I Kings 8:46-50 · Bible study
1 Kings 8:46-50 Commentary: Sin, Repentance & Restoration
Hebrew · 7 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Solomon’s prayer for exiles: When everyone sins, how can restoration come? A study of confession, turning, and God’s compassion.
Research Summary
- Meaning: When Israel sins and is exiled, their repentance, turning wholeheartedly to God, opens the door for forgiveness, restoration of their cause, and compassion from their captors.
- Key words: שׁוּב (shuv, “return/repent”), חָטָא (chata, “sin”), סָלַח (salach, “forgive”), רַחֲמִים (rachamim, “compassion”).
- Main debate: Does “no man who doesn’t sin” mean everyone inevitably sins (most English versions) or that no one is incapable of sinning (Adam Clarke’s reading of the Hebrew)?
- Theological theme: Covenant faithfulness, human depravity, repentance as a return to God, and divine compassion that works through hostile nations.
- Best use: A template for intercessory prayer when facing the consequences of sin, acknowledging guilt, turning to God, trusting Him to change hearts.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
46When they sin against You—for there is no one who does not sin—and You become angry with them and deliver them to an enemy who takes them as captives to his own land, whether far or near,
47and when they come to their senses in the land to which they were taken, and they repent and plead with You in the land of their captors, saying, ‘We have sinned and done wrong; we have acted wickedly,’
48and when they return to You with all their heart and soul in the land of the enemies who took them captive, and when they pray to You in the direction of the land that You gave to their fathers, the city You have chosen, and the house I have built for Your Name,
49then may You hear from heaven, Your dwelling place, their prayer and petition, and may You uphold their cause.
50May You forgive Your people who have sinned against You and all the transgressions they have committed against You, and may You grant them compassion in the eyes of their captors to show them mercy.
WEB World English Bible 2000
46If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn’t sin), and you are angry with them and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near;
47yet if they repent in the land where they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication to you in the land of those who carried them captive, saying, ‘We have sinned and have done perversely; we have dealt wickedly,’
48if they return to you with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies who carried them captive, and pray to you toward their land which you gave to their fathers, the city which you have chosen and the house which I have built for your name,
49then hear their prayer and their supplication in heaven, your dwelling place, and maintain their cause;
50and forgive your people who have sinned against you, and all their transgressions in which they have transgressed against you; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them
KJV King James Version 1769
46If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
47Yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they were carried captives, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captives, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have committed wickedness;
48And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
49Then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling place, and maintain their cause,
50And forgive thy people that have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee, and give them compassion before them who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them:
ASV American Standard Version 1901
46If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto the land of the enemy, far off or near;
47yet if they shall bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn again, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captive, saying, We have sinned, and have done perversely, we have dealt wickedly;
48if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their enemies, who carried them captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:
49then hear thou their prayer and their supplication in heaven thy dwelling-place, and maintain their cause;
50and forgive thy people who have sinned against thee, and all their transgressions wherein they have transgressed against thee; and give them compassion before those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
46`When they sin against Thee (for there is not a man who sinneth not), and Thou hast been angry with them, and hast given them up before an enemy, and they have taken captive their captivity unto the land of the enemy far off or near;
47and they have turned it back unto their heart in the land whither they have been taken captive, and have turned back, and made supplication unto Thee, in the land of their captors, saying, We have sinned and done perversely--we have done wickedly;
48yea, they have turned back unto Thee, with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies who have taken them captive, and have prayed unto Thee the way of their land, which Thou gavest to their fathers, the city which Thou hast chosen, and the house which I have builded for Thy name:
49`Then Thou hast heard in the heavens, the settled place of Thy dwelling, their prayer and their supplication, and hast maintained their cause,
50and hast forgiven Thy people who have sinned against Thee, even all their transgressions which they have transgressed against Thee, and hast given them mercies before their captors, and they have had mercy on them--
Darby Darby Bible 1890
