Hiram’s Work in the Temple

13 Now (A)King Solomon sent word and had Hiram brought from Tyre. 14 (B)He was a widow’s son from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, an artisan in bronze; and (C)he was filled with wisdom, skill, and knowledge for doing any work in bronze. So he came to King Solomon and (D)performed all his work.

15 He fashioned (E)the two pillars of bronze; [a](F)eighteen cubits was the height of [b]each pillar, and a line of [c]twelve cubits [d]measured the circumference of both. 16 He also made two capitals of cast bronze to put on the tops of the pillars; the height of the one capital was [e]five cubits and the height of the other capital was [f]five cubits. 17 There were lattices of latticework and wreaths of chainwork for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital and seven for the other capital. 18 So he made the pillars, and two rows around on the one lattice to cover the capitals which were on the top of the pomegranates; and so he did for the other capital. 19 The capitals which were on the tops of the pillars in the porch were of lily design, four cubits. 20 So there were capitals on the two pillars, also above and close to the [g]rounded projection which was beside the lattice; and (G)the pomegranates totaled two hundred in rows around [h]both capitals. 21 (H)And he set up the pillars at the (I)porch of the [i]main room: he set up the right pillar and named it [j]Jachin, and he set up the left pillar and named it [k]Boaz. 22 On the top of the pillars was the lily design. So the work of the pillars was finished.

23 (J)He also he made the [l]Sea of (K)cast metal [m]ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in shape, and its height was five cubits, and [n]it was [o]thirty cubits in circumference. 24 Under its brim (L)gourds went around encircling it ten to a cubit, (M)completely surrounding the Sea; the gourds were in two rows, cast [p]with the rest. 25 (N)It was standing on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east; and the Sea was set on top of them, and all their rear parts turned inward. 26 And it was a [q]hand width thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom; it could hold [r]two thousand baths.

27 Then (O)he made the ten stands of bronze; the length of each stand was [s]four cubits, its width four cubits, and its height was three cubits. 28 This was the design of the stands: they had borders, that is, borders between the crossbars, 29 and on the borders which were between the crossbars were lions, oxen, and cherubim; and on the crossbars there was a pedestal above, and beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work. 30 Now each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles, and its four feet had supports; beneath the basin were cast supports with wreaths at each side. 31 And its opening inside the crown at the top was a [t]cubit, and its opening was round like the design of a pedestal, a cubit and a half; and on its opening also there were engravings, and their borders were square, not round. 32 The four wheels were underneath the borders, and the axles of the wheels were on the stand. And the height of a wheel was a cubit and a half. 33 The workmanship of the wheels was like the workmanship of a chariot wheel. Their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all cast. 34 Now there were four supports at the four corners of each stand; its supports were part of the stand itself. 35 And on the top of the stand there was a circular form [u]half a cubit high, and on the top of the stand its [v]stays and its borders were part of it. 36 And he engraved on the plates of its stays and on its borders cherubim, lions, and palm trees, as there was clear space on each, with wreaths all around. 37 (P)He made the ten stands like this: all of them had the [w]same casting, [x]same measure, and [y]same form.

38 (Q)And he made ten basins of bronze, [z]each holding [aa]forty baths; each basin was [ab]four cubits, and on each of the ten stands was one basin. 39 Then he placed the stands, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house; and he set the [ac]Sea of cast metal on the right side of the house eastward toward the south.

