1 Kings 8 13

1 Kings 8:13 kjv

I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever.

1 Kings 8:13 nkjv

I have surely built You an exalted house, And a place for You to dwell in forever."

1 Kings 8:13 niv

I have indeed built a magnificent temple for you, a place for you to dwell forever."

1 Kings 8:13 esv

I have indeed built you an exalted house, a place for you to dwell in forever."

1 Kings 8:13 nlt

Now I have built a glorious Temple for you, a place where you can live forever! "

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 13 Meaning

King Solomon declares to the LORD that he has successfully completed the building of the Temple in Jerusalem. He states that this magnificent structure is specifically designated as a permanent, exalted dwelling place for the LORD's presence among His people Israel. It signifies the fulfillment of God's promises and David's longing for a central, enduring place of worship.

1 Kings 8 13 Context

1 Kings chapter 8 narrates the pivotal event of the dedication of the Temple built by Solomon in Jerusalem. Following years of meticulous construction, the Ark of the Covenant, representing God's throne and presence, is brought into the Most Holy Place. At this sacred moment, the glory of the LORD (Shekinah) fills the Temple, preventing the priests from ministering. In this awe-inspiring atmosphere, Solomon turns to the assembled congregation. Before offering a lengthy prayer of dedication, he blesses the people and then addresses the LORD directly, recalling God's promise to dwell "in the thick darkness" (1 Ki 8:12). Verse 13 is Solomon's confident affirmation of having fulfilled his part in constructing this sacred edifice as a permanent, settled residence for God's glory and name on earth, establishing Jerusalem as the central place of worship for Israel. This stands in contrast to the mobile Tabernacle of the wilderness.

1 Kings 8 13 Word analysis

• I have surely built thee (בָּנֹה בָנִיתִי לָךְ – bānōh bānîtî lāḵ):

  • I have built: First person singular, emphasizing Solomon's direct agency and responsibility in completing this divinely mandated task, which was passed down from his father, David.
  • surely built (בָּנֹה בָנִיתִי – bānōh bānîtî): This is an emphatic Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute followed by a finite verb of the same root). It stresses the certainty, completion, and seriousness of the action. Solomon is not just saying he built it, but he has indeed built it, fulfilling the vision and promise with absolute resolve and completion.
  • thee (לָךְ – lāḵ): Refers directly to the LORD (Yahweh), emphasizing that the Temple's ultimate purpose and owner is God Himself. It is built for Him.

• a house (בַּיִת – bayit):

  • The literal meaning is a physical structure, a dwelling place or building.
  • In a broader sense, it is "God's House," signifying a sacred sanctuary and a focal point for Israel's worship and covenant relationship with God. This term carries profound significance in connection with the "house" (dynasty) promised to David (2 Sam 7).

• to dwell in (זְבֻל – zəḇul):

  • This word, often translated as "dwelling" or "habitation," conveys a sense of exaltation, majesty, and permanency. It implies a lofty, magnificent residence suitable for a divine king.
  • Unlike simpler terms for dwelling, zvul suggests an established, formal, and glorified abode, emphasizing the sacred and exalted nature of God's presence within the Temple.

• a settled place (מָכוֹן – māḵôn):

  • Literally "foundation," "prepared place," "firmly established dwelling."
  • It denotes stability, permanence, and a fixed, appointed residence. It highlights that the Temple is a durable and chosen place, marking a shift from the temporary, mobile Tabernacle to a fixed, established sanctuary. It's a secure, divinely established base for His operations among His people.

• for thee to abide in (לְשִׁבְתְּךָ – ləšīḇtəḵā):

  • for thee: Again, pointing to the LORD as the occupant and purpose.
  • to abide in: Signifies a resting, settled, enduring presence. It underlines God's intentional residency and consistent covenantal presence among Israel through the Temple.

• for ever (עַד־עוֹלָם – ʿaḏ-ʿôlām):

  • This phrase literally means "until eternity" or "for ages."
  • It speaks to the perpetual nature of God's dwelling and His covenantal faithfulness. While the physical Temple would eventually be destroyed, the "forever" signifies God's unwavering intent and covenant promise to maintain His presence among His people, a promise ultimately fulfilled not in a physical structure but in Christ (Jn 2:21) and the Church (Eph 2:22), and finally in the new creation (Rev 21:3). It pertains more to the eternality of God's commitment and presence than the material building's literal duration.

1 Kings 8 13 Bonus section

• The zvul (dwelling) mentioned in this verse is thought by some scholars to be reflected in the Jewish prayer, the Amidah, which refers to God as "He who dwells in the zvul." This deep-seated word carried significant theological weight.
• This verse represents a climax in Israel's architectural and theological journey: from tents (Tabernacle) to a glorious, permanent Temple. It speaks of a theological "rest" for God's presence, mirroring the "rest" Israel was meant to experience in the land.
• While Solomon expresses the intention for the Temple to be permanent, the subsequent history of Israel (destruction of the First and Second Temples) serves as a biblical example of how physical structures are not guaranteed everlasting status. The true permanence rests in God's eternal character and His unbreakable covenant promises, which ultimately find their "settled place" in His Son, Jesus Christ.

1 Kings 8 13 Commentary

1 Kings 8:13 is Solomon's powerful declaration affirming the completion of the Temple as a physical embodiment of God's promised dwelling among Israel. Solomon views the magnificent Temple not merely as an edifice but as the designated, permanent, and exalted location where God's special, covenantal presence would reside, a stark contrast to the portable Tabernacle. The emphatic phrasing, "I have surely built thee," underscores Solomon's faithful and diligent obedience to the divine mandate given to his father, David. The use of words like "house," "exalted dwelling (zvul)," and "settled place (makon)" cumulatively conveys the stability, majesty, and enduring nature of this new worship center.

However, the "for ever" clause should be understood in the context of covenantal permanence rather than strict physical indestructibility of the building. The very next statement in 1 Kings 8:27, where Solomon marvels that "the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee," clarifies that God is not contained by, nor limited to, this physical structure. The "forever" thus signifies God's steadfast commitment to be present with His people throughout history, a truth which transcends any single earthly structure and ultimately points to Christ, the true Temple, and to the eternal state where God directly tabernacles with humanity. This verse solidifies the Temple's role as the earthly point of encounter for Israel with their eternal God.