What Does 1 Kings 8:17 Mean in the King James?

And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel.

1 Kings 8:17 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

The house is built for the LORD’s name, his nature made visible, not to make God fit inside a structure.

THE MEANING

A dwelling begins in the heart: an inward intention takes outward form. The house is for the LORD’s name, meaning the nature by which God is known, so the structure serves as a visible expression of that nature. The one honored is not reduced to the building that bears the name.

THE ROOT

לִבְנוֹת

livnot

GROWS FROM

בנה

banah

To build or establish a structure.

“build” in this verse is livnot. The root’s word family includes ⁨בֵּן⁩ (ben, “son”), traditionally linked with one who builds up a household. The verse’s house carries a generative shade: what begins in the heart becomes a dwelling for the LORD’s name, his nature made visible.

ALSO GROWS

ben: Son.

בֵּן

The traditional link with building up a household gives “build” a generative sense: the work establishes a place where a family can continue.

mivneh: Structure or building.

מִבְנֶה

This branch names the formed structure that grows from the intention held in the heart.

THE PATTERN

A dwelling can make devotion visible, but no structure can contain the nature it honors.

And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

Exodus 25:8 · KJVThe sanctuary gives visible form to dwelling among people, as the house in this verse serves the LORD’s name.

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

1 Kings 8:27 · KJVThe dedication makes clear that no house, however sacred, can contain God.

Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet,

Acts 7:48 · KJVThis verse names the limit directly: the Most High is not confined to a hand-built temple.

THE THREAD

But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded?

1 Kings 8:27 · KJV

The same root, ⁨בנה⁩ (banah, “build”), appears in “build” and “builded.” The next verse opens the distinction inside this one: the house bears the LORD’s name, yet no house can contain God.

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