1 Kings 8:53

For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, [to be] thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.

For thou didst separate {H914} them from among all the people {H5971} of the earth {H776}, to be thine inheritance {H5159}, as thou spakest {H1696} by the hand {H3027} of Moses {H4872} thy servant {H5650}, when thou broughtest {H3318} our fathers {H1} out of Egypt {H4714}, O Lord {H136} GOD {H3069}.

For you made a distinction between them and all the peoples of the earth by making them your inheritance, as you said through Moshe your servant when you brought our ancestors out of Egypt, Adonai ELOHIM."

For You, O Lord GOD, as Your inheritance, have set them apart from all the peoples of the earth, as You spoke through Your servant Moses when You brought our fathers out of Egypt.”

For thou didst separate them from among all the peoples of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah.

Commentary

King Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the newly built Temple in Jerusalem is a pivotal moment in Israelite history. In 1 Kings 8:53, he articulates a profound truth about God's unique and enduring relationship with His people, a relationship established through divine action and covenant.

Context

This verse is part of King Solomon's extensive dedicatory prayer at the completion of the First Temple in Jerusalem. After the ark of the covenant was brought into the Most Holy Place, Solomon stood before the altar and offered a fervent prayer, acknowledging God's faithfulness and pleading for His continued presence and blessing upon Israel. The prayer covers various aspects of national life, including repentance, justice, and divine intervention. Verse 53 serves as a foundational theological statement, reminding God (and the people) of His original covenant purpose for Israel, rooted in their miraculous deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

Key Themes

  • Divine Election and Separation: Solomon highlights that God Himself took the initiative to "separate them from among all the people of the earth." This underscores Israel's unique status not as a result of their own merit, but by divine choice and grace. It speaks to God's sovereign plan to create a distinct people for Himself, set apart for His purposes.
  • Israel as God's Inheritance: The phrase "to be thine inheritance" emphasizes the intimate and proprietary relationship God has with Israel. They are not merely His servants, but His special possession, a treasured people among all nations. This concept is deeply rooted in the Mosaic Covenant, where God promises Israel would be a "peculiar treasure" (Exodus 19:5).
  • Covenant Faithfulness and the Hand of Moses: Solomon explicitly links this separation to God's promises made "by the hand of Moses thy servant." This acknowledges the continuity of God's plan and His unwavering commitment to the covenant established at Sinai. It validates the Law and the foundational principles given through Moses, demonstrating God's steadfast faithfulness to His word.
  • The Exodus as the Defining Act: The phrase "when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt" points to the Exodus as the pivotal event that solidified Israel's identity and their relationship with God. It was through this miraculous deliverance that God demonstrated His power and His intention to claim Israel as His own, setting them apart from the idolatrous nations. This act of redemption is foundational to Israel's self-understanding and their relationship with Yahweh.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "separate" here is badal (Χ‘Χ“Χœ), which means to divide, distinguish, or set apart. It conveys a strong sense of distinction and uniqueness, emphasizing that God actively created a boundary between Israel and other nations. The term "inheritance" is nachalah (Χ Χ—ΧœΧ”), often referring to a possession, heritage, or property passed down. When applied to God and Israel, it signifies a deep, cherished bond where Israel is God's treasured possession, not just a people He rules over.

Practical Application

For believers today, 1 Kings 8:53 offers profound insights into God's character and our own identity in Christ. Just as ancient Israel was set apart by God, Christians are also a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people (1 Peter 2:9). This verse reminds us:

  • Our Identity is from God: Our value and purpose derive from God's decision to choose and redeem us, not from our own merits or accomplishments. This fosters humility and gratitude.
  • We Are His Inheritance: Believers are precious to God, purchased at a great price (through Christ's sacrifice), and are His treasured possession. This should foster a sense of security, belonging, and immense worth in Him.
  • Called to Live Distinctively: Just as Israel was separated, believers are called to live distinct lives, reflecting God's character and purposes in a world that often opposes His ways. This involves living according to His Word and demonstrating His love and righteousness.
  • Remembering God's Redemptive Acts: Like Solomon recalling the Exodus, we are called to remember God's redemptive acts in our lives and in history, particularly the ultimate act of salvation through Jesus Christ. This remembrance strengthens our faith and trust in His continued faithfulness.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 19:5 (5 votes)

    Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth [is] mine:

  • Exodus 19:6 (5 votes)

    And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These [are] the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

  • Deuteronomy 32:9 (4 votes)

    For the LORD'S portion [is] his people; Jacob [is] the lot of his inheritance.

  • Deuteronomy 14:2 (4 votes)

    For thou [art] an holy people unto the LORD thy God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that [are] upon the earth.

  • 1 Peter 2:9 (2 votes)

    But ye [are] a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

  • Deuteronomy 4:34 (2 votes)

    Or hath God assayed to go [and] take him a nation from the midst of [another] nation, by temptations, by signs, and by wonders, and by war, and by a mighty hand, and by a stretched out arm, and by great terrors, according to all that the LORD your God did for you in Egypt before your eyes?

  • Titus 2:14 (2 votes)

    Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.