1 kings 8:12 - Then Solomon said, “Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 kings 8:12" mean?
1 Kings 8:12, "Then Solomon said, “Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness," is a complex and evocative verse that speaks to the nature of God's presence. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: This verse comes immediately after Solomon dedicates the newly built temple in Jerusalem. He has just completed the elaborate ritual of bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and filling the temple with the glory of the Lord. This event is a culmination of God's promise to David and Solomon to establish a permanent place for the divine presence among the Israelites.
"Yahweh has said": This phrase attributes the concept of God dwelling in darkness to a previous divine declaration. The exact reference to this declaration is not explicitly stated in the Bible, and scholars have debated its origin. Some suggest it may refer to:
Exodus 20:21: Where the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Theophanies: General descriptions of God's appearances in the Old Testament that often involve clouds, smoke, and darkness.
"Dwell in the thick darkness": This is the key phrase, and it carries multiple layers of meaning:
Divine Mystery and Inaccessibility: The "thick darkness" (Hebrew: araphel) suggests that God's essence is ultimately mysterious and beyond human comprehension. God is not simply a being that can be fully understood or seen directly. The darkness serves as a symbol of God's transcendence and the limits of human knowledge.
Awe and Reverence: Darkness often evokes a sense of awe, mystery, and even fear. By dwelling in darkness, God commands respect and reverence. It reminds humans that they are approaching the divine with humility and recognizing their own limitations.
Hidden Glory: Ironically, the darkness can also suggest a hidden glory. While God's full radiance may be too overwhelming for humans to behold directly, the darkness protects and conceals that glory. It suggests that God's power and majesty are far greater than anything humans can fully grasp.
Presence Amidst Absence: God's dwelling in darkness can also be understood as a way of describing his presence even when he is not visually manifest. God is not absent, but his presence is veiled, requiring faith and trust to perceive.
In Summary:
Solomon's statement is not meant to imply that God is darkness, but rather that God chooses to manifest his presence in a way that acknowledges his transcendence, mystery, and power. It highlights the limitations of human understanding when it comes to the divine and emphasizes the importance of approaching God with humility and reverence. The "thick darkness" is a powerful symbol of God's hidden glory and presence even when not directly visible.
1 kings 8:12 - Then Solomon said, “Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.
What does "1 kings 8:12" mean?
1 Kings 8:12, "Then Solomon said, “Yahweh has said that he would dwell in the thick darkness," is a complex and evocative verse that speaks to the nature of God's presence. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
Context: This verse comes immediately after Solomon dedicates the newly built temple in Jerusalem. He has just completed the elaborate ritual of bringing the Ark of the Covenant into the temple and filling the temple with the glory of the Lord. This event is a culmination of God's promise to David and Solomon to establish a permanent place for the divine presence among the Israelites.
"Yahweh has said": This phrase attributes the concept of God dwelling in darkness to a previous divine declaration. The exact reference to this declaration is not explicitly stated in the Bible, and scholars have debated its origin. Some suggest it may refer to:
Exodus 20:21: Where the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness where God was.
Theophanies: General descriptions of God's appearances in the Old Testament that often involve clouds, smoke, and darkness.
"Dwell in the thick darkness": This is the key phrase, and it carries multiple layers of meaning:
Divine Mystery and Inaccessibility: The "thick darkness" (Hebrew: araphel) suggests that God's essence is ultimately mysterious and beyond human comprehension. God is not simply a being that can be fully understood or seen directly. The darkness serves as a symbol of God's transcendence and the limits of human knowledge.
Awe and Reverence: Darkness often evokes a sense of awe, mystery, and even fear. By dwelling in darkness, God commands respect and reverence. It reminds humans that they are approaching the divine with humility and recognizing their own limitations.
Hidden Glory: Ironically, the darkness can also suggest a hidden glory. While God's full radiance may be too overwhelming for humans to behold directly, the darkness protects and conceals that glory. It suggests that God's power and majesty are far greater than anything humans can fully grasp.
Presence Amidst Absence: God's dwelling in darkness can also be understood as a way of describing his presence even when he is not visually manifest. God is not absent, but his presence is veiled, requiring faith and trust to perceive.
In Summary:
Solomon's statement is not meant to imply that God is darkness, but rather that God chooses to manifest his presence in a way that acknowledges his transcendence, mystery, and power. It highlights the limitations of human understanding when it comes to the divine and emphasizes the importance of approaching God with humility and reverence. The "thick darkness" is a powerful symbol of God's hidden glory and presence even when not directly visible.