1 Kings 8:54

Authorized King James Version

And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֣י׀
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת
had made an end
to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)
#3
שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה
And it was so that when Solomon
shelomah, david's successor
#4
לְהִתְפַּלֵּל֙
of praying
to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray
#5
אֶל
near, with or among; often in general, to
#6
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
אֵ֛ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
כָּל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#9
הַתְּפִלָּ֥ה
all this prayer
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
#10
וְהַתְּחִנָּ֖ה
and supplication
graciousness; causatively, entreaty
#11
הַזֹּ֑את
this (often used adverb)
#12
קָ֞ם
he arose
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
#13
מִלִּפְנֵ֨י
from before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
מִזְבַּ֤ח
the altar
an altar
#15
יְהוָה֙
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#16
מִכְּרֹ֣עַ
from kneeling
to bend the knee; by implication, to sink, to prostrate
#17
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#18
בִּרְכָּ֔יו
on his knees
a knee
#19
וְכַפָּ֖יו
with his hands
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-
#20
פְּרֻשׂ֥וֹת
spread up
to break apart, disperse, etc
#21
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
to 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

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to 1 Kings. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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