And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying,

1 KINGS 8:55KJV
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1 Kings 8:55 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 8:55 mean?

1 Kings 8:55 describes King Solomon addressing the assembled people of Israel after praying at the dedication of the temple. He stands and blesses them, speaking loudly enough for the gathering to hear. The verse introduces the words he is about to say.

After kneeling in prayer in verse 54, Solomon rises to address the people. The word “saying” points forward: his spoken blessing begins in verse 56.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 8:55

  • “blessed” — בָּרַךְ (barakh): This word can describe speaking words of blessing. In this setting, Solomon’s blessing is a public address to the people, with its content following in the next verses.
  • “congregation” — קָהָל (qahal): The word means an assembly or gathered group. Here it refers to the people of Israel gathered for the temple dedication, not to a particular building.

Why 1 Kings 8:55 matters

  • Solomon’s words are directed to the people as a gathered group. “All the congregation of Israel” presents the blessing as an address to the assembly, rather than a private exchange.
  • The verse marks a change in whom Solomon is addressing. In verse 54 he finishes praying to the Lord; in verse 55 he turns to bless the people.
  • Solomon’s blessing begins by praising the Lord. Verse 56 opens with “Blessed be the Lord,” so the words addressed to the people first speak about what the Lord has done.

Where else these words appear

“congregation” Hebrew H6951 · used in 116 verses

  • Genesis 28:3 And God Almighty bless thee, and make thee fruitful, and multiply thee, that thou mayest be a multitude of people;
  • 1 Kings 8:22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:
  • Nehemiah 7:66 The whole congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore,