OET interlinear 1 KI 4:30

uW Translation Notes:

Note 1 topic: figures-of-speech / idiom

כָּל־בְּנֵי־קֶ֑דֶם

(kāl-bənēy-qedem)

See the discussion in the introduction to 1 Kings of how, in certain contexts, biblical authors and characters use the expression sons of to indicate that people had the characteristic of something. In this case, the people in view had the characteristic of belonging to desert tribes that lived to the east of the land of Israel. While the people of those tribes were generally respected for their wisdom, the author probably is referring to specific individuals among them who were especially renowned as wise. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: [the people of the tribes that lived to the east of Israel] or [any of the greatest Arabian sages]

Note 2 topic: figures-of-speech / metonymy

מִצְרָֽיִם

(miʦrāyim)

Here, Egypt represents the people of Egypt and, in this context, probably the especially wise individuals among them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: [the Egyptian people] or [the greatest Egyptian sages]