1 Kings 7 30

1 Kings 7:30 kjv

And every base had four brazen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had undersetters: under the laver were undersetters molten, at the side of every addition.

1 Kings 7:30 nkjv

Every cart had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze, and its four feet had supports. Under the laver were supports of cast bronze beside each wreath.

1 Kings 7:30 niv

Each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles, and each had a basin resting on four supports, cast with wreaths on each side.

1 Kings 7:30 esv

Moreover, each stand had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze, and at the four corners were supports for a basin. The supports were cast with wreaths at the side of each.

1 Kings 7:30 nlt

Each of these carts had four bronze wheels and bronze axles. There were supporting posts for the bronze basins at the corners of the carts; these supports were decorated on each side with carvings of wreaths.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 30 Meaning

The verse describes specific features of the ten bronze stands crafted for the lavers in Solomon's Temple. It highlights their sturdy construction with four bronze wheels and axles for mobility, as well as corner supports that held the basin. Notably, these supports were intricately cast with reliefs of lions, signifying strength, majesty, and a connection to the royal and divine.

1 Kings 7 30 Context

1 Kings chapter 7 provides a detailed account of King Solomon's construction projects, following the completion of the Temple itself. The first part of the chapter describes the building of Solomon's own house, taking thirteen years (1 Kgs 7:1-12). The latter and larger portion of the chapter (1 Kgs 7:13-51), where verse 30 is situated, meticulously details the furnishings and elaborate ornamentation for the newly constructed Temple of the Lord. These items were meticulously crafted from bronze, gold, and other precious materials, under the supervision of a master craftsman named Hiram from Tyre. The bronze furnishings include the two large pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the "Sea" (a large bronze basin), and importantly, the ten bronze stands and the ten lavers that sat upon them, which are the subject of this specific verse. These lavers and stands were vital for the extensive ritual purification of the priests as they ministered in the Temple, emphasizing the holiness and meticulous order required in God's presence.

1 Kings 7 30 Word analysis

• Each stand (מְכוֹנָה mәkônâh): Refers to one of the ten identical movable bases. The Hebrew mekhonah implies a solid, foundational structure, designed to support weight. The replication of ten such stands underscores a standardized design and the ample provision for priestly service, reflecting the grandeur and scale of Solomon's Temple.
• had four bronze wheels (אַרְבַּע אֹפַנֵּי נְחֹשֶׁת ’arba‘ ’ōfannê nĕchōsheth):
  • Bronze (נְחֹשֶׁת nĕchōsheth): A durable and resilient metal, commonly used for tools, weapons, and architectural components in the ancient Near East. In the Tabernacle and Temple, bronze often symbolized strength, endurance, and capability for service, distinguishing implements of utility and resilience from the more precious gold and silver used for the most sacred objects. It was practical for items that would see frequent use and movement.
  • Wheels: The presence of wheels indicates mobility, a surprising feature for Temple furnishings given their stationary nature for worship. This suggests they could be moved for cleaning, maintenance, or perhaps positioning according to the needs of the numerous priests serving at any given time, highlighting both practicality and God's detailed guidance for the Temple's functionality.
• and bronze axles (וְסִרְנוֹת נְחֹשֶׁת wĕsirnōṯ nĕchōsheth): Reinforces the robust and functional design of the stands' mobility system. Axles are crucial for the proper movement and stability of the wheels, emphasizing that these stands were truly movable, not just symbolically equipped with wheels.
• and at the four corners (אֶל אַרְבַּע פִּנּוֹתָיו ’el ’arba‘ pinnôṯāyw): Specifies the symmetrical and stable points of support. The "four corners" denotes a comprehensive and balanced design, ensuring the basin's security and stability upon the stand, even during movement.
• were supports for the basin (כְּתֵפוֹת לַכִּיֹּר kĕṯêfôṯ lakkîyyôr):
  • Supports (כְּתֵפוֹת kĕṯêfôṯ): Literally "shoulders." This anthropomorphic term suggests a robust and capable bearing structure, as shoulders bear a burden. These were the structural elements directly holding the weighty bronze basins (kiyyor - laver), from which priests would wash for purification.
  • Basin (כִּיֹּר kiyyor): The laver itself, filled with water for priestly ablutions. These supports were specifically designed to securely cradle and present the basin for use, emphasizing its centrality to the purification rituals.
• The supports were cast (יְצוּקוֹת yṣûqōṯ): Indicates the sophisticated metallurgical process used. "Casting" involves pouring molten metal into a mold, allowing for complex and integrated designs that are both strong and intricate, requiring high levels of skill from Hiram's artisans.
• with a relief of lions (גִּלְיוֹת אֲרָיוֹת gilyôṯ ’arāyôṯ):
  • Relief (גִּלְיוֹת gilyôṯ): Ornamental carving that projects from the background. This artistic embellishment shows that the temple furnishings were not merely functional but also aesthetically magnificent, reflecting the glory and holiness of God.
  • Lions (אֲרָיוֹת ’arāyôṯ): In ancient Near Eastern symbolism, lions represented power, majesty, courage, and kingship. For Israel, the lion was the tribal emblem of Judah (Gen 49:9), Solomon's tribe. The inclusion of lions would therefore symbolize the strength of God's house, the king's divine authority, and protection over the sacred space. It contrasts with pagan use of lion imagery often associated with chaotic or demonic deities, here sanctified for the God of Israel.

