2 Chronicles 4:2 kjv
Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
2 Chronicles 4:2 nkjv
Then he made the Sea of cast bronze, ten cubits from one brim to the other; it was completely round. Its height was five cubits, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.
2 Chronicles 4:2 niv
He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.
2 Chronicles 4:2 esv
Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.
2 Chronicles 4:2 nlt
Then he cast a great round basin, 15 feet across from rim to rim, called the Sea. It was 7 1?2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference.
2 Chronicles 4 2 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 7:23 | And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from brim to brim, round about... | Parallel account of the Molten Sea dimensions. |
| 1 Kgs 7:26 | It contained two thousand baths... | Capacity of the Molten Sea (omitted in 2 Chr). |
| Exod 30:18 | Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass... | Tabernacle's Laver, precursor for priestly washing. |
| Exod 38:8 | And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the looking glasses... | Construction of Tabernacle's Laver from offerings. |
| Lev 8:6 | And Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. | Priestly cleansing as a prerequisite for service. |
| Lev 16:4 | ...he shall wash his flesh in water, and so come in. | Ritual washing for High Priest on Day of Atonement. |
| Ezek 36:25 | Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean... | Symbolic cleansing from sin, spiritual purification. |
| Zech 13:1 | In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David... | Prophetic cleansing from sin, spiritual purification. |
| John 4:14 | But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst... | Jesus as the source of living water for spiritual life. |
| John 7:38 | He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers... | Spirit-given "living water" for spiritual sustenance. |
| Heb 10:22 | Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from... | Cleansing for New Covenant access to God. |
| Titus 3:5 | Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy... | "Washing of regeneration," spiritual new birth. |
| Eph 5:26 | That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word... | Christ's cleansing of the Church by His Word. |
| 1 Pet 3:21 | The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us... | Baptism as a symbolic washing for salvation. |
| Psa 51:2 | Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. | Prayer for inner cleansing from sin. |
| Isa 1:16 | Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes... | Call to ethical and spiritual purification. |
| Psa 46:4 | There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God... | Symbolic water of joy and provision in God's presence. |
| Joel 3:18 | ...and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD... | Prophetic fountain flowing from God's Temple. |
| Rev 22:1 | And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal... | River of life in the New Jerusalem. |
| 1 Cor 6:11 | And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified... | Believers cleansed and sanctified by the Spirit. |
| Zech 14:8 | And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem... | Future outflow of life-giving water from Jerusalem. |
| Jer 2:13 | For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters... | God as the ultimate source of spiritual water. |
2 Chronicles 4 verses
2 Chronicles 4 2 Meaning
2 Chronicles 4:2 describes a significant artifact made for Solomon's Temple: a large bronze basin known as the "Molten Sea." This verse specifies its key dimensions: a diameter of ten cubits (approximately 15 feet or 4.5 meters) from brim to brim, a height of five cubits (approximately 7.5 feet or 2.25 meters), and a circumference of thirty cubits (approximately 45 feet or 13.7 meters). Its round shape is also explicitly noted. This grand vessel served a vital purification role for the priests within the Temple courtyard.
2 Chronicles 4 2 Context
2 Chronicles chapter 4 details the construction of various furnishings for Solomon's Temple, which had just been completed structurally in the previous chapter. Following the altar of burnt offering (v. 1), the molten sea is described as the next significant item within the outer court. This order of description highlights its critical role in the worship system. The "Molten Sea" functioned as a large basin for the priests to wash their hands and feet before performing their sacred duties (2 Chron 4:6), ensuring their ritual purity in the presence of God. It was a more elaborate and immense version of the "laver" that stood in the Tabernacle (Exod 30:18-21), signifying the grander scale and increased ritual requirements of the permanent Temple. Its purpose was entirely practical and ritualistic, preparing the officiants for holy service.
2 Chronicles 4 2 Word analysis
- Also: This transitional word links the description of the Molten Sea to the previously mentioned construction of the altar of burnt offering, indicating a continued list of the Temple's essential furnishings crafted by Solomon and his artisans.
- he made: Refers to Solomon as the orchestrator and patron of the Temple's construction, though the actual craftsman for the bronze work was Huram (or Hiram-Abi, 2 Chron 2:13-14). This emphasizes royal sponsorship of sacred objects.
- a molten sea: In Hebrew, יָם מוּצָק (yam mutsaq).
- Yam (יָם) typically means "sea" or a large body of water. Here, it signifies the immense size and capacity of this basin, resembling a small lake more than a traditional laver.
