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.