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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 8:35 When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them,</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/8-35.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/3/11_1Ki_08_35.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 8:35 - Solomon's Prayer of Dedication" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them," /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/8.htm">New King James Version</a> “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, when they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin because You afflict them, <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and praise Your name, and turn from their sin when You afflict them, <a href="/nasb/1_kings/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against Thee, and they pray toward this place and confess Thy name and turn from their sin when Thou dost afflict them, <a href="/lsb/1_kings/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, <a href="/amp/1_kings/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and praise Your name and turn from their sin when You afflict them, <a href="/csb/1_kings/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When the skies are shut and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you, and they pray toward this place and praise your name, and they turn from their sins because you are afflicting them, <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When the skies are shut and there is no rain, because they have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and praise Your name, and they turn from their sins because You are afflicting them, <a href="/asv/1_kings/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them: <a href="/cev/1_kings/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Suppose your people sin against you, and you punish them by holding back the rain. If they turn toward this temple and pray in your name and stop sinning, <a href="/erv/1_kings/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou dost afflict them: <a href="/gwt/1_kings/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "When the sky is shut and there's no rain because they are sinning against you, and they pray toward this place, praise your name, and turn away from their sin because you made them suffer, <a href="/gnt/1_kings/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> "When you hold back the rain because your people have sinned against you, and then when they repent and face this Temple, humbly praying to you, <a href="/isv/1_kings/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> "When heaven remains closed, and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, and they pray in the direction of this place, confessing your name and turning from their sin when you afflict them, <a href="/msb/1_kings/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, <a href="/net/1_kings/8.htm">NET Bible</a> "The time will come when the skies are shut up tightly and no rain falls because your people sinned against you. When they direct their prayers toward this place, renew their allegiance to you, and turn away from their sin because you punish them, <a href="/nheb/1_kings/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "When the sky is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you; if they pray toward this place, and confess your name, and turn from their sin, when you punish them: <a href="/wbt/1_kings/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray towards this place, and confess thy name, and turn from their sin, when thou afflictest them: <a href="/web/1_kings/8.htm">World English Bible</a> “When the sky is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and confess your name, and turn from their sin when you afflict them, <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> In the heavens being restrained, and there is no rain, because they sin against You, and they have prayed toward this place, and confessed Your Name, and turn back from their sin, for You afflict them, <a href="/ylt/1_kings/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> 'In the heavens being restrained, and there is no rain, because they sin against Thee, and they have prayed towards this place, and confessed Thy name, and from their sin turn back, for Thou dost afflict them, <a href="/slt/1_kings/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> In the heavens being shut up and there will be no rain when they shall sin against thee; and they pray to this place and profess thy name, and they turn back from their sin when thou shalt humble them:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> If heaven shall be shut up, and there shall be no rain, because of their sins, and they praying in this place, shall do penance to thy name, and shall be converted from their sins, by occasion of their afflictions: <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And if the heavens have closed, so that there is no rain, because of their sins, and they, praying in this place, shall do penance to your name, and shall be converted from their sins, by occasion of their afflictions, <a href="/nabre/1_kings/8.htm">New American Bible</a> “When the heavens are closed, so that there is no rain, because they have sinned against you, but they pray toward this place and praise your name, and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, and then they pray toward this place, confess your name, and turn from their sin, because you punish them,<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against thee; and they shall come and pray in this place and confess thy name and turn from their sins, when thou dost afflict them; <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when the skies will be restrained and there will be no rain because they have sinned against you, and they will come and they will pray in this place, and they will confess your name and they will turn from their sins when you will answer them<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, when they do sin against Thee; if they pray toward this place, and confess Thy name, and turn from their sin, when Thou dost afflict them; <a href="/sep/1_kings/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> When the heaven is restrained, and there is no rain, because they shall sin against thee, and the shall pray toward this place, and they shall make confession to thy name, and shall turn from their sins when thou shalt have humbled them, <a href="/parallel/1_kings/8-35.