1 Kings 8:48
And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
Original Language Analysis
וְשָׁ֣בוּ
And so return
H7725
וְשָׁ֣בוּ
And so return
Strong's:
H7725
Word #:
1 of 25
to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
לְבָבָם֙
unto thee with all their heart
H3824
לְבָבָם֙
unto thee with all their heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
4 of 25
the heart (as the most interior organ)
וּבְכָל
H3605
וּבְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נַפְשָׁ֔ם
and with all their soul
H5315
נַפְשָׁ֔ם
and with all their soul
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
9 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֹתָ֑ם
H853
אֹתָ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ
and pray
H6419
וְהִתְפַּֽלְל֣וּ
and pray
Strong's:
H6419
Word #:
12 of 25
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
דֶּ֤רֶךְ
unto thee toward
H1870
דֶּ֤רֶךְ
unto thee toward
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
14 of 25
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֣תָּה
which thou gavest
H5414
נָתַ֣תָּה
which thou gavest
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
17 of 25
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לַֽאֲבוֹתָ֔ם
unto their fathers
H1
לַֽאֲבוֹתָ֔ם
unto their fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
18 of 25
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
הָעִיר֙
the city
H5892
הָעִיר֙
the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
19 of 25
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
20 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּחַ֔רְתָּ
which thou hast chosen
H977
בָּחַ֔רְתָּ
which thou hast chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
וְהַבַּ֖יִת
and the house
H1004
וְהַבַּ֖יִת
and the house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
22 of 25
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
23 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:29But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.Daniel 6:10Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.Nehemiah 1:9But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there.Jonah 2:4Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.
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
And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for 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.