What prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:

1 KINGS 8:38KJV
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1 Kings 8:38 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 8:38 mean?

1 Kings 8:38 describes Solomon asking God to hear prayers offered toward the temple in Jerusalem. Solomon includes both an individual and the whole people of Israel, with each person aware of the trouble within their own heart.

Solomon is speaking to God during a public prayer at the temple’s dedication. Following the disasters named in verse 37, Solomon pictures people spreading their hands toward “this house,” a gesture of appeal to God.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 8:38

  • “plague” — נֶגַע (negaʿ): The word can mean a blow, wound, or affliction. Here the affliction is linked to a person’s own heart, giving the image an inward and personal focus.
  • “heart” — לֵבָב (levav): The word often refers to a person’s inner life, including thoughts and understanding. In this verse, the heart is the place where each person recognizes their own affliction.

Why 1 Kings 8:38 matters

  • Solomon’s request includes more than a single kind of trouble. The words “what prayer and supplication soever” leave room for the needs of an individual as well as those of the whole people.
  • The sentence continues into verse 39. Solomon asks God to hear “in heaven,” forgive, and respond to each person according to their ways; the temple is the direction of the raised hands, while heaven is named as God’s dwelling place.
  • The verse joins outward action with inward awareness. The person who knows “the plague of his own heart” also spreads out their hands, making the prayer visible through a bodily gesture.

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.

“plague” Hebrew H5061 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 12:17 And the LORD plagued Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai Abram's wife.
  • Leviticus 13:43 Then the priest shall look upon it: and, behold, if the rising of the sore be white reddish in his bald head, or in his bald forehead, as the leprosy appeareth in the skin of the flesh;
  • Leviticus 14:36 Then the priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest go into it to see the plague, that all that is in the house be not made unclean: and afterward the priest shall go in to see the house:

“forth” Hebrew H6566 · used in 66 verses

  • Exodus 9:29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S.
  • 2 Kings 19:14 And Hezekiah received the letter of the hand of the messengers, and read it: and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD, and spread it before the LORD.
  • Isaiah 33:23 Thy tacklings are loosed; they could not well strengthen their mast, they could not spread the sail: then is the prey of a great spoil divided; the lame take the prey.

“prayer” Hebrew H8605 · used in 70 verses

  • 2 Samuel 7:27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
  • Job 16:17 Not for any injustice in mine hands: also my prayer is pure.
  • Psalms 102:17 He will regard the prayer of the destitute, and not despise their prayer.