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Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built." /><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'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/1_kings/8-27.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/1_kings/8-27.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/1_kings/">1 Kings</a> > <a href="/1_kings/8.htm">Chapter 8</a> > Verse 27</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad7.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/1_kings/8-26.htm" title="1 Kings 8:26">◄</a> 1 Kings 8:27 <a href="/1_kings/8-28.htm" title="1 Kings 8:28">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv">Verse<a href="/bsb/1_kings/8.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><a href="/niv/1_kings/8.htm">New International Version</a> &#8220But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built! <a href="/nlt/1_kings/8.htm">New Living Translation</a> “But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! <a href="/esv/1_kings/8.htm">English Standard Version</a> “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built! <a href="/bsb/1_kings/8.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. <a href="/kjv/1_kings/8.htm">King James Bible</a> 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? <a href="/nkjv/1_kings/8.htm">New King James Version</a> “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built! <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/8.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! <a href="/nasb/1_kings/8.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/8.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Thee, how much less this house which I have built! <a href="/lsb/1_kings/8.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “But will God truly dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built! <a href="/amp/1_kings/8.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain You; how much less this house which I have built! <a href="/csb/1_kings/8.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But will God indeed live on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain you, much less this temple I have built. <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/8.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But will God indeed live on earth? Even heaven, the highest heaven, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. <a href="/asv/1_kings/8.htm">American Standard Version</a> But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded! <a href="/cev/1_kings/8.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> There's not enough room in all of heaven for you, LORD God. How could you possibly live on earth in this temple I have built? <a href="/erv/1_kings/8.htm">English Revised Version</a> But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded! <a href="/gwt/1_kings/8.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> "Does God really live on earth? If heaven itself, the highest heaven, cannot hold you, then how can this temple that I have built? <a href="/gnt/1_kings/8.htm">Good News Translation</a> "But can you, O God, really live on earth? Not even all of heaven is large enough to hold you, so how can this Temple that I have built be large enough? <a href="/isv/1_kings/8.htm">International Standard Version</a> and yet, will God truly reside on earth? Look! Neither the sky nor the highest heaven can contain you! How much less this Temple that I have built! <a href="/msb/1_kings/8.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. <a href="/net/1_kings/8.htm">NET Bible</a> "God does not really live on the earth! Look, if the sky and the highest heaven cannot contain you, how much less this temple I have built! <a href="/nheb/1_kings/8.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Look, heaven and the heaven of heavens can't contain you; how much less this house that I have built. <a href="/wbt/1_kings/8.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> 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 built? <a href="/web/1_kings/8.htm">World English Bible</a> But will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain you; how much less this house that I have built! <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/8.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> But is it true [that] God dwells on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heavens of the heavens cannot contain You, how much less this house which I have built! <a href="/ylt/1_kings/8.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> But, is it true? -- God dwelleth on the earth! lo, the heavens, and the heavens of the heavens do not contain Thee, how much less this house which I have builded! <a href="/slt/1_kings/8.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For truly shall God dwell upon the earth? Behold the heavens and the heavens of the heavens shall not contain thee; much less this house which I built.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/8.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Is it then to be thought that God should indeed dwell upon earth? for if heaven, and the heavens of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built? <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/8.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Is it, then, to be understood that truly God would dwell upon the earth? For if heaven, and the heavens of heavens, are not able to contain you, how much less this house, which I have built? <a href="/nabre/1_kings/8.htm">New American Bible</a> “Is God indeed to dwell on earth? If the heavens and the highest heavens cannot contain you, how much less this house which I have built! <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/8.