If they sin against thee,(for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;

1 KINGS 8:46KJV
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1 Kings 8:46 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 8:46 mean?

1 Kings 8:46 says that if the people of Israel sin against God—and, as the verse notes, everyone does sin—and God becomes angry and allows their enemies to capture them and take them away to a foreign land, this is a consequence of their wrongdoing. The verse recognizes human imperfection and the real possibility of exile as a result of turning away from God.

In this verse, King Solomon is praying during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem, speaking to God on behalf of the people. Solomon acknowledges that no person is without sin and asks God to be attentive even when the people are punished by being taken captive by enemies. This sets up the next verses, where Solomon will ask God to hear the prayers of the people even from exile.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 8:46

  • The word for "sin" is חָטָא (chata’), which means to miss the mark or to do wrong. Its use here emphasizes that wrongdoing is a universal human problem, not just an occasional mistake.
  • "Man" is אָדָם (adam), meaning a human being in general, not just a male. This stresses that the statement about sin applies to all people.
  • "Deliver" is נָתַן (natan), meaning to give or hand over. In this context, it shows that God actively allows the consequences of sin by handing the people over to their enemies.
  • "Captives" and "away" both use שָׁבָה (shavah), which means to take captive or to carry away. The repetition underlines the seriousness of exile as a result of sin.

Why 1 Kings 8:46 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that only some people sin; it plainly states that everyone sins, including the people of Israel.
  • It highlights the reality of exile and suffering as consequences of collective wrongdoing, which was a major theme in Israel’s history.
  • The verse prepares the reader for Solomon’s plea in the following verses, where he asks God to remain merciful and attentive even when the people are far from their homeland.

Where else these words appear

“angry” Hebrew H599 · used in 14 verses

  • Deuteronomy 1:37 Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.
  • 1 Kings 11:9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
  • Psalms 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

“away” Hebrew H7617 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 14:14 And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
  • 1 Kings 8:48 And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
  • 2 Chronicles 28:17 For again the Edomites had come and smitten Judah, and carried away captives.

“near” Hebrew H7138 · used in 76 verses

  • Genesis 19:20 Behold now, this city is near to flee unto, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither,( is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live.
  • 1 Chronicles 12:40 Moreover they that were nigh them, even unto Issachar and Zebulun and Naphtali, brought bread on asses, and on camels, and on mules, and on oxen, and meat, meal, cakes of figs, and bunches of raisins, and wine, and oil, and oxen, and sheep abundantly: for there was joy in Israel.
  • Isaiah 55:6 Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

“far” Hebrew H7350 · used in 84 verses

  • Genesis 22:4 Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
  • 2 Chronicles 26:15 And he made in Jerusalem engines, invented by cunning men, to be on the towers and upon the bulwarks, to shoot arrows and great stones withal. And his name spread far abroad; for he was marvellously helped, till he was strong.
  • Isaiah 37:26 Hast thou not heard long ago, how I have done it; and of ancient times, that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste defenced cities into ruinous heaps.