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Commentary on 1 Kings 7 verses 13–47
We have here an account of the brass-work about the temple. There was no iron about the temple, though we find David preparing for the temple iron for things of iron, Ch1 29:2. What those things were we are not told, but some of the things of brass are here described and the rest mentioned.
I. The brasier whom Solomon employed to preside in this part of the work was Hiram, or Huram (Ch2 4:11), who was by his mother's side an Israelite, of the tribe of Naphtali, by his father's side a man of Tyre, Kg1 7:14. If he had the ingenuity of a Tyrian, and the affection of an Israelite to the house of God (the head of a Tyrian and the heart of an Israelite), it was happy that the blood of the two nations mixed in him, for thereby he was qualified for the work to which he was designed. As the tabernacle was built with the wealth of Egypt, so the temple with the wit of Tyre. God will serve himself by the common gifts of the children of men.
II. The brass he made use of was the best he could get. All the brazen vessels were of bright brass (Kg1 7:45), good brass, so the Chaldee, that which was strongest and looked finest. God, who is the best, must be served and honoured with the best.
III. The place where all the brazen vessels were cast was the plain of Jordan, because the ground there was stiff and clayey, fit to make moulds of for the casting of the brass (Kg1 7:46), and Solomon would not have this dirty smoky work done in or near Jerusalem.
IV. The quantity was not accounted for. The vessels were unnumbered (so it may be read, Kg1 7:47, as well as unweighed), because they were exceedingly numerous, and it would have been an endless thing to keep the account of them; neither was the weight of the brass, when it was delivered to the workmen, searched or enquired into; so honest were the workmen, and such great plenty of brass they had, that there was no danger of wanting. We must ascribe it to Solomon's care that he provided so much, not to his carelessness that he kept no account of it.
V. Some particulars of the brass-work are described.
1.Two brazen pillars, which were set up in the porch of the temple (Kg1 7:21), whether under the cover of the porch or in the open air is not certain; it was between the temple and the court of the priests. These pillars were neither to hang gates upon nor to rest any building upon, but purely for ornament and significancy. (1.) What an ornament they were we may gather from the account here given of the curious work that was about them, chequer-work, chain-work, net-work, lily-work, and pomegranates in rows, and all of bright brass, and framed no doubt according to the best rules of proportion, to please the eye. (2.) Their significancy is intimated in the names given them (Kg1 7:21): Jachin - he will establish; and Boaz - in him is strength. Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillar of cloud and fire which led Israel through the wilderness: I rather think them designed for memorandums to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door, [1.] To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. When we come to wait upon God, and find our hearts wandering and unfixed, then by faith let us fetch in help from heaven: Jachin - God will fix this roving mind. It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. We find ourselves weak and unable for holy duties, but this is our encouragement: Boaz - in him is our strength, who works in us both to will and to do. I will go in the strength of the Lord God. Spiritual strength and stability are to be had at the door of God's temple, where we must wait for the gifts of grace in the use of the means of grace. [2.] It was a memorandum to them of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them. Let them keep close to God and duty, and they should never lose their dignities and privileges, but the grant should be confirmed and perpetuated to them. The gospel church is what God will establish, what he will strengthen, and what the gates of hell can never prevail against. But, with respect to this temple, when it was destroyed particular notice was taken of the destroying of these pillars (Kg2 25:13, Kg2 25:17), which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been so if they had not forsaken God.
2.A brazen sea, a very large vessel, above five yards in diameter, and which contained above 500 barrels of water for the priests' use, in washing themselves and the sacrifices, and keeping the courts of the temple clean, Kg1 7:23, etc. It stood raised upon the figures of twelve oxen in brass, so high that either they must have stairs to climb up to it or cocks at the bottom to draw water from it. The Gibeonites, or Nethinim, who were to draw water for the house of God, had the care of filling it. Some think Solomon made the images of oxen to support this great cistern in contempt of the golden calf which Israel had worshipped, that (as bishop Patrick expresses it) the people might see there was nothing worthy of adoration in those figures; they were fitter to make posts of than to make gods of. Yet this prevailed not to prevent Jerusalem's setting up the calves for deities. In the court of the tabernacle there was only a laver of brass provided to wash in, but in the court of the temple a sea of brass, intimating that by the gospel of Christ much fuller preparation is made for our cleansing than was by the law of Moses. That had a laver, this has a sea, a fountain opened, Zac 13:1.
