What number verse is 1 Kings 7:47 in the Bible?

1 Kings 7:47 is the 8,982nd verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — 1 Kings 7:47 sits at position 8,982.

Translation

King James Version

And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out.

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KJV (with Strong's)

And Solomon ^H8010 left ^H3240 all the vessels ^H3627 unweighed, because they were exceeding ^{H3966 H3966} many ^H7230: neither was the weight ^H4948 of the brass ^H5178 found out ^H2713.

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Complete Jewish Bible

Shlomo did not weigh any of these objects, because there were so many of them; thus the total weight of the bronze could not be determined.

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Berean Standard Bible

Solomon left all these articles unweighed, because there were so many. The weight of the bronze could not be determined.

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American Standard Version

And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: the weight of the brass could not be found out.

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World English Bible Messianic

Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: the weight of the brass could not be found out.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And Salomon left to weigh all the vessels because of the exceeding aboundance, neyther could the weight of the brasse be counted.

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Young's Literal Translation

And Solomon placeth the whole of the vessels; because of the very great abundance, the weight of the brass hath not been searched out.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

1 Kings 7:47 describes the immense quantity of bronze vessels crafted for Solomon's Temple, so vast that their weight was not, and perhaps could not be, determined. This verse serves as a summary statement for the detailed account of the Temple's furnishings, underscoring the extraordinary abundance of resources and skilled craftsmanship dedicated to God's dwelling place. It powerfully reflects both Solomon's unprecedented wealth, a direct result of divine blessing, and God's boundless provision for His people and His sacred purposes.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: This verse provides a culminating statement for the detailed description of the Temple's bronze furnishings found in 1 Kings 7. Following the architectural details of the Temple's construction in 1 Kings 6, chapter 7 meticulously outlines the construction of Solomon's palace and, more significantly for this verse, the intricate bronze elements of the Temple. The preceding verses (1 Kings 7:13-46) specifically enumerate items such as the two massive bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the colossal Molten Sea, the ten movable lavers, and various smaller implements like pots, shovels, and basins—all crafted from bronze. Verse 47 acts as a powerful summary, emphasizing the sheer scale and unquantifiable nature of these consecrated objects, bringing the account of the bronze work to a grand and awe-inspiring conclusion before the narrative transitions to the gold items and the dedication of the Temple.
Historical & Cultural Context: In the ancient Near East, bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) was a highly valuable and essential metal, prized for its durability and versatility in crafting tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. Its abundance was a direct indicator of significant national wealth, advanced metallurgical technology, and extensive trade networks. Solomon's reign was characterized by unparalleled prosperity and stability, often regarded as a golden age for Israel, largely due to his wisdom, strategic alliances, and divinely bestowed riches. Monumental construction projects, particularly religious structures, were common ways for ancient kings to display their power, piety, and the favor of their deities. The Temple, as the spiritual and national epicenter of Israel, was naturally adorned with the finest and most abundant materials available. The declaration that the weight of the bronze was "not found out" signifies a quantity that surpassed normal accounting methods, underscoring a level of opulence and material provision rarely, if ever, seen in the ancient world, made possible by God's blessings upon Solomon.
Key Themes: 1 Kings 7:47 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Kings and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights Unprecedented Abundance and Prosperity, serving as a tangible fulfillment of God's promise to Solomon for his wisdom and obedience, as articulated in 1 Kings 3:13. The immeasurable quantity of bronze underscores the vast resources at Solomon's disposal, signifying a period of profound divine favor. Secondly, it emphasizes the Grandeur and Glory of God's Dwelling. The elaborate and costly nature of the Temple furnishings reflects the people's desire to honor God with the very best, creating a magnificent and fitting place for the Lord's presence among His people, a theme central to the Temple's dedication in 1 Kings 8. Finally, it speaks to Divine Provision and Human Excellence. While human craftsmanship, epitomized by Hiram of Tyre, was essential, the resources themselves were ultimately a blessing from God, enabling such a monumental undertaking. This demonstrates God's ability to provide abundantly for His purposes and the human responsibility to apply their skills with excellence in His service.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

