Bible Strands
1 Kings 8:14
And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon stands before the gathered assembly of Israel at the temple site, having just declared the construction of God's dwelling place. He turns his attention from God to the people and pronounces a blessing over them before offering his own prayer of praise to the Lord.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַיָּ֤סֶב (va.ya.sev) denotes a physical turning of the face, while וַיְבָ֕רֶךְ (va.ya.va.rekh) carries the literal sense of speaking a blessing over the entire assembly.
The thread — This moment of royal blessing mirrors David’s blessing of the people after sacrifices (2 Samuel 6:18), Joshua’s dismissal and blessing of the tribes (Joshua 22:6), and Solomon’s own later formal blessing of Israel in a loud voice (1 Kings 8:55).
Why it lands — The text records the king physically turning toward the gathered nation and pronouncing a blessing on them. It asks the reader to observe how leadership moves from declaring God's work to actively conferring favor on the people before returning to worship.
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
And the king turned his face about, and blessed all the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood;)
Cross-references
- 2 Samuel 6:18 When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of Hosts.
- Joshua 22:6 So Joshua blessed them and sent them on their way, and they went to their homes.
- 1 Kings 8:55 And he stood and blessed the whole assembly of Israel in a loud voice, saying:
- 1 Chronicles 16:2 When David had finished sacrificing the burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 6:3 And as the whole assembly of Israel stood there, the king turned around and blessed them all
- 2 Chronicles 7:6 The priests stood at their posts, as did the Levites with the musical instruments of the LORD, which King David had made for giving thanks to the LORD and with which David had offered praise, saying, “For His loving devotion endures forever.” Across from the Levites, the priests sounded trumpets, and all the Israelites were standing.
- 2 Chronicles 30:18 A large number of the people—many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun—had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah interceded for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, provide atonement for everyone
- Nehemiah 8:7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Law as they stood in their places.
- Nehemiah 9:2 Those of Israelite descent separated themselves from all the foreigners, and they stood and confessed their sins and the iniquities of their fathers.
- Psalms 118:26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you.