The Meaning of 1 Kings 3:8 Explained

1 Kings 3:8

KJV: And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

YLT: and Thy servant is in the midst of thy people, whom Thou hast chosen, a people numerous, that is not numbered nor counted for multitude,

Darby: And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

ASV: And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And thy servant  [is] in the midst  of thy people  which thou hast chosen,  a great  people,  that cannot be numbered  nor counted  for multitude. 

What does 1 Kings 3:8 Mean?

Context Summary

1 Kings 3:1-15 - The Young King's Wise Choice
The chapter opens doubtfully. The affinity with Pharaoh, and the two onlys of 1 Kings 3:2-3 are not promising. See Deuteronomy 12:13-14. Yet there were hopeful features in Solomon's love for God, and the devotion and obedience by which it was proved. It remained, however, to be seen, which of these influences was to triumph in the outworking of his character. That is always the most urgent, question in life. With too many the early dew and morning cloud pass away, leaving no trace, Hosea 6:4.
There is an inner wisdom which is of the heart rather than of the head, and which God's Spirit bestows on those who love Him. Having this, we possess the key to all things in heaven and on earth. See 1 Corinthians 2:5, etc. When a man seeks first the Kingdom, all else is added, Matthew 6:33. Only the man who delights in God can be trusted with the gratification of his heart's desires, Psalms 37:4.
Live deep in God. Do not be dazzled or fascinated by outward things. Be concerned to know God's will and become the organ of His purpose. He will add to you all else that is needful for the fulfillment of your life-course.
1 Kings 3:1-28 - Breaking Three Commandments
From a worldly point of view Naboth might have done a good stroke of business by selling his estate to. Ahab. A royal price and assured favor might have been his-but he had a conscience! Above the persuasive tones of the monarch's offer sounded the voice of God: "The land shall not be sold for ever, for the land is mine." See Leviticus 25:23; Numbers 36:7; Ezekiel 46:18.
Ahab knew perfectly well that Jezebel could not give him the property of another except by foul means, but he took pains not to inquire. Though the direct orders for Naboth's death did not come from him, yet, by his silence, he was an accomplice and an accessory; and divine justice penetrates all such specious excuses. God holds us responsible for wrongs which we do not arrest, though we have the power. The crime was blacker because of the pretext of religion, as suggested by a fast. See also 2 Kings 9:26. The blood of murdered innocence cries to God, and his requital, though delayed, is inevitable. See Revelation 6:9-10. [source]

Chapter Summary: 1 Kings 3

1  Solomon marries Pharaoh's daughter
2  High places being in use, Solomon sacrifices at Gibeon
5  Solomon at Gibeon, in the choice which God gave him,
10  preferring wisdom, obtains wisdom, riches, and honor
16  Solomon's judgment makes him renowned

What do the individual words in 1 Kings 3:8 mean?

And Your servant [is] in the midst of Your people whom You have chosen a people great that not to be numbered or counted too numerous
וְעַ֨בְדְּךָ֔ בְּת֥וֹךְ עַמְּךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בָּחָ֑רְתָּ עַם־ רָ֕ב אֲשֶׁ֧ר לֹֽא־ יִמָּנֶ֛ה וְלֹ֥א יִסָּפֵ֖ר מֵרֹֽב

וְעַ֨בְדְּךָ֔  And  Your  servant  [is] 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עֶבֶד  
Sense: slave, servant.
בְּת֥וֹךְ  in  the  midst 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: תָּוֶךְ  
Sense: midst, middle.
עַמְּךָ֖  of  Your  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, second person masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
אֲשֶׁ֣ר  whom 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
בָּחָ֑רְתָּ  You  have  chosen 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: בָּחוּר 
Sense: to choose, elect, decide for.
עַם־  a  people 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: עַם 
Sense: nation, people.
רָ֕ב  great 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular
Root: רַב 
Sense: much, many, great.
אֲשֶׁ֧ר  that 
Parse: Pronoun, relative
Root: אֲשֶׁר 
Sense: (relative part.).
יִמָּנֶ֛ה  to  be  numbered 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: מָנָה  
Sense: to count, reckon, number, assign, tell, appoint, prepare.
יִסָּפֵ֖ר  counted 
Parse: Verb, Nifal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: סָפַר 
Sense: to count, recount, relate.
מֵרֹֽב  too  numerous 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֹב  
Sense: multitude, abundance, greatness.