King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:63 Mean?

1 Kings 8:63 in the King James Version says “And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.”

1 Kings 8:63 · King James Version

Peace

Context

61

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

62

And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before the LORD.

63

And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

64

The same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

65

And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

Read 1 Kings 8 full chapter

Commentaries4 scholars

KJV Study CommentaryPublic Domain
And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

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.

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?

Compare 4 commentaries from different scholars and time periods for a richer understanding.

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
זָבַ֣ח1 of 24

“offered”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה2 of 24

“And Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

אֵ֣ת3 of 24
H853

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

זֶ֣בַח4 of 24

“a sacrifice”

H2077

properly, a slaughter, i.e., the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the victim or the act)

הַשְּׁלָמִים֮5 of 24

“of peace offerings”

H8002

properly, requital, i.e., a (voluntary) sacrifice in thanks

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 24
H834

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

זָבַ֣ח7 of 24

“offered”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

יְהוָ֔ה8 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּקָ֗ר9 of 24

“oxen”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים10 of 24

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וּשְׁנַ֙יִם֙11 of 24

“two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

אָ֑לֶף12 of 24

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְצֹ֕אן13 of 24

“sheep”

H6629

a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)

מֵאָ֥ה14 of 24

“and an hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְעֶשְׂרִ֖ים15 of 24

“and twenty”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

אָ֑לֶף16 of 24

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וַֽיַּחְנְכוּ֙17 of 24

“dedicated”

H2596

properly, to narrow; figuratively, to initiate or discipline

אֶת18 of 24
H853

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

בֵּ֣ית19 of 24

“the house”

H1004

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

יְהוָ֔ה20 of 24

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ21 of 24

“So the king”

H4428

a king

וְכָל22 of 24
H3605

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

בְּנֵ֥י23 of 24

“and all the children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃24 of 24

“of Israel”

H3478

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

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 8:63 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 8:63 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezra 6:16-17Nehemiah 12:272 Chronicles 15:111 Chronicles 29:212 Chronicles 2:42 Chronicles 7:5

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