1 Kings 8:22Solomon stood before the altar of Yahweh in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;
The setting
Jerusalem, Israel, ~957 BC. Before the bronze altar in the temple courtyard. Thousands of Israelites watch their 30-year-old king...
The emotion here: nervous about representing an entire nation before God
The original word
paras (פָּרַשׂ) — to spread out, extend fully, like a bird spreading wings
Why it matters
The bronze altar was 30 feet square and 15 feet high — massive by ancient standards
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Kings 8:22
This is the official moment — Solomon transitions from builder to intercessor for his nation
Common misconceptionPeople see this as ceremonial posture, but raised hands were the ancient equivalent of a legal representative stepping forward to speak for clients in court.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Kings 8:22
Bible Genome reading
1 Kings 8:22 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Kings 8:22 comes from the book of 1 Kings, written during the United Kingdom period. The setting is the Temple. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is worship, with a comfort power of 50% and a tone that is reverent. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include prayer posture, worship, intercession. Notable phrases: stood before the altar; spread forth his hands toward heaven. This verse is a prayer.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same worship
“Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God; Yahweh is one:”
— Deuteronomy 6:4
“and you shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might.”
— Deuteronomy 6:5
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven:”
— Ecclesiastes 3:1
“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.”
— John 14:6
“Jesus said to them, "Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM."”
— John 8:58
Your reflection
What does 1 Kings 8:22 mean to you, today?
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