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=3194" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/8.htm">Solomon's Prayer of Dedication</a> …34then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel. May You restore them to the land You gave to their fathers. 35<a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: šā·ma·yim (N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">When the skies</a> <a href="/hebrew/6113.htm" title="6113: bə·hê·‘ā·ṣêr (Prep-b:: V-Nifal-Inf) -- To restrain, retain. A primitive root; to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble.">are shut</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and there is</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/4306.htm" title="4306: mā·ṭār (N-ms) -- Rain. From matar; rain.">rain</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/2398.htm" title="2398: ye·ḥeṭ·’ū- (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- A primitive root; properly, to miss; hence to sin; by inference, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn.">Your people have sinned</a> <a href="/hebrew/lāḵ (Prep:: 2fs) -- ">against You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/6419.htm" title="6419: wə·hiṯ·pal·lū (Conj-w:: V-Hitpael-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To intervene, interpose. A primitive root; to judge; by extension, to intercede, pray.">and they pray</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">toward</a> <a href="/hebrew/2088.htm" title="2088: haz·zeh (Art:: Pro-ms) -- This, here. A primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that.">this</a> <a href="/hebrew/4725.htm" title="4725: ham·mā·qō·wm (Art:: N-ms) -- Or maqom; also mqowmah; or mqomah; from quwm; properly, a standing, i.e. A spot; but used widely of a locality; also of a condition.">place</a> <a href="/hebrew/3034.htm" title="3034: wə·hō·w·ḏū (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To throw, cast. ">and confess</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8034.htm" title="8034: šə·me·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- A primitive word; an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character.">Your name,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7725.htm" title="7725: yə·šū·ḇūn (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- A primitive root; to turn back transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively; generally to retreat; often adverbial, again.">and they turn</a> <a href="/hebrew/2403.htm" title="2403: ū·mê·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām (Conj-w, Prep-m:: N-fsc:: 3mp) -- Or chattacth; from chata'; an offence, and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also an offender.">from their sins</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">because</a> <a href="/hebrew/6031.htm" title="6031: ṯa·‘ă·nêm (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms:: 3mp) -- To be bowed down or afflicted. A primitive root; to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive.">You have afflicted them,</a> 36then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/11-16.htm">Deuteronomy 11:16-17</a> But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside to worship and bow down to other gods, / or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you. He will shut the heavens so that there will be no rain, nor will the land yield its produce, and you will soon perish from the good land that the LORD is giving you. <a href="/leviticus/26-19.htm">Leviticus 26:19</a> I will break down your stubborn pride and make your sky like iron and your land like bronze, <a href="/deuteronomy/28-23.htm">Deuteronomy 28:23-24</a> The sky over your head will be bronze, and the earth beneath you iron. / The LORD will turn the rain of your land into dust and powder; it will descend on you from the sky until you are destroyed. <a href="/2_chronicles/6-26.htm">2 Chronicles 6:26-27</a> When the skies are shut and there is no rain because Your people have sinned against You, and they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and they turn from their sins because You have afflicted them, / then may You hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, Your people Israel, so that You may teach them the good way in which they should walk. May You send rain on the land that You gave Your people as an inheritance. <a href="/jeremiah/14-1.htm">Jeremiah 14:1-7</a> This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah concerning the drought: / “Judah mourns and her gates languish. Her people wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem. / The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns, but find no water; their jars return empty. They are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads. ... <a href="/amos/4-7.htm">Amos 4:7</a> “I also withheld the rain from you when the harvest was three months away. I sent rain on one city but withheld it from another. One field received rain; another without rain withered. <a href="/zechariah/14-17.htm">Zechariah 14:17</a> And should any of the families of the