1 Kings 7:35 kjv
And in the top of the base was there a round compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the borders thereof were of the same.
1 Kings 7:35 nkjv
On the top of the cart, at the height of half a cubit, it was perfectly round. And on the top of the cart, its flanges and its panels were of the same casting.
1 Kings 7:35 niv
At the top of the stand there was a circular band half a cubit deep. The supports and panels were attached to the top of the stand.
1 Kings 7:35 esv
And on the top of the stand there was a round band half a cubit high; and on the top of the stand its stays and its panels were of one piece with it.
1 Kings 7:35 nlt
Around the top of each cart was a rim nine inches wide. The corner supports and side panels were cast as one unit with the cart.
1 Kings 7 35 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 7:27 | Now he made ten stands of bronze, five cubits long, five cubits wide... | Introduction to the stands. |
| 1 Kgs 7:38 | Then he made ten lavers of bronze: each laver contained forty baths... | Purpose of the stands for holding lavers. |
| 2 Chr 4:6 | He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right side, and five on the left... | Use of the lavers for purification. |
| Ex 30:18 | "You shall make a bronze basin with its stand of bronze, for washing..." | Mandate for the laver in the Tabernacle. |
| Ex 31:3-5 | "And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding..." | Divine gifting of skill for sacred craftsmanship. |
| Ex 25:9 | "According to all that I show you, the pattern of the tabernacle..." | Emphasis on divine pattern for holy items. |
| Heb 8:5 | "...who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things..." | Heavenly pattern behind earthly temple. |
| Psa 93:5 | Your testimonies are very sure; holiness adorns Your house... | Holiness and beauty of God's dwelling. |
| 1 Kgs 6:7 | And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone... | Attention to detail in temple construction. |
| 1 Chr 22:5 | "Now I am preparing to build a house for the LORD, exceeding magnifical..." | David's vision for magnificent temple. |
| 1 Cor 14:40 | Let all things be done decently and in order. | Principle of orderliness in divine matters. |
| Ex 27:3 | And you shall make pots for it to receive its ashes... | Precise instructions for temple furnishings. |
| Zech 14:20-21 | "...On that day 'HOLINESS TO THE LORD' shall be inscribed..." | Future holiness of all things in Jerusalem. |
| Lev 16:4 | He shall put on the holy linen tunic; and he shall have the linen breeches... | Priestly cleansing and pure attire. |
| John 13:8 | Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If... | Symbolism of cleansing in New Testament. |
| Eph 5:26-27 | ...that He might sanctify her, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word... | Spiritual cleansing of the church. |
| 2 Tim 2:20-21 | In a large house there are not only vessels of gold and silver... | Vessels for noble use must be sanctified. |
| 1 Kgs 7:14 | He was a widow’s son... filled with wisdom and understanding... | Hiram's skill in bronze work. |
| Prov 24:3-4 | Through wisdom a house is built, And by understanding it is established... | Wisdom applied to building. |
| 1 Chr 28:11 | Then David gave his son Solomon the plan of the vestibule, its houses... | Temple's divinely inspired detailed plan. |
| Psa 24:4 | He who has clean hands and a pure heart... | Necessity of purity for entering God's presence. |
1 Kings 7 verses
1 Kings 7 35 Meaning
This verse meticulously details a specific design element of the ten bronze movable stands fashioned for the Temple's lavers. It describes a circular, raised collar or rim on the very top of each stand, approximately half a cubit (about 9-10.5 inches) high. This "round compass" was designed to securely hold the bottom of the laver. Additionally, it mentions supporting ledges and decorative borders on the stand's top surface, confirming that these elements were an integral part of the structure, crafted from the same material and with the same artistry as the rest of the stand.
1 Kings 7 35 Context
1 Kings 7 details the construction of Solomon's house and, more significantly, the elaborate bronze furnishings for the Temple. Following descriptions of grand features like the bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz) and the immense Molten Sea, the narrative meticulously turns to the ten bronze movable stands and the lavers they supported (1 Kgs 7:27-39). These items were functionally critical, as the lavers held water for priestly ablutions, necessary for ritual purity before ministering in the holy presence of Yahweh. The particular focus of 1 Kings 7:35 on the "round compass" and the "ledges and borders" emphasizes the incredible attention to precise dimensions, structural integrity, and artistic detail, underscoring the profound reverence for objects dedicated to divine worship. Historically, the construction of such a grand temple and its ornate furnishings was a massive undertaking, reflecting both Solomon's immense wealth and a deep societal commitment to glorifying God, distinct from other ancient Near Eastern temples primarily devoted to fertility or polytheistic deities. The precise adherence to these details mirrored the earlier instructions for the Tabernacle, symbolizing God's demand for order and perfection in all matters related to His worship.
