1 Kings 8

Thomsonin order to carry up the ark of the covenant of the Lord from the city of David, that is Sion, in the month Athanin.

KJVAnd all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

JPSAnd all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month.

ThomsonAnd the priests carried the ark and the tabernacle of the testimony and the holy utensils, which were in the tabernacle of the testimony.

KJVAnd they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up.

ThomsonAnd the king and all Israel were before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen without number,

KJVAnd king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

JPSAnd king Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude.

Thomsonwhile the priests were carrying the ark into its place—into the dabir of the house—into the Holy of Holies—under the wings of the cherubim;

KJVAnd the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims.

JPSAnd the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto its place, into the Sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubim.

Thomsonfor the cherubim had their wings spread out over the place of the ark, and from above covered the ark and the hallowed things thereof, and were above these hallowed things.

KJVFor the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

JPSFor the cherubim spread forth their wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.

ThomsonNow the heads of these hallowed things were seen from the Holies in front of the dabir, but were not seen from without.

KJVAnd they drew out the staves, that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day.

JPSAnd the staves were so long that the ends of the staves were seen from the holy place, even before the Sanctuary; but they could not be seen without; and there they are unto this day.

ThomsonThere was nothing in the ark but the two tables of stone—the tables of the covenant which Moses made at Choreb—which the Lord established with the children of Israel on their coming out of the land of Egypt.

KJVThere was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt.

JPSThere was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt.

Thomsonso that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud.

KJVSo that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.

JPSso that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for the glory of the LORD filled the house of the LORD.

ThomsonBlessed be the Lord God of Israel this day, who with His mouth spake concerning my father David, and hath with His hands fulfilled, as He said,

KJVAnd he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying,

JPSAnd he said: ‘Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth unto David my father, and hath with His hand fulfilled it, saying:

ThomsonFrom the day I brought My people Israel out of Egypt, I made no choice of a city in any tribe of Israel to build a house for My name to be there. Now I have made choice of Jerusalem for My name to be there, and have chosen David to be over My people Israel.

KJVSince the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David to be over my people Israel.

JPSSince the day that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.

ThomsonBut when it was in the heart of my father to build a house for the name of the Lord God of Israel,

KJVAnd it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

JPSNow it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Thomsonthe Lord said to David my father, Because it came into thy heart to build a house for My name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;

KJVAnd the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart.

JPSBut the LORD said unto David my father: Whereas it was in thy heart to build a house for My name, thou didst well that it was in thy heart;

Thomsonbut as for thee, thou art not to build a house for Me, but thy son only who hath sprung from thy loins—he shall build the house for My name.

KJVNevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name.

JPSnevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house for My name.

ThomsonNow the Lord hath brought to pass that word of His which He spake, and I am risen up instead of my father David, and have sat on the throne of Israel, as the Lord spake,

KJVAnd the LORD hath performed his word that he spake, and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

JPSAnd the LORD hath established His word that He spoke; for I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised, and have built the house for the name of the LORD, the God of Israel.

Thomsonand have built the house for the name of the Lord God of Israel, and established there a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of the Lord, which the Lord established with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.

KJVAnd I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt.

JPSAnd there have I set a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.’

ThomsonO Lord the God of Israel, there is no god like Thee in the heaven above and on the earth below, keeping covenant and mercy with Thy servant who walketh before Thee with his whole heart.

KJVAnd he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart:

JPSand he said: ‘O LORD, the God of Israel, there is no God like Thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath; who keepest covenant and mercy with Thy servants, that walk before Thee with all their heart;

ThomsonThese Thou hast kept with Thy servant David, my father: for what Thou didst speak with Thy mouth, Thou hast with Thy hands fulfilled as at this very day.

KJVWho hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day.

JPSwho hast kept with Thy servant David my father that which Thou didst promise him; yea, Thou spokest with Thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with Thy hand, as it is this day.

ThomsonNow therefore, O Lord God of Israel, keep with Thy servant David, my father, what Thou hast spoken to him, saying, There shall not be taken from thee out of Israel, keep with Thy servant David, my father, what Thou hast My presence a chief man sitting upon the throne of Israel, provided thy children take heed to their ways, to walk before Me as thou hast walked before Me.

KJVTherefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me as thou hast walked before me.

JPSNow therefore, O LORD, the God of Israel, keep with Thy servant David my father that which Thou hast promised him saying: There shall not fail thee a man in My sight to sit on the throne of Israel, if only thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me as thou hast walked before Me.

ThomsonNow then, O Lord God of Israel, let me beseech Thee, this word of Thine to my father David be confirmed, that it may be so.

