King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:36 Mean?

1 Kings 8:36 in the King James Version says “Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good w... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:36 · KJV


Context

34

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.

35

When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them:

36

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

37

If there be in the land famine, if there be pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if there be caterpiller; if their enemy besiege them in the land of their cities; whatsoever plague, whatsoever sickness there be; cities: or, jurisdiction

38

What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

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 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 24 words
וְאַתָּ֣ה׀1 of 24
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּשְׁמַ֣ע2 of 24

Then hear

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

הַשָּׁמַ֗יִם3 of 24

thou in heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְסָ֨לַחְתָּ֜4 of 24

and forgive

H5545

to forgive

לְחַטַּ֤את5 of 24

the sin

H2403

an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concretely) an offender

עֲבָדֶ֙יךָ֙6 of 24

of thy servants

H5650

a servant

לְעַמְּךָ֖7 of 24

and of thy people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל8 of 24

Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כִּ֥י9 of 24
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תוֹרֵ֛ם10 of 24

that thou teach

H3384

properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by

אֶת11 of 24
H853

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

הַדֶּ֥רֶךְ12 of 24

way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הַטּוֹבָ֖ה13 of 24

them the good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֲשֶׁ֣ר14 of 24
H834

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

יֵֽלְכוּ15 of 24
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

בָ֑הּ16 of 24
H0
נָתַ֥תָּה17 of 24

and give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מָטָר֙18 of 24

rain

H4306

rain

עַל19 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אַרְצְךָ֔20 of 24

upon thy land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁר21 of 24
H834

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

נָתַ֥תָּה22 of 24

and give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְעַמְּךָ֖23 of 24

and of thy people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לְנַֽחֲלָֽה׃24 of 24

for an inheritance

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion


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 8:36 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 8:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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