1 Kings 9:8 Meaning and Explanation
“And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house?”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →God foretells that the once-glorious temple would so fall that passersby would be appalled and ask why such ruin came upon it.
What Does 1 Kings 9:8 Mean?
Continuing the warning, God pictures the future: the temple, now lofty and magnificent, could become a ruin so startling that everyone passing by would be astonished and would hiss in dismay. They would ask aloud why the LORD had done such a thing to this land and this house.
The image is meant to pierce. A house built to display God's glory could instead provoke the question 'Why?' from astonished onlookers. The lesson is that outward grandeur cannot shield a people from the results of turning away. What God seeks is not impressive stone but hearts that remain true to Him.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 9:8
What does 1 Kings 9:8 mean?
God foretells that the once-glorious temple would so fall that passersby would be appalled and ask why such ruin came upon it.