1 Kings 8:49 kjv
Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
1 Kings 8:49 nkjv
then hear in heaven Your dwelling place their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause,
1 Kings 8:49 niv
then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their plea, and uphold their cause.
1 Kings 8:49 esv
then hear in heaven your dwelling place their prayer and their plea, and maintain their cause
1 Kings 8:49 nlt
then hear their prayers and their petition from heaven where you live, and uphold their cause.
1 Kings 8 49 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 8:30 | And hearken unto the supplication... even to thy dwelling place, even unto heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive. | God hears from heaven and forgives. |
| Deut 4:29 | But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him... | Seeking God in exile. |
| Deut 30:1-3 | If... thou shalt call them to mind... and shalt return unto the Lord... that then the Lord thy God will turn thy captivity... | Prophecy of return from exile and restoration. |
| Ps 20:6 | Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. | God hears from His holy heaven. |
| Ps 35:23 | Awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. | Plea for God to judge their cause. |
| Ps 102:19-20 | For he hath looked down from the height of his sanctuary... To hear the groaning of the prisoner... | God looks down from heaven to hear distress. |
| Ps 115:3 | But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased. | God’s transcendence and sovereignty in heaven. |
| Isa 66:1 | Thus saith the Lord, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool... | God’s universal dwelling and sovereignty. |
| Jer 29:12-14 | Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek me, and find me... and I will turn away your captivity... | Promise to hear prayers and restore from exile. |
| Dan 6:10 | when he knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house... his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem... and prayed... | Daniel prays towards Jerusalem in exile. |
| Ezra 9:5 | And at the evening sacrifice I arose... and kneeled upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the Lord my God, And said, O my God... | Example of fervent prayer of repentance. |
| Neh 1:6 | let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant... concerning the children of Israel thy servants... | Nehemiah’s prayer echoing Solomon’s. |
| Matt 6:9 | Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. | God addressed as "Father in heaven." |
| Luke 11:2 | When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven... | Christ teaches to pray to Father in heaven. |
| John 14:13 | whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. | Prayer answered through Christ’s name. |
| Acts 7:49 | Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? | Stephen reiterates God’s transcendence. |
| Rom 8:26 | ...the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. | Holy Spirit intercedes for believers. |
| Rom 8:34 | ...Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. | Christ as the ultimate Intercessor in heaven. |
| Heb 7:25 | Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. | Christ's ongoing intercession from heaven. |
| Heb 4:16 | Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. | Access to God’s heavenly throne through Christ. |
| 1 Jn 2:1 | ...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: | Christ as advocate before the Father. |
| Rev 5:8 | ...and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. | Prayers rising to heaven before God. |
1 Kings 8 verses
1 Kings 8 49 Meaning
1 Kings 8:49 articulates King Solomon’s plea to God during the Temple dedication, asking that when His people are in foreign lands and pray towards the consecrated Temple in Jerusalem, God would hear their earnest prayers and petitions from His heavenly dwelling place and intervene on their behalf, upholding their rights or cause. It is a profound request for divine responsiveness and intervention, especially in times of distress and repentance away from the promised land.
1 Kings 8 49 Context
1 Kings chapter 8 recounts the grand dedication of the First Temple in Jerusalem by King Solomon. This monumental event signifies the establishment of God’s dwelling place among His people. Solomon's extensive prayer (1 Kings 8:23-53) covers various hypothetical scenarios where Israel might face difficulties—such as defeat by enemies (v.33-34), drought (v.35-36), famine or pestilence (v.37-40), or being taken captive to a foreign land (v.46-51). Verse 49 is specifically part of this last scenario: a prayer for when Israelites, after sinning and being led into exile, repent and pray toward the Temple, even from afar. The prayer recognizes God's transcendence (dwelling in heaven) while acknowledging His immanent desire to interact with humanity through the designated holy place. It highlights the covenant relationship between God and Israel, emphasizing the necessity of repentance for divine intervention and restoration. The broader historical context is the early united monarchy of Israel, aiming to solidify its national and religious identity under Yahweh's reign. This prayer prefigures the future reality of Israel's exiles and their continued devotion despite being removed from their land and Temple.
1 Kings 8 49 Word analysis
- then hear thou: The Hebrew word for "hear" (shama') implies not just listening, but also acting upon what is heard. It establishes a conditional response from God, based on the people's prior repentance and prayer.
- their prayer: (tephillah, תְּפִלָּה). A general term for prayer, often indicating worship, praise, or petition to God.
- and their supplication: (techinnah, תְּחִנָּה). This term is more specific and intense, referring to a plea for grace, mercy, or favor, often born out of distress or a sense of need for unmerited kindness. It underscores the humility and desperation of the plea.
- in heaven: (ba'shamayim, בַּשָּׁמַיִם). Explicitly states God's physical and transcendent dwelling place, distinguishing it from the earthly Temple. This phrase counters the common polytheistic notion of deities being confined to earthly temples or idols; Yahweh transcends all earthly limitations.
- thy dwelling place: (mekhon shivtekha, מְכוֹן שִׁבְתֶּךָ). Literally, "the established place of your sitting" or "the seat of your dwelling." It refers to heaven as God's permanent, majestic throne-room and eternal abode. While the Temple is built for His name (v.29), heaven is His ultimate and uncontainable realm, reinforcing His infinite nature.
- and maintain their cause: (ve'asita mishpatam, וְעָשִׂיתָ מִשְׁפָּטָם). Lit. "and you shall do their justice" or "execute their judgment." This is a crucial phrase. It implies divine action of vindication, intervention, or establishing justice on behalf of His people. It signifies God acting as a judge or advocate, upholding their rights, defending them from adversaries, or rectifying their adverse circumstances, which often involves delivering them from oppression or restoring them to their land. It goes beyond merely hearing to active intervention and judgment.
1 Kings 8 49 Bonus section
The practice of praying towards Jerusalem, even from exile, as seen in this verse, became a central act of piety for Jews in subsequent generations, particularly during and after the Babylonian exile (e.g., Daniel 6:10). This passage solidified the theological framework for how God's people could still relate to Him when separated from their central place of worship. It illustrates a continuity of faith, emphasizing that physical proximity to the Temple was not a prerequisite for God to hear prayer, but sincere heart-felt repentance and turning towards His covenant promises were. The New Testament interprets the earthly temple and sacrifices as pointing to Christ, who is the ultimate intercessor and the new and living way to the throne of God in heaven (Hebrews 4:14-16, 7:25). Thus, Solomon's plea finds its ultimate fulfillment in the reality of believers approaching God directly through Christ.
1 Kings 8 49 Commentary
1 Kings 8:49 reveals profound truths about God's nature and covenant faithfulness. It underscores His transcendence, emphasizing that despite the Temple being a designated place for His name and an access point for prayer, God's true abode and supreme authority remain in heaven. Yet, this transcendent God is not aloof; He is deeply engaged with His people, attentively hearing their earnest cries for mercy (techinnah). The verse particularly highlights the scenario of Israel in exile, foreseeing their potential separation from the land and Temple. In such dire circumstances, the very act of turning their hearts and praying towards Jerusalem symbolized their unwavering faith and repentance. God's promise to "maintain their cause" signifies His active role as a divine vindicator and judge, ensuring justice and intervention on their behalf, often leading to their restoration. It reminds believers that repentance is essential, and God, who sits on His heavenly throne, is sovereign over all circumstances, ready to intervene for those who truly seek Him.