1 Kings 8 10

1 Kings 8:10 kjv

And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

1 Kings 8:10 nkjv

And it came to pass, when the priests came out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD,

1 Kings 8:10 niv

When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the LORD.

1 Kings 8:10 esv

And when the priests came out of the Holy Place, a cloud filled the house of the LORD,

1 Kings 8:10 nlt

When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the LORD.

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 10 Meaning

The verse describes the dramatic manifestation of God's glory filling Solomon's newly dedicated Temple immediately after the priests had completed their sacred duty of placing the Ark of the Covenant into the Most Holy Place. This visible cloud signified the divine acceptance and inauguration of the Temple as Yahweh's dwelling place among His people. It demonstrated God's physical, yet overwhelming, presence.

1 Kings 8 10 Context

1 Kings chapter 8 recounts the dedication of Solomon's Temple, a pivotal event in Israelite history. Before verse 10, the Ark of the Covenant, the most sacred artifact symbolizing God's covenant presence, had been ceremonially brought into the newly built sanctuary by the priests and deposited in the Most Holy Place. This solemn act marked the culmination of seven years of construction. The preceding verses emphasize that only the two stone tablets of the covenant, placed there by Moses, were inside the Ark, linking the event directly to the Exodus narrative and God's covenant faithfulness. The historical and cultural context centers on ancient Near Eastern temple dedications, where divine approval was often sought through various rituals. Unlike pagan deities, however, Yahweh demonstrates His presence through a visible manifestation of His glory (Shekinah) filling the entire house, rather than residing in an idol. This powerful display confirmed God's acceptance of the Temple as His designated place to meet with His people.

1 Kings 8 10 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: This is a common biblical transitional phrase, `wayehî` (וַיְהִי) in Hebrew. It introduces a significant event that follows directly from what was just described, emphasizing cause and effect or chronological sequence.
• when the priests were come out: The Hebrew `kāch` (כַּאֲשֶׁר) indicates "as, when, just as." The priests' exiting (`yātsā’`) signifies the completion of their task of placing the Ark in the Holy of Holies. Their departure clears the human presence for the divine manifestation, highlighting the exclusive nature of God's unmediated glory.
• of the holy place: Refers to the main sanctuary area (`haqqōdesh`), distinct from the Most Holy Place (`qōdesh haqqŏdāshîm`) where the Ark had just been placed. This signifies that the cloud's presence was observed from outside the inner sanctum.
• that the cloud filled: `‘ānān` (עָנָן) is the Hebrew word for "cloud," specifically referring to the manifestation of God's presence, the Shekinah glory. The verb `mālē’` (מָלֵא), "filled," emphasizes complete permeation. This filling demonstrates a pervasive, overwhelming presence, not just a partial or symbolic appearance. It reflects God actively taking possession.
• the house of the Lord: `bêth yhwh` (בֵּית יְהוָה) in Hebrew, directly meaning "House of Yahweh." This refers specifically to Solomon's newly constructed Temple, not merely a metaphorical dwelling, but the physical structure prepared for His designated presence among Israel.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• When the priests were come out of the holy place: This phrase emphasizes human obedience and completion of duty. The priests fulfilled their designated role in bringing the Ark into its resting place. Their egress creates the "space" for God to enter and fill the entirety of His Temple, highlighting that God's manifestation is His initiative and prerogative, distinct from human action, though in response to it.
• That the cloud filled the house of the Lord: This is the divine response. The "cloud" is a visible symbol of the invisible God's manifest presence and glory, strongly linking this event to the Exodus experience (pillar of cloud) and the Tabernacle's dedication (Exod 40:34-35). "Filled" (`mala`) indicates an overwhelming, comprehensive presence that pervades every part, making it undeniably God's chosen dwelling and demonstrating His acceptance of the edifice and the worship within it. This also subtly stands in contrast to localized pagan deities, asserting Yahweh's encompassing power.

1 Kings 8 10 Bonus section

• The manifestation of the cloud here is commonly associated with the `Shekinah` (שכינה) glory, a post-biblical Jewish term meaning "dwelling" or "settling," used to describe the visible divine presence, particularly in the Tabernacle and Temple.
• This event perfectly mirrors the filling of the Tabernacle in Exodus 40:34-35, emphasizing continuity and confirming the Temple as the legitimate successor and expansion of God's dwelling place. It demonstrates God's consistent nature and covenant pattern across generations.
• The act of the cloud filling the "house" rather than just the Most Holy Place, indicates a pervasive, universal presence within the sacred confines, making God accessible (though still overwhelmingly holy) to all who approached the Temple, affirming its identity as a House of Prayer for all nations (Isa 56:7, cf. 1 Kgs 8:41-43).
• While the cloud represents God's physical presence, Solomon's prayer immediately following (1 Kgs 8:27) clarifies that "the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee," thus preserving God's transcendence even in His immanent dwelling. God is not confined by any structure, but chooses to manifest Himself within it.

1 Kings 8 10 Commentary

1 Kings 8:10 captures a moment of profound theological significance: God's direct, palpable validation of Solomon's Temple as His dwelling. The cloud, a consistent biblical motif of God's glory and presence since the Exodus, enveloped the entire structure. This was not merely a symbolic gesture but an overwhelming, visible manifestation so powerful it would soon impede priestly service (v. 11). This act demonstrated God's covenant faithfulness to Israel, fulfilling His promise to dwell among His people. It confirmed the Temple's sanctity and purpose as the meeting place between God and humanity under the Old Covenant, establishing a tangible center for Israelite worship and reinforcing their unique relationship with Yahweh. This act of divine indwelling also foreshadowed the ultimate indwelling of God in Jesus Christ and later in believers through the Holy Spirit.