1 Kings 8 36

1 Kings 8:36 kjv

Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:36 nkjv

then hear in heaven, and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk; and send rain on Your land which You have given to Your people as an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:36 niv

then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land you gave your people for an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:36 esv

then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.

1 Kings 8:36 nlt

then hear from heaven and forgive the sins of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them to follow the right path, and send rain on your land that you have given to your people as their special possession.

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 36 Meaning

This verse from Solomon's dedication prayer anticipates a situation where the people of Israel might sin, leading to a divine judgment, specifically drought. Solomon implores God to hear their prayers from heaven, forgive their transgression, and instruct them in the right path of living. As a sign of renewed favor and their return to obedience, he asks God to send life-giving rain upon the land given as their covenant inheritance, thus restoring prosperity and indicating reconciliation.

1 Kings 8 36 Context

1 Kings chapter 8 recounts the momentous dedication of the first Temple in Jerusalem, built by King Solomon. This act marks the fulfillment of God's promise to David and provides a permanent dwelling place (albeit symbolic) for the ark of the covenant. Solomon's prayer, spanning verses 22-53, is the heart of the chapter. It acknowledges God's omnipresence yet also His special presence in the Temple as a place for prayer and intercession. The prayer is remarkably prophetic, addressing various future scenarios where Israel might find itself in distress, be it drought, famine, plague, defeat in battle, or even exile. In each case, Solomon pleads that if the people confess their sins and turn towards the Temple in prayer, God would hear from heaven and bring deliverance. Verse 36 specifically addresses the crisis of drought, a severe judgment in an agrarian society, and underscores the covenantal link between obedience, divine favor (rain), and the vitality of the Promised Land. This prayer subtly stands in polemic against surrounding Canaanite religions, particularly the worship of Baal, who was believed to be the god of storms and fertility. Solomon’s appeal is unequivocally to YHWH as the one true provider of rain and the sustainer of life, asserting His sole sovereignty over nature and covenant blessings.

1 Kings 8 36 Word analysis

• Then hear thou (וְשָׁמַעְתָּ - vĕshamʿta): Hebrew shamah (שָׁמַע) means to hear, but more profoundly, to listen attentively and to act upon what is heard. It implies a responsive, active listening by God, not just a passive reception of sound.
• in heaven (בַּשָּׁמַיִם - bashshamayim): Literally "in the heavens." This phrase reinforces God's transcendence and sovereignty, residing in the spiritual realm, yet His ability to perceive and respond to earthly pleas. It emphasizes that while the Temple is a designated place for prayer, God's true dwelling is beyond human construction.
• and forgive (וְסָלַחְתָּ - vĕsalakhʾta): From the root salakh (סָלַח), which specifically denotes God's act of pardoning, absolving, or letting go of sin. It highlights divine grace and mercy as prerequisite for restoration.
• the sin (הַחַטָּאת - hachattaʾt): From chattat (חַטָּאת), meaning a "missing of the mark," an offense, or error against God's standards. It signifies human failure and culpability.
• of thy servants, and of thy people Israel: This clarifies that the plea is for the whole covenant community, those dedicated to God's service and the collective nation, acknowledging their unique relationship with YHWH.
• that thou teach them (וְהוֹרֵתָם - vĕhoretham): From the root yarah (יָרָה), meaning "to cast," "to instruct," "to show the way." This is the same root as "Torah," implying divine instruction or law. It means God revealing the correct path.
• the good way (דֶּרֶךְ טוֹב - derekh tov): Literally "path of good." This refers to a righteous and beneficial mode of conduct, life, and moral living that aligns with God's will and covenant requirements. It stands in contrast to the sinful ways that lead to drought.
• wherein they should walk (לָלֶכֶת בָּהּ - lalechet bah): From halakh (הָלַךְ), meaning "to walk," "to go," or more broadly, "to live" or "conduct oneself." It refers to the practical application of God's instruction in daily life.
• and send rain (וְנָתַתָּה מָטָר - vĕnatatta matar): "And you give rain." Matar specifically refers to ordinary, life-sustaining rain, vital for agriculture. The phrase attributes the control of natural phenomena directly to God, challenging the power claims of Baal.
• upon thy land (עַל־אַרְצְךָ - ʿal-ʾarts'kha): "Upon your land." Reinforces that the land belongs to YHWH, even though He gave it to Israel. It highlights divine ownership and oversight.
• which thou hast given (אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּה - ʾasher natatta): Underscores God as the grantor of the land, an act of divine favor and covenant fulfillment.
• unto thy people for an inheritance (לְעַמְּךָ נַחֲלָה - lĕʿamĕkha nachalah): Nachalah (נַחֲלָה) means "inheritance" or "possession." The Promised Land was given to Israel as a perpetual possession, a fundamental part of the covenant. The drought, therefore, threatened this very inheritance.

• "Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants...": This phrase groups the petition for God's attention and mercy. It emphasizes the direct appeal to a transcendent God who has the authority and power to forgive human transgression. The logical order implies that divine hearing leads to forgiveness.
• "...that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk...": This section reveals the purpose behind the forgiveness and the condition for restored blessing. Forgiveness is not merely an end but a means to repentance and instruction. It signifies a desire for renewed obedience and spiritual guidance. The "good way" refers to a life lived in accordance with God's Law, emphasizing a practical walk of faith.
• "...and send rain upon thy land, which thou hast given unto thy people for an inheritance.": This concluding part connects the restoration of physical blessing (rain) to the spiritual return of the people. Rain is both a sign of God's favor and a practical necessity for the sustenance of life in the land that YHWH Himself bestowed upon Israel. It highlights God's sovereign control over nature and His faithfulness to His covenant promises. The land's identity as an "inheritance" reinforces its sacred, divinely granted status, making its well-being tied directly to the people's fidelity.

1 Kings 8 36 Bonus section

The concept of God "hearing from heaven" in Solomon's prayer (and repeatedly throughout scripture) does not imply a physical distance for God, but rather highlights His majestic transcendence and His readiness to interact with humanity despite His elevated dwelling. This is a common biblical anthropomorphism emphasizing divine omnipresence and attentiveness to His people's prayers and circumstances. Furthermore, the explicit request for rain after sin shows the deep theological connection in ancient Israel between moral uprightness and ecological well-being. This link suggests that human actions have cosmic ramifications, affecting the very natural order, a concept seen throughout prophetic literature. The structure of Solomon's prayer itself, with its repeated "then hear thou in heaven... and forgive" for various afflictions, sets a precedent for national repentance and prayer during times of judgment, making it a foundational text for later biblical leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah during times of national crisis and renewal.

1 Kings 8 36 Commentary

1 Kings 8:36 forms a critical plea within Solomon's prayer of Temple dedication, articulating Israel's reliance on YHWH for both spiritual restoration and physical sustenance. The verse acknowledges the dire consequence of sin (drought) as a divine disciplinary act, inviting Israel to seek God's mercy through prayer. It presents a clear path to resolution: heartfelt repentance leads to God's forgiveness, followed by His divine teaching (Torah) which guides the people back to the "good way." This return to obedience, in turn, is expected to restore material blessings, notably rain, essential for their agrarian society and a direct symbol of covenant blessing in Deuteronomy. The prayer skillfully contrasts YHWH's absolute control over natural elements, like rain, with the impotency of pagan deities like Baal, a prominent rival deity. The land, divinely given as an inheritance, links the people's well-being intrinsically to their relationship with God; its desolation through drought is a powerful indicator of a broken covenant, and its replenishment signifies renewed fellowship.