1 Kings 7:31

31 The top of each cart had a rounded frame for the basin. It projected 1 feet above the cart’s top like a round pedestal, and its opening was 2 feet across; it was decorated on the outside with carvings of wreaths. The panels of the carts were square, not round.

1 Kings 7:31 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 7:31

And the mouth of it within the chapiter, and above, was a
cubit
On the lid of the base rose up a lesser base, called the chapiter, which was circular, like a coronet, as the word signifies, the inside of which was hollow, for the lower part of the layer to rest in; this ascended straight up half a cubit, and then widening, went up half a cubit more, and so in its whole height, as here a cubit; the circuit or circumference of which is called the mouth of the base, into which the feet of the layer were set, the measure of which is next given:

but the mouth thereof was round, after the work of the base, a cubit
and an half;
which was either the circumference or the diameter of it; one should think the latter:

and also upon the mouth of it were gravings, with their borders,
four square, not round;
though the mouth was round, the border of it was four square, which had figures engraved thereon, perhaps the same as on the other borders, lions, oxen, and cherubim.

1 Kings 7:31 In-Context

29 Both the panels and the crossbars were decorated with carved lions, oxen, and cherubim. Above and below the lions and oxen were wreath decorations.

30 Each of these carts had four bronze wheels and bronze axles. There were supporting posts for the bronze basins at the corners of the carts; these supports were decorated on each side with carvings of wreaths.

31 The top of each cart had a rounded frame for the basin. It projected 1 feet above the cart’s top like a round pedestal, and its opening was 2 feet across; it was decorated on the outside with carvings of wreaths. The panels of the carts were square, not round.

32 Under the panels were four wheels that were connected to axles that had been cast as one unit with the cart. The wheels were 2 feet in diameter

33 and were similar to chariot wheels. The axles, spokes, rims, and hubs were all cast from molten bronze.

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew a cubit [46 centimeters].
• [b]. Hebrew 1 cubits [69 centimeters]; also in 7:32 .