms, the gorilla, chimpanzee, and ourang, are often called anthropoid
apes or manapes....Apes are mentioned with gold, silver, ivory and peacocks....
Peacock
... had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came
the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, andapes, and peacocks...
Tarshish (24 Occurrences)
... had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came
the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, andapes, and peacocks...
Trading (24 Occurrences)
... had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came
the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, andapes, and peacocks...
Peacocks (3 Occurrences)
... had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came
the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, andapes, and peacocks...
Baboons (2 Occurrences)
... had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came
the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, andapes, and peacocks...
Ivory (13 Occurrences)
... had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came
the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, andapes, and peacocks...
Carrying (88 Occurrences)
... had at sea a navy of Tarshish with the navy of Hiram: once every three years came
the navy of Tarshish, bringing gold, and silver, ivory, andapes, and peacocks...
Nail (9 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) the horny scale of plate of epidermis
at the end of the fingers and toes of man and manyapes....
Resources
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