1 Kings 7:15-25

15 He cast two bronze pillars, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference.[a]
16 He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on the tops of the pillars; each capital was five cubits[b] high.
17 A network of interwoven chains adorned the capitals on top of the pillars, seven for each capital.
18 He made pomegranates in two rows[c] encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars.[d] He did the same for each capital.
19 The capitals on top of the pillars in the portico were in the shape of lilies, four cubits[e] high.
20 On the capitals of both pillars, above the bowl-shaped part next to the network, were the two hundred pomegranates in rows all around.
21 He erected the pillars at the portico of the temple. The pillar to the south he named Jakin[f] and the one to the north Boaz.[g]
22 The capitals on top were in the shape of lilies. And so the work on the pillars was completed.
23 He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits[h] to measure around it.
24 Below the rim, gourds encircled it—ten to a cubit. The gourds were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea.
25 The Sea stood on twelve bulls, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south and three facing east. The Sea rested on top of them, and their hindquarters were toward the center.

1 Kings 7:15-25 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 7

This chapter gives an account of some buildings of Solomon for himself, 1Ki 7:1-12; and of other things for the use of the temple; of two pillars of brass, 1Ki 7:13-22; of the molten sea, 1Ki 7:23-26; and of ten bases, and ten layers on them, 1Ki 7:27-39; with other utensils and ornaments, 1Ki 7:40-51.

Cross References 8

  • 1. 2 Kings 11:14; 2 Kings 23:3; 2 Kings 25:17; 2 Chronicles 3:15; 2 Chronicles 4:12; 2 Chronicles 23:13; 2 Chronicles 34:31; Jeremiah 27:19; Jeremiah 52:17,21; Ezekiel 40:49
  • 2. ver 20,42; 2 Kings 25:17; Jeremiah 52:22
  • 3. ver 18; 2 Chronicles 3:16; 2 Chronicles 4:13; Jeremiah 52:23
  • 4. 1 Kings 6:3; 2 Chronicles 3:17
  • 5. 2 Kings 25:17
  • 6. ver 47; 2 Kings 25:13; 1 Chronicles 18:8; 2 Chronicles 4:18; Jeremiah 52:17; Revelation 4:6
  • 7. Jeremiah 31:39; Zechariah 2:1
  • 8. 2 Chronicles 4:4-5; Jeremiah 52:20

Footnotes 8

  • [a]. That is, about 27 feet high and 18 feet in circumference or about 8.1 meters high and 5.4 meters in circumference
  • [b]. That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters; also in verse 23
  • [c]. Two Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts "made the pillars, and there were two rows"
  • [d]. Many Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts "pomegranates"
  • [e]. That is, about 6 feet or about 1.8 meters; also in verse 38
  • [f]. "Jakin" probably means "he establishes."
  • [g]. "Boaz" probably means "in him is strength."
  • [h]. That is, about 45 feet or about 14 meters
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