1 Kings 8:60

KJV

That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD [is] God, [and that there is] none else.

KJV (with Strong's)

That all the people {H5971} of the earth {H776} may know {H3045} that the LORD {H3068} is God {H430}, and that there is none else.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then all the peoples of the earth will know that ADONAI is God; there is no other.

Berean Standard Bible

so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God. There is no other!

American Standard Version

that all the peoples of the earth may know that Jehovah, he is God; there is none else.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the newly completed Temple culminates in the profound declaration of 1 Kings 8:60, a verse that encapsulates the ultimate purpose of Israel's existence and the Temple's function: to reveal the singular, unparalleled sovereignty of Yahweh to all humanity. This statement asserts God's absolute uniqueness and His universal desire to be known by every nation, establishing a foundational truth for both Israel's identity and its missional calling.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at the climax of King Solomon's extensive prayer of dedication for the First Temple in Jerusalem, as recorded in [1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Dedication of the Temple"). The entire chapter describes the momentous occasion of the Ark of the Covenant being brought into the Most Holy Place and the glory of the LORD filling the Temple, signifying God's presence and acceptance. Solomon's prayer is comprehensive, addressing various aspects of Israel's covenant relationship with God, including petitions for repentance, forgiveness, and national well-being. Significantly, Solomon's vision extends beyond Israel, praying that even foreigners would come to the Temple and know God, as explicitly stated in [1 Kings 8:43](/1_kings/8-43 "1 Kings 8:43 - Solomon's Prayer for Foreigners"). Verse 60 serves as a climactic, universal declaration, summarizing the ultimate purpose of the Temple and Israel's role as a light to the nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a golden age for Israel, characterized by unprecedented peace, prosperity, and the construction of the magnificent Temple, which became the central place of worship and national identity. This era stood in stark contrast to the polytheistic cultures surrounding ancient Israel, where numerous gods and goddesses were worshipped and often associated with specific nations or natural phenomena. The declaration in [1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations") was a radical assertion of monotheism in a world dominated by idolatry. The Temple itself, while a physical structure, was intended to be more than just a place for Israelite worship; it was to be a visible sign of Yahweh's presence and power, drawing the attention of "all the people of the earth" to the one true God.
* **Key Themes:** The central message of [1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations") is the emphatic declaration of God's absolute uniqueness and singularity: "the LORD is God, and none else." This directly challenges the prevailing polytheism of the ancient Near East, asserting that there is only one true, sovereign God who reigns supreme over all creation and all nations. This theme of **monotheism** is foundational to Israel's identity, echoing the Shema in [Deuteronomy 6:4](/deuteronomy/6-4 "Deuteronomy 6:4 - The Shema"). Furthermore, the verse highlights the theme of **universal revelation**, expressing God's desire for "all the people of the earth" to know Him. The Temple, and by extension, the nation of Israel, was intended to be a beacon of divine truth, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness to the entire world. This aligns with God's covenant with Abraham, promising that [all families of the earth would be blessed through him](/genesis/12-3 "Genesis 12:3 - The Abrahamic Covenant"). Finally, the verse underscores God's **sovereignty and supremacy**, affirming His ultimate authority and power, exclusive and unparalleled.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **know (Hebrew, _yâdaʻ_):** This verb signifies more than mere intellectual acquaintance; it implies a deep, experiential, and relational knowledge. For "all the people of the earth" to "know" the LORD means for them to recognize His existence, acknowledge His power, and enter into a relationship with Him, understanding His character and His claim as the one true God.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh_):** This is the sacred, personal covenant name of God, often transliterated as Yahweh. It emphasizes God's self-existent nature ("I AM WHO I AM" - [Exodus 3:14](/exodus/3-14 "Exodus 3:14 - God's Name Revealed")) and His faithful relationship with Israel. In this context, it highlights the specific God of Israel as the one true God, distinct from all other deities.
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôhîym_):** While _ʼĕlôhîym_ is a general Hebrew term for deity, in this context, when used in conjunction with Yᵉhôvâh and the emphatic "none else," it denotes the supreme, singular, and only true God. It refers to His divine nature and power, reinforcing that the LORD (Yᵉhôvâh) is the ultimate and sole possessor of divine attributes, the mighty one over all.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"That all the people of the earth may know":** This opening clause establishes the universal scope and missional intent of Solomon's prayer and, by extension, the Temple's existence. It expresses God's desire for His identity and character to be revealed not just to Israel, but to every nation, tribe, and tongue. It reflects a divine heart for global recognition and worship, highlighting that God's redemptive plan has always extended beyond a single nation.
* **"that the LORD [is] God":** This is the core theological affirmation. It declares unequivocally that Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel, is the one true and supreme deity. The verb "is" (implied in the Hebrew) asserts an ontological reality – Yahweh's very being is God, in contrast to the false, non-existent gods of other nations. This is a declaration of His inherent divinity and rightful sovereignty.
* **"[and that there is] none else":** This concluding phrase powerfully reinforces the preceding declaration with an absolute statement of exclusivity. It serves as a definitive rejection of polytheism and idolatry, emphasizing that Yahweh stands alone as the one and only true God, without rivals or equals. This is a non-negotiable truth that distinguishes biblical monotheism from all other religious systems.

