1 Kings 7 24

1 Kings 7:24 kjv

And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.

1 Kings 7:24 nkjv

Below its brim were ornamental buds encircling it all around, ten to a cubit, all the way around the Sea. The ornamental buds were cast in two rows when it was cast.

1 Kings 7:24 niv

Below the rim, gourds encircled it?ten to a cubit. The gourds were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea.

1 Kings 7:24 esv

Under its brim were gourds, for ten cubits, compassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast with it when it was cast.

1 Kings 7:24 nlt

It was encircled just below its rim by two rows of decorative gourds. There were about six gourds per foot all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 24 Meaning

The verse describes a specific decorative feature of the "Molten Sea," a large bronze basin in Solomon's Temple. It details two rows of ornaments, identified as gourds (or ornamental knobs/calabashes), that encircled the Molten Sea completely, located directly under its brim. A crucial aspect highlighted is that these gourd-like decorations were not attached later but were meticulously cast as a unified, integral part of the Molten Sea itself, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship and intricate design. This ornamentation added to the basin's splendor and reflected the high standards of divine service.

1 Kings 7 24 Context

1 Kings chapter 7 primarily describes the elaborate construction of Solomon's palace and, more importantly for this verse, the extensive furnishings of the Temple. Following the general architectural details, the text meticulously lists the various bronze items crafted by Huram (or Hiram), a master artisan from Tyre. This chapter highlights the opulence, precise engineering, and artistic detail dedicated to the Temple.

Verses 23-26 specifically focus on the "Molten Sea," a monumental bronze basin intended for the priests' ritual ablutions. Verse 23 provides its immense size (ten cubits in diameter, five cubits high, with a circumference of thirty cubits). Verse 24, our focal point, zooms in on the intricate ornamentation directly below the brim, describing the gourds. The following verses (25-26) further detail its support on twelve bronze oxen and its capacity.

Historically, large water basins were a common feature in ancient Near Eastern temples, often symbolizing purification or cosmic waters. However, the Molten Sea in the Israelite Temple held a unique role primarily for priestly cleansing (2 Chr 4:6), preparing them to minister before God. The lavish detail of the Sea, including these decorative gourds, underscored the reverence and holiness attributed to the sanctuary of the God of Israel. It was a functional object made beautiful, reflecting the divine aesthetic of order, beauty, and excellence befitting God's dwelling place.

