1 Kings 8 39

1 Kings 8:39 kjv

Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

1 Kings 8:39 nkjv

then hear in heaven Your dwelling place, and forgive, and act, and give to everyone according to all his ways, whose heart You know (for You alone know the hearts of all the sons of men),

1 Kings 8:39 niv

then hear from heaven, your dwelling place. Forgive and act; deal with everyone according to all they do, since you know their hearts (for you alone know every human heart),

1 Kings 8:39 esv

then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),

1 Kings 8:39 nlt

then hear from heaven where you live, and forgive. Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart.

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 39 Meaning

In this verse, Solomon pleads with God to hear the prayers of His people when they turn to Him in repentance after sinning. He asks God, who resides in the heavens, to extend His forgiveness and to respond to each individual not merely based on outward actions but according to the true intentions and state of their innermost being—their heart—for only God possesses the singular and complete knowledge of every human heart. It is a petition for divine justice and mercy, predicated on God's perfect omniscience.

1 Kings 8 39 Context

This verse is part of Solomon's grand prayer of dedication for the newly built Temple in Jerusalem (1 Kgs 8:22-53). Following the ark's placement and the descent of the cloud of God's glory, Solomon stands before the altar, facing the congregation, and blesses Israel before commencing this profound prayer.

The prayer comprises seven petitions, each introduced with a conditional clause: "If a person sins... then hear...". Verse 39 belongs to the fifth of these petitions (1 Kgs 8:38-40), specifically dealing with the general situation where any person, or the entire nation, sins and then repents and turns to the Temple in prayer. Solomon recognizes the universality of sin and the need for divine mercy. He asks that when such a sinner acknowledges their fault, God would respond from His heavenly dwelling place, granting forgiveness and administering justice according to the individual's inner heart and deeds.

Historically, this prayer articulates the core tenets of Israel's relationship with Yahweh:

• God's transcendence (He dwells in heaven, not contained by the Temple, 1 Kgs 8:27).
• His immanence (His 'name' dwells in the Temple, making it a place where prayers are heard).
• The covenant relationship, which includes blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, and pathways for restoration through repentance and prayer.Culturally, it presents a stark contrast to pagan deities who were believed to be localized and could only respond to outward rituals or sacrifices, and whose knowledge of their supplicants was limited. Solomon's prayer underscores Yahweh's infinite and personal knowledge, even of the deepest motivations of the heart, a unique attribute of the true God.

1 Kings 8 39 Word Analysis

• then hear (וְשָׁמַעְתָּ, vəshamata): From the verb שָׁמַע (shama), meaning to hear, listen, obey, or understand. Here, it implies divine attentiveness and responsiveness to the prayers offered, extending beyond mere hearing to effective action.
• in heaven (בַּשָּׁמַיִם, bashamayim): Refers to the dwelling place of God, signifying His transcendence and infinite being beyond human space and time. It reiterates that God is not confined to the earthly Temple.
• your dwelling place (מְכוֹן, mekhon): Literally "a fixed place," "a foundation," or "an abode." While God's actual presence fills the heavens, this term refers to the specific, designated realm from which He operates, reinforcing His sovereign transcendence and control.
• and forgive (וְסָלַחְתָּ, vəsalachtá): From the verb סָלַח (salach), specifically means to pardon or forgive sins, always used with God as the subject. It signifies divine grace and the wiping away of guilt, demonstrating God's merciful character.
• and act (וְעָשִׂיתָ, və'asíta): From the verb עָשָׂה ('asa), meaning "to do" or "to make." This implies divine intervention and execution of justice or mercy, not just passive listening. God doesn't just hear and forgive; He intervenes.
• and render to each (וְנָתַתָּ לָאִישׁ, vənāṯattā lā'îš): From the verb נָתַן (natan), "to give" or "to place," often used for giving an accounting or recompense. This indicates God's impartial administration of consequences, whether good or bad. It signifies divine justice, where individuals receive what is due to them.
• whose heart you know (אֲשֶׁר תֵּדַע אֶת לְבָבוֹ, asher ted'a et ləvāvō):
  • heart (לְבָבוֹ, ləvavō): Refers to the innermost core of a person—not merely the seat of emotions, but the center of intellect, will, thoughts, desires, motivations, and the very essence of moral being. In ancient Hebrew thought, the heart encompasses the entire inner life that drives outward actions.
  • you know (תֵּדַע, ted'a): From the verb יָדַע (yada), meaning to know, but in a deep, intimate, experiential sense. It's not just intellectual apprehension but a comprehensive, penetrating understanding. God knows the 'why' behind the 'what'.
• according to all his ways (כְּכָל דְּרָכָיו, kəḵol dərāḵāyw): "Ways" (דְּרָכָיו, dərāḵāyw) refers to one's actions, conduct, character, and lifestyle. This phrase emphasizes that God's judgment and recompense are perfectly aligned with both the internal intentions of the heart and the external manifestations in life. The inner motivations define the true nature of the outer actions.
• since you know his heart alone (כִּי אַתָּה לְבַדְּךָ יָדַעְתָּ אֶת לְבָב כָּל בְּנֵי הָאָדָם, kî 'attā ləvadəkā yāda‘tā 'et lēvāv kol bənē hā'ādām):
  • alone (לְבַדְּךָ, ləvadəkā): This emphatic term highlights God's unique and exclusive attribute. No human, no idol, no other being (real or perceived) can penetrate the human heart and know its depths as God can. This is a profound statement of divine omniscient and monotheistic distinction from polytheistic beliefs of surrounding nations whose deities were limited.
  • the heart of all the children of mankind: Emphasizes the universality of God's intimate knowledge. He knows everyone's heart, without exception. This grounds His perfect justice and ability to discern genuine repentance from mere outward show.

