2 Chronicles 4:15
2 Chronicles 4:15 in Multiple Translations
the Sea; the twelve oxen underneath the Sea;
One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
one sea, and the twelve oxen under it.
The great water-vessel with the twelve oxen under it.
the Sea and the twelve bull statues that supported it; the pots, shovels, forks, and everything else.
And a Sea, and twelue bulles vnder it:
the one sea, and the twelve oxen under it,
one sea, and the twelve oxen under it.
One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
One sea, and twelve oxen under the sea;
the very large tank, and the statues of twelve bulls underneath it,
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Chronicles 4:15
BAB
Word Study
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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.
2 Chronicles 4:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אֶת
הַ/יָּ֖ם
אֶחָ֑ד
וְ/אֶת
הַ/בָּקָ֥ר
שְׁנֵים
עָשָׂ֖ר
תַּחְתָּֽי/ו
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
הַ/יָּ֖ם
yâm
H3220
West
Art | N-ms
אֶחָ֑ד
ʼechâd
H259
one
Adj
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
הַ/בָּקָ֥ר
bâqâr
H1241
cattle
Art | N-cs
שְׁנֵים
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Adj
עָשָׂ֖ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
ten
Adj
תַּחְתָּֽי/ו
tachath
H8478
underneath
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Chronicles 4:15
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.
אֶחָ֑ד
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
וְ/אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | 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/בָּקָ֥ר
bâqâr
H1241
"cattle"
Art | N-cs
Domesticated cattle or oxen, used for work or sacrifice, like the animals used in the temple sacrifices in 1 Kings 8:63.
Definition: 1) cattle, herd, oxen, ox 1a) cattle (generic pl. but sing. in form-coll) 1b) herd (particular one) 1c) head of cattle (individually)
Usage: Occurs in 172 OT verses. KJV: beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox. See also: Genesis 12:16; Deuteronomy 8:13; Psalms 66:15.
שְׁנֵים
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
עָשָׂ֖ר
ʻâsâr
H6240
"ten"
Adj
In Hebrew, this word means ten, and is used to form numbers like eleven or thirteen, as seen in Genesis 31:41. It is always used in combination with other numbers.
Definition: 1) ten, -teen (in combination with other numbers) 1a) used only in combination to make the numbers 11-19
Usage: Occurs in 292 OT verses. KJV: (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). See also: Genesis 5:8; Joshua 21:7; 1 Chronicles 25:27.
תַּחְתָּֽי/ו
tachath
H8478
"underneath"
Prep | Suff
This Hebrew word means underneath or below, often used to describe physical locations or positions. It appears in various books, including Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to indicate something is under or beneath something else. The word has several related meanings.
Definition: : under/below 1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas n m 1a) the under part adv accus 1b) beneath prep 1c) under, beneath 1c1) at the foot of (idiom) 1c2) sweetness, subjection, woman, being burdened or oppressed (fig) 1c3) of subjection or conquest 1d) what is under one, the place in which one stands 1d1) in one's place, the place in which one stands (idiom with reflexive pronoun) 1d2) in place of, instead of (in transferred sense) 1d3) in place of, in exchange or return for (of things mutually interchanged) conj 1e) instead of, instead of that 1f) in return for that, because that in compounds 1g) in, under, into the place of (after verbs of motion) 1h) from under, from beneath, from under the hand of, from his place, under, beneath
Usage: Occurs in 450 OT verses. KJV: as, beneath, [idiom] flat, in(-stead), (same) place (where...is), room, for...sake, stead of, under, [idiom] unto, [idiom] when...was mine, whereas, (where-) fore, with. See also: Genesis 1:7; Deuteronomy 7:24; 1 Kings 20:42.
Study Notes — 2 Chronicles 4:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Completion of the Bronze Works
13the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network covering both the bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars);
14the stands; the basins on the stands;
15the Sea; the twelve oxen underneath the Sea;
16and the pots, shovels, meat forks, and all the other articles. All these objects that Huram-abi made for King Solomon for the house of the LORD were of polished bronze. 17The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zeredah.2 Chronicles 4:15 Summary
This verse talks about a big bronze basin called the Sea, which was used by the priests to cleanse themselves before serving in the temple. It was supported by twelve oxen, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, showing that God's people come from all directions to worship Him (as seen in Isaiah 2:2-3). The Sea and the oxen remind us of the importance of being spiritually clean and united as believers, principles that are taught throughout the Bible, including in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. By reflecting on these physical objects, we can deepen our understanding of our spiritual lives and our connection to the broader community of faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the Sea in 2 Chronicles 4:15?
The Sea, also known as the Bronze Sea, was a large basin used for the priests to cleanse themselves before performing their duties, as seen in Exodus 30:17-21, and its placement in the temple courtyard signifies the importance of spiritual purification in the life of believers, as taught in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Why are the twelve oxen mentioned underneath the Sea?
The twelve oxen, three facing each direction, symbolize the twelve tribes of Israel and the universality of God's covenant, emphasizing that God's people come from all directions to worship Him, as prophesied in Isaiah 2:2-3.
How does this verse relate to the overall construction of the temple?
This verse highlights the attention to detail and craftsmanship that went into the construction of the temple, as commissioned by King Solomon, demonstrating the value placed on the house of the Lord, as expressed in 1 Chronicles 29:1-5.
What spiritual lessons can be drawn from the physical objects described in this verse?
The Sea and the oxen underneath it remind us of the need for spiritual cleansing and the unity of God's people, principles that are reinforced throughout Scripture, including in Psalms 51:7 and Ephesians 4:3-6.
Reflection Questions
- How does the image of the Sea and the oxen challenge my understanding of spiritual purity and my role within the community of believers?
- In what ways can I, like the craftsmen who built the temple, offer my skills and talents to the service of God's kingdom?
- What does the universality of the twelve oxen facing different directions teach me about the inclusivity of God's love and the church's mission?
- How can I apply the principle of attention to detail, as seen in the construction of the temple, to my own spiritual practices and service to God?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Chronicles 4:15
[See comments on 2 Chronicles 3:1].
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 4:15
To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 4:15
(15) One sea.—Heb., the sea one. Kings, and the one sea.And twelve oxen under it.—And the oxen, twelve, under it. Kings, And the oxen, twelve, under the sea. The chronicler has abridged the expression.