King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 9:8 Mean?

1 Kings 9:8 in the King James Version says “And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, ...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?”

1 Kings 9:8 · KJV

Context

6

But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:

7

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

8

And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

9

And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.

10

And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD, and the king's house,

Read 1 Kings 9 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of god's covenant with solomon and his building projects, 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.

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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 did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
  2. What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְלַבַּ֥יִת1 of 19

“And at this house”

H1004

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

הַזֶּה֙2 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

יִֽהְיֶ֣ה3 of 19
H1961

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

עֶלְי֔וֹן4 of 19

“which is high”

H5945

an elevation, i.e., (adjectively) lofty (comparatively); as title, the supreme

כָּל5 of 19
H3605

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

עֹבֵ֥ר6 of 19

“every one that passeth”

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

עָלָ֖יו7 of 19
H5921

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

יִשֹּׁ֣ם8 of 19

“by it shall be astonished”

H8074

to stun (or intransitively, grow numb), i.e., devastate or (figuratively) stupefy (both usually in a passive sense)

וְשָׁרָ֑ק9 of 19

“and shall hiss”

H8319

properly, to be shrill, i.e., to whistle or hiss (as a call or in scorn)

וְאָֽמְר֗וּ10 of 19

“and they shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַל11 of 19
H5921

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

מֶ֨ה12 of 19
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

עָשָׂ֤ה13 of 19

“done”

H6213

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

יְהוָה֙14 of 19

“Why hath the LORD”

H3068

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

כָּ֔כָה15 of 19
H3602

just so, referring to the previous or following context

לָאָ֥רֶץ16 of 19

“thus unto this land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַזֹּ֖את17 of 19
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְלַבַּ֥יִת18 of 19

“And at this house”

H1004

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

הַזֶּֽה׃19 of 19
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 9:8 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 9:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 29:24-26Jeremiah 22:8-92 Chronicles 7:21Jeremiah 19:8Jeremiah 22:28Isaiah 64:11

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