Bible Strands
1 Kings 8:40
so that they may fear You all the days they live in the land that You gave to our fathers.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Solomon speaks to God at the dedication of the temple, closing a prayer that precedes a petition for a foreigner’s inclusion.
The words — לְמַ֙עַן (le.ma‘an) means “so that” or “for the purpose of,” and יִֽרָא֔וּ (yi.rā’û) translates as “they may fear.”
The thread — This fear motif appears in Psalms 130:4 linked to forgiveness, in Revelation 19:5 as a simultaneous call to praise and revere, and in Genesis 22:12 where an angel observes Abraham’s already demonstrated reverence.
Why it lands — The text states that God’s provision in the land is intended to produce a continuous, daily fear of Him, and it asks readers to recognize that sustained reverence is the expected outcome of dwelling in His gift.
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
That they may fear thee all the days that they live in the land which thou gavest unto our fathers.
Cross-references
- Psalms 130:4 But with You there is forgiveness, so that You may be feared.
- Revelation 19:5 Then a voice came from the throne, saying: “Praise our God, all you who serve Him, and those who fear Him, small and great alike!”
- Genesis 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy or do anything to him,” said the angel, “for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son from me.”
- Exodus 20:20 “Do not be afraid,” Moses replied. “For God has come to test you, so that the fear of Him may be before you, to keep you from sinning.”
- Deuteronomy 6:2 so that you and your children and grandchildren may fear the LORD your God all the days of your lives by keeping all His statutes and commandments that I give you, and so that your days may be prolonged.
- Deuteronomy 6:13 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths in His name.
- 1 Samuel 12:24 Above all, fear the LORD and serve Him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things He has done for you.
- Psalms 115:13 He will bless those who fear the LORD—small and great alike.
- Jeremiah 32:39 I will give them one heart and one way, so that they will always fear Me for their own good and for the good of their children after them.
- Hosea 3:5 Afterward, the people of Israel will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to His goodness in the last days.