1 Kings 8:38

KJV

What prayer and supplication soever be [made] by any man, [or] by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:

KJV (with Strong's)

What prayer {H8605} and supplication {H8467} soever be made by any man {H120}, or by all thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}, which shall know {H3045} every man {H376} the plague {H5061} of his own heart {H3824}, and spread forth {H6566} his hands {H3709} toward this house {H1004}:

Complete Jewish Bible

then, regardless of what prayer or plea anyone among all your people Isra'el makes - for each individual will know what is plagueing his own conscience - and the person spreads out his hands toward this house;

Berean Standard Bible

then may whatever prayer or petition Your people Israel make—each knowing his own afflictions and spreading out his hands toward this temple—

American Standard Version

what prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 8:38 is a pivotal verse within King Solomon's profound dedication prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. It anticipates a scenario where an individual, or the collective people of Israel, comes to a deep, personal realization of their inner spiritual brokenness—metaphorically described as "the plague of his own heart." In such a state of self-awareness and humility, they are to spread forth their hands in supplication towards the Temple, signifying their earnest desire for divine intervention, forgiveness, and healing from this internal malady. The verse underscores the necessity of genuine introspection and heartfelt confession as foundational to effective prayer and God's merciful response.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the Temple, recorded in [1 Kings 8](/1-kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Solomon's Temple Dedication Prayer"). Beginning in [1 Kings 8:22](/1-kings/8-22 "1 Kings 8:22 - Solomon's Prayer Begins"), Solomon stands before the altar, addressing God and the assembled people of Israel. His prayer systematically outlines various hypothetical future scenarios where the people might face adversity—such as war, drought, famine, pestilence, or, as highlighted in this verse, a profound personal awareness of sin. For each scenario, Solomon petitions God to hear the prayers offered toward the Temple and to grant mercy, forgiveness, or deliverance. This specific plea concerning the "plague of the heart" is unique in its focus on an internal, spiritual condition, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of Solomon's intercession for his people's spiritual as well as physical well-being.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The completion and dedication of the Temple marked a monumental event in Israelite history, signifying the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for God's Name among His people. Prior to this, the Tabernacle had served as the mobile sanctuary. The Temple became the central hub for Israelite worship, sacrifice, and national identity. Culturally, "spreading forth hands" was a common and deeply significant posture of prayer, indicating earnest supplication, humility, and dependence on God. The concept of "plague" (Hebrew: _negaʿ_) was well-understood, often referring to physical diseases like leprosy, which carried both medical and ritualistic impurity. Applying this term metaphorically to the "heart" would have conveyed the severity and pervasive nature of internal spiritual corruption, much like a physical disease that defiles and incapacitates. The covenant relationship between God and Israel meant that sin had direct consequences, and repentance was essential for restoration.

* **Key Themes:** 1 Kings 8:38 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Kings and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the **centrality of the Temple** as the designated place where God's Name dwells and where His people can seek His face, even if they are physically far away, by turning "toward this house." Another crucial theme is the **necessity of genuine repentance and confession**, emphasizing that true prayer must stem from an honest, introspective awareness of one's own sinfulness and spiritual brokenness. The phrase "the plague of his own heart" highlights the **pervasive nature of human sin**, not just as external acts but as an internal, inherent condition that requires divine healing. This aligns with later biblical teachings on the heart as the seat of moral and spiritual life, as seen in [Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guarding the Heart") and [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart"). Implicit in Solomon's prayer is the theme of **God's merciful character** and His readiness to hear and forgive those who humble themselves and turn to Him, a promise explicitly reiterated in [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2-chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise to Hear and Heal").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"plague" (Hebrew, _negaʿ_):** This term typically denotes a physical affliction, a blow, or a mark of disease, most notably used for leprosy. Its application here to the "heart" is profoundly metaphorical. It signifies a deep-seated, pervasive spiritual malady—an inherent sinfulness, moral corruption, or profound inner distress that afflicts the core of a person's being. The use of this word elevates the seriousness of internal sin to the level of a debilitating and defiling disease, emphasizing its destructive power and the urgent need for divine healing.
* **"heart" (Hebrew, _lev/levav_):** In biblical anthropology, the "heart" is far more than just the seat of emotions. It represents the totality of a person's inner self: their intellect, will, conscience, moral center, and the source of their thoughts, intentions, and actions. Thus, "the plague of his own heart" indicates a fundamental corruption or brokenness at the very core of one's identity and being, affecting every aspect of their life and relationship with God.
* **"spread forth his hands" (Hebrew, _paras yad_):** This is a common and evocative biblical posture of prayer and supplication. It conveys earnestness, humility, dependence, and a reaching out to God for help. It signifies a profound act of surrender and an open appeal for divine mercy, demonstrating the sincerity and desperation of the worshiper.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"What prayer and supplication soever be [made] by any man, [or] by all thy people Israel,"**: This opening clause establishes the broad scope of the petition, encompassing both individual and corporate expressions of earnest prayer and humble entreaty. It highlights that God's ear is attentive to the cries of His people, whether from a single soul in distress or from the entire community facing a collective challenge. The emphasis is on the nature of the communication: sincere, heartfelt requests for divine intervention.
* **"which shall know every man the plague of his own heart,"**: This is the critical condition for effective prayer. It is not merely any prayer, but one that arises from a deep, personal, and often painful awareness of one's inherent sinfulness, spiritual brokenness, or profound internal trouble. The act of "knowing" here implies more than intellectual assent; it signifies a profound conviction, an honest recognition of one's own spiritual disease, and a humble acknowledgment of personal culpability or inner brokenness before God. This introspection is the prerequisite for genuine repentance and seeking divine healing.
* **"and spread forth his hands toward this house:"**: This clause describes the physical act and the designated direction of prayer. The Temple, "this house," served as the tangible symbol of God's presence among His people and the promised place where He would hear their prayers. The posture of "spreading forth his hands" reinforces the earnestness, humility, and complete dependence of the worshiper, directing their entire being in supplication towards the divine presence.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. **Metaphor** is central, particularly in the phrase "the plague of his own heart." By likening an internal spiritual condition to a physical disease or affliction, the text vividly communicates the severity, pervasiveness, and defiling nature of sin and inner brokenness. This metaphor underscores that the most fundamental human problem is not merely external circumstances but an internal spiritual sickness that requires divine healing. **Synecdoche** is also present, where "heart" represents the entire inner person—intellect, will, emotions, and moral core—signifying that the spiritual malady affects the whole being. The act of "spreading forth his hands" functions as **symbolism**, representing a universal posture of humble supplication, surrender, and earnest appeal to a higher power. This physical gesture symbolizes the internal disposition of humility and dependence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 8:38 provides a foundational Old Testament insight into the nature of genuine prayer and the human condition. It teaches that effective supplication begins not with a focus on external circumstances, but with an honest, internal reckoning with one's own spiritual brokenness. The "plague of the heart" is a universal human experience, acknowledging the inherent sinfulness and moral corruption that afflicts every individual. This verse establishes the Temple as the divinely appointed locus for seeking God's mercy and forgiveness, foreshadowing the ultimate means of access to God. It highlights God's character as one who is attentive to the contrite heart and ready to respond with healing and forgiveness to those who humble themselves and confess their need. The emphasis on internal conviction preceding outward action remains a timeless principle for authentic spiritual engagement.

