1 Kings Chapter 8 · Verse 61

Authorized King James Version

Study PDF

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

Original Language Analysis

וְהָיָ֤ה H1961
וְהָיָ֤ה
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 1 of 12
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְבַבְכֶם֙ Let your heart H3824
לְבַבְכֶם֙ Let your heart
Strong's: H3824
Word #: 2 of 12
the heart (as the most interior organ)
שָׁלֵ֔ם therefore be perfect H8003
שָׁלֵ֔ם therefore be perfect
Strong's: H8003
Word #: 3 of 12
complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly
עִ֖ם H5973
עִ֖ם
Strong's: H5973
Word #: 4 of 12
adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then
יְהוָ֣ה with the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֣ה with the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ our God H430
אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ our God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 6 of 12
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לָלֶ֧כֶת H1980
לָלֶ֧כֶת
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 7 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּחֻקָּ֛יו in his statutes H2706
בְּחֻקָּ֛יו in his statutes
Strong's: H2706
Word #: 8 of 12
an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר and to keep H8104
וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר and to keep
Strong's: H8104
Word #: 9 of 12
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתָ֖יו his commandments H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֖יו his commandments
Strong's: H4687
Word #: 10 of 12
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
כַּיּ֥וֹם as at this day H3117
כַּיּ֥וֹם as at this day
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 11 of 12
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּֽה׃ H2088
הַזֶּֽה׃
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 12 of 12
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Analysis & Commentary

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

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