46If they have sinned against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and give them up to the enemy, and they have carried them away captives unto the enemy's land, far or near;
47and if they shall take it to heart in the land whither they were carried captive, and repent, and make supplication unto thee in the land of them that carried them captive, saying, We have sinned, and have done iniquity, we have dealt perversely;
48and if they return unto thee with all their heart and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city that thou hast chosen, and the house that I have built unto thy name;
49then hear thou in the heavens, the settled place of thy dwelling, their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their right;
50and forgive thy people their sin against thee, and all their transgressions whereby they have transgressed against thee, and give them to find compassion with those who carried them captive, that they may have compassion on them
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
46But if they sin against thee, (for there is no man who sinneth not) and thou being angry, deliver them up to their enemies, so that they be led away captives into the land of their enemies, far or near;
47Then if they do penance in their heart, in the place of captivity, and being converted, make supplication to thee in their captivity, saying: We have sinned, we have done unjustly, we have committed wickedness:
48And return to thee with all their heart, and all their soul, in the land of their enemies, to which they have been led captives: and pray to thee towards the way of their land, which thou gavest to their fathers, and of the city which thou hast chosen, and of the temple which I have built to thy name:
49Then hear thou in heaven, in the firmament of thy throne, their prayers, and their supplications, and do judgment for them:
50And forgive thy people, that have sinned against thee, and all their iniquities, by which they have transgressed against thee: and give them mercy before them that have made them captives, that they may have compassion on them.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Kings 8:46
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that I Kings 8:46, 50 anticipates a future where Israel’s sin leads to exile, yet God provides a path back through repentance. The passage echoes the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28, 30 and Leviticus 26, where scattering among the nations is the penalty for persistent rebellion. All traditions see in these verses a model of intercessory prayer: Solomon prays not for the people’s deliverance from exile, but for a compassionate response within it, that God would hear their confession, forgive their sin, and soften the hearts of their captors. There is broad agreement that the prayer shows God’s willingness to restore a repentant people, regardless of location. The main point of difference lies in the phrase “for there is no man that sinneth not” (v. 46). Most English versions, following the KJV and ASV, read it as a statement of universal human sinfulness. Adam Clarke, however, argues from the Hebrew that the sense is “there is no man that may not sin”, a confession of human fallibility rather than inevitable transgression. This lexical question does not alter the passage’s central message: sin is real, repentance is possible, and God’s mercy reaches even into the land of the enemy.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Universal inevitability: The Hebrew phrase is taken at face value: everyone sins (the plain reading preferred by KJV, ASV, and most English translations, supported by the cross-reference Ecclesiastes 7:20).
- Human fallibility (no one is sinless): Adam Clarke points to the Hebrew verb form as allowing the sense ‘no man that <em>may</em> not sin’—i.e., no one is impeccable; this reading softens the tension in the verse where Solomon says ‘if they sin’ and ‘there is no man who does not sin’ as a tautology.
What is clear: Regardless of how one translates the phrase, the passage teaches that God forgives repentant sinners even when they are far from the temple and in the power of their enemies.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning of “no man who doesn’t sin” | All humans are sinners and need God’s forgiveness. | Clarke argues the Hebrew means “no one is incapable of sinning” (possibility), while most English versions render it as universal inevitability (“no one who does not sin”). |
| Direction of prayer toward the temple | Praying toward the temple is a concrete way of orienting oneself to God’s presence. | Some Christians see this as a practice limited to the OT period; others see it as a principle of focusing on God’s revelation (the temple as a type of Christ). |
| God’s response to repentance in exile | God hears, forgives, and works for restoration. | Whether the primary goal is physical return to the land or spiritual restoration while remaining among the nations (as in the diaspora). |
| The nature of the “cause” God maintains | God acts as judge and advocate for His people. | Whether this implies vindication against the nations (them being punished) or simply restoration of the people’s status before God (without judgment on captors). |
Historical & Cultural Context
Solomon’s prayer occurs at the climax of the temple dedication ceremony (1 Kings 8). The king kneels before the altar and recites seven petitions that cover the range of Israel’s future needs: judicial disputes, military defeat, drought, famine, foreign attack, and personal affliction. The seventh petition (vv. 46, 50) deals with the most severe consequence of covenant breaking, exile.
