1 Kings 8:29
That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
Original Language Analysis
לִֽהְיוֹת֩
H1961
לִֽהְיוֹת֩
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֵינֶ֨ךָ
That thine eyes
H5869
עֵינֶ֨ךָ
That thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 24
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
פְתֻחֹ֜ת
may be open
H6605
פְתֻחֹ֜ת
may be open
Strong's:
H6605
Word #:
3 of 24
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
הַבַּ֤יִת
toward this house
H1004
הַבַּ֤יִת
toward this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 24
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַזֶּה֙
H2088
לַ֣יְלָה
night
H3915
לַ֣יְלָה
night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
7 of 24
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וָי֔וֹם
and day
H3117
וָי֔וֹם
and day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 24
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
הַמָּק֖וֹם
even toward the place
H4725
הַמָּק֖וֹם
even toward the place
Strong's:
H4725
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אָמַ֔רְתָּ
of which thou hast said
H559
אָמַ֔רְתָּ
of which thou hast said
Strong's:
H559
Word #:
12 of 24
to say (used with great latitude)
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
13 of 24
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
שְׁמִ֖י
My ~
H8034
שְׁמִ֖י
My ~
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
14 of 24
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁ֑ם
H8033
לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙
shall be there that thou mayest hearken
H8085
לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙
shall be there that thou mayest hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
16 of 24
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה
unto the prayer
H8605
הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה
unto the prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
18 of 24
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
19 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
shall make
H6419
יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
shall make
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
20 of 24
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
Cross References
2 Chronicles 6:20That thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place.Nehemiah 1:6Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the children of Israel thy servants, and confess the sins of the children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned.Deuteronomy 12:11Then there shall be a place which the LORD your God shall choose to cause his name to dwell there; thither shall ye bring all that I command you; your burnt offerings, and your sacrifices, your tithes, and the heave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which ye vow unto the LORD:1 Kings 8:16Since 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.Nehemiah 1:9But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.2 Kings 23:27And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.2 Chronicles 33:4Also he built altars in the house of the LORD, whereof the LORD had said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.Daniel 9:18O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies.
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?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
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.