1Ki 7:15-47 | TSK | e4.org | cast Heb. fashioned two pillars ; ; , ; eighteen cubits That is, nearly thirty feet, English measure. But in the parallel place in Chronicles, these pillars are said to thirty-five cubits high. Tremellius reconciles this difference by observing, that the common cubit was but one-half of the cubit of the sanctuary; so that eighteen of the one would make thirty-six of the other; from which, if we deduct one cubit for the base, there will remain thirty-five. Notwithstanding the names of these pillars, they seem to have supported no part of the building, and appear to have been formed for ornament; and were no doubt also emblematical. The right pillar was called Jachin , which signifies, "He will establish;" while that on the left was named Boaz , "In it is strength." Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillars and cloud of fire, which led Israel through the wilderness; but Henry supposes them designed for memorandums to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door. 1. To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. 2. It was a memorandum to them of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them. When the temple was destroyed, particular notice is taken of the breaking up and carrying away of these brazen pillars, , , which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been still so, if they had not forsaken God.

‏ 1 Kings 7:15-47

cast Heb. fashioned

two pillars 1Kgs 7:21; 2Kgs 25:16-17; 2Chr 3:15-17, 2Chr 4:12-22; Jer 52:21-23

eighteen cubits That is, nearly thirty feet, English measure. But in the parallel place in Chronicles, these pillars are said to thirty-five cubits high. Tremellius reconciles this difference by observing, that the common cubit was but one-half of the cubit of the sanctuary; so that eighteen of the one would make thirty-six of the other; from which, if we deduct one cubit for the base, there will remain thirty-five. Notwithstanding the names of these pillars, they seem to have supported no part of the building, and appear to have been formed for ornament; and were no doubt also emblematical. The right pillar was called Jachin, which signifies, "He will establish;" while that on the left was named Boaz, "In it is strength." Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillars and cloud of fire, which led Israel through the wilderness; but Henry supposes them designed for memorandums to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door.

1. To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises.

2. It was a memorandum to them of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them.

When the temple was destroyed, particular notice is taken of the breaking up and carrying away of these brazen pillars, 2Kgs 25:13, 2Kgs 25:17, which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been still so, if they had not forsaken God.

Exod 36:38, Exod 38:17, Exod 38:19, Exod 38:28; 2Chr 4:12-13

Exod 28:14, Exod 28:22, Exod 28:24-25, Exod 39:15-18; 2Kgs 25:17

lily work 1Kgs 7:22, 1Kgs 6:18, 1Kgs 6:32-35

and the pomegranates 2Kgs 25:17; 2Chr 3:16, 2Chr 4:13; Jer 52:22-23

And he set 2Chr 3:17; Gal 2:9; Rev 3:12

the porch 1Kgs 7:12, 1Kgs 6:3; Ezek 40:48-49

Jachin 2Sam 7:12; Isa 9:7

Boaz Ruth 4:21; Isa 45:24; Matt 16:18

he made Exod 30:18-21, Exod 38:8

a molten sea 2Kgs 25:13; 2Chr 4:2; Jer 52:17, Jer 52:20

the one brim to the other Heb. his brim to his brim

knops 1Kgs 6:18; Exod 25:31-36, Exod 37:17-22

compassing the sea 2Chr 4:3

2Chr 4:4-5; Jer 52:20; Ezek 1:10; Matt 28:19; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47; 1Cor 9:9; Rev 4:6-7

an hand breadth Jer 52:21

with flowers 1Kgs 7:19, 1Kgs 6:18, 1Kgs 6:32, 1Kgs 6:35

it contained This immense laver, called a sea from it magnitude, held, at a moderate computation, 16,000 gallons. Besides this great brazen laver, there were in the temple ten lavers of brass of a less size, which moved on wheels, and were ornamented with the figures of various animals, having, probably, always some relation to the cherubim. These lavers were to hold water for the use of the priests in their sacred office, particularly to wash the victims that were to be offered as a burnt offering, as we learn from 2Chr 4:6; but the brazen sea was for the priests to wash in. The knops are supposed to have been in the form of an ox's head (2Chr 4:3); and some think the water flowed out at their mouths.

