1 Kings 8:15
And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
Original Language Analysis
בָּר֤וּךְ
Blessed
H1288
בָּר֤וּךְ
Blessed
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
2 of 14
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
יְהוָה֙
be the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
be the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
H430
אֱלֹהֵ֣י
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
4 of 14
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
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 14
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
דִּבֶּ֣ר
which spake
H1696
דִּבֶּ֣ר
which spake
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
7 of 14
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
בְּפִ֔יו
with his mouth
H6310
בְּפִ֔יו
with his mouth
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
8 of 14
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
אֵ֖ת
H854
אֵ֖ת
Strong's:
H854
Word #:
9 of 14
properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc
אָבִ֑י
my father
H1
אָבִ֑י
my father
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
11 of 14
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וּבְיָד֥וֹ
and hath with his hand
H3027
וּבְיָד֥וֹ
and hath with his hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 14
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
Cross References
Luke 1:68Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,Nehemiah 9:5Then the Levites, Jeshua, and Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabniah, Sherebiah, Hodijah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah, said, Stand up and bless the LORD your God for ever and ever: and blessed be thy glorious name, which is exalted above all blessing and praise.1 Chronicles 29:20And David said to all the congregation, Now bless the LORD your God. And all the congregation blessed the LORD God of their fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the LORD, and the king.1 Chronicles 29:10Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.Psalms 115:18But we will bless the LORD from this time forth and for evermore. Praise the LORD.Luke 1:70As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:Joshua 21:45There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass.2 Chronicles 6:4And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who hath with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to my father David, saying,
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 he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,
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.