1 Kings 8:4

Authorized King James Version

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And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ And they brought up H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ And they brought up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 1 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 2 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֲר֤וֹן the ark H727
אֲר֤וֹן the ark
Strong's: H727
Word #: 3 of 17
a box
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 17
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּאֹ֑הֶל and the tabernacle H168
בָּאֹ֑הֶל and the tabernacle
Strong's: H168
Word #: 6 of 17
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
מוֹעֵ֔ד of the congregation H4150
מוֹעֵ֔ד of the congregation
Strong's: H4150
Word #: 7 of 17
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 8 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 9 of 17
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּלֵ֥י vessels H3627
כְּלֵ֥י vessels
Strong's: H3627
Word #: 10 of 17
something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ and all the holy H6944
הַקֹּ֖דֶשׁ and all the holy
Strong's: H6944
Word #: 11 of 17
a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 12 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּאֹ֑הֶל and the tabernacle H168
בָּאֹ֑הֶל and the tabernacle
Strong's: H168
Word #: 13 of 17
a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance)
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ And they brought up H5927
וַיַּֽעֲל֣וּ And they brought up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 14 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
אֹתָ֔ם H853
אֹתָ֔ם
Strong's: H853
Word #: 15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים even those did the priests H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִ֖ים even those did the priests
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 16 of 17
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
וְהַלְוִיִּֽם׃ and the Levites H3881
וְהַלְוִיִּֽם׃ and the Levites
Strong's: H3881
Word #: 17 of 17
a levite or descendant of levi

Analysis & Commentary

And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.

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 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.

Questions for Reflection

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