1 Kings 8:60 kjv
That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.
1 Kings 8:60 nkjv
that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other.
1 Kings 8:60 niv
so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other.
1 Kings 8:60 esv
that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God; there is no other.
1 Kings 8:60 nlt
Then people all over the earth will know that the LORD alone is God and there is no other.
1 Kings 8 60 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Deut 4:35 | To you it was shown, that you might know that the Lord is God; there is no other besides Him. | Knowledge of God's singularity. |
| Deut 4:39 | Know therefore today... that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth beneath; there is no other. | Universal sovereignty of one God. |
| Deut 6:4 | Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! | The foundational Shema, declaring God's unity. |
| Isa 43:10 | You are My witnesses… so that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He. Before Me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after Me. | God's unique identity and eternality. |
| Isa 43:11 | I, even I, am the Lord, and besides Me there is no savior. | Exclusive source of salvation. |
| Isa 44:6 | "I am the First and I am the Last; besides Me there is no God." | God's absolute uniqueness and supremacy. |
| Isa 45:5 | I am the Lord, and there is no other; besides Me there is no God. | Repetition of absolute monotheism. |
| Isa 45:6 | That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. | Universal recognition of God's unique identity. |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should be My salvation to the ends of the earth." | Israel's purpose to reveal God to nations. |
| Zech 14:9 | And the Lord shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— "The Lord is one," and His name one. | Future universal kingship and unity of God. |
| Joel 2:27 | Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the Lord your God And there is no other. | Experiential knowledge of God's presence and singularity. |
| Ps 67:2 | That Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations. | Desire for God's truth to reach all peoples. |
| Ps 96:10 | Say among the nations, "The Lord reigns; the world is firmly established, it shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously." | God's reign and judgment for all nations. |
| Ex 9:16 | "But for this purpose I have raised you up, that I may show My power in you, and that My name may be declared in all the earth." | God's display of power for universal knowledge. |
| Num 14:21 | "But indeed, as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord." | Prophetic vision of universal knowledge of God's glory. |
| John 17:3 | "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." | True knowledge of God as essence of eternal life. |
| 1 Cor 8:4 | ...there is no other God but one. | Apostolic affirmation of monotheism. |
| Gal 3:8 | And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "In you all the nations shall be blessed." | God's plan for gentiles through Abraham. |
| Matt 28:19 | "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations..." | Great Commission: spread the knowledge of God universally. |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." | Mission to the entire world, declaring God's truth. |
| Rom 15:9 | "...as it is written: 'For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles, And sing to Your name.'" | Gentiles glorifying God for His mercy. |
| Eph 4:6 | One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. | Unity of God in New Testament theology. |
| Rev 15:4 | "Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested." | Future universal worship of the one true God. |
1 Kings 8 verses
1 Kings 8 60 Meaning
1 Kings 8:60 is a pivotal statement made by King Solomon during his temple dedication prayer. It expresses the ultimate purpose behind God's mighty acts, the construction of the Temple, and His covenant relationship with Israel: for the entire world, all the nations and peoples of the earth, to acknowledge and truly know that the Lord (Yahweh) is the one true God, and that there is absolutely no other deity beside Him. This verse emphasizes the universal, monotheistic declaration of God's exclusive sovereignty and singular identity, extending beyond Israel's borders.
1 Kings 8 60 Context
1 Kings chapter 8 describes the grand climax of Solomon's reign: the dedication of the First Temple in Jerusalem. This event fulfills God's promise to David that his son would build a house for God's name (2 Sam 7:13). The chapter begins with the ark of the covenant being brought into the Holy of Holies, followed by the glory of the Lord filling the temple as a cloud (the Shekinah), signifying God's presence and approval. Solomon then blesses the assembly and offers a magnificent prayer (vv. 23-53). His prayer is extensive, acknowledging God's faithfulness to His covenant and invoking His mercy for future generations of Israel, particularly when they sin and are exiled. Within this prayer, Solomon frequently references God's promises and His uniqueness. Verse 60 comes at the end of this lengthy dedicatory prayer, as Solomon concludes his address to the entire assembly of Israel, urging them to fully commit their hearts to the Lord. This verse acts as a capstone, shifting the focus from God's covenant with Israel to the universal implication of Israel's unique relationship with their God – a knowledge meant to transcend their national boundaries. It underscores that God's plan for Israel was never just about Israel, but about manifesting His glory and truth to "all the peoples of the earth."
