1 Kings 8:43
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.
Original Language Analysis
תִּשְׁמַ֤ע
Hear
H8085
תִּשְׁמַ֤ע
Hear
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 31
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
thou in heaven
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙
thou in heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
3 of 31
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
מְכ֣וֹן
place
H4349
מְכ֣וֹן
place
Strong's:
H4349
Word #:
4 of 31
properly, a fixture, i.e., a basis; generally a place, especially as an abode
שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ
thy dwelling
H3427
שִׁבְתֶּ֔ךָ
thy dwelling
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
5 of 31
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ
and do
H6213
וְעָשִׂ֕יתָ
and do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
6 of 31
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
כְּכֹ֛ל
H3605
כְּכֹ֛ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נִקְרָ֔א
calleth
H7121
נִקְרָ֔א
calleth
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
9 of 31
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
הַנָּכְרִ֑י
according to all that the stranger
H5237
הַנָּכְרִ֑י
according to all that the stranger
Strong's:
H5237
Word #:
11 of 31
strange, in a variety of degrees and applications (foreign, non-relative, adulterous, different, wonderful)
לְמַ֣עַן
H4616
לְמַ֣עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
12 of 31
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
וְלָדַ֕עַת
and that they may know
H3045
וְלָדַ֕עַת
and that they may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
13 of 31
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
14 of 31
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
כְּעַמְּךָ֣
thee as do thy people
H5971
כְּעַמְּךָ֣
thee as do thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
15 of 31
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy ~
H8034
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy ~
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
18 of 31
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
לְיִרְאָ֤ה
to fear
H3372
לְיִרְאָ֤ה
to fear
Strong's:
H3372
Word #:
19 of 31
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
אֹֽתְךָ֙
H853
אֹֽתְךָ֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כְּעַמְּךָ֣
thee as do thy people
H5971
כְּעַמְּךָ֣
thee as do thy people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
21 of 31
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
22 of 31
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וְלָדַ֕עַת
and that they may know
H3045
וְלָדַ֕עַת
and that they may know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
23 of 31
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
24 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy ~
H8034
שִׁמְךָ֣
by thy ~
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
25 of 31
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
נִקְרָ֔א
calleth
H7121
נִקְרָ֔א
calleth
Strong's:
H7121
Word #:
26 of 31
to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
27 of 31
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַבַּ֥יִת
that this house
H1004
הַבַּ֥יִת
that this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
28 of 31
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
Cross References
Psalms 102:15So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.1 Samuel 17:46This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.Psalms 86:9All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.Psalms 22:27All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.Psalms 67:2That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.2 Kings 19:19Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou art the LORD God, even thou only.
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
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.
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.