1 Kings 8:22
New International Version
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven

New Living Translation
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands toward heaven,

English Standard Version
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven,

Berean Standard Bible
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

King James Bible
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:

New King James Version
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;

New American Standard Bible
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and he spread out his hands toward heaven.

NASB 1995
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

NASB 1977
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh before all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

Amplified Bible
Then Solomon stood [in the courtyard] before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

Christian Standard Bible
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire congregation of Israel and spread out his hands toward heaven.

American Standard Version
And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;

Contemporary English Version
Solomon stood facing the altar with everyone standing behind him. Then he lifted his arms toward heaven

English Revised Version
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:

GOD'S WORD® Translation
In the presence of the entire assembly of Israel, Solomon stood in front of the LORD's altar. He stretched out his hands toward heaven

Good News Translation
Then in the presence of the people Solomon went and stood in front of the altar, where he raised his arms

International Standard Version
Then Solomon took his place in front of the LORD's altar in the presence of the entire congregation of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

Majority Standard Bible
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

NET Bible
Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the entire assembly of Israel and spread out his hands toward the sky.

New Heart English Bible
Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven. Now Solomon had made a bronze scaffold, eight feet and seven inches long, and eight feet and seven inches broad, and five feet and two inches high, and had set it in the midst of the court; and on it he stood, and kneeled down on his knees before all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands towards Heaven:

World English Bible
Solomon stood before Yahweh’s altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands toward heaven;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Solomon stands before the altar of YHWH, in front of all the assembly of Israel, and spreads his hands toward the heavens,

Young's Literal Translation
And Solomon standeth before the altar of Jehovah, over-against all the assembly of Israel, and spreadeth his hands towards the heavens,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Solomon will stand at the face of the altar of Jehovah before all the convocation of Israel, and he will spread forth his hands to the heavens:
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in the sight of the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands towards heaven;

Catholic Public Domain Version
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord, in the sight of the assembly of Israel, and he extended his hands toward heaven.

New American Bible
Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel, and stretching forth his hands toward heaven,

New Revised Standard Version
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread out his hands to heaven.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
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 and prayed;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Solomon stood before altar of LORD JEHOVAH, next to all the multitude of Israel, and stretched his hands toward Heaven.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Solomon stood up in front of the altar before all the congregation of Israel; and he spread out his hands toward heaven:

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Prayer of Dedication
22Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven, 23and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven above or on earth below, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts.…

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 6:14-42
and said: “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like You in heaven or on earth, keeping Your covenant of loving devotion with Your servants who walk before You with all their hearts. / You have kept Your promise to Your servant, my father David. What You spoke with Your mouth You have fulfilled with Your hand this day. / Therefore now, O LORD, God of Israel, keep for Your servant, my father David, what You promised when You said: ‘You will never fail to have a man to sit before Me on the throne of Israel, if only your descendants guard their way to walk in My law as you have walked before Me.’ ...

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

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.

Nehemiah 9:5-6
Then the Levites—Jeshua, Kadmiel, Bani, Hashabneiah, Sherebiah, Hodiah, Shebaniah, and Pethahiah—said, “Stand up and bless the LORD your God from everlasting to everlasting: Blessed be Your glorious name, and may it be exalted above all blessing and praise. / You alone are the LORD. You created the heavens, the highest heavens with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to all things, and the host of heaven worships You.

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 5:7
But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.

Psalm 28:2
Hear my cry for mercy when I call to You for help, when I lift up my hands toward Your holy sanctuary.

Psalm 134:2
Lift up your hands to the sanctuary and bless the LORD!

Psalm 141:2
May my prayer be set before You like incense; my uplifted hands, like the evening offering.

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.

Luke 18:10-14
“Two men went up to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. / The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—swindlers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. / I fast twice a week and pay tithes of all that I acquire.’ ...

Acts 7:47-50
But it was Solomon who built the house for Him. / However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? ...

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

Acts 21:5
But when our time there had ended, we set out on our journey. All the disciples, with their wives and children, accompanied us out of the city and knelt down on the beach to pray with us.


Treasury of Scripture

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:

stood before the altar

1 Kings 8:54
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 the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven.

2 Kings 11:14
And when she looked, behold, the king stood by a pillar, as the manner was, and the princes and the trumpeters by the king, and all the people of the land rejoiced, and blew with trumpets: and Athaliah rent her clothes, and cried, Treason, Treason.

2 Kings 23:3
And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

spread forth

Exodus 9:29,33
And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD'S…

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:

Ezra 9:5
And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God,

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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














Then Solomon
The name "Solomon" is derived from the Hebrew word "Shlomo," which is related to "shalom," meaning peace. Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, is known for his wisdom and for building the Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often seen as a time of peace and prosperity for Israel, symbolizing the fulfillment of God's promise to David. Solomon's actions in this verse are significant as they reflect his role as a mediator between God and the people of Israel.

stood before the altar of the LORD
The "altar of the LORD" refers to the sacred place where sacrifices were made to God. In the context of the Temple, the altar was central to worship and symbolized the presence of God among His people. Solomon standing before the altar signifies his role as king and leader in worship, acknowledging God's sovereignty and the importance of divine guidance. This act of standing is a posture of respect and readiness to serve.

in the presence of the whole assembly of Israel
The "whole assembly of Israel" indicates the gathering of the tribes of Israel, representing the unity and collective identity of God's chosen people. This assembly underscores the communal aspect of worship and the importance of national unity under God's covenant. Historically, such gatherings were significant for reaffirming the people's commitment to God's laws and promises.

spread out his hands toward heaven
The gesture of spreading out hands toward heaven is a traditional posture of prayer and supplication in the Hebrew culture. It symbolizes openness, surrender, and a plea for divine intervention. This act by Solomon demonstrates humility and dependence on God, acknowledging that true wisdom and guidance come from above. It is a physical expression of seeking God's favor and blessing upon the nation.

Verse 22. - And Solomon stood [i.e., took his stand (LXX. ἀνέστη). Not "was standing." It was but for a moment, however, for we find him presently kneeling (ver. 54; 2 Chronicles 6:13). The latter passage informs us that he both stood and knelt upon a "brazen scaffold," three cubits high] before the altar of the Lord [i.e., the brazen altar of sacrifice. The platform or scaffold was "set in the midst of the court" (2 Chronicles l.c.) All these rites took place in the open air. The king bad no place within the edifice] in the presence [the word is not to be pressed to mean "facing the people." It is hardly likely he would pray towards the people - he was their προφήτης, i.e., he spoke for them to God - or turn his back on the sacred Presence just manifested], and spread forth his hands towards heaven: [one attitude of earnest prayer thoughout the East, as may be seen at the present day amongst the Mohammedans. (See Lane's "Modern Egyptians," ch. 3, "Religion and Laws.") So completely was this posture identified with supplication that to "lift up the hands" came to be a synonym for prayer (Exodus 9:29, 33; Psalm 44:20; Psalm 143:6; Isaiah 1:15; Isaiah 65:2.) ]

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

stood
וַיַּעֲמֹ֣ד (way·ya·‘ă·mōḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5975: To stand, in various relations

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

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

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

in front of
נֶ֖גֶד (ne·ḡeḏ)
Preposition
Strong's 5048: A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before

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

assembly
קְהַ֣ל (qə·hal)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6951: Assembly, convocation, congregation

of Israel,
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

spread out
וַיִּפְרֹ֥שׂ (way·yip̄·rōś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6566: To break apart, disperse

his hands
כַּפָּ֖יו (kap·pāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3709: Hollow or flat of the hand, palm, sole (of the foot), a pan

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


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OT History: 1 Kings 8:22 Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 8:21
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