Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

1 KINGS 8:47KJV
Know the Bible

1 Kings 8:47 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 8:47 mean?

1 Kings 8:47 says that if the Israelites, while living in a foreign land as captives, come to their senses, feel sorry for their wrongdoing, and pray to God admitting their sins and wicked actions, there is hope for forgiveness. The verse highlights the importance of honest self-reflection, repentance, and turning to God even when far from home.

King Solomon is speaking during the dedication of the temple, praying to God on behalf of Israel. He imagines a situation where the people have been taken away as captives because of their sins, but even in that distant land, they can repent and seek God’s help. The verse shows that no matter how far someone has gone, genuine repentance and confession are always possible.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 8:47

  • "Bethink" (שׁוּב, shuv): This word often means "to return" or "to turn back." Here, it carries the idea of coming to one's senses or having a change of heart, not just physically returning but also mentally and spiritually reconsidering one’s actions.
  • "Repent" (שׁוּב, shuv and לֵבָב, levav): The same word for "return" is used again, tied with "heart," showing that true repentance is an inner change, not just outward behavior.
  • "Supplication" (חָנַן, chanan): This word means to plead for grace or mercy. The verse emphasizes that the people are not just admitting guilt but are humbly asking God for forgiveness.
  • "Sinned" (חָטָא, chata), "perversely" (עָוָה, avah), "wickedness" (רָשַׁע, rasha): These three words cover a range of wrongdoing, from missing the mark (sin) to acting corruptly (perversely) to outright wickedness, showing a full admission of guilt.

Why 1 Kings 8:47 matters

  • The verse makes clear that repentance is possible even in exile, far from the land and the temple, emphasizing God’s willingness to hear sincere prayers from anywhere.
  • Solomon’s prayer anticipates Israel’s future failures but also God’s mercy, showing that the relationship with God is not cut off by distance or failure if there is genuine repentance.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of 1 Kings 8, where Solomon asks God to listen to prayers made toward the temple, underlining the importance of confession and humility in restoring broken relationships with God.

Where else these words appear

“perversely” Hebrew H5753 · used in 17 verses

  • 1 Samuel 20:30 Then Saul's anger was kindled against Jonathan, and he said unto him, Thou son of the perverse rebellious woman, do not I know that thou hast chosen the son of Jesse to thine own confusion, and unto the confusion of thy mother's nakedness?
  • Esther 1:16 And Memucan answered before the king and the princes, Vashti the queen hath not done wrong to the king only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the king Ahasuerus.
  • Isaiah 21:3 Therefore are my loins filled with pain: pangs have taken hold upon me, as the pangs of a woman that travaileth: I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.

“wickedness” Hebrew H7561 · used in 34 verses

  • Exodus 22:9 For all manner of trespass, whether it be for ox, for ass, for sheep, for raiment, or for any manner of lost thing, which another challengeth to be his, the cause of both parties shall come before the judges; and whom the judges shall condemn, he shall pay double unto his neighbour.
  • Job 10:2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
  • Psalms 94:21 They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

“captives” 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.

“supplication” Hebrew H2603 · used in 72 verses

  • Genesis 33:5 And he lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, Who are those with thee? And he said, The children which God hath graciously given thy servant.
  • Job 19:21 Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.
  • Psalms 109:12 Let there be none to extend mercy unto him: neither let there be any to favour his fatherless children.