* [2 Chronicles 7:14](/2-chronicles/7-14 "2 Chronicles 7:14 - God's Promise to Hear and Heal")
* [Psalm 51:17](/psalm/51-17 "Psalm 51:17 - A Broken and Contrite Heart")
* [Romans 7:24](/romans/7-24 "Romans 7:24 - The Wretched Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 8:38 holds profound and enduring relevance for every believer today. It challenges us to move beyond superficial prayers and to cultivate a deep, honest self-awareness before God. The "plague of his own heart" reminds us that our greatest need is not merely for external circumstances to change, but for the healing of our inner spiritual brokenness—our inherent sinfulness, our pride, our anxieties, and our rebellion against God. True prayer, as modeled here, begins with humble introspection and a willingness to acknowledge our deepest flaws and needs. It calls us to lay bare our hearts before God, recognizing that He desires sincerity and truth in our inner being more than ritualistic performance. While we no longer turn to a physical temple, the principle remains: we must turn our hearts fully and humbly towards God, acknowledging our spiritual sickness and trusting in His mercy. This verse offers immense hope, assuring us that when we genuinely recognize our need and turn to Him, God is ready and willing to hear and respond.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging the "plague of your own heart" change the way you approach God in prayer?**
* **In what ways do you tend to externalize problems or blame circumstances, rather than recognizing internal spiritual issues that may be at their root?**
* **What does "spreading forth your hands" (metaphorically) look like in your personal prayer life today, in terms of humility, surrender, and earnest seeking?**

### FAQ
**What does "the plague of his own heart" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "the plague of his own heart" is a powerful metaphor for the deep-seated spiritual brokenness, inherent sinfulness, moral corruption, or profound inner distress that afflicts every human being. It's not necessarily a specific, identifiable sin, but rather the pervasive condition of the human heart that inclines towards sin, self-centeredness, and away from God. Just as a physical plague causes suffering and defilement, this spiritual "plague" signifies a fundamental internal sickness that impacts one's entire being. The individual "knows" this plague, implying a personal conviction and recognition of their own spiritual malady, leading to a humble cry for divine intervention and healing. It highlights that the most fundamental human problem is not external circumstances but internal spiritual sickness, as vividly described in [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "Jeremiah 17:9 - The Deceitful Heart").

**Is the physical Temple still necessary for prayer today, given this verse?**

Answer: While 1 Kings 8:38 emphasizes turning "toward this house" (the Temple) as the designated focal point for prayer, this was a specific provision under the Old Covenant. The Temple served as a tangible symbol of God's presence and the place where Israel was to seek Him. However, in the New Covenant, the need for a physical temple has been superseded by the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus declared His body to be the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")), and through His atoning sacrifice, believers now have direct and confident access to God's throne of grace ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence")). Furthermore, the Holy Spirit indwells believers, making their bodies temples of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1-corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body a Temple")). Therefore, genuine prayer is now about the posture of the heart and the mediation of Christ, not a physical location.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 8:38, with its emphasis on the "plague of his own heart" and turning towards the Temple for healing, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The physical Temple, to which Solomon directed Israel's prayers, was a powerful shadow and type of Christ Himself, who declared that He was the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple")). While Old Testament individuals recognized their internal spiritual disease and turned to a physical structure, Christ is the One who truly "knows what was in man" ([John 2:25](/john/2-25 "John 2:25 - Jesus Knew What Was in Man")) and came not for the healthy, but for those afflicted with spiritual sickness ([Mark 2:17](/mark/2-17 "Mark 2:17 - Jesus Came for Sinners")). The "plague of the heart"—humanity's inherent sinfulness—is ultimately addressed by Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, where He became sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2-corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His finished work, we no longer turn to a stone building, but we have direct and confident access to God's throne of grace through our great High Priest, Jesus Christ ([Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Approach the Throne of Grace with Confidence"), [Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")). He is our mediator ([1 Timothy 2:5](/1-timothy/2-5 "1 Timothy 2:5 - One Mediator")) and intercedes for us, making it possible for our prayers, born of a contrite heart, to be heard and for the "plague" of sin to be forgiven and healed ([1 John 1:9](/1-john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.