earth not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of Hosts, then the rain will not fall on them. <a href="/isaiah/5-6.htm">Isaiah 5:6</a> I will make it a wasteland, neither pruned nor cultivated, and thorns and briers will grow up. I will command the clouds that rain shall not fall on it.” <a href="/jeremiah/3-3.htm">Jeremiah 3:3</a> Therefore the showers have been withheld, and no spring rains have fallen. Yet you have the brazen look of a prostitute; you refuse to be ashamed. <a href="/hosea/13-15.htm">Hosea 13:15</a> Although he flourishes among his brothers, an east wind will come—a wind from the LORD rising up from the desert. His fountain will fail, and his spring will run dry. The wind will plunder his treasury of every precious article. <a href="/james/5-17.htm">James 5:17-18</a> Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. / Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth yielded its crops. <a href="/luke/4-25.htm">Luke 4:25</a> But I tell you truthfully that there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three and a half years and great famine swept over all the land. <a href="/revelation/11-6.htm">Revelation 11:6</a> These witnesses have power to shut the sky so that no rain will fall during the days of their prophecy, and power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they wish. <a href="/matthew/5-45.htm">Matthew 5:45</a> that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. <a href="/acts/14-17.htm">Acts 14:17</a> Yet He has not left Himself without testimony to His goodness: He gives you rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness.”</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against you; if they pray toward this place, and confess your name, and turn from their sin, when you afflict them:heaven<a href="/1_kings/17-1.htm">1 Kings 17:1</a> And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.<a href="/deuteronomy/26-19.htm">Deuteronomy 26:19</a> And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken.<a href="/deuteronomy/11-17.htm">Deuteronomy 11:17</a> And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.if they pray<a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">1 Kings 8:33</a> When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:<a href="/2_chronicles/6-24.htm">2 Chronicles 6:24,26</a> And if thy people Israel be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee; and shall return and confess thy name, and pray and make supplication before thee in this house; … <a href="/romans/10-9.htm">Romans 10:9</a> That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.confess<a href="/1_kings/8-29.htm">1 Kings 8:29,30</a> That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place… <a href="/joel/1-13.htm">Joel 1:13-20</a> Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God… <a href="/joel/2-15.htm">Joel 2:15-17</a> Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: … and turn<a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">1 Kings 8:33</a> When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:<a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15,16</a> And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood… <a href="/isaiah/9-13.htm">Isaiah 9:13</a> For the people turneth not unto him that smiteth them, neither do they seek the LORD of hosts.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-10.htm">Afflict</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-26.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/psalms/44-2.htm">Afflictest</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Confess</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-9.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-34.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Honouring</a> <a href="/2_samuel/15-31.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/2_samuel/23-4.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-21.htm">Restrained</a> <a href="/1_kings/6-21.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-34.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-12.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-30.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/1_kings/5-4.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-33.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-30.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/2_chronicles/6-24.htm">Acknowledge</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-39.htm">Afflict</a> <a href="/2_kings/15-5.htm">Afflicted</a> <a href="/psalms/44-2.htm">Afflictest</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-24.htm">Confess</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-26.htm">Confessed</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-44.htm">Faces</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-36.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-45.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/29-13.htm">Honouring</a> <a href="/2_kings/4-33.htm">Prayed</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-54.htm">Prayers</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-36.htm">Rain</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-21.htm">Restrained</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-37.htm">Shut</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-36.htm">Sin</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-46.htm">Sinned</a> <a href="/1_kings/14-11.htm">Sky</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-38.htm">Towards</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-37.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-47.htm">Turn</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-6.