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain you, much less this house that I have built!<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/8.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have built? <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/8.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> For is God truly dwelling on the Earth? Behold, Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens do not contain you, therefore this house that I have built does not.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/8.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> But will God in very truth dwell on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this house that I have builded! <a href="/sep/1_kings/8.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> But will God indeed dwell with men upon the earth? if the heaven and heaven of heavens will not suffice thee, how much less even this house which I have built to thy name? <a href="/parallel/1_kings/8-27.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=3095" 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> …26And now, O God of Israel, please confirm what You promised to Your servant, my father David. 27<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">But</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">will God</a> <a href="/hebrew/552.htm" title="552: ha·’um·nām (Conj) -- Verily, truly, indeed. An orthographical variation of 'omnam.">indeed</a> <a href="/hebrew/3427.htm" title="3427: yê·šêḇ (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to sit down; by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry.">dwell</a> <a href="/hebrew/5921.htm" title="5921: ‘al- (Prep) -- Properly, the same as al used as a preposition; above, over, upon, or against in a great variety of applications.">upon</a> <a href="/hebrew/776.htm" title="776: hā·’ā·reṣ (Art:: N-fs) -- Earth, land. From an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth.">the earth?</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">Even</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">heaven,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: ū·šə·mê (Conj-w:: N-mpc) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky.">the highest heaven,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8064.htm" title="8064: haš·šā·ma·yim (Art:: N-mp) -- Heaven, sky. Dual of an unused singular shameh; from an unused root meaning to be lofty; the sky."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">cannot</a> <a href="/hebrew/3557.htm" title="3557: yə·ḵal·kə·lū·ḵā (V-Piel-Imperf-3mp:: 2ms) -- To comprehend, contain. A primitive root; properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain.">contain You,</a> <a href="/hebrew/637.htm" title="637: ’ap̄ (Conj) -- Also, yea. A primitive particle; meaning accession; also or yea; adversatively though.">much less</a> <a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. "></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/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1004.htm" title="1004: hab·ba·yiṯ (Art:: N-ms) -- A house. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house.">temple</a> <a href="/hebrew/1129.htm" title="1129: bā·nî·ṯî (V-Qal-Perf-1cs) -- To build. A primitive root; to build.">I have built.</a> 28Yet regard the prayer and plea of Your servant, O LORD my God, so that You may hear the cry and the prayer that Your servant is praying before You today.…<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="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1-2</a> This is what the LORD says: “Heaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me? Or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things? And so they came into being,” declares the LORD. “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word. <a href="/acts/7-48.htm">Acts 7:48-50</a> However, the Most High does not dwell in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says: / ‘Heaven is My throne and the earth is My footstool. What kind of house will you build for Me, says the Lord, or where will My place of repose be? / Has not My hand made all these things?’ <a href="/2_chronicles/2-6.htm">2 Chronicles 2:6</a> But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him? <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-10</a> Where can I go to escape Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? / If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol, You are there. / If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle by the farthest sea, ... <a href="/jeremiah/23-24.htm">Jeremiah 23:24</a> “Can a man hide in secret places where I cannot see him?” declares the LORD. “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD. <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24-25</a> The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples made by human hands. / Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. <a href="/psalms/113-5.htm">Psalm 113:5-6</a> Who is like the LORD our God, the One enthroned on high? / He humbles Himself to behold the heavens and the earth. <a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">2 Chronicles 6:18</a> But will God indeed dwell with man upon the earth? The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, much less this temple I have built. <a href="/job/11-7.htm">Job 11:7-9</a> Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? / They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? / Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. <a href="/psalms/148-13.htm">Psalm 