1 Kings 8:55 kjv
And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
1 Kings 8:55 nkjv
Then he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying:
1 Kings 8:55 niv
He stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:
1 Kings 8:55 esv
And he stood and blessed all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice, saying,
1 Kings 8:55 nlt
He stood and in a loud voice blessed the entire congregation of Israel:
1 Kings 8 55 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 6:23-27 | Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying: This is how you are to bless...The LORD bless you... | Priestly blessing; direct divine command for blessing. |
| Deut 28:1-14 | If you fully obey the LORD your God...all these blessings will come on you... | Conditions and nature of covenantal blessings. |
| 2 Sam 6:18 | And when David had finished presenting the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people... | Another king blessing the people after worship. |
| 1 Chr 16:2 | When David had finished presenting the burnt offerings and the fellowship offerings, he blessed the people... | Parallel account of David's blessing. |
| Deut 4:10 | Remember the day you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, when he said to me, “Assemble the people..." | Refers to the "assembly" of Israel at a covenant moment. |
| Joel 2:15-16 | Blow the trumpet in Zion...Gather the people, sanctify the congregation; assemble the elders... | Emphasis on gathering "all the assembly" for solemn occasions. |
| Neh 8:2 | Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand... | Large assembly hearing divine word. |
| Ezra 3:12-13 | many of the older priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ households...raised their voices and shouted..." | "Loud voice" in assembly for proclamation/worship. |
| Deut 27:14 | The Levites shall declare in a loud voice to all the men of Israel...Cursed is anyone who dishonors... | Levites using a "loud voice" for a public declaration. |
| Jonah 3:7 | He issued a proclamation in Nineveh...“No man or beast...is to taste anything; they must not eat or drink water..." | "Loud voice" used for an important public decree. |
| Mk 10:16 | He took the children in His arms and placed His hands on them and blessed them. | Jesus, as the ultimate King and Prophet, blessing people. |
| Lk 24:50 | He led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up His hands, He blessed them. | Jesus' final blessing on His disciples. |
| Acts 2:14 | Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd... | Standing and speaking with authority to an assembly. |
| Acts 14:10 | Paul said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet!” And he leaped up and began to walk. | Apostle using "loud voice" for a divine action. |
| Rev 14:15 | another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him who sat on the cloud... | Angels or divine beings using a "loud voice" for proclamations. |
| Ps 24:3 | Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in His holy place? | Significance of standing in God's presence. |
| Job 33:2 | Behold, I open my mouth; My tongue speaks in my mouth. | Speaker standing formally before speaking. |
| Eph 1:3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing... | New Covenant perspective on God's abundant spiritual blessings. |
| 1 Pet 3:9 | do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing... | Believers are called to bless, reflecting God's character. |
| Heb 7:7 | undoubtedly the inferior is blessed by the superior. | Principle of blessing flowing from a higher authority to a lower. |
| Exod 33:8 | whenever Moses entered the tent, the pillar of cloud would descend...And all the people would rise and stand... | Standing posture in a corporate gathering before the presence of God. |
| Neh 9:4 | Joshua, Bani...stood on the stairs of the Levites and cried out with a loud voice to the LORD their God. | Levites standing and crying out in worship. |
| 2 Chr 7:1-3 | When Solomon finished praying, fire came down...and the glory of the LORD filled the temple...All the sons of Israel...prostrated themselves...and blessed the LORD. | Immediate aftermath showing God's acceptance, followed by people blessing God. |
| Isa 60:1 | Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. | "Arise/Stand" often precedes a divine mandate or blessing. |
| 1 Ki 8:56-61 | Blessed be the LORD, who has given rest to His people Israel... May the LORD our God be with us... | The specific words of Solomon's blessing, fulfilling the anticipation of verse 55. |
1 Kings 8 verses
1 Kings 8 55 Meaning
Following his extensive dedicatory prayer, King Solomon, assuming a position of authority, rose and publicly pronounced a formal blessing over the entire assembled congregation of Israel. This act served as a kingly mediation of divine favor and marked the transition from petition to declaration, signifying the profound importance and official nature of the moment at the Temple dedication. The blessing itself, detailed in the subsequent verses, underscored God's faithfulness and promises to His people.