40 Now Hiram made the basins and the shovels and the bowls. So Hiram finished doing all the work which he performed for King Solomon in the house of the Lord: 41 the two pillars and the two bowls of the capitals which were on the top of the (R)two pillars, and the two lattices to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were on the top of the pillars; 42 and the (S)four hundred pomegranates for the two lattices, two rows of pomegranates for each lattice to cover the two bowls of the capitals which were on the tops of the pillars; 43 and the ten stands with the ten basins on the stands; 44 and (T)the one [ad]Sea and the twelve oxen under the Sea; 45 and (U)the buckets, the shovels, and the bowls; indeed, all these utensils which Hiram made for King Solomon in the house of the Lord were of polished bronze. 46 (V)The king had them cast in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between (W)Succoth and (X)Zarethan. 47 However, Solomon left all the utensils unweighed, because they were too many; (Y)the weight of the bronze could not be determined.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 7:15 About 27 ft. or 8 m
  2. 1 Kings 7:15 Lit the one
  3. 1 Kings 7:15 About 18 ft. or 5.5 m
  4. 1 Kings 7:15 Lit went around the other pillar
  5. 1 Kings 7:16 About 7.5 ft. or 2.3 m
  6. 1 Kings 7:16 About 7.5 ft. or 2.3 m
  7. 1 Kings 7:20 Lit belly
  8. 1 Kings 7:20 Lit on the other capital
  9. 1 Kings 7:21 Lit sanctuary
  10. 1 Kings 7:21 I.e., he shall establish
  11. 1 Kings 7:21 I.e., in it is strength
  12. 1 Kings 7:23 I.e., large basin
  13. 1 Kings 7:23 About 15 ft. in diameter and 7.5 ft. high or 4.6 m and 2.3 m high
  14. 1 Kings 7:23 Lit a line of 30 cubits went around it all around;
  15. 1 Kings 7:23 About 45 ft. or 14 m
  16. 1 Kings 7:24 Lit in its casting
  17. 1 Kings 7:26 About 3 in. or 7.6 cm
  18. 1 Kings 7:26 About 12,000 gallons or 45,424 liters
  19. 1 Kings 7:27 About 6 ft. long and wide and 4.5 ft. high or 1.8 m and 1.4 m
  20. 1 Kings 7:31 About 18 in. or 45 cm
  21. 1 Kings 7:35 About 9 in. or 23 cm
  22. 1 Kings 7:35 Lit hands
  23. 1 Kings 7:37 Lit one
  24. 1 Kings 7:37 Lit one
  25. 1 Kings 7:37 Lit one
  26. 1 Kings 7:38 Lit the one basin held
  27. 1 Kings 7:38 About 240 gallons or 908 liters
  28. 1 Kings 7:38 About 6 ft. or 1.8 m
  29. 1 Kings 7:39 I.e., large basin
  30. 1 Kings 7:44 I.e., large basin

Contributions by Hiram the Bronzeworker(A)

13 King Solomon sent for Hiram[a] from Tyre, 14 the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, whose father was from Tyre. A bronze worker, he was wise, knowledgeable, and was skilled in all sorts of bronze working. He went to King Solomon and did all of his work.

15 He fashioned two bronze pillars, each one eighteen cubits[b] high, with a circumference of twelve cubits.[c] 16 He also crafted two capitals of cast bronze and set them on top of the pillars. The height of one capital was five cubits,[d] and the height of the other capital was five cubits.[e] 17 A network of latticework on top of the pillars was inlaid with ornamental wreaths and chains, the top of each pillar containing seven groups of ornamental structures. 18 The pillars contained two rows of ornaments shaped like pomegranates around the latticework covering the top of each pillar. 19 The capitals on top of each pillar above the rounded latticework contained four cubits[f] of lily designs, 20 with the capitals on the two pillars covered by 200 pomegranates in rows around both the capitals above and adjoining the rounded latticework. 21 That’s how he designed the pillars at the portico of the sanctuary. When he set up the right pillar, he named it Jachin.[g] When he set up the left pillar, he named it Boaz.[h] 22 The work on the pillars was finished with a lily design on top of the pillars.

The Bronze Sea

23 Hiram[i] also made a sea of cast metal ten cubits[j] from brim to brim, circular in shape and five cubits[k] and 30 cubits[l] in its inner circumference. 24 Under the brim, completely encircling it, were two rows of gourds inlaid as part of the original casting, ten to a cubit.[m] 25 The sea stood on top of twelve oxen. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east. The sea was set on top of them, and their hind parts faced the center.[n] 26 The reservoir, which held about 2,000 baths,[o] stood about a handbreadth[p] thick, and its rim looked like the brim of a cup or of a lily blossom.

The Ten Water Carts

27 Hiram[q] also made ten bronze water carts.[r] Each one was four cubits[s] wide, four cubits long,[t] and three cubits[u] high. 28 The carts were designed with borders between cross-pieces, 29 and on the borders between the cross-pieces were lions, oxen, and cherubim. A pedestal was placed above the cross-pieces, and beneath the lions and oxen there were wreaths hanging down. 30 Each cart had four bronze wheels equipped with bronze axles with four support feet. Beneath the basin were cast support structures made like wreaths on each side. 31 The opening to each water cart inside the crown on top was one cubit[v] wide, with engravings on the opening. The borders to the frames surrounding the opening were square, not round. 32 The four wheels were placed underneath the borders, and the axles for the wheels were on the stand. Each wheel stood one and a half cubits[w] high. 33 The wheels resembled those of a chariot, with their axles, rims, spokes, and hubs made of cast bronze. 34 Four supports stood at the four corners of each cart, built into the carts themselves. 35 On top of each stand was a circular structure one half of one cubit[x] high, with its braces and support frames integral with it, forming a single piece. 36 Hiram[y] engraved ornamental cherubim, lions, and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and frames wherever there was space to do so, and encircled the artwork with wreaths. 37 He made ten identical water carts by using the same plans, castings, and shapes for all of them.

