1 Kings 7 37

1 Kings 7:37 kjv

After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size.

1 Kings 7:37 nkjv

Thus he made the ten carts. All of them were of the same mold, one measure, and one shape.

1 Kings 7:37 niv

This is the way he made the ten stands. They were all cast in the same molds and were identical in size and shape.

1 Kings 7:37 esv

After this manner he made the ten stands. All of them were cast alike, of the same measure and the same form.

1 Kings 7:37 nlt

All ten water carts were the same size and were made alike, for each was cast from the same mold.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 37 Meaning

This verse serves as a concluding statement for the detailed description of the ten bronze stands fashioned for the lavers in Solomon's Temple. It conveys that each of these intricately crafted stands possessed a uniform appearance in its foundational structure and was produced with an identical level of high-quality craftsmanship. Regardless of the individual panels or specific decorative elements described earlier, the underlying form and the precision of the work applied to every single stand were consistently of the same standard, underscoring meticulous attention to detail and an adherence to a singular, divine standard of excellence.

1 Kings 7 37 Context

First Kings chapter 7 primarily describes the construction and furnishing of Solomon's Temple, immediately following the account of the palace construction. This chapter focuses heavily on the details of the bronze work performed by Huram-Abi (or Hiram), a master craftsman brought from Tyre. The preceding verses (1 Kgs 7:27-36) offer a painstaking description of the dimensions, design, and decorative elements of the ten bronze stands for the lavers, including their panels depicting lions, oxen, and cherubim, and their wheels. Verse 37 concludes this section by affirming the uniformity of all these stands. The Temple was a monumental undertaking, reflecting Israel's strength and God's glory during Solomon's reign, serving as the dwelling place for the Name of the Lord, demanding utmost precision and quality in every detail.

1 Kings 7 37 Word analysis

• According to the appearance (כְּמַרְאֵה, kᵉmar’ēh): The prefix כְּ (kᵉ) means "according to" or "like," indicating conformity. The noun מַרְאֵה (mar’ēh) signifies "appearance," "form," "likeness," or "vision." Here, it specifically refers to the external, visual form or standardized structural design that each stand was to embody. It suggests a pre-determined pattern or template for their fundamental shape.
• of each (הָאֶחָד, hā’eḥād): This phrase, literally "the one" or "each one," emphasizes the individual nature of each of the ten stands, yet implicitly states that each individual stand conformed to the established "appearance."
• and the work (וְעֹבֹדָה, wᵉ‘ovōḏāh): The conjunction וְ (wᵉ) means "and." The noun עֹבֹדָה (‘ovōḏāh) refers to "work," "labor," or "service," often implying skilled craftsmanship or execution. In this context, it pertains to the actual fabrication process, the quality of the artistry, and the finishing of the stands. It speaks to the standard of skilled production.
• of each (לָהֶם, lāhem): Literally "to them" or "for them," this dative plural pronoun implies that the quality of "work" was applied consistently and individually "to each of them," reinforcing the uniform application of craftsmanship across all stands.
• so were they all (כֵּן לָהֶם כֻּלָּם, kēn lāhem kullām):
  • so (כֵּן, kēn): Meaning "thus," "so," or "in like manner," it signifies the outcome or consequence, confirming that the stated uniformity in appearance and work was indeed the case.
  • were they (לָהֶם, lāhem): Again, "to them" or "for them," referring to the ten stands collectively, but with emphasis on their individual conformity to the described standard.
  • all (כֻּלָּם, kullām): Meaning "all of them" or "the whole," this word provides the conclusive affirmation that without exception, every single one of the ten stands met the specified standards of design and execution.
• Words-group analysis:
  • "According to the appearance of each and the work of each": This combined phrase points to two dimensions of uniformity. First, the conceptual design or structural blueprint (`appearance`) was consistent. Second, the quality and execution of the craftsmanship (`work`) applied to each stand were equally consistent. This indicates not only a perfect design but also flawless production across all units.
  • "so were they all": This succinct concluding clause powerfully affirms the absolute and universal consistency. It declares that no deviations or variations existed; every single one of the ten stands perfectly matched the established criteria in both form and quality of manufacture. This speaks to the high demands for items in God's holy dwelling.

1 Kings 7 37 Bonus section

• Divine Authority in Design: The unwavering consistency highlighted in 1 Kgs 7:37 strongly implies that the "appearance" (design) and "work" (execution standard) of these stands originated from a divine pattern. Just as the Tabernacle (Exo 25:9, 40) and later the Temple's overall layout (1 Chr 28:11-19) were revealed by God, the specific designs for these intricate furnishings were not mere human inventions but likely adhered to specifications intended to reflect divine order and purpose.
• Symbol of Order in Worship: The uniformity of the stands, central to the priestly washing rituals, prefigures the orderly and systematic nature of true worship and service to God. It indicates that chaos has no place in divine matters, and that meticulous care and adherence to divine principles should govern all aspects of our service, from the grandest structures to the smallest, often overlooked details.
• Anticipation of Spiritual Uniformity: This physical uniformity within the Temple can be seen as a shadow of the spiritual consistency desired among God's people. Just as each stand was made according to the same standard, so too are believers called to conform to the image of Christ (Rom 8:29) and serve God in unity and truth, each member of the body serving according to the same spiritual standard of holiness and dedication.

1 Kings 7 37 Commentary

This concise verse profoundly illustrates the standard of excellence mandated for the construction of sacred objects within the Temple. It reveals that the ten intricately designed bronze stands for the lavers were not only fashioned after a common blueprint ("according to the appearance") but also executed with uniform quality and precision in their craftsmanship ("and the work"). The emphasis on "each" and "all" stresses the lack of deviation; every single stand adhered perfectly to the intended design and skill level. This consistency signifies more than mere engineering feat; it points to the divine character of order, perfection, and unwavering standards in all that pertains to His sanctuary. This exactitude mirrors God's own perfect nature and reflects the meticulous care expected in consecrated service and items, underscoring that everything in God's presence should be "decently and in order" (1 Cor 14:40).