Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim. It was round, five cubits high, and thirty cubits in circumference. Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast. It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set on them above, and all their hindquarters were inward. It was a handbreadth thick; and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths.
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2 Chronicles 4:2-5 sits inside this longer paragraph.
Then he made an altar of bronze, twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and ten cubits high. Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim. It was round, five cubits high, and thirty cubits in circumference. Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast. It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set on them above, and all their hindquarters were inward. It was a handbreadth thick; and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths. He also made ten basins, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them. The things that belonged to the burnt offering were washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
Parallel Translations
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Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim. It was round, five cubits high, and thirty cubits in circumference.
Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.
It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set on them above, and all their hindquarters were inward.
It was a handbreadth thick; and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths.
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Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
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Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and the height thereof was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set upon them above, and all their hinder parts were inward.
And it was a handbreadth thick; and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths.
Examined in Scripture Analysis
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Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (18)
- 1 Kings 7:26 (v5) It was a hand width thick. Its brim was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.
- 1 Kings 7:24-26 (v3) Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The buds were in two rows, cast when it was…
- Ezekiel 1:10 (v3) As for the likeness of their faces, they had the face of a man. The four of them had the face of a lion on the right side. The four of them…
- Ezekiel 10:14 (v3) Every one them had four faces. The first face was the face of the cherub. The second face was the face of a man. The third face was the…
- 1 Corinthians 9:9-10 (v3) For it is written in the law of Moses, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain.” Is it for the oxen that God cares, or…
Show all 18 cross-references
- Revelation 4:7 (v3) The first creature was like a lion, and the second creature like a calf, and the third creature had a face like a man, and the fourth was…
- Exodus 30:18-21 (v2) “You shall also make a basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, in which to wash. You shall put it between the Tent of Meeting and the…
- 1 Kings 7:23-26 (v2) He made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in shape. Its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled…
- Zechariah 13:1 (v2) “In that day there will be a spring opened to David’s house and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.
- Matthew 16:18 (v4) I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.
- Matthew 28:19-20 (v4) Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to…
- Mark 16:15 (v4) He said to them, “Go into all the world, and preach the Good News to the whole creation.
- Luke 24:46-47 (v4) He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that…
- Acts 9:15 (v4) But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
- Ephesians 2:20 (v4) being built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the chief cornerstone;
- Titus 3:5 (v2) not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and…
- Revelation 7:14 (v2) I told him, “My lord, you know.” He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great suffering.They washed their robes, and made them…
- Revelation 21:14 (v4) The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (12 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv2, 3, 5 A great vessel of brass, so called, because of…
A great vessel of brass, so called, because of the great quantity of water, which it contained, 1 Kings 7:24.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2Ch 4:2 Also he made a molten sea of…
2Ch 4:2 Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
Ver. 2. Also he made a molten sea.] See on 1Ki 7:23, &c.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On v2 A molten sea: of this and 2Ch 4:3-5, &c.,…
A molten sea: of this and 2Ch 4:3-5, &c., See Poole "1Ki 7:23", &c.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 Verse 3. Under it was the similitude of oxen]…
Verse 3. Under it was the similitude of oxen] In 1Kg 7:24, instead of oxen, בקרים bekarim, we have knops, פקעים pekaim; and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here. What we call knops may signify grapes, mushrooms, apples, or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron. It is possible that בקרים bekarim, oxen, may be a corruption of פקעים pekaim, grapes, as the פ pe might be mistaken for a ב beth, to which in ancient MSS. it has often a great resemblance, the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct; and the ע ain, on the same account might be mistaken for a ר resh. Thus grapes might be turned into oxen. Houbigant contends that the words in both places are right; but that בקר bakar does not signify ox here, but al large kind of grape, according to its meaning in Arabic: and thus both places will agree. But I do not find that [Arabic] bakar, or [Arabic] bakarat, has any such meaning in Arabic. He was probably misled by the following, in the Arabic Lexicon, Camus, inserted under [Arabic] bakara, both by Giggeius and Golius, [Arabic] aino albikri, ox-eye, which is interpreted Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis, incredibilis dulcedinis. In Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur. "A species of black grape, very large, and of incredible sweetness. It is used in Palestine for prune or plum." What is called the Damascene plum is doubtless meant; but בקרים bekarim, in the text, can never have this meaning, unless indeed we found it associated with עין ayin, eye, and then עיני בקרים eyney bekarim might, according to the Arabic, be translated plums, grapes, sloes, or such like, especially those of the largest kind, which in size resemble the eye of an ox. But the criticism of this great man is not solid. The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters, as specified above. The reader will at once see that what are called the oxen, 2Ch 4:3, said to be round about the brim, are widely different from those 2Ch 4:4, by which this molten sea was supported.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv3, 5 For “oxen” we find in 1Ki 7:24, “knops” or…
For “oxen” we find in 1Ki 7:24, “knops” or “gourds.” An early copyist, not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for “gourd,” and expecting to hear of oxen, as soon as the molten sea was mentioned, changed the reading.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv2–5 Sea, or great brazen vessel, and some other things…
Sea, or great brazen vessel, and some other things that were not in the tabernacle of Moses, whose plan was followed, but with greater magnificence. (Worthington)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv2–3 MOLTEN SEA. (Ch2 4:2-5)
MOLTEN SEA. (Ch2 4:2-5)
he made a molten sea--(See on Kg1 7:23), as in that passage "knops" occur instead of "oxen." It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–5 2–5 (= 1Ki_7:23-26). The Molten Sea
2–5 (= 1Ki_7:23-26). The Molten Sea
2. he made a molten sea] Render, he made the sea of molten metal. The “sea” or great laver was a well-known feature in temples, being a symbol of the purity needful for those who come into the divine presence. So in the heavenly temple before the throne there is a “sea” of glass (Rev_4:6).