148:13</a> Let them praise the name of the LORD, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens. <a href="/ephesians/3-17.htm">Ephesians 3:17-19</a> so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, / will have power, together with all the saints, to comprehend the length and width and height and depth / of the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. <a href="/colossians/1-16.htm">Colossians 1:16-17</a> For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. / He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. <a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a> God is Spirit, and His worshipers must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” <a href="/isaiah/40-22.htm">Isaiah 40:22</a> He sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; its dwellers are like grasshoppers. He stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in. <a href="/matthew/5-34.htm">Matthew 5:34-35</a> But I tell you not to swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God’s throne; / or by the earth, for it is His footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain you; how much less this house that I have built?But will<a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">2 Chronicles 6:18</a> But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house which I have built!<a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1</a> Thus saith the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that ye build unto me? and where is the place of my rest?<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a> And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.the heaven<a href="/deuteronomy/10-14.htm">Deuteronomy 10:14</a> Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.<a href="/2_chronicles/2-6.htm">2 Chronicles 2:6</a> But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?<a href="/psalms/113-4.htm">Psalm 113:4</a> The LORD is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joshua/22-16.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-20.htm">Built</a> <a href="/galatians/4-24.htm">Contain</a> <a href="/2_samuel/13-12.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-13.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/1_kings/4-25.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-23.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/2_samuel/24-16.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-23.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-22.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/2_samuel/22-14.htm">Highest</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-20.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_samuel/7-2.htm">Housed</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-24.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_samuel/25-36.htm">Less</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-47.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/2_samuel/3-24.htm">Really</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-14.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-26.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_kings/3-6.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-27.htm">Wide</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/8-43.htm">Builded</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-43.htm">Built</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-32.htm">Contain</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">Deed</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-9.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-2.htm">Dwelleth</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-37.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-32.htm">Enough</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-30.htm">Heaven</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-35.htm">Heavens</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-6.htm">Highest</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-29.htm">House</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-18.htm">Housed</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-36.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-4.htm">Less</a> <a href="/2_kings/7-19.htm">Possible</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-7.htm">Really</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-30.htm">Resting-Place</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-61.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_kings/17-24.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/4-40.htm">Wide</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>But will God indeed dwell upon the earth? This phrase reflects Solomon's awe and humility as he dedicates the temple. It acknowledges the transcendence of God, who is not limited by physical space. The question echoes the sentiment found in <a href="/isaiah/66.htm">Isaiah 66:1</a>, where God declares that heaven is His throne and the earth His footstool. It highlights the tension between God's immanence and transcendence, a theme throughout Scripture. The incarnation of Jesus Christ is a profound answer to this question, as God did indeed dwell among humanity in the person of Jesus (<a href="/john/1-14.htm">John 1:14</a>).The heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain You, This phrase emphasizes God's omnipresence and infinite nature. The "highest heavens" refers to the spiritual realm beyond the physical universe, suggesting that even the vastness of creation cannot encompass God. This is consistent with <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-10</a>, which speaks of God's presence everywhere. Theologically, it