1 Kings 8:54
New International Version
When Solomon had finished all these prayers and supplications to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

New Living Translation
When Solomon finished making these prayers and petitions to the LORD, he stood up in front of the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands raised toward heaven.

English Standard Version
Now as Solomon finished offering all this prayer and plea to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven.

Berean Standard Bible
Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

King James Bible
And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

New King James Version
And so it was, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, that he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

New American Standard Bible
When Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and plea to the LORD, he stood up from the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread toward heaven.

NASB 1995
When Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread toward heaven.

NASB 1977
And it came about that when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread toward heaven.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now it happened that when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and supplication to Yahweh, he arose from before the altar of Yahweh, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread toward heaven.

Amplified Bible
When Solomon finished offering this entire prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the LORD’S altar, where he had knelt down with his hands stretched toward heaven.

Christian Standard Bible
When Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the LORD, with his hands spread out toward heaven,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When Solomon finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up from kneeling before the altar of the LORD, with his hands spread out toward heaven,

American Standard Version
And it was so, that, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto Jehovah, he arose from before the altar of Jehovah, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

Contemporary English Version
When Solomon finished his prayer at the altar, he was kneeling with his arms lifted toward heaven. He stood up,

English Revised Version
And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When Solomon finished praying this prayer for mercy to the LORD, he stood in front of the LORD's altar, where he had been kneeling with his hands stretched out toward heaven.

Good News Translation
After Solomon had finished praying to the LORD, he stood up in front of the altar, where he had been kneeling with uplifted hands.

International Standard Version
When Solomon had completed saying this entire prayer to the LORD, he got up from kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven in the presence of the LORD's altar,

Majority Standard Bible
Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven.

NET Bible
When Solomon finished presenting all these prayers and requests to the LORD, he got up from before the altar of the LORD where he had kneeled and spread out his hands toward the sky.

New Heart English Bible
It was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and petition to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

Webster's Bible Translation
And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees, with his hands spread up to heaven.

World English Bible
It was so, that when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication to Yahweh, he arose from before Yahweh’s altar, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread out toward heaven.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And it comes to pass, at Solomon’s finishing to pray to YHWH all this prayer and supplication, he has risen from before the altar of YHWH, from bending on his knees and [having] his hands spread out to the heavens,

Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, at Solomon's finishing to pray unto Jehovah all this prayer and supplication, he hath risen from before the altar of Jehovah, from bending on his knees, and his hands spread out to the heavens,

Smith's Literal Translation
And it will be as Solomon finished praying to Jehovah all this supplication and prayer, he rose from the face of the altar of Jehovah, from bending upon his knees and his hands spread forth to the heavens.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And it came to pass, when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to the Lord, that he rose from before the altar of the Lord: for he had fixed both knees on the ground, and had spread his hands towards heaven.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And it happened that, when Solomon had completed praying this entire prayer and supplication to the Lord, he rose up from the sight of the altar of the Lord. For he had fixed both knees upon the ground, and he had extended his hands toward heaven.

New American Bible
After Solomon finished offering this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he rose from before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling, hands outstretched toward heaven.

New Revised Standard Version
Now when Solomon finished offering all this prayer and this plea to the LORD, he arose from facing the altar of the LORD, where he had knelt with hands outstretched toward heaven;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD God, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling with his hands spread up to heaven.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And when Solomon had finished praying all his prayer and this request before LORD JEHOVAH God, he arose from before the altar of LORD JEHOVAH, for he had been kneeling on his knees, and his hands were spread out toward Heaven.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread forth toward heaven.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And it came to pass when Solomon had finished praying to the Lord all this prayer and supplication, that he rose up from before the altar of the Lord, after having knelt upon his knees, and his hands were spread out towards heaven.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Benediction
54Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD, he got up before the altar of the LORD, where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven. 55And he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 6:12-13
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. / Now Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high and had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

2 Chronicles 7:1-3
When Solomon had finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. / The priests were unable to enter the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled it. / When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they bowed down on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD: “For He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.”

Nehemiah 8:6
Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and with their hands uplifted, all the people said, “Amen, Amen!” Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground.

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.

Ezra 9:5
At the evening offering, I got up from my humiliation with my tunic and cloak torn, and I fell on my knees, spread out my hands to the LORD my God,

Psalm 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

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.

Isaiah 45:23
By Myself I have sworn; truth has gone out from My mouth, a word that will not be revoked: Every knee will bow before Me, every tongue will swear allegiance.

Jeremiah 29:12-13
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Matthew 6:5-6
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. / But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Matthew 26:39
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Luke 22:41
And He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, where He knelt down and prayed,

Acts 7:60
Falling on his knees, he cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 20:36
When Paul had said this, he knelt down with all of them and prayed.

Romans 14:11
It is written: “As surely as I live, says the Lord, every knee will bow before Me; every tongue will confess to God.”


Treasury of Scripture

And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication to the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

when Solomon

Luke 11:1
And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.

Luke 22:45
And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

kneeling

2 Chronicles 6:13
For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

Psalm 95:6
O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the LORD our maker.

