King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:38 Mean?

1 Kings 8:38 in the King James Version says “What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plag... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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:

1 Kings 8:38 · KJV


Context

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:

39

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

40

That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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:

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 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 · 21 words
כָּל1 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תְּפִלָּ֣ה2 of 21

What prayer

H8605

intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn

כָל3 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

תְּחִנָּ֗ה4 of 21

and supplication

H8467

graciousness; causatively, entreaty

אֲשֶׁ֤ר5 of 21
H834

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

תִֽהְיֶה֙6 of 21
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְכָל7 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָ֣אָדָ֔ם8 of 21

soever be made by any man

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

לְכֹ֖ל9 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

עַמְּךָ֣10 of 21

or by all thy people

H5971

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל11 of 21

Israel

H3478

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר12 of 21
H834

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

יֵֽדְע֗וּן13 of 21

which shall know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אִ֚ישׁ14 of 21

every 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)

נֶ֣גַע15 of 21

the plague

H5061

a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)

לְבָב֔וֹ16 of 21

of his own heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וּפָרַ֥שׂ17 of 21

and spread forth

H6566

to break apart, disperse, etc

כַּפָּ֖יו18 of 21

his hands

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

אֶל19 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַבַּ֥יִת20 of 21

toward this house

H1004

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

הַזֶּֽה׃21 of 21
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 8:38 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 8:38 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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