1 Kings 8:42

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;

Complete Jewish Bible:

(for they will hear of your great reputation, your mighty hand and your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house;

Berean Standard Bible:

for they will hear of Your great name and mighty hand and outstretched arm—when he comes and prays toward this temple,

American Standard Version:

(for they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy mighty hand, and of thine outstretched arm); when he shall come and pray toward this house;

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

(For they shall hear^{H8085} of thy great^{H1419} name^{H8034}, and of thy strong^{H2389} hand^{H3027}, and of thy stretched out^{H5186} arm^{H2220};) when he shall come^{H935} and pray^{H6419} toward this house^{H1004};

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Kings 8:42

1 Kings 8:42 is part of the lengthy prayer offered by King Solomon at the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. This event marks a pivotal moment in Israel's history, as the Temple symbolizes both the permanence of Israel's presence in the Promised Land and the centralization of the worship of God. In this verse, Solomon acknowledges the greatness of God's name, His mighty deeds (symbolized by His "strong hand"), and His ability to save and deliver (represented by His "stretched out arm").

The historical context of this verse is rooted in the fulfillment of promises made to David by God, that his son would build a house for God's name. Solomon, David's son, has completed this task, and the Temple becomes the central place of worship for the Israelites. The verse reflects the understanding that God's reputation is known beyond Israel's borders and that His power and salvation are accessible to all who pray toward the Temple, regardless of their origin.

The themes of 1 Kings 8:42 include the recognition of God's universal sovereignty, the acknowledgment of His mighty acts in history, and the anticipation of His continuing intervention on behalf of His people. It also touches on the idea of prayer being directed toward a specific place (the Temple), which was significant in ancient Israelite religion, emphasizing the centrality of the Temple in worship and prayer. Solomon's prayer underscores the belief that God hears and responds to the prayers of His people, and it sets the stage for the Temple's role in Israel's religious life for centuries to come.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
2. Strong's Number: H1419
   There are 499 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גָּדוֹל
   Transliteration: gâdôwl
   Pronunciation: gaw-dole'
   Description: or גָּדֹל; (shortened) from גָּדַל; great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent; [phrase] aloud, elder(-est), [phrase] exceeding(-ly), [phrase] far, (man of) great (man, matter, thing,-er,-ness), high, long, loud, mighty, more, much, noble, proud thing, [idiom] sore, ([idiom]) very.
   
3. Strong's Number: H8034
   There are 771 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שֵׁם
   Transliteration: shêm
   Pronunciation: shame
   Description: a primitive word (perhaps rather from through the idea of definite and conspicuous position; compare שָׁמַיִם); an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character; [phrase] base, (in-) fame(-ous), named(-d), renown, report.
   
4. Strong's Number: H2389
   There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָזָק
   Transliteration: châzâq
   Pronunciation: khaw-zawk'
   Description: from חָזַק; strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent); harder, hottest, [phrase] impudent, loud, mighty, sore, stiff(-hearted), strong(-er).
   
5. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5186
   There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נָטָה
   Transliteration: nâṭâh
   Pronunciation: naw-taw'
   Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield.
   
7. Strong's Number: H2220
   There are 84 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זְרוֹעַ
   Transliteration: zᵉrôwaʻ
   Pronunciation: zer-o'-ah
   Description: or (shortened) זְרֹעַ; and (feminine) זְרוֹעָה; or זְרֹעָה; from זָרַע; the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force; arm, [phrase] help, mighty, power, shoulder, strength.
   
8. Strong's Number: H935
   There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בּוֹא
   Transliteration: bôwʼ
   Pronunciation: bo
   Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way.
   
9. Strong's Number: H6419
   There are 82 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: פָּלַל
   Transliteration: pâlal
   Pronunciation: paw-lal'
   Description: a primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray; intreat, judge(-ment), (make) pray(-er, -ing), make supplication.
   
10. Strong's Number: H1004
    There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בַּיִת
    Transliteration: bayith
    Pronunciation: bah'-yith
    Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).