1 Kings 9:7
Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:
Original Language Analysis
וְהִכְרַתִּ֣י
Then will I cut off
H3772
וְהִכְרַתִּ֣י
Then will I cut off
Strong's:
H3772
Word #:
1 of 23
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
3 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מֵעַ֨ל
H5921
מֵעַ֨ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פָּנָ֑י
of my sight
H6440
פָּנָ֑י
of my sight
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
5 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נָתַ֣תִּי
which I have given
H5414
נָתַ֣תִּי
which I have given
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
8 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַבַּ֙יִת֙
them and this house
H1004
הַבַּ֙יִת֙
them and this house
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
11 of 23
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
12 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הִקְדַּ֣שְׁתִּי
which I have hallowed
H6942
הִקְדַּ֣שְׁתִּי
which I have hallowed
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
13 of 23
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
לִשְׁמִ֔י
for my ~
H8034
לִשְׁמִ֔י
for my ~
Strong's:
H8034
Word #:
14 of 23
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
אֲשַׁלַּ֖ח
will I cast out
H7971
אֲשַׁלַּ֖ח
will I cast out
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
15 of 23
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
16 of 23
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פָּנָ֑י
of my sight
H6440
פָּנָ֑י
of my sight
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
17 of 23
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וְהָיָ֧ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֧ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
18 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל
Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
19 of 23
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְמָשָׁ֥ל
shall be a proverb
H4912
לְמָשָׁ֥ל
shall be a proverb
Strong's:
H4912
Word #:
20 of 23
properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage, poem, discourse)
Cross References
Psalms 44:14Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.Jeremiah 24:9And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.Deuteronomy 4:26I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.Deuteronomy 28:37And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.Luke 21:24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.2 Kings 25:21And the king of Babylon smote them, and slew them at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away out of their land.2 Kings 25:9And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great man's house burnt he with fire.Jeremiah 26:6Then will I make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.Joel 2:17Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?2 Chronicles 7:20Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.
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 did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
- What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
- 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
Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:
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.