King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
And on the borders that [were] between the ledges [were] lions, oxen, and cherubims: and upon the ledges [there was] a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen [were] certain additions made of thin work.
Complete Jewish Bible:
and on the panels between the corner-posts were lions, oxen and k'ruvim. The corner-posts above were similarly designed. Below the lions and oxen were wreaths of hammered work.
Berean Standard Bible:
and on the panels between the uprights were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the uprights was a pedestal above, and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of beveled work.
American Standard Version:
and on the panels that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubim; and upon the ledges there was a pedestal above; and beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
And on the borders{H4526} that were between the ledges{H7948} were lions{H738}, oxen{H1241}, and cherubims{H3742}: and upon the ledges{H7948} there was a base{H3653} above{H4605}: and beneath the lions{H738} and oxen{H1241} were certain additions{H3914} made of thin{H4174} work{H4639}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Hebrews 9:5
- And over it the cherubims of glory shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly.
Ezekiel 41:18
- And [it was] made with cherubims and palm trees, so that a palm tree [was] between a cherub and a cherub; and [every] cherub had two faces;
Ezekiel 41:19
- So that the face of a man [was] toward the palm tree on the one side, and the face of a young lion toward the palm tree on the other side: [it was] made through all the house round about.
Ezekiel 1:10
- As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.
Hosea 5:14
- For I [will be] unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, [even] I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue [him].
1 Kings 7:25
- 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.
1 Peter 2:5
- Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 7:29
1 Kings 7:29 is a verse that describes the ornate details of the temple built by King Solomon in Jerusalem, which is one of the most significant structures in the Hebrew Bible. The verse is part of a larger passage that elaborates on the construction and furnishings of the temple, emphasizing its grandeur and the intricate craftsmanship involved.
In the specific context of verse 29, the text refers to the elaborate decorations on the "borders between the ledges" of the temple's vessels, particularly the molten sea—a large bronze basin used for the priests' ritual purification. The borders are adorned with sculpted figures of lions, oxen, and cherubim, which are recurring motifs in ancient Near Eastern art and symbolize strength, service, and protection. These creatures are also significant in biblical symbolism, with lions often representing power and courage, oxen symbolizing sacrifice and service, and cherubim being associated with the divine presence and protection.
The verse also mentions "a base above" the ledges, indicating that these decorative elements were not merely at ground level but were also elevated, adding to the visual impact of the temple's design. Additionally, "certain additions made of thin work" beneath the figures suggest that there were delicate, possibly filigree-like embellishments, further highlighting the skill of the artisans and the lavishness of the temple's construction.
Historically, this verse reflects the wealth and international influence of Solomon's reign, as the construction of the temple would have required the expertise of skilled craftsmen, such as Hiram from Tyre, who is mentioned earlier in the chapter. The detailed description of the temple's artistry also underscores the importance of the temple as a dwelling place for God and a center of worship for the Israelite people, showcasing the nation's dedication to their religious practices and the splendor of their sacred spaces.
*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: H4526
There are 14 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מִסְגֶּרֶת
Transliteration: miçgereth
Pronunciation: mis-gheh'-reth
Description: from סָגַר; something enclosing, i.e. a margin (of a region, of a panel); concretely, a stronghold; border, close place, hole. - Strong's Number: H7948
There are 2 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שָׁלָב
Transliteration: shâlâb
Pronunciation: shaw-lawb'
Description: from שָׁלַב; a spacer or raised interval, i.e. the stile in aframe or panel; ledge. - Strong's Number: H738
There are 184 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֲרִי
Transliteration: ʼărîy
Pronunciation: ar-ee'
Description: or (prolonged) [ar-yay']; from אָרָה (in the sense of violence); a lion; (young) lion, [phrase] pierce (from the margin). - 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: H3742
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כְּרוּב
Transliteration: kᵉrûwb
Pronunciation: ker-oob'
Description: of uncertain derivation; a cherub or imaginary figure; cherub, (plural) cherubims. - Strong's Number: H3653
There are 17 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כֵּן
Transliteration: kên
Pronunciation: kane
Description: the same as כֵּן, used as a noun; a stand, i.e. pedestal or station; base, estate, foot, office, place, well. - 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: H3914
There are 3 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֹיָה
Transliteration: lôyâh
Pronunciation: lo-yaw'
Description: a form of לִוְיָה; a wreath; addition. - Strong's Number: H4174
There are 5 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מוֹרָד
Transliteration: môwrâd
Pronunciation: mo-rawd'
Description: from יָרַד; a descent; as architecture, an ornamental appendage, perhaps a festoon; going down, steep place, thin work. - Strong's Number: H4639
There are 221 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מַעֲשֶׂה
Transliteration: maʻăseh
Pronunciation: mah-as-eh'
Description: from עָשָׂה; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property; act, art, [phrase] bakemeat, business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, [idiom] well, (handy-, needle-, net-) work(ing, -manship), wrought.