King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:31 Mean?

1 Kings 8:31 in the King James Version says “If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before ...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house: and an oath: Heb. and he require an oath of him”

1 Kings 8:31 · KJV

Context

29

That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place. toward this place: or, in this place

30

And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive. toward this place: or, in this place

31

If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house: and an oath: Heb. and he require an oath of him

32

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

33

When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house: in: or, toward

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
If any man trespass against his neighbour, and an oath be laid upon him to cause him to swear, and the oath come before thine altar in this house:

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of dedication of the temple, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us'). The sacrificial system points forward to Christ's ultimate sacrifice, fulfilling all temple offerings (Hebrews 10:1-18).

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אֵת֩1 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר2 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יֶֽחֱטָ֥א3 of 15

“trespass”

H2398

properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn

אִישׁ֙4 of 15

“If any man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

לְרֵעֵ֔הוּ5 of 15

“against his neighbour”

H7453

an associate (more or less close)

וְנָֽשָׁא6 of 15

“be laid”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

ב֥וֹ7 of 15
H0
אָלָ֛ה8 of 15

“and an oath”

H423

an imprecation

לְהַֽאֲלֹת֑וֹ9 of 15

“upon him to cause him to swear”

H422

properly, to adjure, i.e., (usually in a bad sense) imprecate

וּבָ֗א10 of 15

“come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אָלָ֛ה11 of 15

“and an oath”

H423

an imprecation

לִפְנֵ֥י12 of 15

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מִֽזְבַּחֲךָ֖13 of 15

“thine altar”

H4196

an altar

בַּבַּ֥יִת14 of 15

“in this house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַזֶּֽה׃15 of 15
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 8:31 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 8:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 22:8-11Numbers 5:16-22Proverbs 30:92 Chronicles 6:22-23Leviticus 5:1

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