1 Kings 7:30

And every base had four brasen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had undersetters: under the laver [were] undersetters molten, at the side of every addition.

And every {H259} base {H4350} had four {H702} brasen {H5178} wheels {H212}, and plates {H5633} of brass {H5178}: and the four {H702} corners {H6471} thereof had undersetters {H3802}: under the laver {H3595} were undersetters {H3802} molten {H3332}, at the side {H5676} of every {H376} addition {H3914}.

Every trolley had four bronze wheels and bronze axles, and its four legs each had cast supports which were under the basin, with wreaths next to each.

Each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles and a basin resting on four supports, with wreaths at each side.

And every base had four brazen wheels, and axles of brass; and the four feet thereof had undersetters: beneath the laver were the undersetters molten, with wreaths at the side of each.

Commentary

1 Kings 7:30 provides a detailed glimpse into the intricate design of the movable bases for the lavers in Solomon's magnificent Temple. This verse, part of a larger architectural description, highlights the meticulous craftsmanship involved in every aspect of God's house.

Context

This verse is situated within 1 Kings chapter 7, which meticulously details the various furnishings, vessels, and architectural elements of King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem. After describing the main structures, the text shifts focus to the elaborate bronze work crafted by Hiram of Tyre, a skilled artisan. The "lavers" (basins) were crucial for the priests to wash their hands and feet before ministering in the holy place, emphasizing the requirement for ritual purity in worship, a principle also seen in the Tabernacle's design.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Excellence: The exhaustive description of even the bases for the lavers underscores the divine standard for the Temple. Every component, no matter how seemingly minor, was to be crafted with utmost precision and quality, reflecting God's glory and the sacredness of His dwelling.
  • Functionality and Purity: The "brasen wheels" indicate that these bases were designed to be movable, allowing the lavers to be positioned conveniently for the priests' washing rituals. This functionality was essential for maintaining the purity required for service before God.
  • Rich Materials and Craftsmanship: The consistent use of "brass" (bronze) throughout the Temple's furnishings, as detailed in 1 Kings 7, signifies the wealth and resources dedicated to God's house, as well as the high level of metallurgical skill present in ancient Israel.

Linguistic Insights

  • The term "brasen" (KJV) refers to bronze or copper, a durable and valuable metal extensively used in the ancient Near East for tools, weapons, and sacred objects.
  • "Undersetters" is a translation of the Hebrew word `ื›ืชืคื•ืช` (kethฤ“phลth), which literally means "shoulders" or "shoulder-pieces." This suggests strong, supportive elements or ornate decorative features resembling shoulders, providing stability and aesthetic appeal to the bases.
  • The "laver" (Hebrew: `ื›ึผึดื™ึผื•ึนืจ`, kรฎyyรดr) was a large basin used for washing, a vital element in priestly purification.

Practical Application

While we no longer have a physical Temple with lavers for ritual washing, the principles embedded in this verse remain relevant. It reminds us that:

  • God desires our best: The meticulous detail and use of costly materials reflect that God is worthy of our highest efforts and resources in worship and service (Colossians 3:23).
  • Purity is essential for service: The lavers symbolized the need for spiritual cleansing before approaching God. For believers today, this points to the cleansing power of Jesus' blood and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification.
  • Attention to detail matters: Even in what might seem like minor aspects of our faith and service, God values intentionality and excellence.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Ezekiel 10:10

    And [as for] their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.

  • Ezekiel 10:13

    As for the wheels, it was cried unto them in my hearing, O wheel.

  • Ezekiel 1:15

    ยถ Now as I beheld the living creatures, behold one wheel upon the earth by the living creatures, with his four faces.

  • Ezekiel 1:21

    When those went, [these] went; and when those stood, [these] stood; and when those were lifted up from the earth, the wheels were lifted up over against them: for the spirit of the living creature [was] in the wheels.

  • Ezekiel 3:13

    [I heard] also the noise of the wings of the living creatures that touched one another, and the noise of the wheels over against them, and a noise of a great rushing.
โ† Back