1 Kings 8:38
What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:
Original Language Analysis
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
1 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
תְּפִלָּ֣ה
What prayer
H8605
תְּפִלָּ֣ה
What prayer
Strong's:
H8605
Word #:
2 of 21
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
כָל
H3605
כָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
5 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תִֽהְיֶה֙
H1961
תִֽהְיֶה֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְכָל
H3605
לְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֣אָדָ֔ם
soever be made by any man
H120
הָ֣אָדָ֔ם
soever be made by any man
Strong's:
H120
Word #:
8 of 21
ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)
לְכֹ֖ל
H3605
לְכֹ֖ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
עַמְּךָ֣
or by all thy people
H5971
עַמְּךָ֣
or by all thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
10 of 21
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
11 of 21
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֵֽדְע֗וּן
which shall know
H3045
יֵֽדְע֗וּן
which shall know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
13 of 21
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אִ֚ישׁ
every man
H376
אִ֚ישׁ
every man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
14 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
נֶ֣גַע
the plague
H5061
נֶ֣גַע
the plague
Strong's:
H5061
Word #:
15 of 21
a blow (figuratively, infliction); also (by implication) a spot (concretely, a leprous person or dress)
כַּפָּ֖יו
his hands
H3709
כַּפָּ֖יו
his hands
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
18 of 21
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
Cross References
1 Kings 8:22And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:Philippians 4:6Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.Isaiah 1:15And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.Isaiah 37:4It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left.Psalms 42:11Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.Psalms 42:6O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.Psalms 50:15And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.Psalms 42:9I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?Psalms 91:15He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.Proverbs 14:10The heart knoweth his own bitterness; and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy.
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
What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward 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.