King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 8:65 Mean?

1 Kings 8:65 in the King James Version says “And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unt... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 8 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

1 Kings 8:65 · KJV


Context

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.

66

On the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people. blessed: or, thanked


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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 · 26 words
וַיַּ֣עַשׂ1 of 26

held

H6213

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

שְׁלֹמֹ֣ה2 of 26

Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

בָֽעֵת3 of 26

And at that time

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

הַהִ֣יא׀4 of 26
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

אֶת5 of 26
H853

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

הֶחָ֡ג6 of 26

a feast

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

וְכָל7 of 26
H3605

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

יִשְׂרָאֵ֣ל8 of 26

and all Israel

H3478

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

עִמּוֹ֩9 of 26
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

קָהָ֨ל10 of 26

congregation

H6951

assemblage (usually concretely)

גָּד֜וֹל11 of 26

with him a great

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

מִלְּב֥וֹא12 of 26

from the entering

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

חֲמָ֣ת׀13 of 26

in of Hamath

H2574

chamath, a place in syria

עַד14 of 26
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

נַ֣חַל15 of 26

unto the river

H5158

a stream, especially a winter torrent; (by implication) a (narrow) valley (in which a brook runs); also a shaft (of a mine)

מִצְרַ֗יִם16 of 26

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

לִפְנֵי֙17 of 26

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָ֣ה18 of 26

the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֔ינוּ19 of 26

our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְשִׁבְעַ֣ת20 of 26

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יֽוֹם׃21 of 26

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

וְשִׁבְעַ֣ת22 of 26

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

יֽוֹם׃23 of 26

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אַרְבָּעָ֥ה24 of 26

even fourteen

H702

four

עָשָׂ֖ר25 of 26
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

יֽוֹם׃26 of 26

days

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso


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 8:65 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 8:65 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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