And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

1 KINGS 8:30KJV
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1 Kings 8:30 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 8:30 mean?

1 Kings 8:30 is a prayer asking God to listen to the prayers of Solomon and the people of Israel whenever they pray toward the temple, and to forgive them when He hears their requests from His dwelling place in heaven. The verse highlights the hope that God will be attentive and merciful to those who seek Him through prayer at the temple.

King Solomon is speaking during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, addressing God in front of the gathered Israelites. Solomon asks God to pay attention to the prayers made toward the temple, recognizing the temple as a special place for seeking God, but also acknowledging that God’s true dwelling is in heaven. The verse emphasizes both the importance of prayer and the need for forgiveness from God.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 8:30

  • "Hearken" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This Hebrew word means to listen or pay careful attention. Solomon is not just asking God to hear sounds, but to truly attend to the prayers with care.
  • "Supplication" (תְּחִנָּה, teḥinnah): This word refers to a heartfelt plea or request for mercy, showing that the prayers are sincere and humble, not just routine words.
  • "Forgive" (סָלַח, salach): This word means to pardon or remove guilt. Solomon’s prayer connects God’s listening with His willingness to forgive, highlighting mercy as a central hope of the people’s prayers.

Why 1 Kings 8:30 matters

  • 1 Kings 8:30 clarifies that while the temple is a focal point for prayer, God is not limited to a building; His true dwelling is in heaven, and He hears from there.
  • The verse emphasizes the relationship between prayer and forgiveness, showing that seeking God’s attention is closely tied to seeking His mercy.
  • This verse sets the tone for the rest of Solomon’s prayer in 1 Kings 8, where he repeatedly asks God to listen and forgive in response to the people’s prayers, establishing a pattern for worship and repentance in Israel’s life.

Where else these words appear

“supplication” Hebrew H8467 · used in 24 verses

  • Joshua 11:20 For it was of the LORD to harden their hearts, that they should come against Israel in battle, that he might destroy them utterly, and that they might have no favour, but that he might destroy them, as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Kings 9:3 And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.
  • Psalms 55:1 To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.

“forgive” Hebrew H5545 · used in 45 verses

  • Exodus 34:9 And he said, If now I have found grace in thy sight, O Lord, let my Lord, I pray thee, go among us; for it is a stiffnecked people; and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for thine inheritance.
  • Numbers 15:26 And it shall be forgiven all the congregation of the children of Israel, and the stranger that sojourneth among them; seeing all the people were in ignorance.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, whose heart thou knowest;(for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

“pray” Hebrew H6419 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 20:7 Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
  • 2 Kings 4:33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD.
  • Job 42:10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.