underscores the belief that God is not confined to any one place, including the temple, and is sovereign over all creation.much less this temple I have built. Solomon acknowledges the limitations of the temple, despite its grandeur and significance. The temple was a central place of worship and symbolized God's covenant with Israel, yet Solomon recognizes that it cannot contain the fullness of God. This humility is a reminder of the limitations of human efforts to encapsulate the divine. The temple serves as a type of Christ, who is the true temple (<a href="/john/2-19.htm">John 2:19-21</a>), where God's presence dwells fully. Solomon's statement foreshadows the New Testament understanding that believers themselves become temples of the Holy Spirit (<a href="/1_corinthians/6-19.htm">1 Corinthians 6:19</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> The king of Israel who built the temple in Jerusalem. He is known for his wisdom and his role in constructing the temple as a place for God's presence among His people. 2. <a href="/topical/t/temple_in_jerusalem.htm">Temple in Jerusalem</a> The physical structure built by Solomon as a dwelling place for God. It symbolizes God's presence and His covenant with Israel. 3. <a href="/topical/h/heavens.htm">Heavens</a> Refers to the sky and the spiritual realm beyond, emphasizing the vastness and majesty of God's creation. 4. <a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a> The Creator and Sustainer of the universe, whose presence is not confined to any physical space. 5. <a href="/topical/i/israel.htm">Israel</a> The chosen people of God, for whom the temple was built as a central place of worship and sacrifice.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/god's_transcendence.htm">God's Transcendence</a> God is greater than any physical structure or human creation. His presence is not limited by space or time. <a href="/topical/t/the_purpose_of_the_temple.htm">The Purpose of the Temple</a> While the temple was a significant place for worship, it served as a symbol of God's covenant and presence, not a limitation of His being. <a href="/topical/g/god's_immanence.htm">God's Immanence</a> Despite His transcendence, God desires to be near His people. This is ultimately fulfilled in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. <a href="/topical/w/worship_beyond_walls.htm">Worship Beyond Walls</a> True worship is not confined to a building but is a matter of the heart and spirit, as Jesus taught in <a href="/john/4-24.htm">John 4:24</a>. <a href="/topical/r/reflecting_on_god's_majesty.htm">Reflecting on God's Majesty</a> Recognize the greatness of God in creation and in His works, leading to a deeper reverence and awe in worship.<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/is_1_kings_8_27_contradictory.htm">In 1 Kings 8:27, Solomon acknowledges that God cannot be contained by the temple, yet the chapter emphasizes the temple as God’s dwelling; isn’t this contradictory? </a> <a href="/q/why_is_reading_the_bible_challenging.htm">Why is reading the Bible challenging?</a> <a href="/q/how_can_a_temple_contain_god.htm">In 2 Chronicles 2:4, how can a temple truly contain God if other passages assert He cannot be confined? </a> <a href="/q/2_chr_6_18__can_a_building_house_god.htm">2 Chronicles 6:18: If the heavens cannot contain God, how can a physical building house His presence, and does this contradict other scriptures affirming God’s omnipresence?</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>(27, 28) Will God indeed dwell.--The thought expressed here exemplifies a constant antithesis which run through the Old Testament. On the one hand, there is the most profound and unvarying conception of the Infinity, eternal, invisible, incomprehensible, of the Lord, as "the High and Holy One who inhabiteth eternity," whom "the heaven of heavens"--the heaven, that is, in all its vastest extent--"cannot contain;" and the spirituality of this conception is guarded by the sternest prohibition of that idolatry which limited and degraded the idea of God, and by rebuke of the superstition which trusted in an intrinsic sacredness of the Ark or the Temple. On the other hand, there is an equally vivid conviction that the Infinite Jehovah is yet pleased to enter into a special covenant with Israel, beyond all other nations, to reveal Himself by the cloud in the midst of His people, to bless, with a peculiar blessing, "the place which He chooses to place His Name there." The two conceptions co-exist, as in the text, in complete harmony, both preparing for the perfect manifestation of a "God with us" in that kingdom of the Messiah, which was at once to perfect the covenant with Israel, and to include all peoples, nations, and languages for ever and ever. The words of Solomon in spirit anticipate the utterance of the prophet (<a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm" title="Thus said the LORD, The heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool: where is the house that you build to me? and where is the place of my rest?">Isaiah 66:1</a>), quoted by St. Stephen against idolatry of the Temple (<a href="/acts/7-48.htm" title="However, the most High dwells not in temples made with hands; as said the prophet,">Acts 7:48</a>), and even the greater declaration of our Lord (<a href="/context/john/4-21.htm" title="Jesus said to her, Woman, believe me, the hour comes, when you shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father.">John 4:21-24</a>) as to the universal presence of God to all spiritual worship. Yet he feels the reality of the consecration of the House raised by the command of God; and prays that all who recognise it by prayer "toward this house," may enter into the special unity with God which it symbolises, and be heard by Him from heaven. By an instructive contrast, the Temple is described as the place where God's "Name"--that is, His self-revelation--is made to dwell; but heaven, and it alone, as the true dwelling- place of God Himself.