What Does 1 Kings 8:59 Mean?
And let these my words, with which I have made my plea before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, so that he uphold the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the word requires.
Key words are shown with the Hebrew or Greek and what each word meant.
Selah Decoded Version The Selah Decoded Version renders what the Hebrew and Greek words meant to the people who first heard them.
King James wording
King James Version
And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:THE KEY
The prayer’s words stay near God so that justice can meet the need of each day.
THE MEANING
These words remain near the LORD day and night, joined to his ongoing justice for his servant and people. His care meets each day’s matter as it arises.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
It undoes the idea that prayer is detached from practical need: here, the prayer’s words are joined to justice in the matters of each day.
THE ROOT
מִשְׁפַּט
mishpat
GROWS FROM
ש־פ־ט
To judge, decide, or render a judgment.
Beneath “cause” is mishpat: judgment or justice to be done. The prayer asks for more than attention to a claim; it asks that justice be carried out for the servant and the people as each day requires.
ALSO GROWS
shaphat: To judge or decide.
שָׁפַט
The verb shows the action behind the cause: judgment being carried out.
shofet: Judge.
שֹׁפֵט
This branch connects the cause to a just decision, not merely a matter being heard.
קְרֹבִים
qerovim
GROWS FROM
ק־ר־ב
To approach or draw near.
The word for “nigh” belongs to a root of approach and drawing near. The prayer asks for that nearness to remain through day and night while justice is being done.
ALSO GROWS
qarav: To approach or draw near.
קָרַב
The verb makes nearness an active movement into relation.
qorban: An offering; something brought near.
קָרְבָּן
This branch carries the same idea of approach, echoing the prayer’s request that its words remain near the LORD.
דְּבָרַי
devarai
GROWS FROM
ד־ב־ר
To speak or utter; the related noun davar can mean a word, matter, or thing.
The verse uses this word-family for the speaker’s “words” and again for the “matter” of each day. English separates the prayer from the daily situation; the Hebrew lets the words and the matter echo through one root-family.
ALSO GROWS
davar: Word, matter, or thing.
דָּבָר
This noun holds speech and the concrete matter being addressed within the same word-family.
dibber: To speak or utter.
דִּבֵּר
The verb links the prayer’s spoken words to the daily matter named later in the verse.
devarim: Words or matters.
דְּבָרִים
Its range echoes the verse’s movement between prayer and the needs of each day.
THE PATTERN
God’s care holds through day and night and takes shape as justice and protection for those in need.
I know that the LORD takes up the case of the bowed ones, and the judgment of those in want.And will God not set his own chosen straight, the ones who cry out to him day and night, though he is slow to heat with them?Look, the watcher of Israel neither nods nor sleeps.THE THREAD
I know that the LORD takes up the case of the bowed ones, and the judgment of those in want.Both verses use מִשְׁפָּט (mishpat), judgment or justice, beneath the English words for “cause” and “right.” The justice asked to meet each day’s matter is also named as the LORD’s care for the afflicted and poor.
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