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1 Kings 7:23

1 Kings 7:23 in Multiple Translations

He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference.

¶ And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

And 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 compassed it round about.

And he made a great metal water-vessel ten cubits across from edge to edge, five cubits high and thirty cubits round.

Then he made the Sea of cast metal. Its shape was circular, and measured ten cubits from edge to edge, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference.

And he made a molten sea ten cubites wide from brim to brim, rounde in compasse, and fiue cubites hie, and a line of thirtie cubites did compasse it about.

And he maketh the molten sea, ten by the cubit from its edge unto its edge; [it is] round all about, and five by the cubit [is] its height, and a line of thirty by the cubit doth compass it round about;

He made the molten sea ten cubits from brim to brim, round in shape. Its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled it.

And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was entirely round, and its hight was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits encompassed it.

He made also a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round all about; the height of it was five cubits, and a line of thirty cubits compassed it round about.

Huram also constructed a very large round bronze tank that was made of metal and cast in a clay mold. It was 7-1/2 ft./2.3 meters high, 30 feet/9 meters across/wide, and 45 feet/13.5 meters around it.

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Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 7:23

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Word Study

Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.

Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.

1 Kings 7:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)

BIB
HEB וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ אֶת הַ/יָּ֖ם מוּצָ֑ק עֶ֣שֶׂר בָּ֠/אַמָּה מִ/שְּׂפָת֨/וֹ עַד שְׂפָת֜/וֹ עָגֹ֣ל סָבִ֗יב וְ/חָמֵ֤שׁ בָּֽ/אַמָּה֙ קוֹמָת֔/וֹ ו/קוה וְ/קָו֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים בָּֽ/אַמָּ֔ה יָסֹ֥ב אֹת֖/וֹ סָבִֽיב
וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ ʻâsâh H6213 to make Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
אֶת ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM
הַ/יָּ֖ם yâm H3220 West Art | N-ms
מוּצָ֑ק mûwtsâq H4165 casting V-Hophal-Inf-c
עֶ֣שֶׂר ʻeser H6235 ten Adj
בָּ֠/אַמָּה ʼammâh H520 cubit Prep | N-fs
מִ/שְּׂפָת֨/וֹ sâphâh H8193 lips Prep | N-fs | Suff
עַד ʻad H5704 till Prep
שְׂפָת֜/וֹ shênîy H8145 second N-cs | Suff
עָגֹ֣ל ʻâgôl H5696 round Adj
סָבִ֗יב çâbîyb H5439 around N-cs
וְ/חָמֵ֤שׁ châmêsh H2568 five Conj | Adj
בָּֽ/אַמָּה֙ ʼammâh H520 cubit Prep | N-fs
קוֹמָת֔/וֹ qôwmâh H6967 height N-fs | Suff
ו/קוה qâveh H6961 line Conj | N-ms
וְ/קָו֙ qâveh H6961 line Conj | N-ms
שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים shᵉlôwshîym H7970 thirty Adj
בָּֽ/אַמָּ֔ה ʼammâh H520 cubit Prep | N-fs
יָסֹ֥ב çâbab H5437 to turn V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
אֹת֖/וֹ ʼêth H853 Obj. DirObjM | Suff
סָבִֽיב çâbîyb H5439 around N-cs
Hebrew Word Study

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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 7:23