two thousand 1Kgs 7:38; 2Chr 4:5; Ezek 45:14

ten bases These highly ornamental bases appear to have been square stands, or immense pedestals, for the purpose of supporting the lavers. 2Kgs 25:13, 2Kgs 25:16; 2Chr 4:14; Jer 52:17, Jer 52:20

bases was on It seems evident that these bases or pedestals rose with steps, and that the ornaments mentioned in the next verse appeared in front, forming so many entablatures. But the description of these bases is very difficult to comprehend: many of the original words are seldom, if at all, used elsewhere; and it would be impossible to give an explanation of each particular, without a labour and prolixity disproportioned to its importance to us. 1Kgs 7:28

lions 1Kgs 7:25, 1Kgs 6:27; Ezek 1:10, Ezek 10:14, Ezek 41:18-19; Hos 5:14; Rev 4:6-7, Rev 5:5

cherubims Gen 3:24; Exod 25:18, Exod 37:7; Heb 9:5

certain additions 1Pet 2:5

wheels Ezek 1:15-21, Ezek 3:13, Ezek 10:10-13

had undersetters It is probable that these undersetters were so many strong legs, somewhat shorter than the wheels, and were intended to prevent the laver from tilting, or falling, in case of any accident.

joined to the base Heb. in the base, 1Kgs 7:32

Ezek 1:16, Ezek 1:18

graved cherubims 1Kgs 7:29, 1Kgs 6:29, 1Kgs 6:32, 1Kgs 6:35; Ezek 40:31, Ezek 40:37, Ezek 41:18-20, Ezek 41:25-26

proportion Heb. nakedness

ten lavers Exod 30:17-21, Exod 30:28, Exod 38:8, Exod 40:11-12; 2Chr 4:6-22; Zech 13:1; Heb 9:10; Heb 10:22; 1John 1:7; Rev 7:14

side Heb. shoulder

he set 2Chr 4:6, 2Chr 4:10

Hiram Heb. Hirom, 1Kgs 7:13

the lavers 1Kgs 7:28; 2Kgs 25:14-15; 2Chr 4:8, 2Chr 4:11-16; Jer 52:18-19

the shovels 1Kgs 7:45

the basins Exod 24:6

So Hiram Exod 39:32-43

two pillars 1Kgs 7:15-22; 2Chr 4:12

two networks 1Kgs 7:17-18

the pillars Heb. the face of the pillars, 1Kgs 7:42

ten bases 1Kgs 7:27-39

one sea 1Kgs 7:23-26

the pots Exod 27:3, Exod 38:3; Lev 8:31; 1Sam 2:13-14; 2Chr 4:16; Ezek 46:20-24; Zech 14:21

bright brass Heb. brass made bright, or scoured

the clay ground Heb. the thickness of the ground

Succoth Gen 33:17

Zarthan Zarthan is supposed to have been situated in the tribe of Manasseh, west of Jordan, near Jezreel and Bethshan or Scythopolis, and not far from the Jordan. Succoth we know was situated east of Jordan, in the tribe of Gad, and according to Jerome, in the district of Scythopolis. Hence the "plain of Jordan," where Hiram cast the brazen vessels, must be the plain in which that river runs, Zarthan and Succoth being probably nearly opposite each other; but whether the precise spot of his operations was on this side or the other side, is uncertain. In this place he found that particular clay that was proper for his purpose; and it being a considerable distance from Jerusalem, that city would not be annoyed by the smoke and noxious vapours necessarily occasioned by the process. 1Kgs 4:12, Zartanah, Josh 3:16, Zaretan, 2Chr 4:17, Zeredathah

because they were exceeding many Heb. for the exceeding multitude, 2Chr 4:18

found out Heb. searched, 1Chr 22:14, 1Chr 22:16