1 Kings 8:30
New International Version
Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

New Living Translation
May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.

English Standard Version
And listen to the plea of your servant and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

Berean Standard Bible
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

King James Bible
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

New King James Version
And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven Your dwelling place; and when You hear, forgive.

New American Standard Bible
And listen to the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive!

NASB 1995
“Listen to the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear in heaven Your dwelling place; hear and forgive.

NASB 1977
“And listen to the supplication of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel, when they pray toward this place; hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling place; hear and forgive.

Legacy Standard Bible
And listen to the supplication of Your slave and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place; listen in heaven Your dwelling place; listen and forgive.

Amplified Bible
Listen to the prayer of Your servant and of Your people Israel which they pray toward this place. Hear in heaven, Your dwelling place; hear and forgive.

Christian Standard Bible
Hear the petition of your servant and your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May you hear in your dwelling place in heaven. May you hear and forgive.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hear the petition of Your servant and Your people Israel, which they pray toward this place. May You hear in Your dwelling place in heaven. May You hear and forgive.

American Standard Version
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place; and when thou hearest, forgive.

Contemporary English Version
I am your servant, and the people of Israel belong to you. So whenever any of us look toward this temple and pray, answer from your home in heaven and forgive our sins.

English Revised Version
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: yea, hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place; and when thou hearest, forgive.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hear the plea for mercy that your people Israel and I pray toward this place. Hear us [when we pray] to heaven, the place where you live. Hear and forgive.

Good News Translation
Hear my prayers and the prayers of your people when they face this place and pray. In your home in heaven hear us and forgive us.

International Standard Version
Listen to the requests from your servant and from your people Israel as they pray in this direction, listen from the place where you reside in heaven, then hear and forgive.

Majority Standard Bible
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

NET Bible
Respond to the request of your servant and your people Israel for this place. Hear from inside your heavenly dwelling place and respond favorably.

New Heart English Bible
Listen to the petition of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place. Yes, hear in heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

Webster's Bible Translation
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray towards this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling-place: and when thou hearest, forgive.

World English Bible
Listen to the supplication of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they pray toward this place. Yes, hear in heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Then You have listened to the supplication of Your servant, and of Your people Israel, which they pray toward this place; indeed, You listen in the place of Your dwelling, in the heavens—and You have listened, and have forgiven,

Young's Literal Translation
'Then Thou hast hearkened unto the supplication of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, which they pray towards this place; yea, Thou dost hearken in the place of Thy dwelling, in the heavens -- and Thou hast hearkened, and hast forgiven,

Smith's Literal Translation
And wilt thou hear to the prayer of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray to this place? and wilt thou hear to the place of thy dwelling to the heavens? and hear and forgive?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
That thou mayest hearken to the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel, whatsoever they shall pray for in this place, and hear them in the place of thy dwelling in heaven; and when thou hearest, shew them mercy.

Catholic Public Domain Version
So may you heed the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel, whatever they will pray for in this place, and so may you heed them in your dwelling place in heaven. And when you heed, you will be gracious.

New American Bible
Listen to the petition of your servant and of your people Israel which they offer toward this place. Listen, from the place of your enthronement, heaven, listen and forgive.

New Revised Standard Version
Hear the plea of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place; O hear in heaven your dwelling place; heed and forgive.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel, when they pray before thee in this place; and hear thou, O our God, from thy dwelling place in heaven, and forgive.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And hear the prayer of your Servant and of your people, Israel, who pray before you in this place, and you, our God, will hear from your dwelling from Heaven and you will forgive.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And hearken Thou to the supplication of Thy servant, and of Thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place; yea, hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling-place; and when Thou hearest, forgive.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And thou shalt hearken to the prayer of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall pray toward this place; and thou shalt hear in thy dwelling-place in heaven, and thou shalt do and be gracious.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Prayer of Dedication
29May Your eyes be open toward this temple night and day, toward the place of which You said, ‘My Name shall be there,’ so that You may hear the prayer that Your servant prays toward this place. 30Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive. 31When a man sins against his neighbor and is required to take an oath, and he comes to take an oath before Your altar in this temple,…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 6:21
Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel when they pray toward this place. May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place. May You hear and forgive.

Psalm 5:7
But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.

