(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;

1 KINGS 8:42KJV
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1 Kings 8:42 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 8:42 mean?

1 Kings 8:42 describes how people from distant lands will hear about God’s great reputation, His mighty power, and the wonders He has done, and this will lead them to come and pray toward the temple in Jerusalem. The verse highlights the far-reaching impact of God’s name and deeds, drawing outsiders to seek Him.

In this verse, King Solomon is praying during the dedication of the temple, speaking to God about foreigners who are not Israelites but are drawn by stories of God’s greatness. Solomon asks God to listen when these foreigners come to the temple to pray, showing that God’s fame and power are meant to be known beyond Israel. The verse sits within a larger prayer asking God to respond to all who genuinely seek Him.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 8:42

  • "hear" (שָׁמַע, shamaʿ): This word means to listen or pay attention. Here, it points to people from other nations actively hearing reports about God, not just passively receiving information.
  • "great" (גָּדוֹל, gadol): This word emphasizes God’s reputation as being impressive or mighty. It’s not just about size, but about significance and honor.
  • "strong" (חָזָק, chazaq): This word means powerful or mighty. It highlights God’s ability to act decisively and powerfully, which is what draws attention from afar.
  • "stretched out" (נָטָה, natah): This phrase, “stretched out arm,” is a picture of God’s active intervention, especially in rescuing or saving—often used in the Old Testament to describe God’s deliverance.

Why 1 Kings 8:42 matters

  • This verse shows that God’s influence was never meant to be limited to Israel; even foreigners are welcomed if they seek Him because of what they have heard about His power and character.
  • The verse clarifies that the temple was intended as a place where anyone—regardless of background—could approach God, as long as they came with genuine respect and faith.
  • It connects to the larger theme in Solomon’s prayer that God’s actions are meant to reveal Him to all nations, not just to Israel, laying groundwork for later biblical ideas about God’s concern for the whole world.

Where else these words appear

“strong” Hebrew H2389 · used in 54 verses

  • Exodus 3:19 And I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not by a mighty hand.
  • Deuteronomy 26:8 And the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm, and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:
  • Isaiah 27:1 In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.

“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.

“arm” Hebrew H2220 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 49:24 But his bow abode in strength, and the arms of his hands were made strong by the hands of the mighty God of Jacob;(from thence is the shepherd, the stone of Israel:)
  • Job 40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
  • Isaiah 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him.