The prayer is deeply rooted in the warnings of Deuteronomy and Leviticus. Deuteronomy 28:36 foretells: “Yahweh will bring you, and your king … to a nation that you have not known … There you will serve other gods.” Leviticus 26:39 adds that those left will “pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands.” Solomon’s phrase “far off or near” (v. 46) covers the entire range of possible scattering, from nearby nations to distant empires like Assyria and Babylon.
Three details in the prayer reflect ancient Near Eastern exile practices. First, the phrase “bethink themselves” (v. 47, KJV) translates a Hebrew idiom “bring back to their heart”, the first step of repentance is internal reflection. Second, the call to pray “toward their land … the city … the house” (v. 48) is not merely sentimental. Temples in the ancient world were considered the earthly “footstool” of the deity, and prayer offered toward the temple was a way of orienting oneself toward the divine presence. Third, Solomon’s request that God “maintain their cause” (v. 49) uses a legal term: God acts as their advocate, vindicating them before their oppressors. This is precisely what happened when Cyrus issued the decree allowing return from Babylon (Ezra 1:1), fulfilled as a direct answer to this prayer.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for 1 Kings 8:46, 50. The Masoretic Text is consistent across Hebrew manuscripts. Adam Clarke’s comments focus on the interpretation of the Hebrew, not on a different textual reading. He argues that the particle כִּי (ki) in both clauses should be read as “if” and “for” respectively, but he does not claim a variant, only a more precise translation of the same consonants. The English difference between “doesn’t sin” and “may not sin” reflects a grammatical judgment about the Hebrew verb form (יֶחֱטָא) rather than a textual variant.
Reception History
In Jewish tradition, these verses are read as part of the liturgy for Yom Kippur and Teshuvah, emphasizing the efficacy of repentance even in exile. The Talmud (Berakhot 31b) comments on the direction of prayer, noting that Solomon’s request to pray “toward” the temple established Jerusalem as the focal point for all Jewish prayer. Early Christian writers like John Chrysostom cited these verses to show that God’s mercy extends beyond the temple to any place of sincere confession. In the Reformation, Luther and Calvin used the passage to argue for the priority of grace: repentance itself is a gift, and it is God who gives compassion in the hearts of enemies. The Westminster Confession of Faith references the phrase “there is no man that sinneth not” as proof of original sin, while Wesleyan tradition, following Adam Clarke, emphasizes that humans are not inevitably sinful but are always capable of turning back. Across eras, the passage has been sung in hymns of lament and restoration, most notably in Isaac Watts’ paraphrase of Solomon’s prayer.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Reality of Sin, Verse 46 confronts us with the honest truth: “there is no man who doesn’t sin.” Whether this means universal inevitability (all have sinned) or human fallibility (anyone can sin), the point is the same: we cannot earn our way out of exile. Sin leads to consequences, and those consequences are real.
- The Response of Repentance, Verses 47, 48 describe a four‑step turn: reflection (“bethink themselves”), confession (“We have sinned, done perversely, committed wickedness”), supplication, and whole‑hearted return (“with all their heart and with all their soul”). Repentance is not regret; it is a reorientation of the entire person toward God.
- The Result of Restoration, Verses 49, 50 show God’s response: He hears, forgives, and works on the hearts of captors. The goal is not simply to make exile tolerable but to bring the people home, or at least to preserve them as a distinct people until restoration comes.
Five-point outline
- Covenant broken: Sin provokes God’s anger and results in exile (v. 46).
- Conscience awakened: Captives “bring back their heart” and confess (v. 47).
- Conversion expressed: They return to God with total sincerity, praying toward the temple (v. 48).
- Heaven responds: God hears from His dwelling place and “maintains their cause” (v. 49).
- Compassion granted: God gives them favor in the eyes of their captors (v. 50).
Illustration hooks
- The immigrant parent: A mother in a foreign land teaches her children to pray “back home” toward a church she left behind. The prayer is not for the building but for the God whose presence transcends geography. Solomon’s people, too, learned to orient their prayers toward the temple even when far from it.
