King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:48 Mean?

1 Kings 8:48 in the King James Version says “And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

1 Kings 8:48 · KJV


Context

46

If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

47

Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent , and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness; bethink: Heb. bring back to their heart

48

And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

49

Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause, cause: or, right

50

And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for 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 · 25 words
וְשָׁ֣בוּ1 of 25

And so return

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֵלֶ֗יךָ2 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

בְּכָל3 of 25
H3605

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

לְבָבָם֙4 of 25

unto thee with all their heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

וּבְכָל5 of 25
H3605

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

נַפְשָׁ֔ם6 of 25

and with all their soul

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אַרְצָם֙7 of 25

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֹֽיְבֵיהֶ֖ם8 of 25

of their enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

אֲשֶׁר9 of 25
H834

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

שָׁב֣וּ10 of 25

which led them away captive

H7617

to transport into captivity

אֹתָ֑ם11 of 25
H853

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

וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ12 of 25

and pray

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

אֵלֶ֗יךָ13 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

דֶּ֤רֶךְ14 of 25

unto thee toward

H1870

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

אַרְצָם֙15 of 25

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר16 of 25
H834

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

נָתַ֣תָּה17 of 25

which thou gavest

H5414

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

לַֽאֲבוֹתָ֔ם18 of 25

unto their fathers

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הָעִיר֙19 of 25

the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר20 of 25
H834

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

בָּחַ֔רְתָּ21 of 25

which thou hast chosen

H977

properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select

וְהַבַּ֖יִת22 of 25

and the house

H1004

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

אֲשֶׁר23 of 25
H834

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

בָּנִ֥יתִ24 of 25

which I have built

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

לִשְׁמֶֽךָ׃25 of 25

for thy ~

H8034

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


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 8:48 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 8:48 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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