Darda דַּרְדַּע
Wise man surpassed by Solomon's wisdom
Who is Darda in the Bible?
Darda was a renowned wise man of ancient Israel whose name appears in 1 Kings 4:31 as one of several celebrated sages whose wisdom was surpassed by King Solomon. He is mentioned alongside other wise men including Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol, indicating he held a respected position in his time for his knowledge and understanding. The passage emphasizes that Solomon's God-given wisdom exceeded that of Darda and all the other wise men of the East and Egypt, demonstrating the exceptional nature of Solomon's intellect as a gift from God. Beyond this single biblical reference, no other details about Darda's life, teachings, or specific areas of expertise are recorded in Scripture, making him a figure known primarily for representing the standard of human wisdom that even the greatest mortal minds could not match when compared to Solomon's divinely granted understanding.
Biography
Darda is mentioned in 1Ki.4.31 as one of the wise men whom King Solomon's wisdom surpassed. He is listed alongside Ethan the Ezrahite and the sons of Mahol, suggesting that he was a well-known figure renowned for his wisdom during that time.
The context of this passage emphasizes the exceptional wisdom that God had granted to Solomon, stating that his wisdom was greater than that of all the people of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. By comparing Solomon's wisdom to that of Darda and the other wise men, the text highlights the unparalleled nature of Solomon's God-given wisdom.
Apart from this single mention, no other details about Darda's life, background, or specific areas of wisdom are provided in the Bible.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Kings 1 verse
- 1 Kings 4:31
"He was wiser than all men—wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and wiser than Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread throughout the surrounding nations."
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | דַּרְדַּע |
Darda
ible:1Chr.2.6">1Ch 2:6, where the corresponding name in the same list is given as DARA). In rabbinic lore the name has been interpreted as dor dea, "the generation of knowledge"--the generation of the wilderness.
dar: The expression "to dare" in the Scriptures never has the meaning of "to defy," "to challenge," or "to terrify." It is always found as the translation of tolmao, "to manifest courage." This is particularly evident fr