Melachim Alef 7:38

38 Then made he ten kiyyorot nechoshet (basins of bronze); one kiyor could hold forty baths; and every kiyor was four cubits; and upon each of the ten Mekhonot there was one kiyor (basin).

Melachim Alef 7:38 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 7:38

Then made he ten lavers of brass
There was but one in the tabernacle of Moses, and what became of that is not known: some Jewish writers ^F3 say it was placed in Solomon's temple, and these lavers, five on the right and five on the left of it; however, here were enough provided for the purpose for the priests to wash their burnt offerings in, ( 2 Chronicles 4:6 ) and were typical of the large provision made in the blood of Christ for the cleansing of his people; whose works, services, and sacrifices, as well as persons and garments, need continual washing in that blood; see ( Romans 12:1 ) ( Revelation 7:13 ) ,

one laver contained forty baths;
and a bath, according to Bishop Cumberland ^F4 held seven wine gallons, and two quarts and half a pint:

and every laver was four cubits:
that is, square; this was the diameter of it:

and upon every of the ten bases one laver;
for which they were made, even to set the lavers on, and were exactly of the same measure.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Targum, Jarchi, and Kimchi, in 2 Chron. iv. 6.
F4 Scripture Weights and Measures, c. 3. p. 70, 71.

Melachim Alef 7:38 In-Context

36 For on the luchot of the rods thereof, and on the misgerot (panels) thereof, he engraved keruvim, arayot, and timorot (palms), according to the proportion of every one, and wreaths all around.

37 After this manner he made the ten Mekhonot; all of them had one casting, one middah (size), and one shape.

38 Then made he ten kiyyorot nechoshet (basins of bronze); one kiyor could hold forty baths; and every kiyor was four cubits; and upon each of the ten Mekhonot there was one kiyor (basin).

39 And he put five Mekhonot (Stands) on the right side of the Beis [HaMikdash], and five on the left side of the Beis ; and he set the Yam on the right side of the Beis eastward opposite the south.

40 And Chiram made the kiyyrot, and the ya’im (shovels), and the mizrakot (bowls for sprinkling blood). So Chiram completed all the melakhah (work) that he made for Sh’lomo HaMelech for the Beis Hashem;