1Ki 8:37-39 | NETfull | STEP | “The time will come when the land suffers from a famine, a plague, blight and disease, or a locust invasion, or when their enemy lays siege to the cities of the land, or when some other type of plague or epidemic occurs.

1 Kings 8:37-39

37 “The time will come when the land suffers from a famine, a plague, blight and disease, or a locust ^{▼▼ Actually two Hebrew terms appear here, both of which are usually taken as referring to locusts. Perhaps different stages of growth or different varieties are in view.} invasion, or when their enemy lays siege to the cities of the land, ^{▼▼ Heb “in the land, his gates.”} or when some other type of plague or epidemic occurs. 38 When all your people Israel pray and ask for help, ^{▼▼ Heb “every prayer, every request for help which will be to all the people, to all your people Israel.”} as they acknowledge their pain ^{▼▼ Heb “which they know, each the pain of his heart.”} and spread out their hands toward this temple, 39 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, ^{▼▼ The words “their sin” are added for clarification.} and act favorably toward each one based on your evaluation of his motives. ^{▼▼ Heb “and act and give to each one according to all his ways because you know his heart.” In the Hebrew text vv. 37–39a actually contain one lengthy conditional sentence, which the translation has divided up for stylistic reasons.} (Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of all people.) ^{▼▼ Heb “Indeed you know, you alone, the heart of all the sons of mankind.”}