1 Kings 8:33
When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:
Original Language Analysis
בְּֽהִנָּגֵ֞ף
be smitten down
H5062
בְּֽהִנָּגֵ֞ף
be smitten down
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
1 of 18
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
עַמְּךָ֧
When thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֧
When thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 18
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
H6440
לִפְנֵ֥י
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
4 of 18
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֶֽחֶטְאוּ
because they have sinned
H2398
יֶֽחֶטְאוּ
because they have sinned
Strong's:
H2398
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, (causatively) lead astray, condemn
וְשָׁ֤בוּ
against thee and shall turn again
H7725
וְשָׁ֤בוּ
against thee and shall turn again
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
9 of 18
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
וְהוֹד֣וּ
to thee and confess
H3034
וְהוֹד֣וּ
to thee and confess
Strong's:
H3034
Word #:
11 of 18
physically, to throw (a stone, an arrow) at or away; especially to revere or worship (with extended hands); intensively, to bemoan (by wringing the ha
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמֶ֔ךָ
thy ~
H8034
שְׁמֶ֔ךָ
thy ~
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
13 of 18
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ
and pray
H6419
וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֧וּ
and pray
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
14 of 18
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֛וּ
and make supplication
H2603
וְהִֽתְחַנְּנ֛וּ
and make supplication
Strong's:
H2603
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
Cross References
Leviticus 26:17And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you.Deuteronomy 28:25The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.Deuteronomy 28:48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.Leviticus 26:25And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.
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
When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:
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.