The Other Bronze Implements

38 Hiram[z] also fashioned ten bronze basins, each holding about 40 baths,[aa] each basin measuring four cubits[ab] in diameter,[ac] with one basin for each stand. 39 He set five of the stands on the right side of the Temple and five on the left side of the Temple. He set the bronze sea on the right side of the Temple eastward facing the south. 40 Hiram also made the basins, shovels, and bowls to complete the work that he performed for King Solomon in the Lord’s Temple, 41 including the two pillars and the bowls for the capitals that stood on top of the two pillars, along with the two lattices that covered the two bowls of the capitals that stood on top of the pillars, 42 plus the 400 pomegranates for the two lattices (that is, the two rows of pomegranates for each lattice to cover the two bowls of the capitals that stood on top of the pillars), 43 the ten stands with the ten basins on the stands, 44 the single bronze[ad] sea and the twelve oxen that stood under the sea, 45 and the pots, shovels, and bowls—all of these utensils that Hiram made for King Solomon for the Lord’s Temple were made from polished bronze.

46 The king had them cast in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan in the Jordan plain. 47 Solomon never inventoried the weight of the bronze used, because there were too many utensils, so the weight of the bronze used was never ascertained.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 7:13 2Chr 2:13 identifies the man as Hiram-abi
  2. 1 Kings 7:15 I.e. about 27 feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  3. 1 Kings 7:15 I.e. about 18 feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  4. 1 Kings 7:16 I.e. about seven and a half feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  5. 1 Kings 7:16 I.e. about seven and a half feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  6. 1 Kings 7:19 I.e. about six feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  7. 1 Kings 7:21 The name means He Established
  8. 1 Kings 7:21 The name means In Strength
  9. 1 Kings 7:23 Lit. He
  10. 1 Kings 7:23 I.e. about fifteen feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  11. 1 Kings 7:23 I.e. about seven and a half feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  12. 1 Kings 7:23 I.e. 45 feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  13. 1 Kings 7:24 I.e. ten in each one and a half feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  14. 1 Kings 7:25 Lit. were inward
  15. 1 Kings 7:26 I.e. about 12,000 gallons; Cf. 2Chron 4:52, where the volume is given at 3,000 baths
  16. 1 Kings 7:26 I.e. about three inches; a handbreadth was about one sixth of a cubit
  17. 1 Kings 7:27 Lit. He
  18. 1 Kings 7:27 Or stands, and so throughout this paragraph
  19. 1 Kings 7:27 I.e. about six feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  20. 1 Kings 7:27 I.e. about six feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  21. 1 Kings 7:27 I.e. about four and a half feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  22. 1 Kings 7:31 I.e. about one and a half feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  23. 1 Kings 7:32 I.e. about 27 inches; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  24. 1 Kings 7:35 I.e. about 9 inches; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  25. 1 Kings 7:36 Lit. He
  26. 1 Kings 7:38 Lit. He
  27. 1 Kings 7:38 I.e. about 240 gallons; a bath held about six gallons
  28. 1 Kings 7:38 I.e. about six feet; a cubit was about eighteen inches
  29. 1 Kings 7:38 The Heb. lacks in diameter
  30. 1 Kings 7:44 The Heb. lacks bronze

The Temple’s Furnishings(A)(B)

13 King Solomon sent to Tyre and brought Huram,[a](C) 14 whose mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali and whose father was from Tyre and a skilled craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom,(D) with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all(E) the work assigned to him.

15 He cast two bronze pillars,(F) each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference.[b] 16 He also made two capitals(G) of cast bronze to set on the tops of the pillars; each capital was five cubits[c] high. 17 A network of interwoven chains adorned the capitals on top of the pillars, seven for each capital. 18 He made pomegranates in two rows[d] encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars.[e] He did the same for each capital. 19 The capitals on top of the pillars in the portico were in the shape of lilies, four cubits[f] high. 20 On the capitals of both pillars, above the bowl-shaped part next to the network, were the two hundred pomegranates(H) in rows all around. 21 He erected the pillars at the portico of the temple. The pillar to the south he named Jakin[g] and the one to the north Boaz.[h](I) 22 The capitals on top were in the shape of lilies. And so the work on the pillars(J) was completed.