• "four bronze wheels and bronze axles": This phrase highlights both the durability and the unexpected mobility of these substantial items. The double emphasis on "bronze" underscores their resilience for frequent use, while "wheels and axles" make clear their capacity to be moved around, serving various priestly points of ablution in a large Temple courtyard.
• "supports for the basin. The supports were cast with a relief of lions.": This group of words emphasizes the integration of utility and artistic symbolism. The "supports" perform the essential function of holding the laver, but their "casting" indicates high-level craftsmanship, and their decoration with "lions" imbues them with meaning, associating the act of priestly purification with royal authority, divine strength, and protective imagery appropriate for God's sacred dwelling.

1 Kings 7 30 Bonus section

The detailed description of the stands, including specific animals like lions (1 Kgs 7:29 adds cherubim and palm trees), signifies an iconography within the Temple architecture. This imagery would have been well-understood by the original Israelite audience, drawing connections to tribal symbols (Judah), guardian figures (cherubim), and divine blessings (palm trees, symbolizing prosperity). This level of intricate design for even the washing implements shows that the entire Temple, down to its smallest components, was a deliberate and theological statement, carefully planned and executed under divine guidance, reflecting heavenly patterns. The bronze materials, though lesser in value than the gold found in the inner sanctuary, were crucial for practical, heavy-duty applications, suggesting that holiness and divine order were expressed even through the choice of specific metals for particular functions within the sacred space.

1 Kings 7 30 Commentary

1 Kings 7:30 offers a window into the exquisite detail and purposeful design of the furnishings within Solomon's Temple. The description of the bronze stands underscores a blend of profound practicality and rich symbolism. The mobility provided by "four bronze wheels and bronze axles" implies an efficient layout for priestly service, enabling the purification lavers to be moved where needed, accommodating a larger priesthood than the Tabernacle. This was crucial for managing the extensive sacrificial and purification rituals required in the newly established permanent Temple. The materials, specifically "bronze," speak to durability and strength, apt for items that would bear weight and experience frequent use, reflecting the lasting nature of God's covenant with Israel.

Beyond utility, the inclusion of "supports" "cast with a relief of lions" introduces a layer of powerful symbolism. Lions, in biblical contexts, frequently denote strength, majesty, and kingship. In the Temple, these lion reliefs might represent the royal authority of Solomon (who built the Temple) stemming from the tribe of Judah (the "lion's whelp"), or more profoundly, the strength and majesty of the God whose presence filled the sanctuary. This integration of the fearsome yet regal lion with an object of purification suggests that approaching a holy God requires both meticulous preparation and an acknowledgement of His formidable power and sovereignty. It emphasizes that even the seemingly functional elements of worship were deeply imbued with theological significance, guiding the worshipers' understanding of the sacred space and the God it served.