1 Kings 7 38

1 Kings 7:38 kjv

Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

1 Kings 7:38 nkjv

Then he made ten lavers of bronze; each laver contained forty baths, and each laver was four cubits. On each of the ten carts was a laver.

1 Kings 7:38 niv

He then made ten bronze basins, each holding forty baths and measuring four cubits across, one basin to go on each of the ten stands.

1 Kings 7:38 esv

And he made ten basins of bronze. Each basin held forty baths, each basin measured four cubits, and there was a basin for each of the ten stands.

1 Kings 7:38 nlt

Huram also made ten smaller bronze basins, one for each cart. Each basin was six feet across and could hold 220 gallons of water.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 38 Meaning

This verse precisely details the dimensions of the ten movable bases (or stands) made for the lavers (basins) within the outer court of Solomon's Temple. It signifies the scale, order, and precise nature of the worship and priestly functions performed in God's presence. Each base, meticulously crafted from bronze, served to hold a laver for the necessary purification rites, reflecting the divine emphasis on holiness and preparation for ministry.

1 Kings 7 38 Context

1 Kings 7:38 appears within the detailed architectural description of King Solomon's magnificent Temple and its associated furnishings in Jerusalem. Following the accounts of the main Temple structure (1 Kings 6) and Solomon's own palace (1 Kings 7:1-12), the narrative shifts focus to the elaborate bronze work for the Temple court (1 Kings 7:13-47). This specific verse, 1 Kings 7:38, focuses on the dimensions of the ten mobile stands (bases) designed to hold the ten bronze lavers, which were used by the priests for washing various sacrificial items as well as themselves, ensuring ritual purity required for service in the tabernacle. The immense scale of these furnishings, alongside the large Molten Sea (1 Kgs 7:23-26), underscores the grandiosity and the practical requirements of the vast sacrificial system under the Mosaic Law. Historically, the meticulous measurements demonstrate the importance of adhering to precise divine patterns in sacred construction, echoing the Tabernacle's design, differentiating it from surrounding pagan practices where forms and dimensions were less rigid and divinely ordained.

1 Kings 7 38 Word analysis

• And he made: Hebrew וַיַּעַשׂ (vayyaʿaś). This verb indicates the active creation. While "he" is impersonal in the English, the context (1 Kgs 7:13-14) identifies Hiram of Tyre as the skilled craftsman who carried out the bronze work under Solomon's direction. Ultimately, the entire project was God-ordained (1 Chr 28:19).
• ten bases: Hebrew מְכֹנוֹת (mekonot). This is not merely a 'base' but a highly ornate, mobile stand, as detailed in 1 Kings 7:27-37. The quantity 'ten' suggests the immense volume of ritual purification required for the ongoing Temple sacrifices and the multitude of priests performing duties. They represented a functional element crucial for large-scale operations in the expansive court.
• of bronze: Hebrew נְחֹשֶׁת (nechoshet), meaning copper or bronze. Bronze was a prominent metal in Tabernacle and Temple construction, particularly for items related to sacrifice and purification (e.g., the bronze altar, bronze laver). Symbolically, bronze is often associated with judgment, divine strength, and atonement, as seen with the bronze serpent in Num 21:9 that brought healing from judgment. Its durability also implies the enduring nature of divine service and purification.
• each base was: Hebrew לַמְּכֹנָה הָאֶחָת (lamməkōnâ hāʾeḥāt), emphasizing the uniformity and consistency in their design. This highlights the precision demanded in sacred objects.
• four cubits long: Hebrew אַרְבַּע בָּאַמָּה אֹרֶךְ (ʾarbaʿ baʾammâ ʾōreḵ). A cubit (אַמָּה, ʾammâ) was an ancient unit of length, roughly equivalent to the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying from about 18 to 21 inches (45-53 cm). This dimension signifies the considerable size of each stand, emphasizing its robust nature and the capacity it provided.
• and four cubits wide: Hebrew וְאַרְבַּע בָּאַמָּה רֹחַב (wəʾarbaʿ baʾammâ rōḥaḇ). Being a perfect square in its base (four cubits by four cubits) implies stability and perhaps a sense of completion or balance in its design. The square shape in ancient architecture often suggested permanence and groundedness.
• and three cubits high: Hebrew וְשָׁלֹשׁ בָּאַמָּה קוֹמָה (wəšālōš baʾammâ qōmâ). The height lifted the lavers, making them accessible for the priests. The number 'three' often carries symbolic significance in the Bible, associated with divinity, completeness, and resurrection (e.g., the Trinity, three days until resurrection), perhaps elevating the act of purification to a sacred plane.

• "ten bases of bronze": This phrase immediately establishes the material and quantity. Bronze, with its properties of strength and its biblical associations, signifies both the enduring nature of the ritual work and its connection to judgment and cleansing. The number 'ten' reinforces the monumental scale of Temple service.
• "four cubits long and four cubits wide and three cubits high": The precise numerical dimensions underline the meticulous attention to detail prescribed for sacred architecture. This detail underscores God's order and design for worship spaces, in stark contrast to the often haphazard and non-prescribed cultic sites of pagan worship. The consistent and perfect measurements reflect the divine call for precision and purity in all aspects of serving the Lord.

1 Kings 7 38 Bonus section

The mobility aspect of these "bases" or stands, though not explicitly stated in this specific verse, is a critical detail described in 1 Kings 7:27-33, which states they had wheels. This allowed the lavers to be moved to different parts of the Temple court as needed for various purification rituals, accommodating the flow of extensive sacrificial work. The intricate carvings of lions, oxen, cherubim, and palm trees (1 Kgs 7:29) on these bases transformed them from mere functional pedestals into artistic marvels, dedicating beauty and skill to the Lord. The dedication of such fine craftsmanship and precious materials for cleansing objects underscores the supreme importance of purity in Israel's relationship with God, a theme that transcends mere ritual to point towards the inner purity God desires.

1 Kings 7 38 Commentary

1 Kings 7:38, though a brief verse providing architectural dimensions, offers deep insights into the character of God and the nature of Israel's worship. The precision of the measurements—four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three cubits high—speaks volumes about the divine origin and orderly nature of the Temple's construction. This was not a building conceived by human whim, but one meticulously patterned after God's instruction, given initially to David. The use of bronze for the ten bases signifies both durability and divine justice/atonement, material continuity from the Tabernacle (Exod 30:17-21). These elaborate, wheeled stands for the lavers were critical for priestly purity before ministering, symbolizing the absolute necessity of cleansing to approach a holy God. Their number, ten, further suggests the vast extent of sacrificial duties requiring frequent and accessible purification throughout the Temple court. The meticulous detail in this seemingly simple verse stresses that even the most mundane or structural elements in God's service must adhere to His holy standards, teaching that reverence and order are fundamental to genuine worship.