King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:43 Mean?

1 Kings 8:43 in the King James Version says “Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people o... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name. this: Heb. thy name is called upon this house

1 Kings 8:43 · KJV


Context

41

Moreover concerning a stranger, that is not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of a far country for thy name's sake;

42

(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;

43

Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name. this: Heb. thy name is called upon this house

44

If thy people go out to battle against their enemy, whithersoever thou shalt send them, and shall pray unto the LORD toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house that I have built for thy name: toward the city: Heb. the way of the city

45

Then hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause. cause: or, right


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

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 · 31 words
אַתָּ֞ה1 of 31
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִּשְׁמַ֤ע2 of 31

Hear

H8085

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

הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙3 of 31

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

מְכ֣וֹן4 of 31

place

H4349

properly, a fixture, i.e., a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode

שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ5 of 31

thy dwelling

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ6 of 31

and do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כְּכֹ֛ל7 of 31
H3605

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

אֲשֶׁר8 of 31
H834

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

נִקְרָ֔א9 of 31

calleth

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

אֵלֶ֖יךָ10 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַנָּכְרִ֑י11 of 31

according to all that the stranger

H5237

strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)

לְמַ֣עַן12 of 31
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

וְלָדַ֕עַת13 of 31

and that they may know

H3045

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

כָּל14 of 31
H3605

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

כְּעַמְּךָ֣15 of 31

thee as do thy people

H5971

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

הָאָ֜רֶץ16 of 31

of the earth

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֶת17 of 31
H853

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

שִׁמְךָ֣18 of 31

by thy ~

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

לְיִרְאָ֤ה19 of 31

to fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

אֹֽתְךָ֙20 of 31
H853

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

כְּעַמְּךָ֣21 of 31

thee as do thy people

H5971

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל22 of 31

Israel

H3478

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

וְלָדַ֕עַת23 of 31

and that they may know

H3045

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

כִּֽי24 of 31
H3588

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

שִׁמְךָ֣25 of 31

by thy ~

H8034

an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character

נִקְרָ֔א26 of 31

calleth

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

עַל27 of 31
H5921

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

הַבַּ֥יִת28 of 31

that this house

H1004

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

הַזֶּ֖ה29 of 31
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

אֲשֶׁ֥ר30 of 31
H834

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

בָּנִֽיתִי׃31 of 31

which I have builded

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)


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 8:43 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 8:43 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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