1 Kings 9 7

1 Kings 9:7 kjv

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

1 Kings 9:7 nkjv

then I will cut off Israel from the land which I have given them; and this house which I have consecrated for My name I will cast out of My sight. Israel will be a proverb and a byword among all peoples.

1 Kings 9:7 niv

then I will cut off Israel from the land I have given them and will reject this temple I have consecrated for my Name. Israel will then become a byword and an object of ridicule among all peoples.

1 Kings 9:7 esv

then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and the house that I have consecrated for my name I will cast out of my sight, and Israel will become a proverb and a byword among all peoples.

1 Kings 9:7 nlt

then I will uproot Israel from this land that I have given them. I will reject this Temple that I have made holy to honor my name. I will make Israel an object of mockery and ridicule among the nations.

1 Kings 9 verses

1 Kings 9 7 Meaning

This verse declares a severe conditional judgment from God to Solomon concerning Israel. If the people and their king turn away from God's commands and serve other gods, God Himself will forcibly remove Israel from the land He graciously gave them as an inheritance. Furthermore, the Temple, which God set apart for His own glory and presence, would also be rejected and removed from His favor. Consequently, Israel would become an object of public ridicule and scorn, a proverbial warning to all nations.

1 Kings 9 7 Context

This verse is part of God's direct response to Solomon following the dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. God appeared to Solomon a second time, reiterating His covenant with David, but critically adding conditional clauses for the ongoing dwelling of His presence among Israel and their enjoyment of the land. The preceding verses (1 Ki 9:1-6) affirmed God's acceptance of Solomon's prayer and the hallowing of the Temple, contingent upon Solomon and his descendants' faithful obedience to God's commandments. Verse 7 outlines the severe consequences – exile from the promised land and the rejection of the very Temple—if they fail to uphold their covenantal obligations, thus breaking the core relationship. This serves as a solemn warning not just to Solomon, but to all future generations and kings, emphasizing that God's favor is contingent on their fidelity, not merely the existence of a sacred building.

1 Kings 9 7 Word analysis

• Then will I cut off: The Hebrew term "karath" (כָּרַת) implies not merely severing or ending but also often carries the connotation of a decisive, binding, and sometimes destructive action, such as "cutting a covenant" or "cutting off" someone from the community. Here, it denotes God's definitive act of removal, signifying the termination of their enjoyment of the land due to their breach of covenant.
• Israel out of the land: The "land" (אֶרֶץ - erets) is the specific geographical territory of Canaan, divinely promised to Abraham's descendants and secured through the Mosaic covenant. Their possession of it was always conditional on obedience (Deut 28:15). God, who gave it, has the right and power to remove them from it.
• which I have given them: "Given" (נָתַן - nathan) highlights divine initiative and grace. This was a gift, not earned right. It underscores God's generous act, making their potential loss of it even more poignant as a rejection of His beneficence.
• and this house: Refers directly to the Temple Solomon just completed. Its holiness did not grant it inviolability apart from Israel's faithfulness.
• which I have hallowed for my name: "Hallowed" (קָדַשׁ - qadash) means set apart, made holy or sacred. This indicates God's special designation of the Temple as a place where His presence (symbolized by His Name, שֵׁם - shem) would reside among His people. It points to His unique identity and covenantal relationship, but it does not imply an unconditional sanctuary that can never be profaned or abandoned.
• will I cast out of my sight: "Cast out" (שָׁלַךְ - shalak) is a forceful verb, implying active expulsion and rejection. "Out of my sight" (מִלְּפָנַי - milpanay, literally "from before my face/presence") signifies divine withdrawal of favor, presence, and protection. This is a terrifying prospect, meaning the removal of God's blessing and direct engagement.
• and Israel shall be a proverb: "Proverb" (מָשָׁל - mashal) refers to a saying, parable, or, in this context, a byword that is circulated as a negative example or object of mockery. Israel’s future downfall would be so spectacular and complete that it would become a common illustration of divine judgment for other nations.
• and a byword among all people: "Byword" (שְׁנִינָה - sh'ninah), also translated as "taunt" or "ridicule," suggests that Israel would become an object of derision and scorn, a living testimony to the consequences of disobedience to the God who brought them out of Egypt. This global public disgrace would contrast sharply with the intended blessing of being a holy nation esteemed among nations.
• Word Groups Analysis:
  • "cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them": This highlights the reversal of the covenantal blessing. God's act of giving is directly negated by His act of cutting off, signifying a complete loss of the inherited possession due to infidelity.
  • "this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight": This emphasizes the conditional nature of God's indwelling. Even a place consecrated by God's own name is not immune to His judgment if His people profane His name through disobedience. The sanctity of the place depended on the fidelity of the people.
  • "Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people": This signifies the ultimate public humiliation and degradation. Israel's status among the nations would be transformed from a potential light and blessing (Gen 12:3) to a stark, cautionary tale of divine wrath, reflecting the depth of their apostasy.

1 Kings 9 7 Bonus section

This warning implicitly challenges the ancient Near Eastern belief that a deity was inextricably bound to its temple or city, offering unconditional protection. God demonstrates His absolute sovereignty by declaring He would abandon and destroy His own dwelling if His people turned away, emphasizing that His holiness transcends any physical structure. This prophetic word from 1 Kings 9:7 is fulfilled over centuries, most notably in the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and later the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple. It is a severe demonstration of covenant consequences, acting as a crucial historical and theological benchmark that underlines the grave responsibilities associated with divine favor and chosenness. The pattern of warning, disobedience, and consequences, followed by potential repentance and restoration (as mentioned in subsequent verses and prophetic books), is central to understanding Israel's history with God.

1 Kings 9 7 Commentary

1 Kings 9:7 serves as a poignant theological pivot, shifting from the glory of Solomon's kingdom and Temple dedication to the dire conditional warnings that underscore the transient nature of Israel's national well-being. It highlights a core principle: God’s blessings are not absolute or guaranteed regardless of human action. Despite God’s covenant with David concerning an eternal dynasty (2 Sam 7), the actual enjoyment of the promised land and the continued dwelling of God's presence in the Temple were firmly tied to the nation's and the king's obedience to Mosaic law. This verse powerfully conveys God's unwavering holiness and justice; even the Temple, which was a beacon of His presence, would not shield His people from the consequences of their apostasy. The land and the Temple, though divinely given and sanctified, are not talismanic guarantees against judgment. The pronouncement of becoming a "proverb and a byword" reveals that Israel's failure would not be a private matter but a public demonstration of God's character to the watching nations. This sets the stage prophetically for the future exiles of both the northern (Israel) and southern (Judah) kingdoms, confirming God's faithfulness to His warnings as much as to His promises.