King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea [was set] above upon them, and all their hinder parts [were] inward.
Complete Jewish Bible:
It rested on twelve oxen, three looking north, three looking west, three looking south and three looking east, all with their hindquarters toward the center. The Sea was set on top of them.
Berean Standard Bible:
The Sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested on them, with all their hindquarters toward the center.
American Standard Version:
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set upon them above, and all their hinder parts were inward.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
It stood{H5975} upon twelve{H8147}{H6240} oxen{H1241}, three{H7969} looking{H6437} toward the north{H6828}, and three{H7969} looking{H6437} toward the west{H3220}, and three{H7969} looking{H6437} toward the south{H5045}, and three{H7969} looking{H6437} toward the east{H4217}: and the sea{H3220} was set above{H4605} upon them, and all their hinder parts{H268} were inward{H1004}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 52:20
- The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brasen bulls that [were] under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.
2 Chronicles 4:4
- It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea [was set] above upon them, and all their hinder parts [were] inward.
2 Chronicles 4:5
- And the thickness of it [was] an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; [and] it received and held three thousand baths.
1 Corinthians 9:9
- For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?
Revelation 4:6
- And before the throne [there was] a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, [were] four beasts full of eyes before and behind.
Revelation 4:7
- And the first beast [was] like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast [was] like a flying eagle.
Mark 16:15
- And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 7:25
1 Kings 7:25 describes a specific detail of the construction of the temple in Jerusalem during the reign of King Solomon. The verse is part of a larger passage detailing the furnishings and decorations of the temple, which was known for its grandeur and opulence. The "sea" mentioned in the verse refers to a large bronze basin, also called the Molten Sea, which was used for the priests' ceremonial washings. This basin was an impressive artistic and engineering feat of the time, being circular and holding approximately 12,000 gallons (45,000 liters) of water.
The verse highlights the basin's support system, which consisted of twelve bronze oxen, arranged in four groups of three, each group facing one of the cardinal directions—north, west, south, and east. This arrangement likely symbolized the completeness or all-encompassing nature of God's creation, with the oxen representing strength and service, and the four directions representing the whole world. The detail that "all their hinder parts were inward" suggests that the oxen were positioned with their hindquarters facing the center of the basin, where the weight of the water would be concentrated. This would not only have been an artistic choice but also a practical one, ensuring the structural integrity of the basin by placing the support where the outward pressure was greatest.
Historically, this verse reflects the wealth and international connections of Solomon's kingdom, as the construction of the temple would have required skilled craftsmen and large quantities of precious materials. The detailed description of the temple's features also serves to underscore the magnificence of Solomon's reign and the central role of the temple in the religious life of ancient Israel. Theologically, the temple and its furnishings, including the Molten Sea, were meant to reflect the glory of God and His presence among His people. The sea, in particular, would have been a reminder of the waters of creation, the crossing of the Red Sea during the Exodus, and the waters of baptism and cleansing.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. - Strong's Number: H8147
There are 647 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁנַיִם
Transliteration: shᵉnayim
Pronunciation: shen-ah'-yim
Description: dual of שֵׁנִי; feminine שְׁתַּיִם; two; also (as ordinal) twofold; both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. - Strong's Number: H6240
There are 292 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָשָׂר
Transliteration: ʻâsâr
Pronunciation: aw-sawr'
Description: for עֶשֶׂר; ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth; (eigh-, fif-, four-, nine-, seven-, six-, thir-) teen(-th), [phrase] eleven(-th), [phrase] sixscore thousand, [phrase] twelve(-th). - Strong's Number: H1241
There are 172 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בָּקָר
Transliteration: bâqâr
Pronunciation: baw-kawr'
Description: from בָּקַר; beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd; beeve, bull ([phrase] -ock), [phrase] calf, [phrase] cow, great (cattle), [phrase] heifer, herd, kine, ox. - Strong's Number: H7969
There are 381 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלוֹשׁ
Transliteration: shâlôwsh
Pronunciation: shaw-loshe'
Description: or שָׁלֹשׁ; masculine שְׁלוֹשָׁה; or שְׁלֹשָׁה; a primitive number; three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice; [phrase] fork, [phrase] often(-times), third, thir(-teen, -teenth), three, [phrase] thrice. Compare שָׁלִישׁ. - Strong's Number: H6437
There are 128 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנָה
Transliteration: pânâh
Pronunciation: paw-naw'
Description: a primitive root; to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.; appear, at (even-) tide, behold, cast out, come on, [idiom] corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), [idiom] right (early). - Strong's Number: H6828
There are 141 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צָפוֹן
Transliteration: tsâphôwn
Pronunciation: tsaw-fone'
Description: or צָפֹן; from צָפַן; properly, hidden, i.e. dark; used only of the north as aquarter (gloomy and unknown); north(-ern, side, -ward, wind). - Strong's Number: H3220
There are 339 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יָם
Transliteration: yâm
Pronunciation: yawm
Description: from an unused root meaning to roar; a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the Mediterranean Sea; sometimes a large river, or an artifical basin; locally, the west, or (rarely) the south; sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H5045
There are 98 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נֶגֶב
Transliteration: negeb
Pronunciation: neh'-gheb
Description: from an unused root meaning to be parched; the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah, occasionally, Egypt (as south to Palestine); south (country, side, -ward). - Strong's Number: H4217
There are 71 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִזְרָח
Transliteration: mizrâch
Pronunciation: miz-rawkh'
Description: from זָרַח; sunrise, i.e. the east; east (side, -ward), (sun-) rising (of the sun). - Strong's Number: H4605
There are 134 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעַל
Transliteration: maʻal
Pronunciation: mah'al
Description: from עָלָה; properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc.; above, exceeding(-ly), forward, on ([idiom] very) high, over, up(-on, -ward), very. - Strong's Number: H268
There are 102 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָחוֹר
Transliteration: ʼâchôwr
Pronunciation: aw-khore'
Description: or (shortened) אָחֹר ; from אֲחִירַע; the hinder part; hence (adverb) behind, backward; also (as facing north) the West; after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-) hind(-er part), time to come, without. - Strong's Number: H1004
There are 1718 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בַּיִת
Transliteration: bayith
Pronunciation: bah'-yith
Description: probably from בָּנָה abbreviated; a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out).