1 Kings 8:43

Authorized King James Version

Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
אַתָּ֞ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#2
תִּשְׁמַ֤ע
Hear
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#3
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
thou in heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#4
מְכ֣וֹן
place
properly, a fixture, i.e., a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode
#5
שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ
thy dwelling
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
#6
וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ
and do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
#7
כְּכֹ֛ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#9
נִקְרָ֔א
calleth
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#10
אֵלֶ֖יךָ
near, with or among; often in general, to
#11
הַנָּכְרִ֑י
according to all that the stranger
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
#12
לְמַ֣עַן
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#13
וְלָדַ֕עַת
and that they may know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#14
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#15
כְּעַמְּךָ֣
thee as do thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#16
הָאָ֜רֶץ
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#17
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy ~
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#19
לְיִרְאָ֤ה
to fear
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
#20
אֹֽתְךָ֙
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#21
כְּעַמְּךָ֣
thee as do thy people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#22
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
#23
וְלָדַ֕עַת
and that they may know
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#24
כִּֽי
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#25
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy ~
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
#26
נִקְרָ֔א
calleth
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
#27
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#28
הַבַּ֥יִת
that this house
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
#29
הַזֶּ֖ה
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
#30
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#31
בָּנִֽיתִי׃
which I have builded
to build (literally and figuratively)

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 covenant community 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 covenant community in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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