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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.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 7:34 provides a highly specific architectural detail concerning the bases of the ten bronze lavers in Solomon's Temple, noting that "four undersetters" were positioned at each of the four corners of a base, and critically, these supports were not merely attached but were an integral, seamless part of the base itself. This verse, embedded within a larger description of the Temple's elaborate furnishings, underscores the meticulous craftsmanship, structural integrity, and profound attention to detail invested in every component of God's sacred dwelling, even those seemingly minor or hidden, revealing a divine standard of excellence for His sanctuary.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is situated within a lengthy and highly detailed account of the construction and furnishing of Solomon's Temple, specifically in 1 Kings 7. Following the completion of the main Temple structure described in 1 Kings 6, the narrative in chapter 7 shifts focus to the magnificent bronze articles crafted for its courts and interior. Verses 1 Kings 7:27-39 meticulously describe the ten bronze stands (bases) and the ten lavers that rested upon them, which were used by the priests for ritual purification. Verse 34, therefore, is a precise architectural note within this larger technical description, highlighting the intricate design of these movable bases. The narrative emphasizes the unparalleled skill of Hiram of Tyre, the master craftsman commissioned by Solomon, showcasing the divine inspiration and human excellence brought together for God's house.
Historical & Cultural Context: The construction of a grand temple was a monumental undertaking in the ancient Near East, often signifying the power and piety of the king and the prominence of the deity. Solomon's Temple, built over seven years, was not merely a place of worship but a central symbol of Israel's covenant with God and His dwelling among His people. The use of bronze, a durable and valuable metal, for these furnishings speaks to their importance and longevity. Ritual washing was a crucial aspect of Israelite worship, as seen in the instructions for the Tabernacle in Exodus 30:17-21, requiring priests to cleanse themselves before ministering. The mobility of these lavers, facilitated by their wheeled bases, suggests adaptability for various priestly functions within the large Temple courts. The involvement of a skilled artisan from Tyre, a renowned Phoenician city, highlights the international collaboration and the high level of metallurgical and artistic expertise employed for this sacred project.
Key Themes: The detailed description in 1 Kings 7:34 contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of meticulous divine instruction and human obedience, echoing the precise blueprints given for the Tabernacle in Exodus 25-31. Every part of God's dwelling, no matter how seemingly minor, was to be crafted with exactness and purpose. Secondly, it highlights the theme of holiness and purity in worship, as the lavers were essential for the priests' ritual cleansing before approaching God. The structural integrity of their bases ensured their proper function in facilitating this purity. Thirdly, the phrase "of the very base itself" emphasizes integrity and holistic design, suggesting that true strength and functionality come from internal, integrated components rather than superficial additions. This points to the idea that all parts, even the unseen supports, contribute indispensably to the sacred whole, reflecting God's own perfect order and attention to detail, as seen in the intricate design of creation in Genesis 1.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The description in 1 Kings 7:34 primarily employs Precision/Detailing as a literary device. The meticulous recounting of architectural specifics, down to the number ("four") and integral nature ("of the very base itself") of the "undersetters," serves to emphasize the extraordinary care, expense, and skill invested in the Temple's construction. This detailed enumeration elevates the significance of the structure, portraying it as a work of unparalleled quality, worthy of God's dwelling. Furthermore, the use of Metonymy in the word "undersetters" (from kâthêph' meaning "shoulder") implicitly attributes the function of bearing weight and providing strength to these architectural components, drawing a subtle parallel to the human body's supportive structures. The phrase "of the very base itself" functions as a form of Emphasis, underscoring the superior, integrated craftsmanship and the inherent strength of the design, highlighting that the support was not an external addition but an intrinsic quality of the base, thus ensuring its enduring stability.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous detail of 1 Kings 7:34, particularly the integral nature of the "undersetters," conveys profound theological truths. It speaks to God's character as one of order, perfection, and holiness, where every component, seen or unseen, contributes to the sacred whole. It teaches that the quality of our service and offerings to God should be characterized by excellence and integrity, not merely outward appearance. Just as the hidden supports were crucial for the stability of the lavers used in priestly purification, so too are the unseen foundations of our faith and character essential for effective spiritual service and a life of purity. God values not just the visible acts of worship but also the internal strength and integrity that undergird them. This verse subtly points to the principle that true strength comes from within, from being fundamentally rooted in truth and purpose.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The intricate description of the "undersetters" in 1 Kings 7:34 offers a powerful spiritual lesson for believers today. It reminds us that in God's economy, even the seemingly minor, hidden, or unglamorous parts are indispensable and must be crafted with utmost integrity. Just as the strength of the laver bases depended on these integral supports, the strength and effectiveness of our spiritual lives and ministries often depend on the unseen foundations of our character, our consistent disciplines, and our unwavering commitment to truth. We are called to cultivate an internal integrity, where our convictions are deeply embedded within us, not merely superficial attachments. This verse challenges us to consider the quality of the "undersetters" in our own lives—the hidden virtues, the consistent prayer, the quiet acts of service, the foundational truths we cling to—recognizing that these are what provide stability and enable us to bear the weight of life and ministry effectively for God's glory. It encourages us to build our lives on a solid, integrated foundation, ensuring that our faith is not just an outward display but an inward reality that sustains us through all circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why is such detailed architectural information included in the Bible?
Answer: The inclusion of such meticulous architectural details, as seen in 1 Kings 7:34, serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it underscores the divine inspiration and precise instructions given for the construction of God's dwelling. Just as the Tabernacle had a divinely revealed blueprint (Exodus 25:9), the Temple's construction also reflected God's desire for order, beauty, and perfection in all things pertaining to His worship. The detail emphasizes the immense resources, skill, and dedication invested. Thirdly, these details provide historical and cultural authenticity, demonstrating the reality of the structure and the advanced craftsmanship of the era. Finally, from a theological perspective, every detail, even the "undersetters," can carry symbolic weight, pointing to deeper spiritual truths about God's character, the nature of worship, and the integrity required in His service.
What is the significance of the "undersetters" being "of the very base itself"?
Answer: The phrase "the undersetters were of the very base itself" is highly significant, emphasizing the integral nature and superior quality of the construction. It means these supports were not merely bolted on or attached as separate pieces, but were cast or forged as a seamless, unified part of the main base structure. This design choice speaks to several key points:
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 7:34 describes physical components of an earthly temple, it finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who is the true and eternal Temple. The meticulous craftsmanship and integral design of the "undersetters" foreshadow the perfect, unblemished nature of Christ, who is the ultimate foundation and support of God's redemptive plan. Just as the "undersetters" were "of the very base itself," Christ is not merely an addition to our salvation but is intrinsically and eternally God, the very essence of our spiritual foundation (John 1:1-3). He is the chief cornerstone upon whom the entire spiritual edifice of the Church is built (Ephesians 2:20), providing unwavering stability and support. Furthermore, as believers, we are living stones being built into a spiritual house, with Christ as our integral support (1 Peter 2:5), and He sustains all things by His powerful word (Hebrews 1:3). The perfection and integrity seen in the Temple's construction ultimately point to the perfect work of Christ, who, by His one sacrifice, perfectly cleanses us for worship and makes us integral parts of His body, the Church, which is His true dwelling place (1 Corinthians 3:16). He is the unshakeable foundation, the integrated support, and the perfect High Priest who enables our access to God.