1 Kings Chapter 8 · Verse 10
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,
Original Language Analysis
וַיְהִ֕י
H1961
וַיְהִ֕י
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 10
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּצֵ֥את
were come out
H3318
בְּצֵ֥את
were come out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
2 of 10
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
And it came to pass when the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים
And it came to pass when the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
3 of 10
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
4 of 10
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the holy
H6944
הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ
of the holy
Strong's:
H6944
Word #:
5 of 10
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
וְהֶֽעָנָ֥ן
place that the cloud
H6051
וְהֶֽעָנָ֥ן
place that the cloud
Strong's:
H6051
Word #:
6 of 10
a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud
מָלֵ֖א
filled
H4390
מָלֵ֖א
filled
Strong's:
H4390
Word #:
7 of 10
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical 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.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled 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 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.