1st Kings Chapter 10 verse 20 Holy Bible
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
read chapter 10 in ASV
And twelve lions were placed on the one side and on the other side on the six steps: there was nothing like it in any kingdom.
read chapter 10 in BBE
and twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
read chapter 10 in DARBY
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
read chapter 10 in KJV
And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other upon the six steps: there was not the like made in any kingdom.
read chapter 10 in WBT
Twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other on the six steps: there was nothing like it made in any kingdom.
read chapter 10 in WEB
and twelve lions are standing there on the six steps, on this `side' and on that; it hath not been made so for any kingdom.
read chapter 10 in YLT
Pulpit Commentary
Pulpit CommentaryVerse 20. - And twelve lions stood there on the one side and on the other, upon the six steps [It is somewhat doubtful whether there were twelve or fourteen lions in all. Most commentators assume that there were fourteen, and the text will certainly bear that construction. But it is altogether more likely that there were twelve; that is to say, that the two lions on the topmost step are the two mentioned in the preceding verse as "standing beside the stays," otherwise there would have been four lions on that step. And we all know that twelve had a significance such as could not attach to any other number (Bahr, Symbolik, 1:201-205; 2:133, 423). It would signify that all the tribes had an interest in the royal house (cf. 1 Kings 12:16; 2 Samuel 20:1); and a right of approach to the throne (cf. 1 Kings 18:31). The lion, a familiar emblem of sovereignty among many nations, had an especial appropriateness in this case, as being the symbol of the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:9; cf. Numbers 23:24; Numbers 24:9). We are to see in them partly "symbols of the ruler's authority" (Keil), and partly, perhaps, they represented the twelve tribes as guardians of the throne. "The king mounted between figures of lions to his seat on the throne, and sat between figures of lions upon it" (Wordsworth). Thrones somewhat similar to this in character, but much less magnificent, are represented on the Assyrian monuments. The historian might justly add]: there was not the like made [Heb. not made so] in any kingdom.
