1 Kings 8 42

1 Kings 8:42 kjv

(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;

1 Kings 8:42 nkjv

(for they will hear of Your great name and Your strong hand and Your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this temple,

1 Kings 8:42 niv

for they will hear of your great name and your mighty hand and your outstretched arm?when they come and pray toward this temple,

1 Kings 8:42 esv

(for they shall hear of your great name and your mighty hand, and of your outstretched arm), when he comes and prays toward this house,

1 Kings 8:42 nlt

for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray toward this Temple,

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 42 Meaning

First Kings 8:42 conveys King Solomon’s prayer for foreigners, that when they hear of the God of Israel’s renowned character and powerful acts, they would be drawn to come and pray toward the Temple in Jerusalem. This expresses a profound expectation that the Lord's universal fame, evidenced through His mighty works, would extend beyond Israel's borders, attracting Gentiles to seek Him at His dwelling place among His people. It underscores God's sovereignty and His design to be known by all nations.

1 Kings 8 42 Context

First Kings chapter 8 describes the dedication of the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon. This monumental event marked the culmination of David's vision and Solomon's extensive building project. After the Ark of the Covenant is brought into the Most Holy Place and the glory of the Lord fills the Temple, Solomon offers a powerful and comprehensive dedication prayer (1 Ki 8:22-53). His prayer covers various potential scenarios of Israel's future, interceding for God's favor and attention toward prayers offered toward the Temple, regardless of the worshiper's location. Verses 41-43 specifically address the case of the "foreigner who is not of Your people Israel." Solomon's inclusion of foreigners demonstrates a remarkable and unique universalistic vision for his time, seeing the Temple not merely as a national sanctuary but as a potential spiritual beacon for all peoples to acknowledge the Lord. Historically, during Solomon's reign, Israel reached the zenith of its power and influence, fostering trade and diplomatic relations that naturally exposed surrounding nations to the God of Israel.

1 Kings 8 42 Word analysis

• for they shall hear: The Hebrew word shama' (שָׁמַע) signifies more than merely auditory perception; it denotes a deeper understanding, heed, and often, an obedient response. It implies that these foreigners will truly grasp the significance of what they hear about the Lord.
• of Thy great name: Hebrew shim'kha hag-gadol (שִׁמְךָ הַגָּדוֹל). In biblical theology, God’s "name" embodies His entire being, character, reputation, authority, and revealed nature. A "great name" denotes ultimate renown and unsurpassed majesty. This refers to the profound self-revelation of God that transcends a mere title.
• and of Thy mighty hand: Hebrew yad'kha hakh-khazakah (יָדְךָ הַחֲזָקָה). This is a consistent anthropomorphism portraying God's immense strength, sovereign power, and active intervention. It frequently describes divine acts of creation, protection, and judgment, signifying God's unstoppable ability to execute His will.
• and of Thy outstretched arm: Hebrew u-zroa'akha han-n'tuyah (וּזְרֹעֲךָ הַנְּטוּיָה). This potent idiom specifically refers to God’s overwhelming power displayed in decisive action, most notably His powerful deliverance of Israel from Egypt (Exo 6:6; Deut 4:34). Its use here highlights God's historical and continuous ability to act powerfully to save and reveal Himself.
• when he shall come and pray toward this house: This details the specific response of the foreigner. "This house" refers to the newly dedicated Temple. Directing prayer toward the Temple signified aligning with the place where God's name dwelt and where His presence was uniquely manifest, acknowledging His dwelling and authority.

1 Kings 8 42 Bonus section

The vision expressed in 1 Kings 8:42 reflects a forward-looking, "missional" theology for its era. While Israel's primary covenant was particular, this prayer showcases an underlying divine intention for universal knowledge of God. The hope that non-Israelites would not merely hear about God but also be moved to come and pray demonstrates an anticipation of true conversion and devotion. This highlights a principle found throughout Scripture: God reveals Himself through His deeds and character, and this revelation has the power to draw people from all backgrounds to Himself. It serves as a precursor to Isaiah’s prophecy of the Temple being "a house of prayer for all nations" (Isa 56:7) and the New Testament's ultimate inclusion of Gentiles into the family of God through Christ.

1 Kings 8 42 Commentary

First Kings 8:42 encapsulates a profound theological truth within Solomon’s prayer: the universal appeal of the God of Israel. It portrays a future where the Lord's character (His "great name") and His powerful works, especially those echoing the Exodus ("mighty hand," "outstretched arm"), would become known worldwide. This renown would naturally draw foreigners, who are not part of Israel's covenant, to seek Him at His Temple. This indicates God's desire for all nations to acknowledge and worship Him, establishing the Temple not just as a national sanctuary but as a point of divine attraction for humanity. This perspective offers an early polemic against localized, limited deities prevalent in surrounding cultures, affirming YHWH as the one true, sovereign God whose fame and power transcend borders. It prefigures later prophetic visions of Gentile inclusion and finds ultimate fulfillment in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ, where access to God is universalized not by location (the Temple) but through faith in Him. The verse serves as a powerful reminder of God’s redemptive plan reaching out to all people.