1 Kings 5:17

they brought The verb is used most frequently of pulling up tent pegs when removing a tent. And it is hardly found with the mere sense of -bringing" or -bearing." Therefore in this passage and in Ecclesiastes 10:9, the R.V. has given it (with the authority of the Targum) the meaning -to hew out." In the latter passage this rendering is certainly more appropriate and in harmony with the parallel clause, -Whoso heweth outstones shall be hurt therewith, and he that cleaveth wood is endangered thereby." Here too, the sense -they hewed out great stones" fits the passage extremely well.

costly stones The adjective is not unfrequently used of gems which are of great price; as, of the precious stones in the crown of the Ammonite king (2 Samuel 13:30). But in the present case the costly nature was due to the care and pains which had been taken in selecting and working these foundation stones. This seems to be the sense in such passages as Isaiah 28:16, where the worth consists in the stability and tried nature of the stone spoken of.

and hewed stones As will be seen from the A. V. there is no conjunction expressed in the original. The rendering however which is given leads the reader to suppose that there stands another adjective in the Hebrew like those rendered -great" and -costly." This is not so, and moreover the order of the words makes it clear that the words rendered -hewed stones" should follow -to lay the foundation of the house." Hence the R.V. has to lay the foundation of the house with wrought stone.