- Mutsaq (מוּצָק) means "cast" or "molten," indicating it was formed from poured bronze, a complex and advanced metallurgical process for its time. This term emphasizes the costly and durable material. Its purpose was for purification, serving as a symbolic containment of cleansing waters. It also carried a polemical undertone against ancient Near Eastern pagan beliefs that sometimes deified primordial chaotic waters, here subdued and consecrated for divine service.
- of ten cubits: A cubit (אַמָּה - ammah) was an ancient unit of length, roughly the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximating 18-21 inches or 45-53 centimeters. Ten cubits for the diameter thus signifies a substantial breadth of about 15-17.5 feet (4.5-5.3 meters), indicating its immense scale.
- from brim to brim: Specifies that the measurement of ten cubits was the diameter across the top opening of the vessel, accurately defining its width.
- round all about: In Hebrew, עָגֹל סָבִיב (agol saviv), emphasizing its perfectly circular shape. This shape was geometrically harmonious and efficient for its large size, likely holding symbolic significance related to completeness or divine order, contrasting with the four-sided altar.
- and his height was five cubits: This denotes its vertical dimension, roughly 7.5-8.75 feet (2.25-2.65 meters). This height meant that steps or special means were necessary for priests to access the water (implied by the later description of carts for lavers and 1 Kgs 7:26 mentioning "hands' breadth" for the lip).
- and a line of thirty cubits: This is the measurement of the circumference, taken "round about" the vessel. The material used, likely linen, indicated precision in measurement.
- did compass it round about: Confirms the measurement was around the circular perimeter, verifying the stated circumference of thirty cubits. The relationship between the 10-cubit diameter and 30-cubit circumference implies a practical approximation of pi as 3, which was common in ancient engineering and mathematics.
Words-Group Analysis:
- A Molten Sea: This phrase encapsulates the grandeur, material, and purpose of the artifact. It was not merely a basin but a "sea," connoting its vast capacity, essential for the copious water needed for the purification rites of the large priestly cohort in the Temple. Its molten bronze material speaks to the wealth and advanced metallurgy of Solomon's era.
- Dimensions (10 cubits diameter, 5 cubits height, 30 cubits circumference): These specific measurements highlight the precise engineering and craftsmanship involved in constructing such a massive piece. The repetition of measurements in different directions emphasizes the immense scale of this vessel. The disparity in the precise value of Pi (implied 30/10=3, versus true pi ≈ 3.14159) reflects either an ancient engineering approximation or a common textual rounding for ease of understanding, without diminishing the object's sacred or practical utility.
2 Chronicles 4 2 Bonus section
The seemingly imprecise ratio of the Molten Sea's circumference to its diameter (30 cubits / 10 cubits = 3) is noteworthy. Mathematically, the true value of pi is approximately 3.14159. This Biblical measurement should be understood in its ancient context:
- Practical Approximation: It likely represents a practical working dimension or a rounded figure common in ancient Near Eastern engineering, where exact mathematical precision was not always stated or necessary for description. Measurements in antiquity were often approximated.
- Hebrew Numerical Conventions: Hebrew measurements, especially in sacred texts, could convey theological truths rather than purely geometric exactness. The numbers 10 and 30 could have symbolic significance relating to completeness and divine order.
- Construction Method: When constructing a large circular vessel by hand, variations are natural, and quoting an approximate circumference simplifies the description for common understanding.
This massive bronze basin was not a stand-alone feature. It was supported by twelve bronze oxen (2 Chron 4:4), arranged in groups of three facing the cardinal directions, signifying a cosmic breadth of purpose and stability. Its considerable volume and weight underscore the monumental effort involved in its creation and its integral role in the Temple’s daily operations, enabling ritual purity for the service of the King of Kings.
2 Chronicles 4 2 Commentary
2 Chronicles 4:2 succinctly describes the Molten Sea, a colossal bronze basin crucial to the Temple service. More than just a large trough, it was the principal purification facility for priests. Its impressive dimensions – a 10-cubit diameter, 5-cubit height, and 30-cubit circumference – showcase the skilled craftsmanship and significant resources allocated to the Temple's construction under Solomon. Made of bronze (molten for casting), this "sea" represented a magnified version of the Tabernacle's Laver, reflecting the Temple's grander scale and increased ritual needs. Its primary function was to hold water for the numerous priests to wash their hands and feet before performing their duties at the altar or entering the sanctuary, ensuring their ceremonial purity. Symbolically, this vast reservoir of water pointed to the need for thorough cleansing before approaching God's holy presence, a concept echoed in the New Testament with spiritual purification through Christ and baptism.