12 To wit, the two H8147 pillars, H5982 and the pommels, H1543 and the chapiters H3805 which were on the top H7218 of the two pillars, H5982 and the two H8147 wreaths H7639 to cover H3680 the two H8147 pommels H1543 of the chapiters H3805 which were on the top H7218 of the pillars; H5982
13 And four H702 hundred H3967 pomegranates H7416 on the two H8147 wreaths; H7639 two H8147 rows H2905 of pomegranates H7416 on each H259 wreath, H7639 to cover H3680 the two H8147 pommels H1543 of the chapiters H3805 which were upon H6440 the pillars. H5982
14 He made H6213 also bases, H4350 and lavers H3595 made H6213 he upon the bases; H4350
15 One H259 sea, H3220 and twelve H8147 H6240 oxen H1241 under it.
16 The pots H5518 also, and the shovels, H3257 and the fleshhooks, H4207 and all their instruments, H3627 did Huram H2361 his father H1 make H6213 to king H4428 Solomon H8010 for the house H1004 of the LORD H3068 of bright H4838 brass. H5178
17 In the plain H3603 of Jordan H3383 did the king H4428 cast H3332 them, in the clay H5645 ground H127 between Succoth H5523 and Zeredathah. H6868
18 Thus Solomon H8010 made H6213 all these vessels H3627 in great H3966 abundance: H7230 for the weight H4948 of the brass H5178 could not be found out. H2713
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on 2 Chronicles 4
Commentary on 2 Chronicles 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 4
2Ch 4:1. Altar of Brass.
1. he made an altar of brass—Steps must have been necessary for ascending so elevated an altar, but the use of these could be no longer forbidden (Ex 20:26) after the introduction of an official costume for the priests (Ex 28:42). It measured thirty-five feet by thirty-five, and in height seventeen and a half feet. The thickness of the metal used for this altar is nowhere given; but supposing it to have been three inches, the whole weight of the metal would not be under two hundred tons [Napier].
2Ch 4:2-5. Molten Sea.
2. he made a molten sea—(See on 1Ki 7:23), as in that passage "knops" occur instead of "oxen." It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads.
3. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast—The meaning is, that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece, being cast in one and the same mould. There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin, for while in 1Ki 7:26 it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it, in this passage no less than three thousand are stated. It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water which the basin held, but that also which was necessary to work it, to keep it flowing as a fountain; that which was required to fill both it and its accompaniments. In support of this view, it may be remarked that different words are employed: the one in 1Ki 7:26 rendered contained; the two here rendered, received and held. There was a difference between receiving and holding. When the basin played as a fountain, and all its parts were filled for that purpose, the latter, together with the sea itself, received three thousand baths; but the sea exclusively held only two thousand baths, when its contents were restricted to those of the circular basin. It received and held three thousand baths [Calmet, Fragments].
2Ch 4:6-18. The Ten Lavers, Candlesticks, and Tables.
6. ten lavers—(See on 1Ki 7:27). The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed. The ten new ones were placed between the porch and the altar, and while the molten sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet, these were intended for washing the sacrifices.
7. ten candlesticks—(See on 1Ki 7:49). The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic splendor of the edifice, but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews, that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the growing darkness in the world [Lightfoot].
11. Huram made—(See on 1Ki 7:40).