וַ/יַּ֥עַשׂ ʻâsâh H6213 "to make" Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אֶת ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
הַ/יָּ֖ם yâm H3220 "West" Art | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
מוּצָ֑ק mûwtsâq H4165 "casting" V-Hophal-Inf-c
This word refers to the process of melting and shaping metal, like in a furnace. It can also mean a large amount of something, like a mass of clay.
Definition: a casting
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: casting, hardness. See also: 1 Kings 7:23; 1 Kings 7:37; Job 38:38.
עֶ֣שֶׂר ʻeser H6235 "ten" Adj
This Hebrew word means the number ten, often used in combination with other numbers to describe larger quantities, such as in the story of the ten commandments in Exodus 20. It is commonly translated as 'ten' in the KJV.
Definition: 1) ten 1a) ten 1b) with other numbers Aramaic equivalent: a.sar (עֲשַׂר "ten" H6236)
Usage: Occurs in 157 OT verses. KJV: ten, (fif-, seven-) teen. See also: Genesis 5:14; 1 Kings 6:3; Isaiah 5:10.
בָּ֠/אַמָּה ʼammâh H520 "cubit" Prep | N-fs
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.
מִ/שְּׂפָת֨/וֹ sâphâh H8193 "lips" Prep | N-fs | Suff
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Definition: : lips/mouth 1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding 1a) lip (as body part) 1b) language 1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)
Usage: Occurs in 164 OT verses. KJV: band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words. See also: Genesis 11:1; Psalms 120:2; Psalms 12:3.
עַד ʻad H5704 "till" Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
שְׂפָת֜/וֹ shênîy H8145 "second" N-cs | Suff
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means second or again, like when Moses went up Mount Sinai a second time in Exodus 24:15-18. It can also mean another or something distinct.
Definition: 1) second 1a) second (the ordinal number) 1b) again (a second time) 1c) another, other (something as distinct from something else)
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time). See also: Genesis 1:8; 1 Kings 6:1; Isaiah 11:11.
עָגֹ֣ל ʻâgôl H5696 "round" Adj
This Hebrew word means something that is round or circular. It is used to describe shapes and forms in the Bible. The word appears in the book of Isaiah and Ezekiel, describing round objects.
Definition: round
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: round. See also: 1 Kings 7:23; 1 Kings 7:35; 2 Chronicles 4:2.
סָבִ֗יב çâbîyb H5439 "around" N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.
וְ/חָמֵ֤שׁ châmêsh H2568 "five" Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
בָּֽ/אַמָּה֙ ʼammâh H520 "cubit" Prep | N-fs
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.
קוֹמָת֔/וֹ qôwmâh H6967 "height" N-fs | Suff
Qomah refers to height or stature, describing how tall someone or something is, like the height of a person or a building in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: 1) height 1a) height, stature 1b) height
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] along, height, high, stature, tall. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:23; Isaiah 10:33.
ו/קוה qâveh H6961 "line" Conj | N-ms
A measuring cord or line, used to mark boundaries or measure distances. It appears in Zechariah 2:1, where a man is measuring Jerusalem.
Definition: line
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: line. See also: 1 Kings 7:23; Jeremiah 31:39; Zechariah 1:16.
וְ/קָו֙ qâveh H6961 "line" Conj | N-ms
A measuring cord or line, used to mark boundaries or measure distances. It appears in Zechariah 2:1, where a man is measuring Jerusalem.
Definition: line
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: line. See also: 1 Kings 7:23; Jeremiah 31:39; Zechariah 1:16.
שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים shᵉlôwshîym H7970 "thirty" Adj
Thirty is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can also be used as an ordinal to describe something as thirtieth. It is used to count quantities in the Bible.
Definition: thirty, thirtieth Aramaic equivalent: te.la.tin (תְּלָתִין "thirty" H8533)
Usage: Occurs in 163 OT verses. KJV: thirty, thirtieth. Compare H7991 (שָׁלִישׁ). See also: Genesis 5:3; 1 Samuel 11:8; Jeremiah 38:10.
בָּֽ/אַמָּ֔ה ʼammâh H520 "cubit" Prep | N-fs
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.
יָסֹ֥ב çâbab H5437 "to turn" V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
To turn or surround is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which can be used literally or figuratively. It appears in the Bible to describe changing direction or surrounding something.
Definition: : turn/bring_around 1) to turn, turn about or around or aside or back or towards, go about or around, surround, encircle, change direction 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to turn, turn about, be brought round, change 1a2) to march or walk around, go partly around, circle about, skirt, make a round, make a circuit, go about to, surround, encompass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to turn oneself, close round, turn round 1b2) to be turned over to 1c) (Piel) to turn about, change, transform 1d) (Poel) 1d1) to encompass, surround 1d2) to come about, assemble round 1d3) to march, go about 1d4) to enclose, envelop 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to turn, cause to turn, turn back, reverse, bring over, turn into, bring round 1e2) to cause to go around, surround, encompass 1f) (Hophal) 1f1) to be turned 1f2) to be surrounded
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: bring, cast, fetch, lead, make, walk, [idiom] whirl, [idiom] round about, be about on every side, apply, avoid, beset (about), besiege, bring again, carry (about), change, cause to come about, [idiom] circuit, (fetch a) compass (about, round), drive, environ, [idiom] on every side, beset (close, come, compass, go, stand) round about, inclose, remove, return, set, sit down, turn (self) (about, aside, away, back). See also: Genesis 2:11; 1 Chronicles 16:43; Psalms 7:8.
אֹת֖/וֹ ʼêth H853 "Obj." DirObjM | Suff
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
סָבִֽיב çâbîyb H5439 "around" N-cs
This word describes something that surrounds or encompasses, like a circle or neighborhood, and can also mean around or about, as in on every side. It is used to describe physical locations and proximity. The KJV translates it as about or circuit.
Definition: : around/border subst 1) places round about, circuit, round about adv 2) in a circuit, a circuit, round about prep 3) in the circuit, from every side
Usage: Occurs in 282 OT verses. KJV: (place, round) about, circuit, compass, on every side. See also: Genesis 23:17; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 3:7.