Psalm 28:2
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Psalm 138:2
I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your loving devotion and Your faithfulness; You have exalted Your name and Your word above all else.

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Jonah 2:4
At this, I said, ‘I have been banished from Your sight; yet I will look once more toward Your holy temple.’

Isaiah 56:7
I will bring them to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on My altar, for My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations.”

Jeremiah 29:12
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.

Nehemiah 1:6
let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to hear the prayer that I, Your servant, now pray before You day and night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins that we Israelites have committed against You. Both I and my father’s house have sinned.

2 Chronicles 7:15
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.

Matthew 6:9-13
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. / Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. / Give us this day our daily bread. ...

Luke 11:2-4
So Jesus told them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. / Give us each day our daily bread. / And forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

John 14:13-14
And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. / If you ask Me for anything in My name, I will do it.

Acts 7:48-50
However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.


Treasury of Scripture

And listen you to the supplication of your servant, and of your people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear you in heaven your dwelling place: and when you hear, forgive.

when they shall

2 Chronicles 20:8,9
And they dwelt therein, and have built thee a sanctuary therein for thy name, saying, …

Nehemiah 1:5,6
And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments: …

toward this place.

1 Kings 8:34,36,39,43,49
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers…

2 Chronicles 6:21
Hearken therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place: hear thou from thy dwelling place, even from heaven; and when thou hearest, forgive.

Psalm 33:13,14
The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men…

forgive

1 Kings 8:34,36,39
Then hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy people Israel, and bring them again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers…

2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Psalm 130:3,4
If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? …

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1 Kings 8
1. The feast of the temple
12. Solomon's blessing
22. Solomon's prayer
54. Solomon's blessing
62. His sacrifice of peace offerings














Hear the plea of Your servant and of Your people Israel
This phrase highlights the intercessory role of Solomon as he prays on behalf of the nation of Israel. The term "servant" refers to Solomon himself, emphasizing his role as a leader who stands before God on behalf of the people. The plea is a request for God to listen, indicating a deep reliance on divine intervention. This reflects the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where God promises to be attentive to His people's prayers. The communal aspect of "Your people Israel" underscores the collective identity and unity of the nation in seeking God's favor.

when they pray toward this place
The phrase "this place" refers to the newly constructed temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon has dedicated as a house of prayer. The temple serves as a physical focal point for worship and prayer, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Praying toward the temple signifies acknowledging God's chosen dwelling place on earth. This practice is rooted in the belief that God has established a special connection with the temple, making it a central location for divine-human interaction. The orientation toward the temple also foreshadows the later Jewish practice of facing Jerusalem during prayer, even when in exile.

May You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place
While the temple is a physical structure on earth, Solomon acknowledges that God's true dwelling is in heaven. This distinction emphasizes God's transcendence and sovereignty over all creation. The request for God to "hear from heaven" reflects an understanding that, although God is omnipresent, His ultimate throne is in the heavenly realm. This phrase also connects to the broader biblical theme of heaven as God's eternal dwelling, as seen in passages like Isaiah 66:1 and Psalm 11:4. It underscores the belief that God is not confined to earthly structures but is accessible to His people through prayer.

May You hear and forgive
The plea for God to "hear and forgive" highlights the central role of forgiveness in the relationship between God and His people. Forgiveness is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, essential for maintaining the covenant relationship. This request acknowledges human sinfulness and the need for divine mercy. The concept of forgiveness is deeply rooted in the sacrificial system established in the Law of Moses, where atonement is made for sins. This phrase also points forward to the New Testament revelation of Jesus Christ, who embodies the ultimate means of forgiveness through His sacrificial death and resurrection, fulfilling the need for atonement once and for all.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel who built the temple in Jerusalem and is offering this prayer of dedication.

2. The Temple in Jerusalem
The central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people.

3. The People of Israel
The chosen people of God, who are being called to pray toward the temple.

4. Heaven
Described as God's dwelling place, from where He hears and answers prayers.

5. Forgiveness
A key theme in Solomon's prayer, highlighting the need for divine mercy and grace.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Prayer
Solomon's prayer underscores the necessity of approaching God with our needs and supplications. Prayer is a vital communication channel with God.

