1 Kings 8:42

KJV

(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;

KJV (with Strong's)

(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};

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;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon's dedication prayer for the newly constructed temple in Jerusalem remarkably extends beyond the nation of Israel to encompass foreigners. This verse anticipates a time when non-Israelites, having heard of the Lord's magnificent character, His mighty power, and His decisive acts of deliverance, would journey to Jerusalem to pray toward the temple. It underscores God's universal renown and His gracious willingness to hear and respond to all who sincerely seek Him, regardless of their national origin.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within King Solomon's profound and extensive prayer of dedication for the newly completed temple in Jerusalem, found in [1 Kings 8:22-53](/1_kings/8-22 "1 Kings 8:22-53 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication"). Following the majestic installation of the Ark of the Covenant and the overwhelming presence of the Lord filling the temple ([1 Kings 8:10-11](/1_kings/8-10 "1 Kings 8:10-11 - The Glory of the Lord Fills the Temple")), Solomon offers this prayer, covering various scenarios where Israel might need God's intervention. While much of the prayer focuses on the covenant relationship with Israel, [1 Kings 8:41-43](/1_kings/8-41 "1 Kings 8:41-43 - Solomon's Prayer for Foreigners") specifically broadens the scope to include "the foreigner who is not of your people Israel," demonstrating a remarkable openness to non-Israelites seeking the Lord. This inclusion highlights a theological trajectory towards God's universal redemptive plan, even within the Old Covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction and dedication of the Temple marked a monumental achievement in Israelite history, establishing Jerusalem as the spiritual and political center of the nation. In the ancient Near East, temples were typically dedicated to national deities, and access was often restricted to the native populace. Solomon's prayer, therefore, represents a significant departure from typical ancient religious practices by explicitly acknowledging and welcoming non-Israelites who would come to worship the God of Israel. This openness reflects the unique nature of Yahweh, the one true God, whose fame and power were not confined to one nation but were intended to be known among all peoples. The phrases "strong hand" and "stretched out arm" would have immediately evoked the foundational historical event of the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"), a powerful demonstration of God's might that would have resonated far beyond Israel's borders.
* **Key Themes:** [1 Kings 8:42](/1_kings/8-42 "1 Kings 8:42 - Solomon's Prayer for Foreigners") powerfully articulates several core themes. Firstly, it emphasizes **God's universal fame and sovereignty**. The idea that God's "great name," "strong hand," and "stretched out arm" would be heard and acknowledged by foreigners speaks to His renown extending far beyond the covenant nation of Israel. Secondly, it underscores the **inclusivity of God's redemptive purposes**. While Israel was chosen as God's particular people, their election was never meant to be exclusive but rather to serve as a light to the nations, drawing others to the one true God. This verse foreshadows the broader reach of God's salvation. Lastly, it highlights the **Temple as a focal point for divine encounter and prayer**. For those far away, the Temple in Jerusalem served as a tangible symbol of God's presence and the designated direction towards which prayers could be offered, signifying a genuine seeking of the Lord. This concept of God's accessibility to all who seek Him is a recurring motif throughout Scripture, seen even in the prophet [Isaiah's declaration that God's house would be a house of prayer for all peoples](/isaiah/56-7 "Isaiah 56:7 - God's House for All Peoples").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **great name (Hebrew: שֵׁם גָּדוֹל, _shem gadol'_):** In biblical thought, a "name" represents the essence, character, and reputation of a person. God's "great name" signifies His revealed character, His majestic attributes, His authority, and His unparalleled power. It encompasses all that God is and all that He has done, particularly His mighty acts of salvation and judgment. Hearing of God's "great name" implies encountering His reputation and the profound impact of His divine actions.
* **strong hand (Hebrew: יָד חֲזָקָה, _yad chazaqah'_):** This is a common idiomatic expression in the Old Testament, serving as a powerful anthropomorphic metaphor for God's immense power, authority, and ability to act decisively. It conveys the idea of irresistible force and divine intervention. Often paired with "stretched out arm," it emphasizes God's active involvement in human affairs, particularly in delivering His people and executing His will.
* **stretched out arm (Hebrew: זְרוֹעַ נְטוּיָה, _zeroa' n'tuyah'_):** Another potent anthropomorphism, this phrase vividly depicts God's active, extended power, especially in the context of deliverance and judgment. It is most famously associated with the Exodus, where God's "stretched out arm" brought Israel out of Egyptian bondage ([Exodus 6:6](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Stretched Out Arm in the Exodus")). Together with "strong hand," it forms a merism, signifying the totality and irresistibility of God's might and His direct, personal involvement in history.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"(For they shall hear of thy great name":** This clause establishes the foundational reason for the foreigner's pilgrimage and prayer: the widespread dissemination of information about the God of Israel. It implies that God's character, reputation, and identity are not confined to Israel but are being revealed and recognized by those outside the covenant community. The hearing is not merely intellectual assent but an apprehension of God's unique and powerful nature.
* **"and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;)":** These phrases elaborate on *what* the foreigners will hear about God. They refer to the concrete, historical demonstrations of God's power and sovereignty, most notably the miraculous deliverance of Israel from Egypt. These are not abstract theological concepts but accounts of God's active, undeniable intervention in human history. The repetition emphasizes the overwhelming and undeniable nature of God's might, which would compel recognition and awe even from distant nations.
* **"when he shall come and pray toward this house;":** This final clause describes the foreigner's response to hearing of God's fame and power. It details a physical journey ("shall come") to Jerusalem and a specific act of worship ("pray toward this house"). The temple ("this house") serves as the designated, visible symbol of God's dwelling among His people, providing a tangible focal point for prayer for those who, though geographically distant and culturally distinct, are drawn by God's manifest glory and seek to approach Him.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. **Anthropomorphism** is prominent in the phrases "strong hand" and "stretched out arm," attributing human physical attributes to God to describe His powerful and decisive actions. This makes God's might relatable and vivid. The pairing of "strong hand" and "stretched out arm" also functions as a **merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a whole, in this case, signifying the totality and irresistibility of God's power. Furthermore, "thy great name" is an example of **metonymy**, where "name" stands in for God's entire being, character, and reputation. Finally, the entire verse serves as **foreshadowing**, hinting at the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, which would fully unfold in the New Covenant, where salvation is offered to all nations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 8:42 reveals a profound theological truth about God's universal nature and His desire for all humanity to know and worship Him. While the Old Covenant established a particular relationship with Israel, this verse demonstrates that God's ultimate purpose was never exclusive. Israel's election was meant to be a means by which God's "great name" would be proclaimed to the nations, drawing them to Himself. The temple, though built in Jerusalem, was envisioned as a beacon for all peoples, symbolizing God's accessibility to anyone who sincerely sought Him, regardless of their background. This challenges any notion of a tribal or localized deity, firmly establishing Yahweh as the sovereign Lord of all creation, whose fame and power transcend all geographical and ethnic boundaries.

