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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Commentary

This verse from 1 Kings 7:25 describes a crucial structural element of the Molten Sea (also known as the Brazen Sea or Bronze Sea), a massive bronze basin located in the courtyard of Solomon's Temple. It details the unique foundation upon which this enormous vessel rested.

Context

The Molten Sea was one of the most prominent and impressive features of King Solomon's Temple, built in Jerusalem. According to 1 Kings 7:23-26 and 2 Chronicles 4:2-5, it was a large, circular basin, approximately 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet deep, holding a vast quantity of water. Its primary purpose was for the priests to wash themselves and their sacrificial instruments, symbolizing the need for ritual purity before performing their duties in the Tabernacle and later the Temple. Verse 25 specifically focuses on the ornate and symbolic base: twelve bronze oxen supporting the massive weight of the basin, strategically arranged in groups of three facing each of the four cardinal directions.

Key Themes

  • Grandeur and Scale of the Temple: The sheer size and intricate design of the Molten Sea, supported by twelve detailed oxen, highlight the immense wealth, skill, and resources dedicated to building God's dwelling place. It reflects the glory and majesty attributed to God.
  • Symbolism of the Twelve Oxen: The twelve oxen are widely understood to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying that the entire nation was symbolically involved in and supported the Temple's worship and the priestly ministry. Their facing the four cardinal directions suggests a comprehensive, universal representation.
  • Purity and Cleansing: Though not directly stated in this verse, the Molten Sea's function was central to the Temple's system of worship. It served as a massive laver for the priests' ritual washing, underscoring the vital importance of purity in approaching a holy God. This foreshadows the spiritual cleansing offered through Christ, as seen in passages like Hebrews 9:14.
  • Order and Precision: The specific arrangement of the oxen—three in each direction, with their hinder parts inward—demonstrates the meticulous planning and divine instruction involved in the Temple's construction, reflecting God's nature as a God of order.

Linguistic Insights

The King James Version uses "the sea" to refer to this large basin. In Hebrew, the word is יָם (yam), which literally means "sea" or "large body of water." Its application here to a man-made basin emphasizes its extraordinary size and capacity, likening it to a natural sea in its vastness, rather than a typical laver or washing basin. The careful description of the oxen's orientation ("three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east") underscores the precise engineering and symbolic intent behind the design.

Practical Application

While the physical Temple and its rituals have been superseded by Christ's ultimate sacrifice, the principles behind the Molten Sea remain relevant. The need for cleansing before approaching God is paramount. For believers today, this points to the spiritual purification available through faith in Jesus Christ, who provides a once-for-all cleansing. We are called to live lives of holiness, reflecting the purity that God requires. The symbolism of the twelve oxen reminds us that the entire community of faith, representing the spiritual Israel, supports and participates in God's work, facing outward to the world but united in purpose around His presence.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.
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