1 Kings 8:43

Hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as [do] thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

Hear {H8085} thou in heaven {H8064} thy dwelling {H3427} place {H4349}, and do {H6213} according to all that the stranger {H5237} calleth {H7121} to thee for: that all people {H5971} of the earth {H776} may know {H3045} thy name {H8034}, to fear {H3372} thee, as do thy people {H5971} Israel {H3478}; and that they may know {H3045} that this house {H1004}, which I have builded {H1129}, is called {H7121} by thy name {H8034}.

then hear in heaven where you live, and act in accordance with everything about which the foreigner is calling to you; so that all the peoples of the earth will know your name and fear you, as does your people Isra'el, and so that they will know that this house which I have built bears your name.

then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, and do according to all for which the foreigner calls to You. Then all the peoples of the earth will know Your name and fear You, as do Your people Israel, and they will know that this house I have built is called by Your Name.

hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the foreigner calleth to thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.

Commentary

Context

1 Kings 8:43 is a powerful segment of King Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. This prayer, found in 1 Kings 8:22-53, is offered after the Ark of the Covenant has been placed in the Most Holy Place. Solomon acknowledges God's transcendence and omnipresence, yet asks Him to pay special attention to this house as a focal point for prayer. This particular verse stands out as it highlights a remarkable and forward-thinking aspect of the Temple's purpose: its intended reach beyond the nation of Israel, encompassing all peoples.

Key Themes

  • God's Universal Sovereignty and Reputation: Solomon's plea emphasizes that God's renown should extend far beyond Israel's borders. The actions God takes in response to the stranger's prayer are meant to reveal His power, faithfulness, and unique identity to "all people of the earth." This underscores a desire for God's glory to be known globally.
  • Inclusivity and Outreach: This verse is a testament to God's heart for all nations, even in the Old Testament era. It demonstrates a desire for non-Israelites (the "stranger" or "foreigner") to approach God and for God to hear their prayers, fostering a relationship with Him. This foreshadows the broader scope of God's redemptive plan that would later fully unfold.
  • The Temple as a Beacon for Nations: While built primarily for Israel's worship, the Temple was also intended to be a beacon for the nations, a place where God's name would be known and honored globally. It was not merely an exclusive sanctuary but a testimony to God's presence for all who would seek Him.
  • Knowing and Fearing God: The ultimate goal expressed is for all people to "know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel." To "know God's name" implies an intimate understanding of His character, power, and faithfulness, leading to reverent awe and worship, not just intellectual assent.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "stranger" translates the Hebrew word nokri (ื ื›ืจื™) or ger (ื’ืจ), which refers to a foreigner or sojourner who was not a native Israelite. While nokri can sometimes imply a more distant or even hostile foreigner, the context here suggests someone who genuinely seeks God. The phrase "know thy name" (ื™ึตื“ึฐืขื•ึผ ืฉึดืืžึฐืšึธ, yรชแธษ™สฟรป ลกimแธตฤ) is profoundly significant. In Hebrew thought, knowing someone's name meant understanding their essence, character, and authority. Thus, for all people to "know God's name" means for them to fully comprehend and acknowledge who God truly is, leading them to "fear" Himโ€”a reverence born of respect and awe, not terror. This "fear" is a recognition of His holiness and power, prompting obedience and worship.

Practical Application

This verse carries profound implications for believers and the Church today:

  • God's Global Heart: It reminds us that God's love and redemptive plan have always encompassed all humanity, not just a select group. This aligns with the covenant with Abraham, where all families of the earth would be blessed through him.
  • Welcome and Hospitality: Just as Solomon prayed for God to hear the stranger, we are called to welcome and minister to those outside our immediate faith community, demonstrating God's inclusive love and breaking down barriers.
  • Mission and Evangelism: The desire for "all people of the earth" to know God's name resonates deeply with the Great Commission in the New Testament, urging believers to share the good news so that many might come to know the true God and Jesus Christ whom He has sent. Our lives and actions, like the Temple, should point others to God.
  • Prayer for the Nations: Solomon's prayer encourages us to pray not only for ourselves but for the spiritual awakening and salvation of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. The church should strive to be a "house of prayer for all people," echoing the sentiment found in Isaiah 56:7.
Note: Commentary was generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please remember that only the commentary section is AI-generated. The main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are sourced from trusted and verified materials.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 102:15

    So the heathen shall fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth thy glory.

  • 1 Samuel 17:46

    This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

  • Psalms 22:27

    All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the LORD: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before thee.

  • Isaiah 11:9

    They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

  • Psalms 67:2

    That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.

  • Psalms 86:9

    All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.

  • 2 Kings 19:19

    Now therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save thou us out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou [art] the LORD God, [even] thou only.
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