* [Isaiah 56:7](/isaiah/56-7 "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.")
* [Zechariah 8:22-23](/zechariah/8-22 "Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the Lord.")
* [Acts 10:34-35](/acts/10-34 "God shows no partiality but accepts those who fear Him from every nation.")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse serves as a powerful reminder of God's expansive heart for all humanity, a heart that longs for every person to hear of His "great name" and experience His "strong hand" and "stretched out arm" in salvation. It challenges believers today to consider how we are living as a testament to God's universal renown. Are our lives, our communities, and our ministries reflecting the inclusive nature of God's invitation, making His fame known to those who have not yet heard? Just as foreigners were drawn to the physical temple in Solomon's day, we, as the spiritual temple of God, are called to be a light that draws others to Him. Our mission is to embody the truth that God is accessible to all who turn to Him in faith and prayer, regardless of their past or present circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's universal fame, as described in this verse, challenge our understanding of His mission and our role in it?**
* **In what practical ways can we, as believers and as the church, live so that God's "great name" is made known to those who do not yet know Him?**
* **How does the accessibility of God to foreigners in the Old Testament inform our approach to evangelism, hospitality, and inclusion in our contemporary context?**

### FAQ
**Why would foreigners pray towards the temple in Jerusalem, rather than to their own gods or in their own lands?**

Answer: The temple in Jerusalem was uniquely designated by God as His dwelling place among His people, Israel. It was the physical location where His "name" resided and where He promised to hear prayers. For foreigners to pray *towards* this house signified a profound acknowledgment of Yahweh as the one true God, distinct from their own deities. It was an act of sincere seeking, demonstrating that they had heard of His unparalleled power and authority ("strong hand" and "stretched out arm") and recognized Him as the only one capable of answering their petitions. It was a pilgrimage of faith, demonstrating a turning away from their previous gods and a turning towards the God of Israel, who alone had demonstrated such mighty acts. This practice was not about the building itself, but about the God whose presence it symbolized, making it a universal focal point for those seeking the Lord.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Solomon's prayer for foreigners to come and pray toward the temple, having heard of God's "great name" and mighty acts, finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The physical temple, though magnificent, was always a shadow pointing to a greater reality: God's presence dwelling among humanity. In Jesus, God's presence is fully realized, for He is [Immanuel, "God with us"](/matthew/1-23 "Matthew 1:23 - Jesus, Immanuel"). Jesus declared Himself to be greater than the temple ([Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something greater than the temple is here")), and He is the true "house" of God, the ultimate meeting place between God and humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus spoke of the temple of His body")). The "great name" of God is most fully revealed in the person and work of Jesus, for it is [in His name that salvation is found](/acts/4-12 "Acts 4:12 - Salvation in no other name"). The "strong hand" and "stretched out arm" of God, which delivered Israel from Egypt, are now supremely manifested in Christ's redemptive work on the cross, delivering all who believe from the power of sin and death ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from the dominion of darkness")). No longer do people need to travel to a physical building in Jerusalem to pray; through Christ, we have direct access to the Father by the Spirit ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father through Christ")). The universal invitation envisioned by Solomon is now extended to "every tribe and language and people and nation" through the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:19-20](/matthew/28-19 "Matthew 28:19-20 - The Great Commission")), calling all to come to Jesus, the true Temple, and find reconciliation with God.

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.