1 Kings 9:7

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

Then will I cut off {H3772} Israel {H3478} out {H6440} of the land {H127} which I have given {H5414} them; and this house {H1004}, which I have hallowed {H6942} for my name {H8034}, will I cast out {H7971} of my sight {H6440}; and Israel {H3478} shall be a proverb {H4912} and a byword {H8148} among all people {H5971}:

then I will cut off Isra'el from the land I have given them. This house, which I consecrated for my name, I will eject from my sight; and Isra'el will become an example to avoid and an object of scorn among all peoples.

then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples.

then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all peoples.

Commentary

1 Kings 9:7 delivers a solemn warning from God to King Solomon, outlining the severe consequences of disobedience for the nation of Israel and the sacred Temple.

Context

This verse follows God's second appearance to King Solomon, which occurred after the completion and dedication of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. God had just reaffirmed His covenant promises regarding Solomon's dynasty and the enduring nature of the Temple (1 Kings 9:3), but these promises were conditional. This passage (1 Kings 9:6-9) serves as a stark warning, detailing what would happen if Solomon and the people of Israel turned away from God and served other gods, thereby breaking the covenant established at Sinai.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Conditional Blessings: God's blessings and presence are not unconditional. While God's promises are steadfast, their enjoyment by His people often depends on their faithfulness. The land and the Temple, previously given as signs of God's favor, could be forfeited due to persistent idolatry and disobedience.
  • Divine Justice and Consequences: The verse emphasizes God's righteous judgment. If Israel chose to stray, God would "cut off" (Hebrew: kārath) them from the land He had given them, a definitive act of separation. This highlights God's holiness and His intolerance for sin, even among His chosen people.
  • Desecration and Abandonment of the Temple: The "house" (the Temple) which God Himself had "hallowed for my name" would be "cast out of my sight." This is a profound statement, indicating that the very place consecrated for God's presence would lose its divine favor and protection if the people defiled it through their actions. This prophecy was tragically fulfilled with the destruction of the Temple by Babylon.
  • Shame and Reproach: Israel would become "a proverb and a byword among all people." The Hebrew terms māshāl (proverb/parable) and shĕnînâ (byword/taunt) signify that Israel would become an object of ridicule, a cautionary tale, and a subject of scorn among the nations, a stark contrast to their intended role as a light to the Gentiles. This echoes similar warnings found in Deuteronomy 28:37.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "cut off" (Hebrew: kārath) implies a decisive and violent severance, often used in the context of breaking a covenant or a radical separation. The terms "proverb" (māshāl) and "byword" (shĕnînâ) together paint a picture of public disgrace and mockery, where Israel's downfall would become a common saying or example of divine judgment for other nations.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless reminder that spiritual privilege does not guarantee immunity from divine judgment. For individuals and nations today, it underscores the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and remembering the source of blessings. It warns against spiritual complacency and the dangers of turning away from God's commands. While God's grace abounds, His justice ensures that there are always consequences for persistent rebellion and idolatry. It calls believers to examine their own hearts and ensure their lives align with God's will, lest they, too, become a cautionary tale rather than a testament to God's goodness.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 44:14

    Thou makest us a byword among the heathen, a shaking of the head among the people.

  • Jeremiah 24:9

    And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for [their] hurt, [to be] a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse, in all places whither I shall drive them.

  • Deuteronomy 4:26

    I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong [your] days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

  • Deuteronomy 28:37

    And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

  • Leviticus 18:24

    Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out before you:

  • Leviticus 18:28

    That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that [were] before you.

  • 2 Kings 25:9

    And he burnt the house of the LORD, and the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem, and every great [man's] house burnt he with fire.
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