3.Ten bases, or stands, or settles, of brass, on which were put ten lavers, to be filled with water for the service of the temple, because there would not be room at the molten sea for all that had occasion to wash there. The bases on which the lavers were fixed are very largely described here, Kg1 7:27, etc. They were curiously adorned and set upon wheels, that the lavers might be removed as there was occasion; but ordinarily they stood in two rows, five on one side of the court and five on the other, Kg1 7:39. Each laver contained forty baths, that is, about ten barrels, Kg1 7:38. Those must be very clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Spiritual priests and spiritual sacrifices must be washed in the laver of Christ's blood and of regeneration. We must wash often, for we daily contract pollution, must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Plentiful provision is made for our cleansing; so that if we have our lot for ever among the unclean it will be our own fault.
4.Besides these, there was a vast number of brass pots made to boil the flesh of the peace-offerings in, which the priests and offerers were to feast upon before the Lord (see Sa1 2:14); also shovels, wherewith they took out the ashes of the altar. Some think the word signifies flesh-hooks, with which they took meat out of the pot. The basins also were made of brass, to receive the blood of the sacrifices. These are put for all the utensils of the brazen altar, Exo 38:3. While they were about it they made abundance of them, that they might have a good stock by them when those that were first in use wore out and went to decay. Thus Solomon, having wherewithal to do so, provided for posterity.
The mouth of the laver was one cubit on account of the unity of confession and faith because we are all baptized in the confession of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, as the apostle says: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all.” And the mouth itself was at the top of the capital to teach that the way to the heavenly kingdom had been opened to us through baptism. But the actual laver was a cubit and a half in size, in view, no doubt, of the perfection of good works and the beginning of contemplation. For the whole cubit in the laver denotes the perfection of good works.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 7:31 provides an exceptionally precise and technical description of the "mouth" or opening of the ten bronze lavers, which were integral components of King Solomon's Temple. This verse meticulously details the varying dimensions, shapes (both round and foursquare), and decorative "gravings" of these openings. It underscores the extraordinary meticulousness and artistry invested in every element of the sacred Temple furnishings, highlighting the divine emphasis on order, beauty, and functional precision in the sacred space dedicated to Yahweh.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in 1 Kings 7:31, and indeed throughout the detailed descriptions of the Temple, is Precision. The text meticulously enumerates specific measurements ("a cubit," "a cubit and an half") and geometric forms ("round," "foursquare"), leaving no ambiguity about the exact design. This precision serves to underscore the divine origin and sacredness of the Temple's blueprint, implying that every detail was divinely ordained and held significance. Furthermore, there is a clear element of Contrast in the description of the "mouth" being "round" while its "gravings with their borders" were "foursquare." This highlights the intricate and multi-faceted nature of the design, showcasing a sophisticated blend of forms rather than simple, uniform shapes. This artistic complexity can also be seen as a form of Symbolism, where the deliberate and harmonious combination of diverse elements reflects the order, beauty, and multifaceted glory of God, for whom the Temple was built. The detailed enumeration itself functions as a form of Emphasis, drawing the reader's attention to the extraordinary care and divine oversight involved in the construction of God's dwelling place.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous detail provided in 1 Kings 7:31, describing the dimensions, shapes, and ornamentation of the lavers' openings, transcends mere architectural specification. It profoundly communicates God's character and His expectations for worship. The divine insistence on such precision for even seemingly minor elements of the Temple furnishings reveals that God is a God of order, beauty, and excellence. He is not content with haphazard or half-hearted efforts in His service; rather, He desires that all things pertaining to His worship reflect His own perfection and glory. This attention to detail underscores the sanctity of the Temple as His dwelling place and the seriousness of the priestly service performed there, particularly the rituals of purification. It teaches us that true reverence involves giving our best, not just in grand gestures but in every small detail, recognizing that all aspects of our lives and worship are to be consecrated to Him.