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-42.htm">Turning</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 8</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/8-1.htm">The feast of the temple</a> 12. <a href="/1_kings/8-12.htm">Solomon's blessing</a> 22. <a href="/1_kings/8-22.htm">Solomon's prayer</a> 54. <a href="/1_kings/8-54.htm">Solomon's blessing</a> 62. <a href="/1_kings/8-62.htm">His sacrifice of peace offerings</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/8.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/8.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>When the skies are shut and there is no rain This phrase reflects a common biblical theme where drought is seen as a divine response to the people's disobedience. In the ancient Near East, rain was crucial for agriculture and survival, and its absence was often interpreted as a sign of divine displeasure. This concept is echoed in <a href="/deuteronomy/11-17.htm">Deuteronomy 11:17</a>, where God warns that He will "shut up the heavens" if the Israelites turn away from Him. The withholding of rain serves as a tangible reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, emphasizing their dependence on Him for sustenance.because Your people have sinned against You Sin is presented as the root cause of the drought, highlighting the moral and spiritual dimensions of Israel's relationship with God. The idea that sin leads to divine judgment is a recurring theme throughout the Old Testament. In this context, sin is not just a personal failing but a communal breach of the covenant, affecting the entire nation. This reflects the collective responsibility of the Israelites to uphold God's laws, as seen in passages like <a href="/leviticus/26-19.htm">Leviticus 26:19-20</a>, where disobedience results in the land not yielding its produce.and they pray toward this place "This place" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon had just dedicated as the central place of worship for Israel. The temple symbolizes God's presence among His people and serves as a focal point for prayer and repentance. Praying toward the temple signifies a return to God and acknowledgment of His sovereignty. This practice is later exemplified by Daniel, who prays toward Jerusalem even while in exile (<a href="/daniel/6-10.htm">Daniel 6:10</a>), demonstrating the enduring significance of the temple as a spiritual center.and confess Your name Confession involves acknowledging God's character and authority, as well as admitting one's own sins. In the biblical context, confessing God's name is an act of worship and submission, recognizing His holiness and justice. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that emphasizes the importance of repentance and confession in restoring the relationship between God and His people. <a href="/psalms/32-5.htm">Psalm 32:5</a> illustrates this process, where the psalmist acknowledges sin and experiences God's forgiveness.and they turn from their sins Turning from sin, or repentance, is a fundamental aspect of the covenant relationship. It involves a conscious decision to abandon sinful behavior and return to God's ways. This concept is central to the prophetic messages throughout the Old Testament, where prophets call the people to repentance to avert disaster (e.g., <a href="/joel/2-12.htm">Joel 2:12-13</a>). Repentance is not merely an emotional response but a transformative action that realigns the community with God's will.because You have afflicted them Affliction here is understood as a corrective measure, intended to bring the people back to God. It reflects the idea that divine discipline is an expression of God's love and desire for His people's restoration, as seen in <a href="/proverbs/3-11.htm">Proverbs 3:11-12</a>. The affliction serves as a catalyst for self-examination and change, encouraging the Israelites to recognize their dependence on God and the consequences of their actions. This theme is echoed in <a href="/hebrews/12-6.htm">Hebrews 12:6</a>, which speaks of God's discipline as a sign of His fatherly care.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> The king of Israel who is offering this prayer during the dedication of the temple in Jerusalem. He is seeking God's favor and outlining the conditions for divine intervention. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_temple_in_jerusalem.htm">The Temple in Jerusalem</a> The central place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Solomon's prayer is directed toward this sacred place. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_israelites.htm">The Israelites</a> The people of God who are being addressed in this prayer. Their actions and relationship with God are central to the conditions Solomon describes. 4. <a href="/topical/h/heavens.htm">Heavens</a> Refers to the sky or the firmament, which God controls. The shutting up of the heavens signifies a divine response to the people's sin. 5. <a href="/topical/r/rain.htm">Rain</a> A vital resource for agriculture and survival in ancient Israel. Its absence is a sign of God's displeasure and a call for repentance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_consequence_of_sin.htm">The Consequence of Sin</a> Sin has tangible consequences, such as the withholding of rain, which affects the community's well-being. Recognizing sin's impact is crucial for spiritual and physical restoration. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_prayer.htm">The Power of Prayer</a> Solomon emphasizes the importance of prayer directed toward the temple. In our context, it highlights the need for sincere prayer and seeking God's presence in times of trouble. <a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a> Turning from sin and seeking God's forgiveness is a recurring biblical theme. True repentance leads to restoration and blessings. <a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a> The control over rain and the heavens underscores God's sovereignty. Acknowledging His power and authority is essential in our relationship with Him. <a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a> The collective nature of the Israelites' sin and repentance shows the importance of communal responsibility and intercession for one another.