1 Kings Chapter 8 · Verse 15

Authorized King James Version

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And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

Original Language Analysis

לֵאמֹֽר׃ And he said H559
לֵאמֹֽר׃ And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
בָּר֤וּךְ Blessed H1288
בָּר֤וּךְ Blessed
Strong's: H1288
Word #: 2 of 14
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָה֙ be the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ be the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 4 of 14
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 5 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר֙ H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's: H834
Word #: 6 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֣ר which spake H1696
דִּבֶּ֣ר which spake
Strong's: H1696
Word #: 7 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּפִ֔יו with his mouth H6310
בְּפִ֔יו with his mouth
Strong's: H6310
Word #: 8 of 14
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
אֵ֖ת H854
אֵ֖ת
Strong's: H854
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
דָּוִ֣ד unto David H1732
דָּוִ֣ד unto David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 10 of 14
david, the youngest son of jesse
אָבִ֑י my father H1
אָבִ֑י my father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 11 of 14
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וּבְיָד֥וֹ and hath with his hand H3027
וּבְיָד֥וֹ and hath with his hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 12 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
מִלֵּ֖א fulfilled H4390
מִלֵּ֖א fulfilled
Strong's: H4390
Word #: 13 of 14
to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)
לֵאמֹֽר׃ And he said H559
לֵאמֹֽר׃ And he said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 14 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)

Analysis & Commentary

And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

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.

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