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While 1 Kings 7:31 might initially appear as a dry, technical passage, its inclusion in the inspired Word of God invites us to profound reflection. The exhaustive detail given to the Temple's furnishings, even down to the specific dimensions and decorative elements of a laver's opening, serves as a powerful reminder of God's profound care for order, beauty, and excellence in all things, especially in matters pertaining to His worship. This passage challenges us to consider the quality and intentionality we bring to our own spiritual lives and service. Are we content with mediocrity, or do we strive for excellence in our devotion, our discipleship, and our contributions to the body of Christ? Just as every part of the physical Temple was designed with meticulous care to reflect God's glory, so too should our lives, as spiritual temples, be built with diligence, precision, and a commitment to honoring God in every detail, recognizing that our God is worthy of our very best. This pursuit of excellence is not for our own glory, but to magnify the One who is infinitely glorious.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why does the Bible include such technical and seemingly minor details about the Temple's architecture?
Answer: The inclusion of such minute details, like those in 1 Kings 7:31, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the divine origin of the Temple's design. God provided specific instructions for its construction, much like the Tabernacle, indicating that every element was part of a sacred blueprint, not merely human invention. This emphasizes God's meticulous nature and His desire for order and perfection in His dwelling place and in the worship offered to Him. Secondly, these details highlight the immense value and sacredness attributed to every component of the Temple. Nothing was considered insignificant when it came to the house of God. Finally, the precision demonstrates the extraordinary craftsmanship and resources dedicated to this monumental project, reflecting the glory and majesty of the God being worshipped, as seen throughout the descriptions of the Temple's construction.
What is the significance of the "mouth" being both "round" and having "foursquare" borders?
Answer: This seemingly contradictory description ("round... foursquare, not round") highlights the sophisticated and complex architectural design of the lavers. It suggests that while the main opening of the laver itself was circular (round), the decorative "gravings" and their surrounding "borders" on the superstructure of the base were square. This juxtaposition of shapes demonstrates a high level of artistic skill and intentionality, showcasing the advanced craftsmanship of Hiram of Tyre and his artisans. Symbolically, the combination of roundness (often associated with wholeness, eternity, or divine perfection) and foursquare (representing stability, completeness, or the four corners of the earth) could signify the comprehensive and stable nature of God's presence and the worship offered in the Temple. It speaks to the beauty and intricacy that God desired for His sacred space, a reflection of His own boundless creativity and order.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The detailed description of the Temple's lavers in 1 Kings 7:31, with their precise dimensions and intricate design, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect provision for cleansing found in Jesus Christ. The physical Temple, with its elaborate furnishings and rituals, served as a shadow of greater spiritual realities to come, as articulated in the New Testament (Hebrews 10:1). The lavers were essential for the priests to maintain ritual purity, symbolizing the ongoing need for cleansing before approaching a holy God. However, this cleansing was temporary and had to be repeated, a constant reminder of humanity's sinfulness. In Christ, we find the definitive and eternal purification. He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, whose single, perfect sacrifice on the cross provides a cleansing that is complete and everlasting (Hebrews 9:11-14). The meticulous craftsmanship of the Temple, reflecting God's desire for perfection, points to the flawless and divinely orchestrated work of redemption accomplished by Jesus. He is the true Temple, the place where God fully dwells among humanity (John 2:19-21), and through Him, we are made truly clean, not by ritual washings, but by His precious blood, enabling us to draw near to God with confidence and boldness (Hebrews 10:19-22). The temporary and symbolic cleansing of the lavers finds its eternal reality in the once-for-all work of Christ, who perfectly fulfills all the shadows of the Old Covenant.