1 Kings 8 50

1 Kings 8:50 kjv

And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

1 Kings 8:50 nkjv

and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, and all their transgressions which they have transgressed against You; and grant them compassion before those who took them captive, that they may have compassion on them

1 Kings 8:50 niv

And forgive your people, who have sinned against you; forgive all the offenses they have committed against you, and cause their captors to show them mercy;

1 Kings 8:50 esv

and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions that they have committed against you, and grant them compassion in the sight of those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them

1 Kings 8:50 nlt

Forgive your people who have sinned against you. Forgive all the offenses they have committed against you. Make their captors merciful to them,

1 Kings 8 verses

1 Kings 8 50 Meaning

This verse encapsulates a pivotal petition within King Solomon's dedicatory prayer for the Temple. It asks God to forgive the sins and transgressions of the people of Israel when they are exiled in a foreign land due to their unfaithfulness. The core plea is for divine mercy and intervention, so that God would move the hearts of their captors to show them compassion, facilitating their return or alleviating their suffering. It reflects the understanding that sin leads to covenant curses, but sincere repentance and divine grace can lead to restoration, even when Israel is at the mercy of their enemies.

1 Kings 8 50 Context

1 Kings chapter 8 describes the dedication of the newly completed Temple in Jerusalem. King Solomon, at the peak of Israel's unified kingdom, leads the nation in worship and prayer. This prayer (1 Ki 8:22-53) is central to the chapter, articulating the purpose of the Temple as a place for God's presence, prayer, and an intercessor for the people's sins and future struggles. The verse 8:50 falls within a series of hypothetical scenarios Solomon presents to God, envisioning potential future transgressions of the people that might lead to divine judgment, such as defeat in battle or exile. This specific plea anticipates the eventual scattering of Israel among foreign nations as a consequence of covenant disobedience (foreseen in Deut 28-29), praying that even in such dire circumstances, God would be merciful if His people repented and turned toward the Temple in prayer. It demonstrates Solomon's understanding of God's justice but also His unfailing covenant faithfulness and compassion.

1 Kings 8 50 Word analysis

• and forgive (וְסָלַחְתָּ֣ - və·sā·laḥ·tā): From the root סלח (salakh). This Hebrew word signifies "to pardon," "to remit," "to be merciful towards sin." It emphasizes God's sovereign act of removing guilt and debt of sin, making reconciliation possible. It's a unilateral act of grace from God, often tied to a response of repentance.
• Your people (לְעַמְּךָ֙ - lə·‘am·mə·ḵā): Refers specifically to Israel, God's chosen covenant people. It highlights their special relationship with God, even in disobedience. Despite their sin, they remain "His people."
• who have sinned (אֲשֶׁ֣ר חָֽטְאוּ־לָ֑ךְ - ’ă·šer ḥāṭ·’ū-lāḵ): From the root חטא (chata), meaning "to miss the mark," "to go astray," "to fall short." It denotes both accidental and intentional failing to adhere to God's standards or commands.
• and all their transgressions (וְכָל־פִּשְׁעֵיהֶם֙ - wə·ḵāl-piš·‘ê·hem): From the root פשע (pesha‘). This term is stronger than chata. It means "rebellion," "revolt," "treachery," "breaking covenant." It describes deliberate defiance and active rebellion against God. The use of both terms emphasizes the totality and severity of their sin, covering both failures and outright rebellion.
• which they have committed against You (אֲשֶׁ֣ר פָּֽשְׁעוּ־בָ֔ךְ - ’ă·šer pāš·‘ū-vāḵ): Reiterates the nature of pesha‘ specifically as a transgression directed against God.
• and grant them compassion (וּנְתַתָּ֤ם לְרַחֲמִים֙ - ū·nə·ṯat·tām lə·ra·ḥă·mîm): From the root רחם (racham), conveying deep, gut-level, maternal compassion or mercy. It's a strong, tender affection that responds to suffering. Here, the verb means "to give" or "to grant," implying God is the source of this compassion.
• before those who carried them captive (לִפְנֵ֥י שֹֽׁבֵיהֶ֖ם - liḵ·nê šō·ḇê·hem): Literally "before their captors." The prayer asks God to cause the captors to show mercy. This acknowledges God's sovereignty even over pagan nations and their leaders, who often held God's people as instruments of His judgment.
• so that they may have compassion on them (וְרִֽחֲמ֖וּם - wə·ri·ḥă·mūm): A causative aspect, requesting that God act in such a way that the captors will in turn demonstrate rachamim (compassion) towards their Israelite prisoners. This anticipates God's providential work in the hearts of kings and nations, turning circumstances to favor His people for their ultimate restoration or relief, a theme seen in figures like Cyrus, Nehemiah, and Ezra.

1 Kings 8 50 Bonus section

The concept expressed in 1 Ki 8:50—God's ability to turn the hearts of rulers and captors to show kindness—is not only a hope but a pattern observed throughout biblical history. Joseph found favor in Egypt, Daniel found favor in Babylon, and Queen Esther received favor from Xerxes, all showcasing God's work behind the scenes in human affairs for the good of His people. This theme strongly underscores God's omnipotence and omnipresence, being active and sovereign even when His people are in foreign lands or seemingly powerless. The specific request for "compassion" (rachamim) here connects deeply with God's very nature as revealed in Exo 34:6-7, highlighting that even in judgment, His tender mercies are at play. This divine attribute becomes the ultimate basis for the prayer's hope.

1 Kings 8 50 Commentary

1 Kings 8:50 is a poignant expression of profound theological understanding within Solomon's prayer. It reveals a clear grasp of God's covenant justice—that sin (both unwitting chata and rebellious pesha) leads to divine discipline, including exile. Yet, it also deeply trusts in God's immutable character of mercy and faithfulness. The request for God to "forgive" indicates a recognition of humanity's inability to atone for sin, relying entirely on God's gracious disposition. The petition for "compassion" from captors highlights God's absolute sovereignty over all human hearts and political circumstances, demonstrating that even harsh punishments are within His control and can be mitigated by His grace in response to genuine repentance. This verse implicitly teaches that restoration is possible even from the depths of consequence, not due to merit, but solely through divine intervention, which transforms even enemies into instruments of grace. It set a precedent for future prayers of repentance and restoration during the actual exile periods (e.g., in Daniel or Nehemiah).