Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
8:22-61 Like Solomon’s preceding prayer, his prayer of dedication for the Temple praised God and blessed the people. He emphasized God’s covenant faithfulness and his own role in building the Temple and prayed for God’s continued response to their prayers (8:22-30). Solomon then made seven distinct petitions to God (8:31-53) and concluded with a blessing (8:54-61). 8:22 As Solomon prayed, he lifted his hands toward heaven and knelt before the Lord on a platform erected in clear view of the congregation (8:54; 2 Chr 6:13). Jesus condemned hypocritical individuals who displayed religiosity without true, heartfelt belief (Matt 6:5-8). But Solomon’s public piety was genuine, leading his people in worship and encouraging them to live in full dependence upon God. The nation that knows and obeys the Lord, and whose leaders rule in righteousness, is particularly blessed (2 Chr 7:14; Pss 33:12; 45:6-7; 144:15; Prov 29:2; Isa 11:1-5).
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
8:22-61 Like Solomon’s preceding prayer, his prayer of dedication for the Temple praised God and blessed the people. He emphasized God’s covenant faithfulness and his own role in building the Temple and prayed for God’s continued response to their prayers (8:22-30). Solomon then made seven distinct petitions to God (8:31-53) and concluded with a blessing (8:54-61). 8:22 As Solomon prayed, he lifted his hands toward heaven and knelt before the Lord on a platform erected in clear view of the congregation (8:54; 2 Chr 6:13). Jesus condemned hypocritical individuals who displayed religiosity without true, heartfelt belief (Matt 6:5-8). But Solomon’s public piety was genuine, leading his people in worship and encouraging them to live in full dependence upon God. The nation that knows and obeys the Lord, and whose leaders rule in righteousness, is particularly blessed (2 Chr 7:14; Pss 33:12; 45:6-7; 144:15; Prov 29:2; Isa 11:1-5).
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of the whole congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward the heavens.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
¶ 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:
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Solomon stood before Yahweh’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
Then Solomon took his place before the altar of the Lord, all the men of Israel being present, and stretching out his hands to heaven,