1 Kings 7 44

1 Kings 7:44 kjv

And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea;

1 Kings 7:44 nkjv

one Sea, and twelve oxen under the Sea;

1 Kings 7:44 niv

the Sea and the twelve bulls under it;

1 Kings 7:44 esv

and the one sea, and the twelve oxen underneath the sea.

1 Kings 7:44 nlt

the Sea and the twelve oxen under it;

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 44 Meaning

1 Kings 7:44 describes the specific placement and identity of the main bronze implements within the Solomonic Temple complex. It details the ten movable stands designed to hold lavers for cleansing rituals, with five positioned on the southern (right) side and five on the northern (left) side of the main temple building. Additionally, it mentions the immense bronze "Sea," a massive basin also designated for the south (right) side. This verse highlights the functional elements necessary for the priests' purification and the intricate order established for worship in God's dwelling place.

1 Kings 7 44 Context

1 Kings 7:44 is part of a detailed architectural and furnishing description of Solomon's Temple, specifically within the section (1 Kings 7:13-51) that focuses on the work of Hiram, a skilled bronze worker from Tyre. This chapter immediately follows the construction of the Temple building itself (chapter 6). The precise detailing of items like the bronze Sea, the ten bronze stands, and lavers, indicates the significant ritual function and aesthetic importance of these objects. They were not merely decorative but instrumental in the priestly rites of washing and purification essential for temple service. Historically, the Temple was the central institution of Israelite worship, embodying God's presence among His people. Its design and furnishing were directly revealed by God to David (1 Chr 28:11-19) and meticulously executed by Solomon, differentiating it from pagan temples that often focused on idols. The purity requirements inherent in the cleansing vessels served as a polemic against common pagan practices that lacked moral or ritual purity standards for approaching their deities.

1 Kings 7 44 Word analysis

• ten (Heb. עֶ֫שֶׂר - ʿeśer): A specific numerical designation emphasizing exactness and completeness. In the context of the Temple, numbers often held symbolic significance, reflecting divine order and precision in worship. The fact that there were ten indicates a provision for efficient and systematic purification throughout the large temple court.

• stands (Heb. מְכֹנ֫וֹת - mekhōnot): These were intricate bronze bases designed to hold the bronze lavers (v. 38), which were filled with water for the priests' ritual washings. Their detailed description in 1 Kgs 7:27-37 highlights their elaborate craftsmanship, decorated with lions, oxen, cherubim, and pomegranates, demonstrating both artistic excellence and theological symbolism related to power, sacrifice, heavenly beings, and fruitfulness. Their portability ("wheels" v. 30) allowed flexibility in service.

• five on the right side: Refers to the south side of the Temple building. In Hebrew orientation, facing east (the temple's primary entrance), the south is to one's right. This precise spatial arrangement underscores the divine order and deliberate layout of the sacred space.

• and five on the left side: Refers to the north side of the Temple building, opposite the "right" or south side. This symmetrical placement ensured accessibility for purification across the large courtyard, demonstrating the expansive nature of the cleansing required for service.

• of the house: Refers specifically to the Temple building itself, implying that the stands and their lavers were positioned in the Temple court immediately adjacent to the main structure. This proximity ensured priests could cleanse themselves before entering the inner sanctuary or performing altar duties.

• and the great sea: (Heb. הַיָּם - hayyām). Not a natural body of water but a massive, circular bronze basin, estimated at about 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet deep, resting on twelve bronze oxen (1 Kgs 7:23-25). It served as the primary reservoir for water used by the priests for washing, a larger source than the ten lavers. Its enormous size underscored the magnitude of cleansing needed for an entire priesthood and the grandeur of God's provision. The "Sea" symbolizes abundance, God's limitless provision for purification, and the profound depth of cleansing required for His service.

• upon the right side: Also specifies the south side of the Temple. 1 Kings 7:39 adds further precision by stating it was "on the southeast side," suggesting a prominent location for this monumental vessel. Its placement on the side likely connected it functionally and symbolically to other sacred furniture or flow of rituals.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "Ten stands, five on the right side and five on the left side of the house": This phrase details the functional furniture and their symmetrical, ordered placement around the Temple building. It indicates careful planning and an abundance of provision for ritual washing, symbolizing the widespread need for purification among the priesthood to maintain holiness in God's presence.
  • "and the great sea upon the right side": This part introduces the singular, massive cleansing basin and specifies its position. The presence of the colossal "Sea" alongside the ten smaller lavers provided for both extensive washing for the entire body (for the Sea) and precise, specific cleansing (for the lavers). It signifies the magnitude of God's provision for spiritual and ritual cleansing necessary for those ministering in His holy sanctuary. The meticulous placement of all these elements reflects God's desire for order, precision, and sanctification in worship.

1 Kings 7 44 Bonus section

The bronze material of these implements (stands and the Sea) speaks to their durability and the significant effort and resources invested in their creation. Bronze, often used for altars and large vessels in the Tabernacle (Exod 27:2; 38:8), symbolizes strength and purification through judgment (as it's often associated with fiery judgment or atonement, though here used for washing). The extensive descriptions of Hiram's bronze work throughout 1 Kings 7 emphasize the incredible craftsmanship and wealth involved, highlighting that no expense was spared in making a dwelling place worthy of the King of kings. This attention to detail reflects divine standards for approaching God's holy presence, where every aspect of service and environment must align with His character of perfection and purity. The Sea, in particular, may have also subtly evoked the "primordial waters" in a symbolic sense, but here its function is purely purificatory for human service within the Temple, underscoring the constant need for divine cleansing to counter human defilement.

1 Kings 7 44 Commentary

1 Kings 7:44 provides a succinct overview of the bronze cleansing apparatus within the Solomonic Temple courtyard. The inclusion of the "ten stands" with their lavers and the "great Sea" underscores the critical role of purification in Old Covenant worship. These objects were not merely utilitarian; their detailed design, construction materials, and precise placement signify God's insistence on holiness and meticulous order in His dwelling place. The abundance of water vessels ensured ample provision for the Levitical priests to wash themselves thoroughly, a prerequisite for their service and a stark reminder that even those ministering directly to God required constant cleansing. Symbolically, these provisions foreshadow the complete and ultimate cleansing offered through Christ, the true "Fountain opened for sin and uncleanness" (Zech 13:1), which perfects and exceeds the temporal and ceremonial washings of the old covenant. The physical preparation for God's presence in the Temple anticipates the spiritual purification necessary to stand before the Living God.