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/8.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 27. - But [כִּי. Bahr refers for this use of the word to <a href="/1_samuel/29-8.htm">1 Samuel 29:8</a>; <a href="/1_kings/11-22.htm">1 Kings 11:22</a>; <a href="/2_kings/8-13.htm">2 Kings 8:13</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/23-18.htm">Jeremiah 23:18</a>] will God indeed [Web. verily; same root as that of preceding verb, "verified." The repetition shows the connexion of thought. "But can these words be verified? Will God verily," etc.] dwell on the earth? behold the heaven and heaven of heavens [Same expression <a href="/deuteronomy/10-14.htm">Deuteronomy 10:14</a>. Cf. <a href="/psalms/115-16.htm">Psalm 115:16</a>; <a href="/psalms/148-4.htm">Psalm 148:4</a>; <a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1</a>. The Jewish belief respecting the seven heavens (see Wetstein on <a href="/2_corinthians/12-2.htm">2 Corinthians 12:2</a>; Stanley, "Corinthians," l.c.) is of much later date, and a reference to it, or to the belief of some Rabbins in two heavens (after <a href="/deuteronomy/10-14.htm">Deuteronomy 10:14</a>), is altogether out of the question. The "heaven of heavens" = "all the spaces of heaven, however vast and infinite" (Gesen., cf. <a href="/psalms/148-4.htm">Psalm 148:4</a>). The analogy of "holy of holies" would, however, suggest that not all the heavens, but the highest heavens are intended] cannot contain thee; how much less [אַפ כִּי: Ewald, 354 c] this house that I have builded? [Two points are to be noticed here. (1) Solomon never denies for a moment that the temple was a real habitation of Jehovah, or that a real presence was manifested there. He only denies that the Deity is contained in earthly temples (2) He had no unworthy ideas - such as were prevalent in that age - of God as a local deity, limited to space. The words clearly prove his grasp of the omnipresence and infinity of God. With this passage compare <a href="/psalms/139-7.htm">Psalm 139:7-10</a>; <a href="/isaiah/66-1.htm">Isaiah 66:1</a> (quoted in <a href="/acts/7-49.htm">Acts 7:49</a>), and <a href="/acts/17-24.htm">Acts 17:24</a>.] Ver 28. - Yet have thou respect unto the prayer of thy servant [ = the prayer I now offer, which is that thou wilt hear all future prayers offered here, mine and my people's] and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer [Three words are used here, תְּחִנָּה תְּפִלָה, and רנָּה. The first (from הִתְפָלַל, precatus est; see ver. 29) is apparently a general term for prayer; the second (from חָנַן, propitius fuit) is properly a cry for mercy; hence an earnest prayer or supplication; while the third signifies a joyful cry; hence a mournful cry or prayer] which thy servant prayeth before thee today. <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/8-27.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>But כִּ֚י (kî) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction will God אֱלֹהִ֖ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative indeed הַֽאֻמְנָ֔ם (ha·’um·nām) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_552.htm">Strong's 552: </a> Verily, truly, indeed dwell יֵשֵׁ֥ב (yê·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3427.htm">Strong's 3427: </a> To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry upon עַל־ (‘al-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5921.htm">Strong's 5921: </a> Above, over, upon, against the earth? הָאָ֑רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ) Article | Noun - feminine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_776.htm">Strong's 776: </a> Earth, land Even הִ֠נֵּה (hin·nêh) Interjection <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> Lo! behold! heaven, הַשָּׁמַ֜יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky the highest heaven, וּשְׁמֵ֤י (ū·šə·mê) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8064.htm">Strong's 8064: </a> Heaven, sky cannot לֹ֣א (lō) Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no contain You, יְכַלְכְּל֔וּךָ (yə·ḵal·kə·lū·ḵā) Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3557.htm">Strong's 3557: </a> To keep in, to measure, to maintain much less אַ֕ף (’ap̄) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_637.htm">Strong's 637: </a> Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though this הַזֶּ֖ה (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2088.htm">Strong's 2088: </a> This, that temple הַבַּ֥יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ) Article | Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1004.htm">Strong's 1004: </a> A house I have built. בָּנִֽיתִי׃ (bā·nî·ṯî) Verb - Qal - Perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1129.htm">Strong's 1129: </a> To build <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/8-27.htm">1 Kings 8:27 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-27.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 8:27 But will God in very deed dwell (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/8-26.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 8:26"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 8:26" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/8-28.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 8:28"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 8:28" /></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>