1 Kings 7 26

1 Kings 7:26 kjv

And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.

1 Kings 7:26 nkjv

It was a handbreadth thick; and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It contained two thousand baths.

1 Kings 7:26 niv

It was a handbreadth in thickness, and its rim was like the rim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It held two thousand baths.

1 Kings 7:26 esv

Its thickness was a handbreadth, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths.

1 Kings 7:26 nlt

The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons of water.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 26 Meaning

1 Kings 7:26 describes further details of the great "Sea" (a large molten bronze basin) that Solomon built for the Temple. It states its robust construction with a thickness of a handbreadth, its aesthetically crafted brim resembling a cup adorned with lily flowers, and its immense capacity, holding two thousand baths of water. This verse highlights both the substantial engineering and the artistic beauty incorporated into this significant Temple furnishing, emphasizing its purpose for purification.

1 Kings 7 26 Context

1 Kings Chapter 7 is part of the extensive description of Solomon's magnificent building projects, specifically detailing the construction and ornamentation of the First Temple in Jerusalem and Solomon's own palace. The chapter highlights the incredible scale, precise engineering, and artistic craftsmanship involved. Verses 23-26 focus on the "Sea," a massive, circular basin of cast bronze. It served a functional purpose as the primary source of water for the priests' ritual purification (ablutions) before they ministered in the Temple. Its design and dimensions, including its thickness, brim, decorative elements like lilies, and immense capacity, underscore its importance and the lavish resources dedicated to the worship of God during Solomon's golden age. This grand scale reflected the glory and majesty attributed to God and reinforced the necessity of ritual purity in His presence, standing in stark contrast to simpler, less ornate worship practices of surrounding cultures.

1 Kings 7 26 Word analysis

• And its thickness (וְעָבְיוֹ - ve'ovyo): ‘oviy (עֹבִי), meaning depth, thickness. This highlights the substantial construction and robust nature of the "Sea," emphasizing the immense amount of bronze used and its structural integrity. It underscores the preciousness and permanence intended for this sacred vessel.
• was an hand breadth (טֶפַח - téphach): A unit of measurement, approximately three inches or a palm's width (7.5 cm). This detail signifies the precision of the construction and the impressive solidity of the bronze casting. It illustrates the careful, meticulous craftsmanship in God's sanctuary.
• and its brim (וּשְׂפָתוֹ - usfatô): sāpāh (שָׂפָה), meaning lip, edge, brim. This refers to the top edge or rim of the large basin.
• was like the work (כְּמַעֲשֵׂה - ke'ma‘ăseh): ma‘ăseh (מַעֲשֶׂה), meaning work, deed, product, fabrication. This signifies the intentional design and skillful artistry applied, indicating it was not merely functional but also aesthetically crafted.
• of the brim of a cup (שְׂפַת־כּוֹס - s'fat-kôs): kos (כּוֹס), meaning cup, goblet. This simile describes the outward flare and shape of the "Sea's" rim, suggesting it was beautifully curved and opening outward like a chalice. It implies elegance and a graceful form, not just a plain, straight edge.
• with flowers of lilies (שׁוּשָׁן - shūshān): tsiyts shuwshan (צִיץ שׁוּשָׁן), literally "flower of a lily." Lilies were common decorative motifs in ancient Near Eastern art, often symbolizing purity, beauty, and even fertility or prosperity. Their inclusion on the "Sea" suggests both aesthetic embellishment and possibly symbolic meaning regarding the cleansing and beautifying effect of ritual purification, or simply adding beauty to God's house.

Words-group analysis:

• "its thickness was an hand breadth": This phrase conveys the extraordinary solidity and material wealth invested in the "Sea." Such density would make the basin incredibly strong and durable, signifying permanence and the significant resources dedicated to the Temple's construction, underscoring the king's devotion and the nation's prosperity under God's favor.
• "its brim was like the work of the brim of a cup": This describes the refined artistry of the "Sea." It indicates that functionality was integrated with beauty, elevating the utilitarian object to a work of sacred art. The "cup-like" shape implies a graceful, outward-curving lip, adding to the visual appeal and suggesting a vessel ready to receive and hold water.
• "with flowers of lilies": This detail further highlights the ornate and meticulous decoration of the "Sea." The lily motif, prevalent in ancient Near Eastern art, infused the bronze basin with natural beauty and elegance. This attention to intricate detail in sacred objects served to magnify God's glory and the sacredness of His dwelling.
• "it contained two thousand baths": This emphasizes the colossal capacity of the "Sea." A "bath" (approx. 5.8 gallons or 22 liters) signifies a total capacity of approximately 11,600 gallons (or 44,000 liters). This immense volume ensured a constant and ample supply of water for the numerous priestly ablutions, highlighting the scale of ritual purification necessary for serving in the Temple and accommodating the priestly community.

1 Kings 7 26 Bonus section

The discrepancy in capacity between 1 Kings 7:26 (2,000 baths) and 2 Chronicles 4:5 (3,000 baths) for the "Sea" is a long-standing point of scholarly discussion. Several explanations are put forth:

• Working Capacity vs. Full Capacity: 2,000 baths might represent the regular working or practical volume for daily use, while 3,000 baths could be its absolute maximum capacity when filled to the very brim.
• Textual Variants/Scribal Differences: It is possible for numerical differences to arise over centuries of copying, especially with ancient Hebrew script.
• Different Measurement Reckoning: There might have been slightly different ways of calculating capacity or different 'bath' measures during the periods these two books were written or compiled. The Chronicler often highlights greater numbers and glory, so a larger capacity might fit his theological emphasis on abundance and grandeur.The "Sea" replaced the function of the ten individual lavers that also stood in the Temple courts, providing a grand central reservoir for water purification. This vast scale underscored the high value placed on ceremonial purity for anyone approaching God's presence, serving as a powerful visual aid and a practical tool for the priests. Its destruction by the Babylonians (recorded in 2 Kings and Jeremiah) marked a tragic loss for the Temple, signaling the end of an era of glory and divine presence.

1 Kings 7 26 Commentary

1 Kings 7:26 provides essential dimensions and aesthetic details for the massive bronze basin known as the "Sea" within Solomon's Temple. Beyond its mere size (already detailed in previous verses), this verse emphasizes the vessel's extraordinary durability, suggested by its handbreadth thickness, showcasing the lavish expenditure of bronze. The "cup-like" brim with decorative lily flowers speaks to the unparalleled artistry applied, transforming a functional basin into a grand piece of sacred art, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail suitable for God's dwelling. Finally, the capacity of two thousand baths highlights the practicality and necessary abundance of water for the numerous daily ritual purifications of the priests, ensuring they were consecrated and fit for their holy service. This dedication to purity through material grandeur underscores the divine standard for worship and the abundant provision within God's house.