Word Analysis
- so that: lema'an (לְמַעַן). This conjunction signifies purpose or result. It explicitly states the ultimate aim and desired outcome of God's mighty works displayed through Israel, the Exodus, the conquest, and now the Temple dedication.
- all the peoples: kol-'amme (כָּל־עַמֵּי). The term kol means "all" or "every." 'Amme is the plural construct form of 'am, meaning "people" or "nation." This highlights the universal scope of God's purpose, directly countering any perception that Yahweh was merely a national deity belonging exclusively to Israel. It expresses God's intention for His revelation to extend far beyond the chosen nation. This is a significant polemic against the ethnocentric and polytheistic views prevalent among surrounding nations, where gods were often localized or associated with specific peoples.
- of the earth: ha'arets (הָאָרֶץ). Refers to the whole habitable world, encompassing all humanity. Combined with "all peoples," it paints a picture of comprehensive global knowledge.
- may know: leda'at (לָדַעַת). From the root yada' (יָדַע), "to know." This knowledge is not merely intellectual apprehension but an experiential, relational, and deeply convinced understanding. It implies recognition of God's power, character, and absolute claim. In the Bible, "knowing" God often entails acknowledging His authority, trusting Him, and obeying His commands (cf. Jer 31:34, Hosea 6:3).
- that the Lord: YHWH hu' (יְהוָה הוּא). YHWH (rendered "LORD" in English Bibles, using small caps) is the personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. Hu' is the emphatic pronoun "He." This phrasing makes an absolute, definitive assertion: "Yahweh Himself."
- is God: ha'Elohim (הָאֱלֹהִים). Elohim is the generic Hebrew word for "God" or "gods." The definite article ha ("the") makes it specific and singular: "the one true God." This directly contrasts Yahweh with the numerous deities of the surrounding pagan cultures (Baal, Dagon, Molech, etc.). It’s a polemical declaration: Yahweh is not a god among many, but the God above all others. This phrase ("YHWH hu' ha'Elohim") is a central theological confession that recurs throughout the Old Testament, particularly in contexts emphasizing God's unique power and faithfulness against idols.
- and that there is no other: we'eyn 'od (וְאֵין עוֹד). We ("and"), 'eyn ("there is no" or "not"), 'od ("yet" or "anymore"). This phrase makes an exclusive claim, emphasizing God's absolute singularity and the non-existence of any comparable or competing deity. It's a clear, unequivocal statement of strict monotheism, utterly rejecting polytheism and idolatry. It denies the validity, power, or even reality of other so-called "gods."
1 Kings 8 60 Bonus section
The phrase "the Lord is God" (YHWH hu' ha'Elohim) is a confession used multiple times in the Old Testament to affirm God's unique power and reality, often in direct confrontation with false gods. A famous instance is Elijah's showdown with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where after fire falls from heaven, the people cry out, "The Lord, He is God! The Lord, He is God!" (1 Ki 18:39). Solomon's use of this phrase in the dedication prayer roots the Temple's purpose and Israel's mission deeply in this fundamental truth. It signifies that the Temple is not just Israel's sanctuary but a beacon demonstrating the supremacy of the one true God to a world shrouded in idolatry. This knowledge is experiential, a deep understanding of God's active presence and intervention, which would naturally compel worship and allegiance.
1 Kings 8 60 Commentary
King Solomon's prayer concludes with a visionary declaration, proclaiming God's ultimate intention: the universal acknowledgement of His singular deity. This verse is not just a theological statement about God's nature, but a profound missional vision for Israel. Israel was chosen not merely for its own sake, but to be a living testament and vehicle through which God would reveal Himself to "all the peoples of the earth." The very existence of the magnificent Temple and the display of God's power and faithfulness were intended to broadcast His glory and unique status to every nation.
This statement implicitly challenges the pervasive polytheism and syncretism of the ancient Near East, asserting Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all creation and all other perceived powers. "That the Lord is God and that there is no other" summarizes the essence of biblical monotheism and forms the bedrock of Israel's unique identity. It anticipates a day when this knowledge will fill the earth, a theme echoed by Old Testament prophets and fulfilled ultimately in the global spread of the Gospel through Christ, through whom the true God is revealed and made known to all humanity. The purpose of God's relationship with Israel, His actions, and the building of His house, was fundamentally missional and universally redemptive in scope, extending His revelation far beyond Israel's borders.