#### Literary Devices
[1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations") employs several potent literary devices. The primary device is **Declaration**, a direct and authoritative statement of truth. Solomon's words are not a question or a plea, but a definitive pronouncement of God's nature. This declaration is characterized by **Monotheistic Affirmation**, explicitly stating the singularity and uniqueness of God, a stark contrast to the pluralistic religious landscape of the ancient world. The phrase "all the people of the earth" introduces **Universalism**, broadening the scope of God's revelation beyond Israel to encompass all humanity, highlighting God's global intent. The repetition of the idea of God's sole existence through "the LORD is God" and "none else" functions as **Emphasis** and **Reinforcement**, ensuring the absolute nature of the claim is understood. This strong, conclusive statement serves as a theological climax to Solomon's extensive prayer.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations") stands as a monumental declaration of biblical monotheism, asserting Yahweh's absolute and unparalleled deity. This truth is not merely an abstract theological point but carries profound implications for Israel's identity and mission, and by extension, for all who follow God. It underscores that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the one true God, distinct from and superior to all other supposed deities. This foundational truth serves as the basis for all worship, obedience, and evangelism, reminding believers that their God is sovereign over all creation and all nations. The verse also highlights God's universal heart, demonstrating His desire for all humanity to come to know Him, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament and fully realized in the New.

* [Deuteronomy 4:35](/deuteronomy/4-35 "Deuteronomy 4:35 - God's Uniqueness Declared")
* [Isaiah 45:6](/isaiah/45-6 "Isaiah 45:6 - God's Universal Knowledge")
* [Psalm 67:1-2](/psalms/67-1 "Psalm 67:1-2 - A Prayer for God's Universal Blessing")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
[1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations") serves as a timeless reminder of God's unparalleled nature and His universal claim on all creation. For believers today, this verse calls us to a deep and abiding conviction in the absolute supremacy of the God revealed in Scripture and supremely in Jesus Christ. It challenges us to examine our own lives: are we truly living as if the LORD is God and there is none else? This means prioritizing Him above all other allegiances, desires, or idols—whether they be material possessions, career success, personal comfort, or even human approval. Just as the Temple was meant to be a witness to the nations, so too are believers called to live lives that authentically testify to God's truth. Our actions, words, and priorities should reflect the reality that the God we serve is the one true God. Furthermore, this verse ignites a passion for God's global heart, reminding us that His desire is for "all the people of the earth" to know Him. This compels us to participate actively in His mission, whether through prayer, giving, or going, to make His glorious name known to every tribe, tongue, people, and nation.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I sometimes act as if there *is* "else" besides the LORD that holds ultimate authority or provides ultimate satisfaction?**
* **How does my daily life, my choices, and my conversations bear witness to the truth that "the LORD is God, and there is none else" to those around me?**
* **Given God's desire for "all the people of the earth" to know Him, what is my specific role in participating in His global mission?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the distinction between "LORD" and "God" in this verse?**

Answer: In [1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations"), "LORD" translates the Hebrew personal name of God, Yᵉhôvâh (Yahweh), which emphasizes His covenant relationship with Israel, His self-existence, and His faithfulness. "God" translates the Hebrew term _ʼĕlôhîym_, a more general word for deity. When used together as they are here, and especially with the emphatic "none else," the combination asserts that this specific, covenant-keeping God of Israel (Yᵉhôvâh) is the one and only true divine being (_ʼĕlôhîym_), distinct from all other false gods worshipped by the surrounding nations. It's a declaration that the personal God of Israel is the universal and exclusive God of all creation.

**How does this verse relate to Israel's unique role among the nations?**

Answer: [1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations") highlights Israel's unique calling as a priestly kingdom and a light to the nations. While God chose Israel as His covenant people, His ultimate purpose was never exclusive to them. Rather, Israel was to be the means through which "all the people of the earth" would come to know the one true God. The Temple, as the dwelling place of God's presence, was intended to be a beacon of divine truth, drawing foreigners to Jerusalem to witness God's power and faithfulness, as Solomon explicitly prayed in [1 Kings 8:41-43](/1_kings/8-41 "1 Kings 8:41-43 - Solomon's Prayer for Foreigners"). Thus, Israel's election was for a universal missional purpose, anticipating the global reach of God's redemptive plan.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[1 Kings 8:60](/1_kings/8-60 "1 Kings 8:60 - God's Uniqueness for All Nations") finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Solomon's prayer declared that "the LORD is God, and there is none else," the New Testament reveals that this singular God is perfectly and fully revealed in the person of Jesus. He is the [image of the invisible God](/colossians/1-15 "Colossians 1:15 - Christ, the Image of God"), the one who has [made the Father known](/john/1-18 "John 1:18 - Jesus Reveals the Father"). The Temple, which Solomon dedicated as a place for the nations to know God, was ultimately superseded by Christ Himself, who declared, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus on the Temple of His Body"), speaking of the temple of His body. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus became the ultimate means by which "all the people of the earth may know" the one true God. His Great Commission, to [make disciples of all nations](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - The Great Commission"), is the New Covenant expression of God's universal desire for all humanity to know Him, empowered by the Holy Spirit to be [witnesses to the ends of the earth](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Witnesses to the Ends of the Earth"). In Christ, the exclusive truth of God's identity ("none else") becomes universally accessible, as He is the [way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way to the Father").

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.

Cross-References

Deuteronomy 4:35

Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he [is] God; [there is] none else beside him.

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.

1 Kings 18:39

And when all the people saw [it], they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he [is] the God; the LORD, he [is] the God.

Jeremiah 10:10

But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.

Jeremiah 10:12

He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by his wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion.

Isaiah 44:8

Fear ye not, neither be afraid: have not I told thee from that time, and have declared [it]? ye [are] even my witnesses. Is there a God beside me? yea, [there is] no God; I know not [any].

Isaiah 45:22

Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else.