And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt, before the LORD our God, seven days and seven days, even fourteen days.

1 KINGS 8:65KJV
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1 Kings 8:65 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 8:65 mean?

1 Kings 8:65 describes how King Solomon and all the people of Israel celebrated a great feast before God, lasting fourteen days, with people coming from as far north as Hamath to as far south as the river of Egypt. The verse highlights the size and unity of the gathering, as well as the length and significance of the celebration.

The setting is the dedication of the temple Solomon built in Jerusalem. Solomon, as king, leads the entire nation in worship and celebration, marking a historic moment for Israel. The verse emphasizes the wide participation—“from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt”—showing that people from across the whole land were present, making it a truly national event.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 8:65

  • חַג (ḥag, “feast”): This word refers to a festival or celebration, often with religious significance. Here, it underscores that the event was not just a party but a sacred occasion before God.
  • קָהָל (qāhāl, “congregation”): This word means an assembly or gathering of people. Its use here points to the collective participation of the whole nation, not just a small group.
  • מִבּוֹא חֲמָת עַד נַחַל מִצְרַיִם (mibbo’ ḥamath ‘ad naḥal miṣrayim, “from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt”): This phrase marks the full extent of Israel’s territory, showing that the celebration included people from the farthest borders.
  • שִׁבְעַת יָמִים וְשִׁבְעַת יָמִים אַרְבָּעָה עָשָׂר יוֹם (shiv‘at yamim ve-shiv‘at yamim arba‘ah ‘asar yom, “seven days and seven days, even fourteen days”): The repetition emphasizes the completeness and length of the celebration, making it clear this was an unusually long and important feast.

Why 1 Kings 8:65 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the temple dedication was not a small or private event but a massive, inclusive national celebration, involving people from all over Israel.
  • The mention of specific geographic boundaries shows the unity of the nation at this moment, with all tribes and regions represented.
  • The fourteen-day duration highlights the extraordinary nature of the occasion, setting it apart from regular festivals and underlining its importance in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“Hamath” Hebrew H2574 · used in 35 verses

  • Numbers 13:21 So they went up, and searched the land from the wilderness of Zin unto Rehob, as men come to Hamath.
  • 2 Kings 23:33 And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
  • Isaiah 37:13 Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arphad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah?

“feast” Hebrew H2282 · used in 55 verses

  • Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.
  • Deuteronomy 16:14 And thou shalt rejoice in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite, the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are within thy gates.
  • Psalms 81:3 Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.

“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,

“river” Hebrew H5158 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 26:17 And Isaac departed thence, and pitched his tent in the valley of Gerar, and dwelt there.
  • Judges 4:13 And Sisera gathered together all his chariots, even nine hundred chariots of iron, and all the people that were with him, from Harosheth of the Gentiles unto the river of Kishon.
  • Job 28:4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.