1 Kings 8:29

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
לִֽהְיוֹת֩
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
עֵינֶ֨ךָ
That thine eyes
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
#3
פְתֻחֹ֜ת
may be open
to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve
#4
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#5
הַבַּ֤יִת
toward this house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#6
הַזֶּה֙
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#7
לַ֣יְלָה
night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#8
וָי֔וֹם
and day
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
#9
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
הַמָּק֖וֹם
even toward the place
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)
#11
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#12
אָמַ֔רְתָּ
of which thou hast said
to say (used with great latitude)
#13
יִֽהְיֶ֥ה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#14
שְׁמִ֖י
My ~
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#15
שָׁ֑ם
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#16
לִשְׁמֹ֙עַ֙
shall be there that thou mayest hearken
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#17
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#18
הַתְּפִלָּ֔ה
unto the prayer
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
#19
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#20
יִתְפַּלֵּ֣ל
shall make
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
#21
עַבְדְּךָ֔
which thy servant
a servant
#22
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#23
הַמָּק֖וֹם
even toward the place
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)
#24
הַזֶּֽה׃
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of 1 Kings Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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