KJVAnd now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father.

JPSNow therefore, O God of Israel, let Thy word, I pray Thee, be verified, which Thou didst speak unto Thy servant David my father.

ThomsonYet thou, O Lord, the God of Israel, wilt look down on this supplication of mine to hearken to the prayer which Thy servant this day in Thy presence prayeth to Thee,

KJVYet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee to day:

JPSYet have Thou respect unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer which Thy servant prayeth before Thee this day;

Thomsonthat Thine eyes may be open day and night on this house—on this place of which Thou hast said, My name shall be there, that Thou mayst hearken to the prayer which Thy servant prayeth toward this place day and night.

KJVThat thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.

JPSthat Thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place whereof Thou hast said: My name shall be there; to hearken unto the prayer which Thy servant shall pray toward this place.

ThomsonThou indeed wilt hearken to the supplication of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel. Whatever they may address towards this place Thou indeed wilt hearken to it in the place of Thy habitation in heaven, and wilt do and be merciful.

KJVAnd 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.

JPSAnd 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.

ThomsonThou indeed wilt hearken from heaven and act and judge Thy people Israel, by condemning the transgressor, and retributing his way upon his head, and by justifying the righteous and giving him according to his righteousness.

KJVThen hear thou in heaven, and do, and judge thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

JPSthen hear Thou in heaven, and do, and judge Thy servants, condemning the wicked, to bring his way upon his own head; and justifying the righteous, to give him according to his righteousness.

ThomsonThou indeed wilt hear from heaven and pardon the sins of Thy people Israel, and bring them back to the land which Thou gavest to their fathers.

KJVThen 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.

JPSthen hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy people Israel, and bring them back unto the land which Thou gavest unto their fathers.

ThomsonThou indeed wilt hearken from heaven, and pardon the sins of Thy servant and of Thy people Israel; for Thou wilt shew them the good way, and give rain for the land which Thou gavest to Thy people for an inheritance.

KJVThen hear thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy people Israel, that thou teach them the good way wherein they should walk, and give rain upon thy land, which thou hast given to thy people for an inheritance.

JPSthen hear Thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of Thy servants, and of Thy people Israel, when Thou teachest them the good way wherein they should walk; and send rain upon Thy land, which Thou hast given to Thy people for an inheritance.

Thomsonwhatever supplication any man shall make, when they know everyone the plague of his own heart, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house,

KJVWhat prayer and supplication soever be made by any man, or by all thy people Israel, which shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house:

JPSwhat prayer and supplication soever be made by any man of all Thy people Israel, who shall know every man the plague of his own heart, and spread forth his hands toward this house;

ThomsonThou indeed wilt hearken from heaven—from Thy settled habitation and be merciful, and do and give to every man as Thou knowest his heart (for Thou alone knowest the hearts of all the children of men)

KJVThen hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

JPSthen hear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and render unto every man according to all his ways, whose heart Thou knowest—for Thou, even Thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men—

Thomsonthat they may fear Thee all the days they live in the land which Thou gavest to their fathers.

KJVThat they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.

JPSthat they may fear Thee all the days that they live in the land which Thou gavest unto our fathers.

Thomsonwhen they shall come and pray toward this place;

KJV(For they shall hear of thy great name, and of thy strong hand, and of thy stretched out arm;) when he shall come and pray toward this house;

JPSfor they shall hear of Thy great name, and of Thy mighty hand, and of Thine outstretched arm—when he shall come and pray toward this house;

ThomsonThou indeed wilt hearken from heaven—from Thy settled habitation, and do according to all, for which the stranger may call upon Thee, that all nations may know Thy name and fear Thee as Thy people Israel do, and that they may know that this house which I have built, is called by Thy name.

KJVHear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for: that all people of the earth may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy people Israel; and that they may know that this house, which I have builded, is called by thy name.

JPShear Thou in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to Thee for; that all the peoples of the earth may know Thy name, to fear Thee, as doth Thy people Israel, and that they may know that Thy name is called upon this house which I have built.

ThomsonThou indeed wilt hearken from heaven to their prayer and do them justice.

KJVThen hear thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

JPSthen hear Thou in heaven their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause.

