1 Kings 8:46
If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near;
1 Kings 8:46 · King James Version
Meaning
This verse conveys a message about the consequences of sin and disobedience towards God. It acknowledges the human condition, stating that no one is exempt from sin. The passage speaks to the idea that when individuals go against God's will, there are repercussions. In this case, it describes a scenario where God becomes angry with the people and allows them to be taken captive by their enemies. The act of being delivered to the enemy signifies a form of punishment for their transgressions. The mention of being taken far or near to the land of the enemy emphasizes the severity of the consequences that can arise from disobedience. Overall, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of following God's commandments and the potential outcomes that can result from turning away from His ways.
Theological Overview
One theological interpretation of this verse is that it acknowledges the inevitability of human sin. The phrase "for there is no man that sinneth not" emphasizes the universal reality of human fallibility and the likelihood that people will make mistakes that go against the commandments of God. Despite our best intentions, we are prone to sin, and this acknowledgment is an important aspect of understanding the human condition in relation to divine expectations. The verse also presents a picture of God's response to sin, highlighting the consequences that may follow. In this case, it describes a scenario where God's people have sinned, leading to their captivity and exile by their enemies. This serves as a warning of the potential repercussions of disobedience and the importance of following God's will to avoid such punishment. Overall, the verse underscores the interconnectedness of sin, divine judgment, and the need for repentance in maintaining a right relationship with God.
1 Kings 8:46 in other translations
American Standard Version
If they sin against thee (for there is no man that sinneth not), and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive unto the land of the enemy, far off or near;
World English Bible
If they sin against you (for there is no man who doesn’t sin), and you are angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captive to the land of the enemy, far off or near;
Douay-Rheims
But if they sin against thee, (for there is no man who sinneth not) and thou being angry, deliver them up to their enemies, so that they be led away captives into the land of their enemies, far or near;
Geneva Bible (1599)
If they sinne against thee, ( for there is no man that sinneth not) and thou be angry with them, and deliuer them vnto the enemies, so that they cary them away prisoners vnto the land of the enemies, either farre or neere,