1The altar of brass. 2The molten sea supported by twelve oxen. 6The ten lavers, candlesticks, and tables. 9The two courts. 11The vessels, furniture, and instruments of brass. 19The vessels, furniture, and instruments of gold.
1MOREOVER he made an altar of 1brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
1 This altar was indeed in fashion like unto the altar that was made by Moses in the wilderness, because it was foursquare, and in the covering, which was of brass, but not in size, because it was much larger; besides, it was made fit to be removed and carried from place to place, but this one was made to remain standing. Compare Exod. 27:1, 2.
2¶Also he made a 2molten sea of ten cubits from 3brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
2 See of this, 1 Kings 7 on verse 23, where likewise is the exposition of this text.
3 Hebr. lip.
3And under 4it was the 5similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were 6cast, when it was cast.
4 Namely, the sea, meaning: under the brim, 1 Kings 7:24.
5 Understand this of the small images of oxen, which were under the brim at the belly of the sea, not of the great oxen, upon which stood the sea, as follows. Compare further 1 Kings 7 on verse 24.
6 That is, which were cast together in one mold with this brasen vessel when it was cast.
4It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all 7their hinder parts were inward.
7 See 1 Kings 7 on verse 25.
5And the thickness of it was an 8handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and 9it received and held three thousand baths.
8 That is, four fingers. So great is an handbreadth; called by the Latines palmus minor, and is to be distinguished from another measure of this name called palmus major, three times as broad, that is, a span.
9 Compare herewith the annotation on 1 Kings 7:26.
6¶He made also 10ten lavers, and put five on the 11right hand, and five on the left, to 12wash in them: 13such things as they offered for the burnt offering they 14washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
10 See of these 1 Kings 7:38 and the annotation.
11 Namely, of the court.
12 Namely, the flesh of the offering.
13 Hebr. the work of the burnt offering.
14 Namely, to rinse and to wash off the same. The Hebrew word signifies properly such putting in or dipping which tends to washing away, whereby the filth and slime is removed. Compare Isa. 4:4; Ezek. 40:38.
7And he made tena candlesticks of gold 15according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
a 1 Kings 7:48, 49.
15 That is, according to the direction given by God, Exod. 25:31, or delivered by David unto Solomon, 1 Chron. 28:15.
8He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.
9¶Furthermore he made the 16court of the priests, and the 17great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
16 See hereof 1 Kings 6 on verse 36.
17 Understand the outer court, wherein the people assembled for the exercise of the worship of God, and to desire the help and assistance of God, which when it was done uprightly according to the command and ordinance of the LORD, then the help of God appeared. And from this the Hebrew appellation has its origin, as if one would say: a help, or place of help. See 1 Kings 7:9, 12 and the annotation.
10And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.
11And 18Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;
18 The craftsman, whom the king of Tyre had sent to Solomon, of whom see verse 16; 1 Kings 7 on verse 13; 1 Kings 7 on verse 14; 2 Chron. 2:13, 14.
12To 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 pillars;
13And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were 19upon the pillars.
19 Hebr. upon the face of the pillars.
14He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;
1520One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
20 Understand one sea, because there was but one wherein the priests washed themselves, and is to be distinguished from the lavers, wherein the flesh of the offerings and whatever belonged thereunto was washed, verse 6.
16The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram 21his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass.
21 Or, Huram Abi. Otherwise: his father, or, his father’s. See 2 Chron. 2 on verse 13.
1722In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.
22 See the exposition of this verse 1 Kings 7 on verse 46.
18Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.
19¶Andb Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;
b 1 Kings 7:48.
20Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the 23manner before the oracle, of 24pure gold;
23 That is, after the law given by God, Exod. 25:31, etc.; 37:17, etc.
24 See of this gold 1 Kings 6 on verse 20.
21And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and 25that perfect gold;
25 Hebr. the perfections of gold, that is, the best, the finest, and purest gold.
22And the 26snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of 27gold.
26 See 1 Kings 7 on verse 50.
27 That is, overlaid with gold; for, the inner part of the doors was of wood; 1 Kings 6:31, 32, 35.