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five cubits the height thereof] R.V. the height thereof was five cubits.
a line of thirty cubits did compass it] i.e. it was thirty cubits in circumference.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv2–5 (2) Even if pôthôth be correct in Kings, the…
(2) Even if pôthôth be correct in Kings, the chronicler might have understood the word to mean openings, rather than hinges, and so have substituted the common word pethah, which has that sense. The resemblance of the one word to the other would be a further consideration in its favour, according to ancient notions of interpretation.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv2–5 A molten sea. The Hebrew of this verse and…
A molten sea. The Hebrew of this verse and of 1Ki_7:23 are facsimiles of one author, except that here wq; stands, where the parallel shows hwOq, probably the fruit merely of some error in transcription. Verses like these point not to the derivation of Chronicles from Kings, but rather of both from some older common source. This sea of brass superseded the laver of the tabernacle. (Exo_30:18, 28 31:9 35:16 39:39) It was called a sea on account of its size. We are told 1Ch_18:8 whence David had drawn the supplies of metal necessary for this work. The size of the diameter measured from upper rim to rim (ten cubits) harmonizes, of course, to all practical purposes, with that of the circumference (thirty cubits); it would assist questions connected with the contents of this large vessel, however, if we had been told whether the circumference were measured at the rim, or, as the form of language here used might slightly favour, round the girth. (For these questions, see ver. 5 below.) This sea for the washing of the priests significantly follows the altar. Beside the general suggestion of the need of purification or sanctification, it here reminds of the fact that the earthly priest and high priest must need the purification, which their great Antitype would not need.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v4 The Sea
The Sea
This refers to the tank or basin that held water for sacrifices.
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was set upon twelve oxen
"was on top of twelve oxen"
twelve oxen
These are images of oxen made of bronze. AT: "twelve large figures of bulls" or "twelve bronze oxen" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
"The Sea" was set on top of them
This can be stated in active form. AT: "Solomon's workers set 'The Sea' on top of the oxen" (See: Active or Passive)
hindquarters
This is the back quarter of the body of an animal with four feet.
thick as the width of a hand
This is about 8 centimeters. (See: Biblical Distance)
its brim was forged like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom
This can be stated in active form. AT: "Solomon's workers forged the brim to look like the brim of a cup, to curve outward like a lily" (See: Active or Passive)
three thousand baths
"3,000 baths." A bath is a unit of volume equal to about 22 liters. AT: "66 kiloliters" (See: Numbers and Biblical Volume)
He made ... he put
Here "he" refers to Solomon. The readers should understand that Solomon probably commanded other people to do the actual work. AT: "Solomon's workers made ... they put" (See: Metonymy)
items used in performing the burnt offering were to be washed in them
This can be stated in active form. AT: "people were to wash the items used in performing the burnt offering in them" (See: Active or Passive)
translationWords
cow
burnt offering
priest
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v2 4:2-5 The Temple, the house of God, depicted Eden,…
4:2-5 The Temple, the house of God, depicted Eden, the garden of God (cp. Isa 51:3). The massive Sea that rested on the backs of the twelve bronze oxen represented either cosmic pre-creation waters or the waters of life that emanated from the Garden of Eden. Divine forces subdue the waters of chaos (Gen 1:2) so that they provide life-giving nourishment for plant, animal, and human life (see Rev 21:1, where the sea is removed forever).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.