Study Notes — 1 Kings 7:23

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1 2 Chronicles 4:2 He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference.
2 2 Kings 25:13 Moreover, the Chaldeans broke up the bronze pillars and stands and the bronze Sea in the house of the LORD, and they carried the bronze to Babylon.
3 Jeremiah 52:17 Moreover, the Chaldeans broke up the bronze pillars and stands and the bronze Sea in the house of the LORD, and they carried all the bronze to Babylon.
4 Jeremiah 52:20 As for the two pillars, the Sea, the twelve bronze bulls under it, and the movable stands that King Solomon had made for the house of the LORD, the weight of the bronze from all these articles was beyond measure.
5 1 Chronicles 18:8 And from Tibhath and Cun, cities of Hadadezer, David took a large amount of bronze, with which Solomon made the bronze Sea, the pillars, and various bronze articles.
6 Exodus 30:18–21 “You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it, with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet. Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting an offering made by fire to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die. Thus they are to wash their hands and feet so that they will not die; this shall be a permanent statute for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.”
7 Exodus 38:8 Next he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
8 2 Kings 16:17 King Ahaz also cut off the frames of the movable stands and removed the bronze basin from each of them. He took down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone base.

1 Kings 7:23 Summary

The Sea of cast metal was a big basin used by the priests for cleaning themselves before they went into the temple to worship God. It was very carefully made, with specific measurements and designs, to show how important it was to follow God's instructions. Just like the Sea was used for physical cleansing, we need spiritual cleansing and renewal, as seen in Psalm 51:7, and we can find this through faith in God and obedience to His Word, as described in Romans 12:2.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of the Sea of cast metal in the temple?

The Sea of cast metal, also known as the Bronze Sea, was a large basin used by the priests for ritual cleansing, as described in 2 Chronicles 4:6, and its design and construction were according to God's instructions, as seen in Exodus 30:18-21.

How big was the Sea of cast metal?

According to 1 Kings 7:23, the Sea was circular, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference, which is approximately 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet tall.

What can we learn from the careful measurements and construction of the Sea?

The attention to detail in the construction of the Sea, as seen in 1 Kings 7:23-25, teaches us about the importance of obedience to God's instructions and the value of careful planning and craftsmanship in our own work, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24.

How does the Sea of cast metal relate to our spiritual lives?

The Sea of cast metal can be seen as a symbol of spiritual cleansing and purification, reminding us of our need for cleansing and renewal, as described in Ezekiel 36:25 and Titus 3:5.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the Sea of cast metal represent in my own life, and how can I apply its symbolism to my spiritual journey?
  2. How can I, like the craftsmen who built the Sea, carefully follow God's instructions and plans for my life, as described in Jeremiah 29:11?
  3. What are some areas in my life where I need spiritual cleansing and renewal, and how can I seek God's purification, as promised in 1 John 1:9?
  4. How can I, like the priests who used the Sea, prioritize ritual cleansing and spiritual preparation in my daily life, as encouraged in 2 Corinthians 7:1?

Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 7:23

And he made a molten sea,.... A large vessel made of molten brass, which, because of the great quantity of water it held, is called a sea; as it was usual with the Jews to call a large collection of

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 7:23

And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. He made a molten sea.

Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:23

He made a molten sea; he melted the brass, and cast it into the form of a great vessel, for its vastness called a sea, which name is given by the Hebrews to all great collections of waters. The use of it was for the priests to wash their hands and feet, or other things as occasion required, with the water which they drew out of it. See . Compare ,20.

Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:23

1 Kings 7:23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: [it was] round all about, and his height [was] five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.Ver. 23. And he made a molten sea.] As a large laver for the priests to wash in. the Hebrews used to call the gathering together of much water a sea. It signifieth both the exceeding filthiness of sin, requiring a sea for the cleansing of it, and the infinite virtue of Christ’ s blood, &c.

Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:23

(13-50) The exceedingly graphic and elaborate description of the work of Hiram on the vessels and furniture of the Temple, and on the great pillars, bears on the very face of it the most evident marks of historical accuracy and of the use of contemporary documents, and it has, moreover, great antiquarian interest. Looked at in itself, it shows that the Temple (like many other buildings in the comparative infancy of architecture) depended for its effect, not so much on size or proportion, as on rich material, elaborate decoration, and costly furniture, on which all the resources both of treasure and art were lavished. But besides this, the sense of the especial sacredness attached to all the vessels of the Temple, which was hereafter to degenerate into a Pharisaic superstition (see Matthew 23:16-18), suggested the most careful record of every detail, and reverently traced to “the Spirit of God” the gift of “wisdom of heart” “to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,” as in Bezaleel and Aholiab for the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:31-32), so also in Hiram for the Temple. There is something especially remarkable in this broad comprehensiveness of conception which recognises the illuminating and inspiring power of the Spirit of God, not only in the moral and religious teaching of the prophet and the devotional utterances of the psalmist, but in the warlike enthusiasm of the Judge, the sagacity of the statesman, the imaginative skill of the artist, and the wisdom of the philosophic thinker. Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the Apostolic declaration: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).

Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 7:23

23–26. The Molten Sea which Hiram made (2 Chronicles 4:2-5) 23. And he made a (R.V. the) molten sea] The definite article is expressed in the original, and the vessel itself was unique. It is called a ‘sea’ because of its great capacity (see Josephus Ant. viii. 3, 5). The Hebrew word is not confined in use to the ocean, but is applied to the Nile (Isaiah 18:2), and to the Euphrates (Isaiah 27:1). So lacus is used by Vergil (Georg. 4:173) for a blacksmith’s trough. See also 1 Kings 18:32, note. ten cubits from one brim to the other, &c.] The R.V. tries to be more literal, but with the same sense. Ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass. a line of thirty cubits] This would in round numbers be the size of the circumference, with ten cubits as diameter.

Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 7:23

The “molten sea “of Solomon, so called from its great size, took the place of the laver of the tabernacle Exodus 30:18-21, which was required for the ablutions of the priests.

Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:23

23. A molten sea — Called also brazen sea, from the material of which it was made.

Sermons on 1 Kings 7:23

SermonDescription
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 27:9-21 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker discusses the significance of light in the Bible and its connection to Christ. The speaker explains that while Jesus was on earth, he referred to himsel
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 25:9 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the speaker discusses the tabernacle and its significance in the Bible. He emphasizes that the tabernacle was a pattern of the one in heaven, indicating the existen
J. Vernon McGee (Exodus) Exodus 38:1-8 by J. Vernon McGee In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the significance of two articles of furniture in the outer court of the tabernacle: the altar of burnt offering and the laver. The altar rep
Stephen Kaung The Tabernacle #2: The Holy Place by Stephen Kaung In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of the cross in our approach to God. The cross is not only the means by which our sins are forgiven, but it also removes our o
Paris Reidhead The Yardstick for Measuring Your Life by Paris Reidhead In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of recognizing and addressing our sins before approaching God. He compares the labor in the tabernacle, which was used for was
Henry Law The Washbasin by Henry Law Henry Law preaches about the significance of the bronze washbasin in the Bible, symbolizing the cleansing power of Christ to remove sin and restore hope. The washbasin, made of bro
Svend Christensen Studies in 1 Thessalonians 01 Conversion by Svend Christensen In this sermon, the speaker tells a story about a man who asks a young boy to bring him water. The man uses the water to wash his feet before going to remember the Lord in the brea

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