1 Kings 7 24 Word analysis

• Under its brim: Hebrew: תַּחַת שְׂפָתֹו (taḥat śəfāṯōw).
  • Significance: Precisely locates the decoration immediately beneath the upper edge of the Molten Sea, indicating a continuous, encircling motif visible along the top perimeter.
• all around: Hebrew: סָבִיב סָבִיב (sāḇîḇ sāḇîḇ).
  • Significance: Emphasizes that the decoration completely encompassed the entire circumference of the basin, creating a continuous and visually harmonious design. This repetition highlights the comprehensive nature of the design.
• were gourds: Hebrew: פְּקָעִים (pəqāʿîm).
  • Significance: The Hebrew word literally means "gourds," "wild cucumbers," or "calabashes." While some translations or traditions (e.g., KJV for parallel passages) interpret similar decorations as "pomegranates," pəqāʿîm is distinct from rimmonim (pomegranates). Scholarly consensus favors "gourds" or similar decorative knobs that mimic natural forms. This natural imagery could symbolize life, abundance, growth, or the beauty of God's creation integrated into sacred architecture.
• for twenty cubits: Hebrew: עֶשֶׂר בָּאַמָּה (‘eśer ba'amāh) – this seems like a slight discrepancy from my chosen ESV text above (which stated "twenty cubits") -- let me check Hebrew again. Ah, ESV "for twenty cubits" refers to the entire circumference, meaning that the decoration ran for this length.
  • Correction to Hebrew (based on strong re-analysis): The Hebrew phrase is 'עֶשֶׂר בָּאַמָּה מִשֶׁנֵי' which literally translates to "ten in a cubit" or "ten per cubit," and it precedes the phrase "encircling the Sea all around" or "encompassing the Sea." This implies a density of ten gourds per cubit along the circumference. Since the total circumference was 30 cubits (1 Ki 7:23), this means 300 gourds in total per row, as per many interpretations and calculations (e.g. NET Bible notes, scholars). The "twenty cubits" is often taken from other translations/interpretations trying to consolidate or may refer to the visual extent over the 20, as it does go completely around. But "ten per cubit" (1 Kings 7:24 Hebrew 'עֶשֶׂר בָּאַמָּה' for a length measurement) implies the density or number of items. This detail about "ten per cubit" is crucial and often interpreted as meaning ten gourds per cubit of the circumference, adding up to 300 for each row. So, it's about the number/density rather than a specific length that deviates from the full circumference. The total circumference was thirty cubits, implying 300 gourds per row if there were 10 per cubit.
  • Corrected Significance for "ten per cubit" or density: This phrase, usually translated as "ten in a cubit" or implying a density of ten gourds for every cubit of length along the circumference, specifies the precise spacing and multitude of these ornaments. With a circumference of thirty cubits (1 Ki 7:23), this would total 300 gourds per row, signifying immense detail and repetition in the design, and reinforcing the lavishness.
• encompassing the Sea all around: Hebrew: מַקִּפִים אֶת־הַיָּם סָבִיב (maqqifîm ’eṯ-hayām sāḇîḇ).
  • Significance: Re-emphasizes the full encirclement of the decoration, ensuring visual continuity and completion around the entire structure.
• The gourds were in two rows: Hebrew: הַפְּקָעִים שְׁנֵי טוּרִים (happəqāʿîm šənê ṭûrîm).
  • Significance: Indicates symmetrical arrangement, adding to the visual order and complexity of the design. Two rows enhance the depth and richness of the ornamentation.
• cast with it when it was cast: Hebrew: בְּיִצְקַתֹו מְצֻקִים עִמּוֹ (bəyiṣqatōw məṣūqîm ‘immō).
  • Significance: This critical phrase describes the advanced casting technique. The gourds were not applied afterward but were integrated into the mold, poured, and solidified with the main body of the Molten Sea. This indicates superior metallurgical skill, creating a seamless and incredibly durable structure, speaking to the permanence and high quality of divine craftsmanship. It ensures the integrity of the design and the unity of the object.

1 Kings 7 24 Bonus section

• The Role of Artistry: This verse underscores the divine value of craftsmanship and art when dedicated to God's glory. The detailed description elevates the work of artisans like Huram to a level of spiritual significance, illustrating that skill (gifted by God, see Ex 31:1-5) should be used for divine purposes.
• Unity in Design: The emphasis on the gourds being "cast with it" speaks to the concept of unity and integration in God's kingdom and worship. There is no separation between the functional purpose and the decorative beauty; they are seamlessly woven together, mirroring perhaps the unity desired between outward service and inner purity.
• Prefigurement: While distinct from water baptism, the meticulous design of the Molten Sea for priestly cleansing (physical preparation) can serve as a conceptual forerunner to the thorough spiritual cleansing provided by Christ's sacrifice, where nothing is left incomplete or merely superficially attached (Heb 10:22; Rev 1:5).

1 Kings 7 24 Commentary

1 Kings 7:24 vividly details the artistic and structural perfection of the Molten Sea in Solomon's Temple. The presence of two rows of intricately cast gourds under its brim signifies that sacred objects were not merely functional but were to be crafted with superlative beauty and precision, reflecting the majesty of God. The phrase "cast with it when it was cast" speaks volumes about Huram's skill and the expectation of integrating beauty directly into the object's very being, rather than it being an afterthought. This holistic approach to design meant strength and aesthetics were unified. For the priests using it, this visual richness would reinforce the holiness of their task and the grandeur of the God they served, highlighting that even preparation for worship must be approached with the utmost seriousness and reverence. The purification associated with the Sea was framed by divine beauty, teaching that purity and aesthetic glory are intertwined in worship.