1 Kings 8 55 Context
1 Kings 8:55 is situated at a pivotal moment in Israelite history: the dedication of Solomon's Temple. It immediately follows Solomon's magnificent and lengthy dedicatory prayer (1 Ki 8:22-53), during which he had knelt before the altar. The entire nation of Israel had assembled, symbolizing national unity and commitment to Yahweh, to witness this monumental event—the culmination of Solomon's decades-long project and the establishment of a permanent dwelling for God's name. This verse marks Solomon's transition from his supplication to God on behalf of the people to a formal pronouncement of blessing upon the people, bridging the divine and the human, and reinforcing his role as the anointed king and mediator. It sets the stage for the substance of the blessing, which is revealed in the subsequent verses (1 Ki 8:56-61). Historically, this event solidified Jerusalem as the religious capital and the monarchy as divinely sanctioned, distinguishing Israel's unique covenant relationship with Yahweh from the polytheistic practices of surrounding nations.
1 Kings 8 55 Word analysis
- Then he stood: The Hebrew verb is וַיַּעֲמֹד (vayya'amod), from עָמַד (amad), meaning "to stand," "take a stand," "present oneself." This marks a deliberate change in posture from his earlier kneeling position during prayer (1 Ki 8:54). Standing signifies authority, dignity, and readiness to act or speak. It's a formal and official posture, particularly for making a declaration or assuming a leadership role.
- and blessed: The Hebrew verb is וַיְבָרֶךְ (vayvarekh), from בָּרַךְ (barakh), meaning "to bless," "to praise," "to invoke divine favor." While Solomon was not a priest, kings in Israel, like David before him (2 Sam 6:18), often acted in a mediatorial capacity, pronouncing blessings on behalf of God to the people. This act conveys divine goodwill and promises through the anointed ruler. It's more than a mere wish; it's a solemn declaration of God's favor.
- all the assembly: The Hebrew phrase is כָּל־קְהַל (kol-qehal), literally "all the qahal" or "all the congregation/assembly." קָהָל (qahal) refers to the collective body of people gathered for a specific purpose, often religious. This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the blessing – it was for the entire unified nation, highlighting the covenantal relationship with the whole of Israel, from every tribe and region, emphasizing their collective identity before God.
- of Israel: Refers to the descendants of Jacob, God's chosen covenant people. The inclusion highlights the national, covenantal recipients of God's blessings and promises, central to the identity formed at the Exodus and Sinai.
- with a loud voice: The Hebrew is בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל (beqol gadol), meaning "with a great voice" or "with a loud sound." This indicates that the blessing was intended to be heard by everyone in the vast assembly, ensuring that the message was publicly proclaimed, understood, and its authority recognized. It signifies the profound importance and official nature of the declaration, leaving no room for misunderstanding or missed information.
- saying: This transitional word introduces the content of the blessing itself, found in the subsequent verses (1 Ki 8:56-61). It emphasizes that what follows is a direct pronouncement, a continuation of Solomon's address.
- "Then he stood and blessed": This transition highlights Solomon's shift from being a supplicant for the people to a conduit of blessing to the people. It demonstrates his mediatorial role as king, entrusted to pronounce divine favor on God's chosen nation. His standing implies the kingly authority bestowed upon him by God.
- "all the assembly of Israel with a loud voice": This phrase emphasizes the collective, national scope of the event. The magnitude of the gathering, necessitating a "loud voice" to be heard, underscores the universal reach and public nature of God's covenant and Solomon's blessings across all tribes. It showcases a moment of national unity and shared spiritual experience.
1 Kings 8 55 Bonus section
This verse subtly showcases the intermingling roles of prophet, priest, and king in the Old Testament, specifically concerning the king's unique position as a mediator between God and Israel. While distinct from the Levitical priesthood, the monarch's ability to bless the people in this official, public capacity points to a prefigurement of the ultimate mediator and King, Jesus Christ. His posture change, from humble supplication (kneeling) to authoritative proclamation (standing), symbolizes the divine authorization granted to him as king to administer God's covenant to the people. This act of blessing served as a public affirmation of God's commitment to Israel after the formal establishment of His dwelling place, emphasizing the ongoing relationship between Yahweh, the king, and His people centered around the newly dedicated Temple.
1 Kings 8 55 Commentary
King Solomon's act in 1 Kings 8:55 represents a pivotal moment, shifting from the personal communion with God during his prayer to a public declaration of divine favor over the entire Israelite nation. By standing after his humble kneeling, Solomon formally assumed his authoritative kingly role. This was not a priestly blessing (like that of Aaron), but a regal pronouncement, where the anointed monarch served as God's instrument to convey blessing to His covenant people, much like David did (2 Sam 6:18). The "loud voice" underscored the public and universal reach of this blessing, intended for every member of the vast assembly, reaffirming God's promises and covenant faithfulness to all Israel collectively. It prepared the congregation to receive the specific assurances and exhortations detailed in the verses that follow, cementing the significance of the newly dedicated Temple as the nexus of God's presence and blessing for His people.