1 Kings 8:33 Meaning and Explanation
“When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Solomon prays for the case when Israel, defeated for sin, turns back and prays toward the house.
What Does 1 Kings 8:33 Mean?
Solomon foresees a day when Israel is defeated in battle because of sin. He prays for the moment when the people turn back to God, confess His name, and plead with Him in this house.
Defeat can become the doorway to repentance. When trouble drives people back to God, that turning is itself a mercy. The Lord stands ready to receive those who return and confess, never despising a contrite heart. So even hardship can be the path by which the wandering find their way home to God.
1 Kings 8:33 in the Original Language
shub (שׁוּב), 'turn again' -- to turn back, return, the basic Hebrew word for repentance.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 8:33
What does 1 Kings 8:33 mean?
Solomon prays for the case when Israel, defeated for sin, turns back and prays toward the house.