Navy

The Hebrew scriptures speak of three navies of note: Solomon's fleet at Ezion-geber, the Tyrian navy of Hiram that traded for him, and the menacing ships of Kittim in Daniel's vision.

Solomon's Navy at Ezion-geber

Solomon built a fleet on the Red Sea coast for trade through the gulf: "And King Solomon made a navy of ships in Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom" (1 Kgs 9:26).

The Navy of Hiram

Tyre's king supplied a partner fleet, manned by sailors with maritime experience. Its return cargo included gold, rare wood, and precious stones: "And the navy also of Hiram, that brought gold from Ophir, brought in from Ophir great plenty of almug-trees and precious stones" (1 Kgs 10:11).

The Ships of Kittim

In Daniel's vision of the king of the north, naval power from Kittim turns him back from his southern campaign and provokes his wrath against the holy covenant: "For ships of Kittim will come against him; therefore he will be grieved, and will return, and have indignation against the holy covenant, and will do [his pleasure]: he will even return, and have regard to those who forsake the holy covenant" (Dan 11:30). Later in the same vision the northern king's own assault is described as a combined-arms invasion: "And at the time of the end the king of the south will contend with him; and the king of the north will come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he will enter into the countries, and will flood and pass through" (Dan 11:40).