1 Kings 7 39

1 Kings 7:39 kjv

And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

1 Kings 7:39 nkjv

And he put five carts on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house. He set the Sea on the right side of the house, toward the southeast.

1 Kings 7:39 niv

He placed five of the stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north. He placed the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

1 Kings 7:39 esv

And he set the stands, five on the south side of the house, and five on the north side of the house. And he set the sea at the southeast corner of the house.

1 Kings 7:39 nlt

He set five water carts on the south side of the Temple and five on the north side. The great bronze basin called the Sea was placed near the southeast corner of the Temple.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 39 Meaning

This verse precisely details the placement of key water basins within the Temple of Solomon: ten smaller lavers for the purification rites and the grand bronze "Sea." Five of the small lavers were positioned on the south side of the Temple and five on the north side, emphasizing symmetry and readiness for extensive priestly duties. The massive "Sea" was placed prominently on the southeast corner, providing the primary source of water for the priests.

1 Kings 7 39 Context

The verse 1 Kings 7:39 is part of an extensive description of Solomon's magnificent building projects, primarily focused on the construction and furnishing of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Chapter 7 specifically details the bronze work created by Huram (Hiram Abif in other traditions), the master craftsman brought from Tyre. Prior sections (1 Kgs 7:1-12) recount Solomon's construction of his own palace and administrative buildings, setting a contrast between secular and sacred structures. Verses 1 Kgs 7:13-26 then meticulously describe the elaborate bronze objects for the Temple: the two pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the bronze Sea, and the ten elaborately adorned bronze stands for the lavers. This particular verse (7:39) details the final placement of these large bronze vessels, which were essential for the purification rites performed by the priests. Historically, this period marks the zenith of the united monarchy of Israel, where central worship was established, contrasting sharply with decentralized worship and even idol practices prevalent in the region. The meticulous detail and grand scale emphasized the singularity and greatness of Yahweh compared to the regional deities worshipped at simpler shrines.

1 Kings 7 39 Word analysis

• He set (וַיִּתֵּן - wayyithē): "And he placed" or "he put." This denotes Solomon's authoritative action in the arrangement of the Temple furniture. It implies an orderly, purposeful placement according to a divine plan or precise instructions.
• ten lavers (הַכִּיֹּרוֹת - hakkîyōrôt): These were "basins" or "lave basins," made of bronze (as established earlier in the chapter). They were distinct from the larger "Sea" and primarily served for rinsing parts of the sacrifices and other vessels used in priestly service, ensuring ritual purity. Their number (ten) suggests the scale and intensity of Temple worship, requiring multiple stations for ongoing cleansing activities.
• five on the south side (חָמֵשׁ עַל־הַכָּתֵף הַיְמָנִית - ḥāmēš ʿal-hakkātēf haymānît): Lit. "five on the right shoulder." Given the Temple's orientation facing East, the "right hand" (yamîn) corresponds to the south. The precise spatial arrangement was crucial for ritual efficacy and access by the priests. The "right" side often signified honor or position.
• and five on the north side (וְחָמֵשׁ עַל־הַכָּתֵף הַשְּׂמָאלִית - wĕḥāmēš ʿal-hakkātēf haśśmāʾlît): Lit. "and five on the left shoulder." The "left hand" (śĕmōʾl) corresponds to the north. This symmetrical placement ensured that the purification vessels were readily available on both sides for the many priests performing their duties, emphasizing order and functionality within the sacred space.
• He set the Sea (אֶת־הַיָּם - ʾet-hayyām): This refers to the colossal bronze "Molten Sea," a massive basin that stood upon twelve bronze oxen. Its purpose was to hold water for the priests' ritual washings, allowing them to purify themselves before entering the inner court or performing sacred service. Its name "Sea" indicates its immense size, evoking a vast body of water.
• on the southeast side (מִן־הַכָּתֵף הַיְמָנִית מִזְרָחָה - min-hakkātēf haymānît mizrāḥāh): Lit. "from the right shoulder, eastward." This specifies its exact corner. For a Temple facing east, "the right shoulder eastward" definitively means the southeast corner of the outer court. This placement made it the initial and largest point of purification before engaging with the smaller lavers or entering the Temple proper.
• Words-group by words-group analysis:
  • "He set ten lavers... five on the south side and five on the north side": This phrase emphasizes the methodical, deliberate ordering of the Temple's functional components. The symmetry speaks to the perfection and order expected in God's dwelling place and highlights the practical needs for a large priestly corps involved in constant ritual cleansing and sacrifice preparation. The two sets of five convey balance and thorough coverage for different areas of service or groups of priests.
  • "He set the Sea on the southeast side": The distinct and strategic placement of the colossal Sea highlights its preeminence. It was the primary source, from which priests drew water for general ablutions, before then using the smaller lavers. This arrangement dictates a flow for ritual purification: initial general cleansing from the Sea, followed by specific washing from the lavers for sacrificial elements.

1 Kings 7 39 Bonus section

The bronze 'Sea' and the lavers were not merely utilitarian but also works of great artistry, made by Huram. This reflects that sacred objects meant for God's service were to be fashioned with the highest skill and precious materials available, signifying the glory due to God. While these basins were for physical washing, they symbolically pointed to the need for purity and cleansing for divine service. This outward ritual purity prepared the priests to approach a holy God. The precise measurements and placement of these objects throughout 1 Kings chapter 7 align with similar exacting divine instructions found in the Tabernacle's construction (e.g., in Exodus), reinforcing the divine blueprint for God's dwelling and worship spaces. The sheer quantity (ten lavers, one large Sea) and their dedicated functions highlight that impurity was a constant concern, and consistent acts of purification were required for Israel's proper worship life.

1 Kings 7 39 Commentary

1 Kings 7:39 succinctly concludes the meticulous description of the Temple's crucial water features, highlighting Solomon's precise execution of divine instructions for ordering God's house. The placement of the ten lavers, evenly divided between the north and south sides of the Temple court, alongside the immense bronze "Sea" in the southeast, underscored the paramount importance of ritual purification in Old Covenant worship. The multiplicity of lavers indicates the extensive and ongoing need for cleansing in the daily sacrificial routines, while the Molten Sea served as the central, monumental basin for priestly ablutions. This emphasis on outward washing physically depicted the internal holiness and separation from sin required to approach God. It foreshadows the spiritual cleansing offered through Christ, who cleanses His people by His blood and the washing of regeneration by the Spirit, providing a genuine and internal purity not possible through ceremonial rites alone.