23 He made the Sea(K) of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line(L) of thirty cubits[i] to measure around it. 24 Below the rim, gourds encircled it—ten to a cubit. The gourds were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea.

25 The Sea stood on twelve bulls,(M) three facing north, three facing west, three facing south and three facing east. The Sea rested on top of them, and their hindquarters were toward the center. 26 It was a handbreadth[j] in thickness, and its rim was like the rim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It held two thousand baths.[k]

27 He also made ten movable stands(N) of bronze; each was four cubits long, four wide and three high.[l] 28 This is how the stands were made: They had side panels attached to uprights. 29 On the panels between the uprights were lions, bulls and cherubim—and on the uprights as well. Above and below the lions and bulls were wreaths of hammered work. 30 Each stand(O) had four bronze wheels with bronze axles, and each had a basin resting on four supports, cast with wreaths on each side. 31 On the inside of the stand there was an opening that had a circular frame one cubit[m] deep. This opening was round, and with its basework it measured a cubit and a half.[n] Around its opening there was engraving. The panels of the stands were square, not round. 32 The four wheels were under the panels, and the axles of the wheels were attached to the stand. The diameter of each wheel was a cubit and a half. 33 The wheels were made like chariot wheels; the axles, rims, spokes and hubs were all of cast metal.

34 Each stand had four handles, one on each corner, projecting from the stand. 35 At the top of the stand there was a circular band half a cubit[o] deep. The supports and panels were attached to the top of the stand. 36 He engraved cherubim, lions and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and on the panels, in every available space, with wreaths all around. 37 This is the way he made the ten stands. They were all cast in the same molds and were identical in size and shape.

38 He then made ten bronze basins,(P) each holding forty baths[p] and measuring four cubits across, one basin to go on each of the ten stands. 39 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. 40 He also made the pots[q] and shovels and sprinkling bowls.(Q)

So Huram finished all the work he had undertaken for King Solomon in the temple of the Lord:

41 the two pillars;

the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars;

the two sets of network decorating the two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the pillars;

42 the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network decorating the bowl-shaped capitals(R) on top of the pillars);

43 the ten stands with their ten basins;

44 the Sea and the twelve bulls under it;

45 the pots, shovels and sprinkling bowls.(S)

All these objects that Huram(T) made for King Solomon for the temple of the Lord were of burnished bronze. 46 The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain(U) of the Jordan between Sukkoth(V) and Zarethan.(W) 47 Solomon left all these things unweighed,(X) because there were so many;(Y) the weight of the bronze(Z) was not determined.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 7:13 Hebrew Hiram, a variant of Huram; also in verses 40 and 45
  2. 1 Kings 7:15 That is, about 27 feet high and 18 feet in circumference or about 8.1 meters high and 5.4 meters in circumference
  3. 1 Kings 7:16 That is, about 7 1/2 feet or about 2.3 meters; also in verse 23
  4. 1 Kings 7:18 Two Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; most Hebrew manuscripts made the pillars, and there were two rows
  5. 1 Kings 7:18 Many Hebrew manuscripts and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts pomegranates
  6. 1 Kings 7:19 That is, about 6 feet or about 1.8 meters; also in verse 38
  7. 1 Kings 7:21 Jakin probably means he establishes.
  8. 1 Kings 7:21 Boaz probably means in him is strength.
  9. 1 Kings 7:23 That is, about 45 feet or about 14 meters
  10. 1 Kings 7:26 That is, about 3 inches or about 7.5 centimeters
  11. 1 Kings 7:26 That is, about 12,000 gallons or about 44,000 liters; the Septuagint does not have this sentence.
  12. 1 Kings 7:27 That is, about 6 feet long and wide and about 4 1/2 feet high or about 1.8 meters long and wide and 1.4 meters high
  13. 1 Kings 7:31 That is, about 18 inches or about 45 centimeters
  14. 1 Kings 7:31 That is, about 2 1/4 feet or about 68 centimeters; also in verse 32
  15. 1 Kings 7:35 That is, about 9 inches or about 23 centimeters
  16. 1 Kings 7:38 That is, about 240 gallons or about 880 liters
  17. 1 Kings 7:40 Many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint, Syriac and Vulgate (see also verse 45 and 2 Chron. 4:11); many other Hebrew manuscripts basins