God's Dwelling Place
While the temple was a physical symbol of God's presence, Solomon acknowledges that God's true dwelling is in heaven. This reminds us that God is not confined to buildings but is omnipresent.

Seeking Forgiveness
The plea for forgiveness is central to Solomon's prayer. It highlights the need for repentance and the assurance of God's mercy when we turn to Him.

Direction in Prayer
The act of praying toward the temple signifies a focused and intentional approach to prayer. Today, this can translate to having a heart directed toward God in our prayers.

Community in Prayer
Solomon prays on behalf of all Israel, illustrating the power of communal prayer and intercession for others.Verse 30. - And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven [Heb. unto heaven, אֶל־הַשָּׁמַיִם a pregnant censtruction hear the prayer that ascends unto heaven. The chronicler here, as elsewhere, simplifies the meaning by reading "from heaven," מִן־הַשּׁ] thy dwelling place [Here, and in vers. 39, 43, and 49, heaven is described as the true dwelling place of Deity. Confidently as Solomon believes that he has built a habitation for the Lord, he never dreams that the "Most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands" (Acts 7:48; Acts 17:4) ]: and when thou hearest, forgive. [There is possibly a play of words here - שָׁמַיִם שָׁמַעְתָּ]. With the next verse the special or particular supplications begin. Like those of the Lord's prayer, they are seven in number, and no doubt for the same reason, viz., because seven was the number of covenant, the number which expressed the relationship between the Lord and His people ("die Signatur der Verbindung Gottes und der Welt" - Bahr, Symbolik, 1:187 sqq.) In fact, to the Jew the number "seven" was something like the sign of the cross to a large portion of Catholic Christendom, for it spoke to him of God's covenant of mercy and peace. And the first of the seven concerns oaths. The king implores the covenant-keeping God to watch over the covenants of words made in the now consecrated sanctuary, and to protect their sanctity by punishing the false swearer. There were cases in which the Mosaic law provided that an oath should be administered to suspected persons (Exodus 22:11; Leviticus 5:1, 4, etc.) And there were other cases in which men of their own accord, for "an end of all strife," would make oath. Now every oath, whatever its form (Matthew 23:16-22), is in reality an affirmation" by the God of truth" (Isaiah 65:16); it is an appeal to the knowledge and power and justice of the Most High (Leviticus 19:12; Deuteronomy 6:13; Deuteronomy 10:20; Isaiah 48:1; Jeremiah 12:16; Jeremiah 44:26). A false oath, consequently, dishonoured the Divine name, and polluted the sanctuary dedicated to that name, and if it went unpunished, contradicted the principles and provisions of the dispensation Of temporal punishments, and so encouraged falsehood and impiety. God is here entreated, consequently, to take cognizance of the oaths sworn before His altar (ver. 31), and to be a swift witness against the false swearers (Malachi 3:5). It is, perhaps, because of the direct dishonour which perjury offers to the Divine name that, as Bahr suggests, this prayer stands first among the seven, thus corresponding to the "Hallowed be Thy name" in the Lord's prayer, and to the third among the ten commandments.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Hear
וְשָׁ֨מַעְתָּ֜ (wə·šā·ma‘·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

the plea
תְּחִנַּ֤ת (tə·ḥin·naṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8467: Favor, supplication for favor

of Your servant
עַבְדְּךָ֙ (‘aḇ·də·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

and of Your people
וְעַמְּךָ֣ (wə·‘am·mə·ḵā)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

when
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

they pray
יִֽתְפַּֽלְל֖וּ (yiṯ·pal·lū)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

toward
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

place.
הַמָּק֣וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

May You
וְ֠אַתָּה (wə·’at·tāh)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859: Thou and thee, ye and you

hear
תִּשְׁמַ֞ע (tiš·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

from
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

heaven,
הַשָּׁמַ֔יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

Your dwelling
שִׁבְתְּךָ֙ (šiḇ·tə·ḵā)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry

place.
מְק֤וֹם (mə·qō·wm)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition

May You hear
וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֖ (wə·šā·ma‘·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

and forgive.
וְסָלָֽחְתָּ׃ (wə·sā·lā·ḥə·tā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon


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OT History: 1 Kings 8:30 Listen you to the supplication of your (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:29
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