1 Kings 8 32

1 Kings 8:32 kjv

Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

1 Kings 8:32 nkjv

then hear in heaven, and act, and judge Your servants, condemning the wicked, bringing his way on his head, and justifying the righteous by giving him according to his righteousness.

1 Kings 8:32 niv

then hear from heaven and act. Judge between your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing down on their heads what they have done, and vindicating the innocent by treating them in accordance with their innocence.

1 Kings 8:32 esv

then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness.

1 Kings 8:32 nlt

then hear from heaven and judge between your servants ? the accuser and the accused. Punish the guilty as they deserve. Acquit the innocent because of their innocence.

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 32 Meaning

1 Kings 8:32 is a profound plea from Solomon's dedication prayer for the Temple. It asks God, who resides in heaven, to actively intervene and administer divine justice when a dispute arises and an oath is taken or a wrong committed. The prayer requests God to act as the ultimate judge, meticulously distinguishing between the wicked and the righteous. It implores God to mete out swift condemnation upon those who are found guilty, ensuring their deeds return upon them, and to grant full justification to the innocent, rewarding them according to their righteousness. This underscores God's role as the sovereign, righteous, and impartial judge over all of Israel.

1 Kings 8 32 Context

This verse is an integral part of Solomon's magnificent dedicatory prayer for the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:22-53). Standing before the altar, Solomon stretches out his hands towards heaven, petitioning God on behalf of Israel. The prayer encompasses various future scenarios and needs, appealing for God's divine intervention in the life of the nation. Specifically, this verse (and its immediate surrounding context) addresses disputes among the people where an oath is involved or when accusations are brought forward, particularly relating to a sin committed that must be confirmed by divine adjudication. The historical context reflects ancient Israelite legal practices where, in cases lacking clear human evidence or involving internal motives, matters might be brought to the sanctuary for divine judgment or an oath-taking ceremony. The Temple, though built on earth, was to be the point of contact for prayers directed to God's heavenly throne, affirming His transcendence yet His accessibility. This part of the prayer stresses the critical importance of divine justice and God's role as the ultimate, discerning Judge over His covenant people.

1 Kings 8 32 Word analysis

• Then hear thou in heaven: A direct address to God's transcendent dwelling place.

  • "hear": (שָׁמַע - shama') - More than just perceiving sound; it implies attentive listening followed by responsive action, an active hearing.
  • "thou": Emphasizes the personal appeal to the Most High God.
  • "in heaven": (בַּשָּׁמַיִם - ba-shamayim) - Locates God's throne and ultimate authority, highlighting that earthly courts may err but divine judgment is infallible. It underlines God's transcendence and omniscience.

• and do:

  • "do": (וְעָשִׂיתָ - v'asita) - An imperative for immediate and decisive action. It emphasizes God's active involvement in the affairs of His people and the execution of justice, not just passive listening.

• and judge thy servants:

  • "judge": (וְשָׁפַטְתָּ - v'shafathta) - To exercise justice, to make a legal decision, to vindicate or condemn. God as the supreme arbiter of truth.
  • "thy servants": Refers to the people of Israel who are in dispute, acknowledging their relationship with God and appealing to Him as their Master and Judge.

• condemning the wicked:

  • "condemning": (לְהַרְשִׁיעַ - l'harshia) - A legal term meaning to declare guilty, to punish, to find fault. It highlights the consequence for wrongdoing.
  • "the wicked": (רָשָׁע - rasha) - The one found guilty of sin or wrongdoing, especially in the context of violating an oath or committing injustice.

• to bring his way upon his head: An idiomatic expression signifying divine recompense.

  • "his way": (דַרְכּוֹ - darko) - Refers to one's actions, conduct, or path taken.
  • "upon his head": (בְּרֹאשׁוֹ - b'rosho) - The common biblical imagery for the direct return of consequences—positive or negative—upon the originator of the deed. It signifies personal responsibility and exact retribution. This emphasizes the precision of divine justice.

• and justifying the righteous:

  • "justifying": (וּלְהַצְדִּיק - u'l'hatzdik) - The antithesis of condemning; to declare innocent, righteous, or vindicated. It signifies God affirming the truthfulness or integrity of a person's oath or actions.
  • "the righteous": (צַדִּיק - tzaddik) - The one found innocent, upholding truth, or acting justly.

• to give him according to his righteousness:

  • "give him according to his righteousness": (כְּצִדְקָתוֹ - k'tzidkato) - The outcome of justification; to grant blessings, vindication, or rewards that align with one's just deeds or integrity. It underscores God's perfect equity.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge": This triplet outlines God's comprehensive engagement with His people's prayers for justice: divine attention, active intervention, and the exercise of ultimate authority. It presents God as an accessible yet transcendent sovereign.
  • "condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness": This is a powerful expression of biblical retributive justice and a display of God's impartiality. The parallelism explicitly demonstrates that every action, whether good or bad, receives its just and proportional outcome directly from God's hand. It counters any belief in arbitrary divine action, instead positing a perfectly equitable system of judgment.

1 Kings 8 32 Bonus section

The appeal for God to "judge thy servants" highlights the understanding that despite the physical Temple being on earth, God's true dwelling and judicial seat is in heaven. This tension between God's immanence (presence) and transcendence (apartness) is a consistent theme in Solomon's prayer. This specific plea also provided a recourse within ancient Israelite jurisprudence: when human evidence was insufficient, or disputes were intractable, people might come to the sanctuary for an oath (sometimes called an "oath of purgation") and appeal directly to God, who sees all and knows all hearts. The divine judgment requested here serves as a potent deterrent against false swearing or perpetrating hidden wrongs, underpinning the moral fabric of the nation by invoking an omniscient God who ensures truth and equity. The Temple served as a witness to this covenantal relationship and God's ever-present willingness to intervene justly on behalf of His people.

1 Kings 8 32 Commentary

1 Kings 8:32 is a core petition in Solomon's dedicatory prayer, establishing the newly built Temple as a place not merely for worship but for the administration of ultimate justice. Solomon recognizes the limitations of human judgment and pleads for God's direct, celestial intervention in cases where earthly means of determining truth fail, particularly in matters involving oaths and hidden intentions. The verse profoundly expresses God's absolute commitment to righteousness: He not only hears prayers from heaven but acts decisively, discerning between truth and falsehood. The dual actions of "condemning the wicked" and "justifying the righteous" highlight His impartiality, ensuring that moral consequences align precisely with moral conduct, reinforcing the divine order. This request emphasizes God's sovereign authority as the supreme Judge, who perfectly brings retribution upon the wicked and grants vindication and blessing to the upright.