vessels (Hebrew, כְּלִי, kᵉlîy, H3627): This term is broad, encompassing any apparatus, implement, utensil, or vessel. In the context of the Temple, it refers to the vast array of sacred objects used for worship, sacrifice, and the maintenance of the sanctuary. These included pots, shovels, basins, and other cultic implements, all meticulously crafted for specific liturgical purposes. The sheer number of these "vessels" underscores the comprehensive nature of the Temple's furnishings and the meticulous provision for every aspect of divine service.
exceeding (Hebrew, מְאֹד, mᵉʼôd, H3966): This word functions as an intensive or superlative, meaning "vehemently," "wholly," "speedily," or "very much." When combined with "many" (from H7230, rôb), it emphasizes an extraordinary, almost incomprehensible quantity. It is not merely a large number, but a quantity so immense that it defies easy counting or measurement, setting the stage for the subsequent clause about their unquantifiable weight. This term highlights the truly remarkable level of material wealth and production dedicated to the Temple.
found out (Hebrew, חָקַר, châqar, H2713): This primitive root means "to penetrate," and by extension, "to examine intimately," "to search out," or "to find out." In this verse, applied to the weight of the bronze, it signifies that the immense quantity was beyond human ability to fully investigate, measure, or ascertain. The implication is that the sheer volume of bronze was so vast that any attempt to weigh or quantify it was either impossible, impractical, or deemed unnecessary due to its overwhelming abundance, highlighting a quantity beyond human calculation.

Verse Breakdown

"And Solomon left all the vessels [unweighed]": This clause describes a deliberate action or an inevitable outcome concerning the vast collection of bronze implements. The KJV's parenthetical "[unweighed]" suggests that the act of weighing was either omitted due to the sheer volume or was simply not feasible. This highlights the unprecedented scale of the Temple's furnishings, implying that the task of weighing them would have been monumental, if not impossible, given the technology and labor available in that era. It speaks to a quantity that overwhelmed conventional measurement.
"because they were exceeding many": This phrase directly provides the reason for the vessels being unweighed or their weight not being ascertained. It emphasizes the extraordinary number of items—pots, shovels, basins, lavers, and other cultic implements—all meticulously crafted from bronze. This abundance speaks to the meticulous detail and lavishness with which the Temple was furnished, ensuring every aspect of worship was provided for with the highest quality and quantity, reflecting the boundless resources at Solomon's disposal.
"neither was the weight of the brass found out": This final clause reinforces the immeasurable nature of the bronze. It's not just that they weren't weighed, but that their total weight could not be determined or known. This signifies a quantity that transcended normal human measurement and accounting, indicating a volume that was literally "unsearchable" in its magnitude. It underscores the immense value and volume of the materials, serving as a powerful testament to the wealth of Solomon's kingdom and the unparalleled resources dedicated to the service of God.

Literary Devices

The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. Hyperbole is evident in the description "exceeding many" and the declaration that their weight was "not found out." This exaggeration is not meant to deceive but to emphasize the extraordinary, almost unimaginable, abundance of bronze. It creates a sense of awe and wonder at the scale of the Temple project and the wealth of Solomon. Furthermore, there is a strong element of Emphasis on abundance and grandeur. By repeatedly stressing the unquantifiable nature of the bronze, the text draws attention to the lavishness and unparalleled scale of the Temple's furnishings. This serves to underscore the glory and majesty of God, for whom such a magnificent dwelling was constructed. Finally, the bronze itself functions as Symbolism, representing not only the material wealth of Solomon's kingdom but also the divine blessing and provision that enabled such an undertaking. The immeasurable nature of the bronze thus symbolizes the immeasurable grace and power of God.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

1 Kings 7:47, seemingly a mere inventory detail, carries profound theological implications. It speaks to the boundless generosity and provision of God, who enabled Solomon to amass such extraordinary wealth and resources for the construction of His dwelling place. The unquantifiable nature of the bronze vessels serves as a tangible metaphor for God's own immeasurable blessings and His infinite capacity to provide for His purposes. It challenges human notions of scarcity and reminds us that when God's work is undertaken, His resources are limitless. This abundance also reflects the appropriate response of humanity to such divine generosity: offering our very best, without reserve, in worship and service to the Lord. The meticulous detail and vast quantity of these sacred objects underscore the reverence and honor due to God, who deserves nothing less than our most excellent and abundant offerings.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The immeasurable quantity of bronze in Solomon's Temple, so vast that its weight could not be ascertained, offers a powerful lens through which to view our own relationship with God and our participation in His work today. This verse reminds us that God's resources are not limited by human calculation or scarcity mindsets. He is the ultimate provider, capable of supplying "exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think" (Ephesians 3:20). Just as Solomon poured immense wealth into the Temple, we are called to offer our best to God—not just in material possessions, but in our time, talents, and wholehearted devotion. This means cultivating a spirit of generosity, recognizing that all we have is from Him, and seeking excellence in every sphere of our lives as an act of worship. The grandeur of the Temple, built with such unquantifiable resources, should inspire us to approach God with reverence, awe, and a commitment to honor Him with the highest quality of our being and doing, trusting in His limitless provision for His kingdom purposes.

