1 Kings 8:23
And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֞ה
LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֞ה
LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
3 of 20
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
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵל֙
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
4 of 20
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
H430
אֱלֹהִ֔ים
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
7 of 20
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
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם
like thee in heaven
H8064
בַּשָּׁמַ֣יִם
like thee in heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
8 of 20
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
מִמַּ֔עַל
above
H4605
מִמַּ֔עַל
above
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
9 of 20
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וְעַל
H5921
וְעַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מִתָּ֑חַת
H8478
מִתָּ֑חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
12 of 20
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
שֹׁמֵ֤ר
beneath who keepest
H8104
שֹׁמֵ֤ר
beneath who keepest
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
13 of 20
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
הַבְּרִית֙
covenant
H1285
הַבְּרִית֙
covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
14 of 20
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד
and mercy
H2617
וְֽהַחֶ֔סֶד
and mercy
Strong's:
H2617
Word #:
15 of 20
kindness; by implication (towards god) piety; rarely (by opposition) reproof, or (subject.) beauty
הַהֹֽלְכִ֥ים
that walk
H1980
הַהֹֽלְכִ֥ים
that walk
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
17 of 20
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְפָנֶ֖יךָ
before
H6440
לְפָנֶ֖יךָ
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
18 of 20
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
2 Samuel 7:22Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears.Deuteronomy 7:9Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;Nehemiah 1:5And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments:Daniel 9:4And I prayed unto the LORD my God, and made my confession, and said, O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments;Nehemiah 9:32Now therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria unto this day.Exodus 15:11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?1 Samuel 2:2There is none holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God.Jeremiah 10:16The portion of Jacob is not like them: for he is the former of all things; and Israel is the rod of his inheritance: The LORD of hosts is his name.Isaiah 40:25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.Psalms 113:5Who is like unto the LORD our God, who dwelleth on high,
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, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:
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. God's covenant faithfulness remains steadfast despite human unfaithfulness, ultimately fulfilled in the new covenant through Christ.
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.