1 Kings 9:3

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Original Language Analysis

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said H559
וַיֹּ֨אמֶר said
Strong's: H559
Word #: 1 of 28
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֜ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֜ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֵלָ֗יו H413
אֵלָ֗יו
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 28
near, with or among; often in general, to
שָׁ֠מַעְתִּי unto him I have heard H8085
שָׁ֠מַעְתִּי unto him I have heard
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 4 of 28
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 5 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּפִלָּֽתְךָ֣ thy prayer H8605
תְּפִלָּֽתְךָ֣ thy prayer
Strong's: H8605
Word #: 6 of 28
intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 7 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
תְּחִנָּֽתְךָ֮ and thy supplication H8467
תְּחִנָּֽתְךָ֮ and thy supplication
Strong's: H8467
Word #: 8 of 28
graciousness; causatively, entreaty
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 9 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִתְחַנַּ֣נְתָּה that thou hast made H2603
הִתְחַנַּ֣נְתָּה that thou hast made
Strong's: H2603
Word #: 10 of 28
properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)
לְפָנַי֒ before H6440
לְפָנַי֒ before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 11 of 28
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
הִקְדַּ֗שְׁתִּי me I have hallowed H6942
הִקְדַּ֗שְׁתִּי me I have hallowed
Strong's: H6942
Word #: 12 of 28
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 13 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבַּ֤יִת this house H1004
הַבַּ֤יִת this house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 14 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַזֶּה֙ H2088
הַזֶּה֙
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 15 of 28
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 16 of 28
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָּנִ֔תָה which thou hast built H1129
בָּנִ֔תָה which thou hast built
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 17 of 28
to build (literally and figuratively)
לָֽשׂוּם to put H7760
לָֽשׂוּם to put
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 18 of 28
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
שְׁמִ֥י my ~ H8034
שְׁמִ֥י my ~
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 19 of 28
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
שָׁ֖ם H8033
שָׁ֖ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 20 of 28
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
עַד there for H5704
עַד there for
Strong's: H5704
Word #: 21 of 28
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
עוֹלָ֑ם ever H5769
עוֹלָ֑ם ever
Strong's: H5769
Word #: 22 of 28
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וְהָי֨וּ H1961
וְהָי֨וּ
Strong's: H1961
Word #: 23 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֵינַ֧י and mine eyes H5869
עֵינַ֧י and mine eyes
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 24 of 28
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְלִבִּ֛י and mine heart H3820
וְלִבִּ֛י and mine heart
Strong's: H3820
Word #: 25 of 28
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
שָׁ֖ם H8033
שָׁ֖ם
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 26 of 28
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 27 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּמִֽים׃ shall be there perpetually H3117
הַיָּמִֽים׃ shall be there perpetually
Strong's: H3117
Word #: 28 of 28
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

Cross References

Psalms 10:17LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:1 Kings 8:29That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.2 Kings 20:5Turn again, and tell Hezekiah the captain of my people, Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD.Psalms 116:1I love the LORD, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications.1 John 5:14And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:Deuteronomy 11:12A land which the LORD thy God careth for: the eyes of the LORD thy God are always upon it, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year.2 Chronicles 6:40Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine ears be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.Exodus 20:11For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.Matthew 6:9After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.Acts 10:31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of god's covenant with solomon and his building projects, 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.

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

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