Thomsonand they bethink themselves in the land to which they have been carried captives, and in the land of their captivity repent and pray to Thee, saying, We have sinned; we have transgressed; we have committed iniquity;

KJVYet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;

JPSyet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn back, and make supplication unto Thee in the land of them that carried them captive, saying: We have sinned, and have done iniquitously, we have dealt wickedly;

Thomsonand turn to Thee with their whole heart, and with their whole soul, in the land of their enemies, to which Thou hast transported them; and direct their prayers to Thee, toward this land which Thou gavest to their fathers, and this city which Thou hast chosen, and this house which I have built for Thy name;

KJVAnd so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

JPSif they return unto Thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray unto Thee toward their land, which Thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which Thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for Thy name;

KJVThen hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,

JPSthen hear Thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven Thy dwelling-place, and maintain their cause;

KJVAnd forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:

JPSand forgive Thy people who have sinned against Thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against Thee; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them;

ThomsonBecause we are Thy people whom Thou hast brought out of the land of Egypt—from the midst of the iron furnace,

KJVFor they be thy people, and thine inheritance, which thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron:

JPSfor they are Thy people, and Thine inheritance, which Thou broughtest forth out of Egypt, from the midst of the furnace of iron;

Thomsonlet Thy eyes therefore be fixed on, and Thy ears open to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the supplication of Thy people Israel, to hearken to them in all for which they invoke Thee,

KJVThat thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee.

JPSthat Thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of Thy servant, and unto the supplication of Thy people Israel, to hearken unto them whensoever they cry unto Thee.

KJVFor thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O LORD God.

JPSFor Thou didst set them apart from among all the peoples of the earth, to be Thine inheritance, as Thou didst speak by the hand of Moses Thy servant, when Thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD.’

Thomsonsince Thou hast set them apart for Thyself for an heritage from among all the people of the earth, as Thou spakest by the ministry of Thy servant Moses, when Thou, O Lord God, didst bring our fathers out of the land of Egypt. Then Solomon spoke of the temple as though he had just finished building it: The Sun He made manifest in heaven— The Lord said, He would [not] dwell in darkness: Build thou My house.—A house fit for Thyself to dwell in anew. Behold, [all] this is written in the Book of the Ode.

ThomsonBlessed be the Lord this day Who hath given rest to His people Israel according to all that He hath spoken. Not one word hath failed of all the good words which He spoke by the ministry of His servant Moses.

KJVBlessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.

JPS’Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto His people Israel, according to all that He promised; there hath not failed one word of all His good promise, which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant.

ThomsonThe Lord our God be with us as He was with our fathers! May He never leave us nor forsake us!

KJVThe LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:

JPSThe LORD our God be with us, as He was with our fathers; let Him not leave us, nor forsake us;

ThomsonMay He incline our hearts to Him to walk in all His ways, and to keep all His commandments and His statutes which He gave in charge to our fathers!

KJVThat he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.

JPSthat He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His ordinances, which He commanded our fathers.

ThomsonAnd may the words with which I have made supplication before the Lord our God, be nigh to the Lord our God day and night, that the determination of every day in the year may establish the rights of Thy servant and the rights of Thy people Israel;

KJVAnd let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:

JPSAnd let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that He maintain the cause of His servant, and the cause of His people Israel, as every day shall require;

Thomsonthat all the nations of the earth may know that the Lord our God is very God, and that there is none else!

KJVThat all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else.

JPSthat all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD, He is God; there is none else.

ThomsonAnd may our hearts be perfect with the Lord our God, that we may walk piously in His statutes, and keep His commandments, as at this day.

KJVLet your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

JPSLet your heart therefore be whole with the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.’

ThomsonAnd king Solomon offered for the sacrifices of thanksgiving which he offered to the Lord, twenty-two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. And when the king and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house,

KJVAnd Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

JPSAnd Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace-offerings, which he offered unto the LORD, two and twenty thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the children of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD.

Thomsonthe king on the same day consecrated the middle of the court in front of the house of the Lord, for he offered there the whole burnt offerings with the sacrifices and the suet of the thanks-offerings, because the brazen altar which was before the Lord was too small for the whole burnt offerings and the sacrifices of the thanks-offerings to be offered thereon.

KJVThe same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings: because the brasen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings.

JPSThe same day did the king hallow the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD; for there he offered the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-offerings; because the brazen altar that was before the LORD was too little to receive the burnt-offering, and the meal-offering, and the fat of the peace-offerings.

ThomsonAnd on the eighth day he dismissed the people and they blessed the king and went away every man to his house rejoicing and with a glad heart, for all the goodness which the Lord had shewn to His servant David and to His people Israel.

KJVOn the eighth day he sent the people away: and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had done for David his servant, and for Israel his people.

JPSOn the eighth day he sent the people away, and they blessed the king, and went unto their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the goodness that the LORD had shown unto David His servant, and to Israel His people.