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_8.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 8</a> <a href="/q/how_does_ezekiel_8's_view_on_idols_compare.htm">How does the severe condemnation of these idolatries in Ezekiel 8 align or conflict with other biblical accounts of tolerating foreign gods?</a> <a href="/q/are_droughts_in_haggai_natural_events.htm">Could the drought and crop failures (Haggai 1:9–11) be purely natural occurrences rather than direct punishment from God? </a> <a href="/q/can_true_christians_sin_or_not.htm">Do all men sin? Yes, as per I Kings 8:46 and others. No, true Christians, as children of God, cannot sin (I John 3:9). Yet, claiming sinlessness is self-deception (I John 1:8).</a> <a href="/q/why_promise_restoration_if_judgment_remains.htm">Why does Solomon's prayer in 1 Kings 8:33-34 promise national restoration to Israel if they repent, when other biblical passages suggest God's judgment can remain despite repentance?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/8.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(35, 36) When heaven is shut up.--Next, Solomon dwells on the plague of famine, from rain withheld, by which, in the striking language of the Law (<a href="/leviticus/26-19.htm" title="And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:">Leviticus 26:19</a>; <a href="/context/deuteronomy/28-23.htm" title="And your heaven that is over your head shall be brass, and the earth that is under you shall be iron.">Deuteronomy 28:23-24</a>), "the heaven should be as brass, and the earth as iron," and all vegetation perish from the parched land of Palestine, as now it seems actually to have failed in many places once fertile. In such plague he acknowledges the chastisement of God, sent to "teach Israel the right way," and then to be withdrawn in mercy. The whole history of the famine in the days of Elijah is in all parts a striking commentary on this clause of the prayer.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 35. - When heaven is shut up, and there is no rain, because they have sinned against thee; if they pray toward this place [toward, because the inhabitants of the land everywhere would direct their prayers toward the holy oracle in Jerusalem (<a href="/psalms/28-2.htm">Psalm 28:2</a>) ], and confess [praise] thy name, and turn from their sin, when [or because, כִּי] thou afflictest them. [LXX. ὅταν ταπεινώσης αὐτοὺς ( Humbling should be the result of affliction.] <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/8-35.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>When the skies שָׁמַ֛יִם (šā·ma·yim) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky are shut בְּהֵעָצֵ֥ר (bə·hê·‘ā·ṣêr) Preposition-b | Verb - Nifal - Infinitive construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6113.htm">Strong's 6113: </a> To inclose, to hold back, to maintain, rule, assemble and there is יִהְיֶ֥ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be no וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no rain מָטָ֖ר (mā·ṭār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4306.htm">Strong's 4306: </a> Rain because כִּ֣י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction [Your people] have sinned יֶחֶטְאוּ־ (ye·ḥeṭ·’ū-) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2398.htm">Strong's 2398: </a> To miss, to sin, to forfeit, lack, expiate, repent, lead astray, condemn against You, לָ֑ךְ (lāḵ) Preposition | second person feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/.htm">Strong's Hebrew</a> and they pray וְהִֽתְפַּֽלְל֞וּ (wə·hiṯ·pal·lū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hitpael - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6419.htm">Strong's 6419: </a> To judge, to intercede, pray toward אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to this הַזֶּה֙ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that place הַמָּק֤וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_4725.htm">Strong's 4725: </a> A standing, a spot, a condition and confess וְהוֹד֣וּ (wə·hō·w·ḏū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3034.htm">Strong's 3034: </a> To throw, at, away, to revere, worship, to bemoan Your name, שְׁמֶ֔ךָ (šə·me·ḵā) Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8034.htm">Strong's 8034: </a> A name and they turn יְשׁוּב֖וּן (yə·šū·ḇūn) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7725.htm">Strong's 7725: </a> To turn back, in, to retreat, again from their sins וּמֵחַטָּאתָ֥ם (ū·mê·ḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯām) Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2403.htm">Strong's 2403: </a> An offence, its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, expiation, an offender because כִּ֥י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction You have afflicted them, תַעֲנֵֽם׃ (ṯa·‘ă·nêm) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | third person masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6031.htm">Strong's 6031: </a> To be bowed down or afflicted <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/8-35.htm">1 Kings 8:35 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-35.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 8:35 When the sky is shut up (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/8-34.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 8:34"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 8:34" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/8-36.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 8:36"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 8:36" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>