- The prisoner who apologises: A prison inmate writes a letter of remorse to the family he harmed. He can’t undo the crime, but he can ask for forgiveness. The prayer of the exiles is that letter, sent to a God who can forgive and who can move the hearts of authorities.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If God already knows we will sin, does He still expect us to ask for forgiveness?
- What does true repentance look like when we feel far from God, in our own “exile” of broken relationships or addiction?
- How do we pray for God to change the hearts of people who have power over us, when we have no power to change our circumstances?
Leading a Discussion
This passage is a model of honest prayer. Solomon does not pretend the people will be perfect; he assumes they will sin and face consequences. Yet he also assumes God’s mercy is great enough to reach them in the worst possible place, the land of their enemies. As you work through these questions, notice how the prayer moves from human failure to divine compassion. Repentance is not the end; it is the doorway to restoration.
Discussion questions
- Read 1 Kings 8:46, 50 aloud together. What phrases stand out to you as surprising or challenging?
- Verse 46 says “for there is no man who doesn’t sin.” Why do you think Solomon includes this statement in a prayer? How does it shape the way we approach God about our failures?
- What does the Hebrew phrase “bring back to their heart” (v. 47) tell us about the first step of repentance? How is that different from feeling guilty?
- Why does Solomon specify that the exiles should pray “toward their land … the city … the house” (v. 48)? What role does physical direction play in prayer?
- In verse 49, God is asked to “maintain their cause.” What does that phrase mean in a situation where the people are guilty? How does God act as both judge and advocate?
- Verse 50 asks God to “give them compassion before those who carried them captive.” When have you seen God change someone’s heart toward you? How does that shape your prayer for difficult relationships?
- This prayer was answered when Cyrus allowed the exiles to return (Ezra 1). How does knowing the end of the story affect the way you pray for situations that seem hopeless now?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Leviticus 26:34 | Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land. Even then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. |
| Leviticus 26:39 | Those of you who are left will pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers they shall pine away with them. |
| Deuteronomy 4:26 | I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from off the land which you go over the Jordan to possess it. You will not prolong your days on it, but will utterly be destroyed. |
| Deuteronomy 4:27 | Yahweh will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where Yahweh will lead you away. |
| Deuteronomy 28:36 | Yahweh will bring you, and your king whom you will set over yourselves, to a nation that you have not known, you nor your fathers. There you will serve other gods of wood and stone. |
| Deuteronomy 28:64 | Yahweh will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth. There you will serve other gods which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone. |
| Deuteronomy 28:68 | Yahweh will bring you into Egypt again with ships, by the way of which I told you that you would never see it again. There you will offer yourselves to your enemies for male and female slaves, and nobody will buy you. |
| Deuteronomy 29:28 | Yahweh rooted them out of their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and thrust them into another land, as it is today.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke argues the Hebrew phrase often translated "there is no man that sinneth not" actually means "there is no man that may not sin" — no one is incapable of sinning, not that everyone inevitably does sin. He insists this is a statement about human fallibility, not about the impossibility of a sinless life.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes highlights that the three Hebrew terms for sin form a deliberate climax, moving from wrongful acts to a corrupted character. He also stresses that the compassion promised here is not merely human kindness, but the kind of royal favor that restored exiles to their homeland.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible draws a careful distinction in how Solomon uses the phrase "maintain their cause." In verse 45 it refers to a righteous war fought at God’s direction, but here it means God does His people right by delivering them from oppressors, even though He used those same oppressors as His instruments.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights the Hebrew phrase "return to their heart" as the core of genuine repentance. Even in a foreign land under captivity, he argues, inward reflection and contrition bring God to respond: forgiving their sins and softening the hearts of their captors.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
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Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Matthew Henry highlights that Solomon begins with adoration of God's incomparable greatness and covenant faithfulness before presenting any request. The central paradox is that Solomon, fully aware that heaven itself cannot contain God, still prays for Him to regard the temple and hear prayers offered there, marveling at such divine condescension.