1 Kings 8:16

Authorized King James Version

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Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

Original Language Analysis

מִן H4480
מִן
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 1 of 26
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּ֗וֹם Since the day H3117
הַיּ֗וֹם Since the day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 2 of 26
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
אֲשֶׁ֨ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 3 of 26
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הוֹצֵ֜אתִי that I brought forth H3318
הוֹצֵ֜אתִי that I brought forth
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 4 of 26
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַמִּ֥י my people H5971
עַמִּ֥י my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 6 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 8 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִמִּצְרַיִם֒ out of Egypt H4714
מִמִּצְרַיִם֒ out of Egypt
Strong's: H4714
Word #: 9 of 26
mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 10 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וָֽאֶבְחַ֣ר I chose H977
וָֽאֶבְחַ֣ר I chose
Strong's: H977
Word #: 11 of 26
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
בְעִ֗יר no city H5892
בְעִ֗יר no city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 12 of 26
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
מִכֹּל֙ H3605
מִכֹּל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 13 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שִׁבְטֵ֣י out of all the tribes H7626
שִׁבְטֵ֣י out of all the tribes
Strong's: H7626
Word #: 14 of 26
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 15 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִבְנ֣וֹת to build H1129
לִבְנ֣וֹת to build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 16 of 26
to build (literally and figuratively)
בַּ֔יִת an house H1004
בַּ֔יִת an house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 17 of 26
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
לִֽהְי֥וֹת H1961
לִֽהְי֥וֹת
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 18 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שְׁמִ֖י that my ~ H8034
שְׁמִ֖י that my ~
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 19 of 26
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁ֑ם H8033
שָׁ֑ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 20 of 26
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
וָֽאֶבְחַ֣ר I chose H977
וָֽאֶבְחַ֣ר I chose
Strong's: H977
Word #: 21 of 26
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
בְּדָוִ֔ד David H1732
בְּדָוִ֔ד David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 22 of 26
david, the youngest son of jesse
לִֽהְי֖וֹת H1961
לִֽהְי֖וֹת
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 23 of 26
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 24 of 26
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
עַמִּ֥י my people H5971
עַמִּ֥י my people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 25 of 26
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 26 of 26
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

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.

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.

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