Questions for Reflection

How does the "unweighed" abundance of bronze challenge my own perception of God's provision in my life and for His church?
In what areas of my life am I called to give my "best" to God, beyond just financial contributions, reflecting His own boundless generosity?
What does the meticulous craftsmanship and vast resources dedicated to the Temple teach me about the importance of excellence and intentionality in my worship and service today?

FAQ

Why does the KJV say "brass" when it was likely "bronze"?

Answer: The King James Version, translated in the early 17th century, used the term "brass" because it was the most common and familiar copper alloy known to them at the time. However, modern metallurgical and archaeological understanding confirms that the Hebrew word něchosheth (נְחֹשֶׁת) consistently refers to bronze (an alloy of copper and tin) in ancient biblical contexts. Bronze was widely used in the ancient Near East for tools, weapons, and decorative items, while true brass (copper and zinc) was not commonly produced until much later periods. Therefore, when the Bible mentions "brass" in the Old Testament, it almost always means bronze, highlighting the valuable and durable nature of the metal used for the Temple furnishings.

What was the purpose of all these bronze vessels in the Temple?

Answer: The numerous bronze vessels and implements described in 1 Kings 7 were essential for the daily sacrificial and ceremonial worship conducted in the Temple. They served various functions: the Molten Sea (1 Kings 7:23) was a massive basin for the priests to wash themselves, symbolizing purification. The ten lavers (1 Kings 7:38) were smaller basins for washing the burnt offerings, ensuring ritual cleanliness. Other items like pots, shovels, basins, and flesh hooks were used for handling ashes, collecting blood, preparing sacrifices, and maintaining the sacred space. Each item, regardless of its size or specific function, was meticulously crafted and dedicated to the Lord, underscoring the sacredness and precision required for worship in God's presence.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The immeasurable quantity of bronze vessels in Solomon's Temple, so vast that their weight could not be ascertained, serves as a powerful Old Testament foreshadowing of the immeasurable riches and boundless grace found in Jesus Christ. The earthly Temple, with all its costly and abundant furnishings, was a temporary dwelling place for God's presence, a shadow of the ultimate reality to come. In Christ, we find the true and eternal Temple, for in Him "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). The unquantifiable bronze points to the unsearchable riches of Christ, whose sacrifice on the cross offers a redemption so vast it defies human comprehension, taking away the sin of the world (John 1:29). He is the High Priest of a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with human hands, through whom we have access to God's presence with a spiritual abundance that far surpasses any material wealth (Hebrews 9:11-12). Through His finished work, believers are made "rich in every way" (2 Corinthians 9:11) and are granted access to "unsearchable riches of Christ" (Ephesians 3:8). Thus, the lavishness of Solomon's Temple ultimately directs our gaze to the infinite and eternal glory of God revealed in His Son, whose grace and love are truly "exceeding many" and "not found out" in their depth and power.

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Commentary on 1 Kings 7 verses 13–47

13 ¶ And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.

14 He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.

15 For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.

16 And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:

17 And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.

18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.

19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.

20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.

21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.

22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

24 And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.

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.

26 And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.

27 And he made ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it.

28 And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges:

29 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.

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.

31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.

32 And under the borders were four wheels; and the axletrees of the wheels were joined to the base: and the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit.

33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel: their axletrees, and their naves, and their felloes, and their spokes, were all molten.

34 And there were four undersetters to the four corners of one base: and the undersetters were of the very base itself.

35 And in the top of the base was there a round compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the borders thereof were of the same.

36 For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubims, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of every one, and additions round about.

37 After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size.

38 Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

40 And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:

41 The two pillars, and the two bowls of the chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars; and the two networks, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars;

42 And four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, even two rows of pomegranates for one network, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars;

43 And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;

44 And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea;

45 And the pots, and the shovels, and the basons: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, were of bright brass.

46 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

47 And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out.

I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points

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.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 13–47. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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Cross-References

1 Chronicles 22:14
Now, behold, in my trouble I have prepared for the house of the LORD an hundred thousand talents of gold, and a thousand thousand talents of silver; and of brass and iron without weight; for it is in abundance: timber also and stone have I prepared; and thou mayest add thereto.
1 Chronicles 22:3
And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight;
1 Chronicles 22:16
Of the gold, the silver, and the brass, and the iron, there is no number. Arise therefore, and be doing, and the LORD be with thee.
2 Chronicles 4:18
Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.