Bible Strands
1 Kings 8:12
Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Solomon addresses the gathered assembly of Israel during the Temple dedication, speaking immediately after the divine cloud filled the sanctuary and prevented the priests from ministering.
The words — The Hebrew word עֲרָפֶל ('a.ra.Fel) literally translates to "thick darkness" or "thick cloud," describing the opaque, unapproachable medium of God's manifested presence.
The thread — This exact declaration repeats in 2 Chronicles 6:1, while the pattern of divine presence concealed by cloud and darkness appears in Psalm 97:2 and Leviticus 16:2.
Why it lands — The verse records that God's dwelling is defined by veiled majesty rather than architectural capacity, requiring the reader to acknowledge divine transcendence before presuming access.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then spake Solomon, The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
Cross-references
- Psalms 97:2 Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation.
- 2 Chronicles 6:1 Then Solomon declared: “The LORD has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.
- Leviticus 16:2 And the LORD said to Moses: “Tell your brother Aaron not to enter freely into the Most Holy Place behind the veil in front of the mercy seat on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud above the mercy seat.
- Isaiah 45:15 Truly You are a God who hides Himself, O God of Israel, the Savior.
- Exodus 20:21 And the people stood at a distance as Moses approached the thick darkness where God was.
- Psalms 18:8 Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth.
- Hebrews 12:18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom, and storm;
- Deuteronomy 4:11 You came near and stood at the base of the mountain, a mountain blazing with fire to the heavens, with black clouds and deep darkness.
- Deuteronomy 5:22 The LORD spoke these commandments in a loud voice to your whole assembly out of the fire, the cloud, and the deep darkness on the mountain; He added nothing more. And He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.