1 Kings 8 39 Bonus Section

This verse profoundly informs biblical theology regarding divine judgment. Unlike human judgment, which relies on observable evidence and can be misled by appearances or deception, God's judgment is absolute because it originates from a perfect knowledge of the "heart"—the seat of moral will, intellect, and motives. This explains why certain Old Testament sacrifices or New Testament rituals (e.g., communion) could become meaningless if performed without a sincere heart (e.g., Isa 1:11-17; 1 Cor 11:29).

Furthermore, the uniqueness of God in "knowing the heart alone" (לְבַדְּךָ יָדַעְתָּ אֶת לְבָב) served as a strong polemical statement against paganism and polytheism. The gods of other nations, being mere constructs or limited spiritual entities, could not possess such an intimate, all-encompassing understanding of humanity. This truth confirms Yahweh as the one sovereign and truly divine Being, who alone holds the power of ultimate justice and genuine forgiveness based on perfect knowledge. This also sets the stage for a covenant relationship built on inward sincerity rather than mere external conformity.

1 Kings 8 39 Commentary

1 Kings 8:39 stands as a pivotal statement regarding God's character, highlighting His omniscient knowledge, His perfect justice, and His divine mercy. Solomon's prayer acknowledges that true forgiveness and righteous judgment must proceed from an understanding of the individual's deepest motivations, not just their overt actions.

This verse emphasizes God's transcendence; He hears from "heaven, His dwelling place," meaning He is not contained or limited by the physical temple, but acts from His ultimate sovereignty. Yet, He is also intimately involved in human affairs, capable of hearing and responding to specific prayers. The "act and render" component underscores God's commitment to active justice and recompense, assuring His people that their prayers are met with deliberate, purposeful divine response.

The core theological revelation lies in God's unique ability to "know the heart alone." This distinguishes the God of Israel from all other gods of the ancient Near East, which were depicted as limited in scope or understanding, often placated by outward rituals without concern for internal disposition. Here, the one true God possesses an absolute, piercing knowledge of human intent and conscience. This divine omniscience forms the basis for genuine forgiveness; God's pardon is not superficial but recognizes the truth of one's repentance or the depth of one's transgression. It also ensures perfect justice, as He can truly weigh a person's "ways" (actions) in light of their underlying "heart" (motivations). This calls for true introspection and humility in approaching God.

• Practical Usage:
  • It encourages sincere, heartfelt repentance, knowing that God discerns true sorrow over external displays.
  • It fosters trust in God's perfect justice, even when human justice seems flawed or insufficient, knowing He truly knows the circumstances of the heart.
  • It reminds believers to guard their hearts, as all inner life is open to God.