Luke 22:41,45
And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, …

with his hands

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:

2 Chronicles 6:12
And he stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands:

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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














Now when Solomon had finished praying this entire prayer and petition to the LORD
Solomon's prayer is a significant moment in the dedication of the Temple, reflecting his role as both king and spiritual leader. The prayer, found earlier in 1 Kings 8, is a comprehensive petition for God's presence, forgiveness, and blessing upon Israel. It highlights Solomon's understanding of God's covenant with David and the importance of the Temple as a place of divine-human interaction. This moment marks the culmination of Solomon's dedication ceremony, emphasizing the importance of prayer in seeking God's favor and guidance.

he got up before the altar of the LORD
The altar of the LORD is central to Israelite worship, symbolizing God's presence and the place where sacrifices are offered. Solomon's position before the altar underscores his role as an intercessor for the people, bridging the gap between God and Israel. The altar's location in the Temple signifies the heart of Israel's religious life, where atonement and worship occur. This act of rising from prayer indicates a transition from supplication to action, as Solomon prepares to bless the assembly.

where he had been kneeling with his hands spread out toward heaven
Kneeling with hands spread out is a posture of humility and supplication, reflecting a deep reverence for God. This physical expression of prayer is consistent with other biblical examples, such as Daniel (Daniel 6:10) and Ezra (Ezra 9:5), who also prayed with uplifted hands. It symbolizes openness to receive God's blessings and an acknowledgment of His sovereignty. The gesture of spreading hands toward heaven signifies a direct appeal to God, recognizing His authority and the need for divine intervention. Solomon's posture is a model of earnest prayer, demonstrating the proper attitude of worship and dependence on God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel, son of David, known for his wisdom and for building the temple in Jerusalem.

2. The Altar of the LORD
A sacred place in the temple where sacrifices and prayers were offered to God.

3. The Temple in Jerusalem
The holy place constructed by Solomon as a dwelling place for the presence of God among His people.

4. Prayer and Petition
Solomon's prayer of dedication for the temple, seeking God's presence and blessing upon Israel.

5. Kneeling with Hands Spread Toward Heaven
A posture of humility and supplication, indicating reverence and earnestness in prayer.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Reverent Prayer
Solomon's posture of kneeling with hands spread toward heaven demonstrates a deep reverence for God. In our own prayer lives, we should approach God with humility and respect, acknowledging His holiness and sovereignty.

The Role of the Temple
The temple was a physical representation of God's presence among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, and we should live in a way that honors God's presence within us.

The Power of Intercessory Prayer
Solomon's prayer was not just for himself but for the entire nation of Israel. We are called to intercede for others, lifting up their needs and concerns to God.

God's Faithfulness to His Promises
Solomon's prayer reflects confidence in God's promises to David and Israel. We can trust that God is faithful to His Word and will fulfill His promises in our lives.

The Significance of Dedication
Just as Solomon dedicated the temple to God, we should dedicate our lives, our work, and our resources to His service, seeking His guidance and blessing in all we do.(54) And it was so.--At this point occurs in 2Chronicles 7:1-3 a striking passage, describing the kindling of the sacrifice by fire from heaven, and, apparently, a second manifestation of the cloud of glory. (See Note on the passage.)

Verse 54. - And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the Lord, he arose from before [see note on ver. 22] the altar of the Lord, from kneeling on his knees [the first mention of this posture in the sacred history (Stanley). The Jews usually stood in prayer (Luke 18:11, 13) ] with [Heb. and] his hands spread up to heaven.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now when
וַיְהִ֣י ׀ (way·hî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

finished
כְּכַלּ֣וֹת (kə·ḵal·lō·wṯ)
Preposition-k | Verb - Piel - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3615: To be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent

praying
לְהִתְפַּלֵּל֙ (lə·hiṯ·pal·lêl)
Preposition-l | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

this
הַזֹּ֑את (haz·zōṯ)
Article | Pronoun - feminine singular
Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that,

entire
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

prayer
הַתְּפִלָּ֥ה (hat·tə·p̄il·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8605: Intercession, supplication, a hymn

and petition
וְהַתְּחִנָּ֖ה (wə·hat·tə·ḥin·nāh)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8467: Favor, supplication for favor

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

the LORD,
יְהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

he got up
קָ֞ם (qām)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6965: To arise, stand up, stand

before
מִלִּפְנֵ֨י (mil·lip̄·nê)
Preposition-m, Preposition-l | Noun - common plural construct
Strong's 6440: The face

the altar
מִזְבַּ֤ח (miz·baḥ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4196: An altar

of the LORD,
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

where he had been kneeling
מִכְּרֹ֣עַ (mik·kə·rō·a‘)
Preposition-m | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 3766: To bend the knee, to sink, to prostrate

with his hands
וְכַפָּ֖יו (wə·ḵap·pāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

spread out
פְּרֻשׂ֥וֹת (pə·ru·śō·wṯ)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine plural
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

toward heaven.
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (haš·šā·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


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OT History: 1 Kings 8:54 It was so that when Solomon had (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:53
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