Word Analysis
- "And on the top of the stand": Hebrew: עַל-רֹאשׁ הָאַפֻּדֹת (al-rosh ha'afuddôt).
roshliterally means "head" but here refers to the uppermost part or summit of the stand.ha'afuddôt(fromאפודafûd) refers to these specific movable stands or bases. This specifies the exact location being described, highlighting the elevated and crucial position where the laver would rest. - "was a round compass": Hebrew: פִּיחָה עָגֹל (pīkhāh 'āgōl).
pīkhāhsignifies an opening, a rim, or a collar, suggesting a raised border or depression.‘āgōlmeans round or circular. This describes a specific circular indent or socket, designed for stability and preventing the heavy bronze laver from shifting, illustrating practical design merged with sacred use. - "of half a cubit high": Hebrew: חֲצִי הָאַמָּה קוֹמָה (ḥaṣī hā'ammāh qômmāh).
ḥaṣī(half),'ammāh(cubit - approximately 18-21 inches),qômmāh(height or standing upright). This provides a precise vertical dimension for the "round compass." Such exacting measurements underscore the demand for precision in all Temple furnishings, aligning with the divine patterns provided for the Tabernacle (Ex 25:9, 40). - "and on the top of the stand likewise were his ledges": Hebrew: מֵעַל הָאַפֻּדֹת מַשְׁלְבוֹתָיו (mê‘al hā’ăpūddōt mashlevōtāyw).
mê‘al(from above, on top of).mashlevōtāyw(fromשָׁלַבshalab), referring to joined parts, panels, or interwoven work. These were likely flat decorative panels or framing components integrated onto the stand's upper surface, possibly providing additional support or ornamentation around the main collar. - "and his borders of the same": Hebrew: וּשְׂכִילָיו מִמֶּנָּה (uśkhilāyw mimmennāh).
uśkhilāyw(fromשׂכֶלsekhel), suggests wise design, carvings, or bordering elements.mimmennāh(from it, or of the same) indicates consistency in material and artistry. This phrase emphasizes that all these details – the collar, ledges, and borders – were fashioned from the identical cast bronze and integral to the unified design of the stands, reflecting consistency and excellence in the dedicated workmanship for the Lord.
1 Kings 7 35 Commentary
This verse, though brief, provides essential insight into the extraordinary attention to detail in the construction of Solomon's Temple furnishings. The "round compass of half a cubit high" was not merely decorative but highly functional, acting as a crucial stabilizing socket for the substantial lavers. This functionality ensured that the priestly cleansing rituals could be performed without hindrance, emphasizing the practical sanctity necessary for worship. The mention of "his ledges and his borders of the same" further reveals a unified aesthetic and material consistency across these complex objects. Such precision points to the fulfillment of God's command for order and excellence in His house, serving as a physical manifestation of His own perfect character. Every intricate part, even those seemingly minor, contributed to the overall purpose of reverent worship and signified a dedication that extended beyond mere utility to beauty and sacred artistry, fit for the dwelling place of the Almighty.
Bonus SectionThe ten movable stands, each weighing several tons due to their solid bronze construction, were marvels of ancient engineering. The "round compass" or piḥah is an example of an intricate joinery detail for a large vessel, a testament to the sophisticated casting and finishing techniques of Hiram, the skilled artisan from Tyre. This high-level craftsmanship ensured that the stands could withstand the heavy use of the Temple rituals. The consistency in measurements and decorative elements across all ten identical stands highlights a significant logistical and artistic achievement, reflecting an unparalleled devotion to uniformity and sacred purpose in all items for the Temple. The detailed descriptions in 1 Kings, focusing on the minutiae of these Temple objects, demonstrate that every element, regardless of apparent size or function, held importance in the overall divine scheme of worship.