2 Chronicles 4:15

KJV

One sea, and twelve oxen under it.

KJV (with Strong's)

One {H259} sea {H3220}, and twelve {H8147}{H6240} oxen {H1241} under it.

Complete Jewish Bible

the one Sea, the twelve oxen under it,

Berean Standard Bible

the Sea; the twelve oxen underneath the Sea;

American Standard Version

one sea, and the twelve oxen under it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 4:15 offers a concise yet profound detail about the construction of the Molten Sea, a monumental bronze basin in Solomon's Temple, noting its singular presence and the foundational support of twelve oxen. This verse highlights the meticulous craftsmanship, the symbolic significance of the Temple's furnishings, and the practical provisions for priestly purity, all integral to the elaborate worship system established by divine command in ancient Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a detailed account of the construction and furnishing of Solomon's Temple, specifically following the completion of the main architectural elements in [2 Chronicles 3](/2_chronicles/3 "2 Chronicles 3 - Solomon Builds the Temple"). Chapters [2 Chronicles 4](/2_chronicles/4 "2 Chronicles 4 - Temple Furnishings") and [2 Chronicles 5](/2_chronicles/5 "2 Chronicles 5 - Ark Brought to Temple") meticulously describe the various sacred vessels, altars, and implements crafted for the sanctuary. The description of the Molten Sea, its dimensions, and its supports in [2 Chronicles 4:2-5](/2_chronicles/4-2 "2 Chronicles 4:2-5 - The Molten Sea") is paralleled in [1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - The Molten Sea in 1 Kings"). The Chronicler emphasizes the grandeur and divine instruction behind each element, underscoring the Temple's role as the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of Solomon's Temple marked a pinnacle of Israelite national and religious identity, reflecting the immense wealth and power of the Solomonic era. The use of bronze for such a massive basin was a significant undertaking, requiring advanced metallurgical skills, likely facilitated by Hiram of Tyre, a master craftsman (as noted in [2 Chronicles 2:13-14](/2_chronicles/2-13 "2 Chronicles 2:13-14 - Hiram's Skill")). In the ancient Near East, large basins were common in temples for ritual purification, but the scale and specific design of the Molten Sea, particularly its support by oxen, were unique to the Israelite Temple. The emphasis on ritual purity was paramount in Israelite worship, as seen in the detailed laws concerning cleanliness in the Pentateuch, making the Molten Sea a crucial functional and symbolic element for the priests.
* **Key Themes:** The verse contributes to several overarching themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Instruction and Excellence**, as the detailed specifications for the Temple furnishings, including the Molten Sea, were understood to be divinely revealed, demanding the highest quality craftsmanship to honor God (compare with the tabernacle instructions in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Tabernacle Instructions")). Secondly, the Molten Sea underscores the theme of **Priestly Purity and Atonement**, serving as the primary means for the priests to ritually cleanse themselves before performing their sacred duties, emphasizing the holiness required to approach a holy God (as seen in [Exodus 30:17-21](/exodus/30-17 "Exodus 30:17-21 - The Bronze Laver")). Finally, the "twelve oxen" supporting the sea powerfully symbolize the **Unity and Strength of the Twelve Tribes of Israel**, indicating that the entire nation, represented by its tribes, collectively supported the worship and sacred practices centered at the Temple, reflecting the covenant relationship God had with His people (similar to the twelve stones on the high priest's breastplate in [Exodus 28:21](/exodus/28-21 "Exodus 28:21 - Stones for the Tribes")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sea (Hebrew, _yam_):** This term, typically referring to a large body of water like an ocean or a lake, is used here to describe the colossal bronze basin. Its application to this man-made object emphasizes its immense size and capacity, which was far greater than a typical laver or washing basin. The use of "sea" evokes a sense of vastness and depth, underscoring the abundant provision for cleansing within the Temple.
* **Oxen (Hebrew, _baqar_):** This word refers to cattle, specifically oxen, which were highly valued in ancient agricultural societies for their strength, labor, and sacrificial value. In this context, the twelve oxen serve as the foundational supports for the Molten Sea, symbolizing not only physical strength but also the enduring power and service of the collective tribes of Israel in sustaining the worship of God.
* **Under (Hebrew, _tachat_):** While seemingly a simple preposition, "under" highlights the foundational and supportive role of the oxen. It implies that the entire weight and purpose of the "sea" rested upon these symbolic representations of Israel, signifying the nation's integral role in upholding the divine ordinances and the purity of worship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"One sea":** This phrase refers to the singular, massive bronze basin known as the Molten Sea. Its uniqueness and immense scale are emphasized by the "one," indicating it was the primary and most significant washing vessel in the Temple courtyard. This single, large basin served as a central point for priestly purification, signifying a unified approach to holiness before God.
* **"and twelve oxen under it":** This clause describes the distinctive base upon which the Molten Sea rested. The twelve oxen, arranged in groups of three facing the four cardinal directions (north, south, east, west), were cast into the bronze structure, appearing to carry the immense weight of the basin. This detail is rich in symbolism, with the twelve oxen representing the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying their collective strength, unity, and foundational support for the Temple's functions and the worship of God. Their presence underscored the idea that the entire nation was involved in and supported the sacred activities of the sanctuary.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs significant **Symbolism**. The "sea" itself symbolizes the abundant provision for cleansing and purification, necessary for approaching a holy God. Its vastness suggests the thoroughness of the required purity. The "twelve oxen" are powerful symbols of the **Twelve Tribes of Israel**, representing their collective strength, unity, and foundational role in supporting the worship of God. Their arrangement facing the four directions can also imply the universality of God's reach and the ultimate worldwide scope of His kingdom. The concise nature of the description, "One sea, and twelve oxen under it," also functions as a form of **Merism**, where two key elements are presented to represent the whole intricate structure and its underlying theological significance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The Molten Sea, with its immense capacity and the imagery of the twelve oxen, powerfully communicates the theological necessity of purity and the corporate nature of worship. Its function for priestly cleansing prefigures the spiritual purification required for all who approach God. The strength and unity symbolized by the oxen underscore that worship is not merely an individual act but a collective endeavor, supported by the entire community of faith. This Old Testament emphasis on ritual cleansing points forward to the ultimate and perfect purification provided through Christ, making a way for all believers to draw near to God.

* [Hebrews 9:14](/hebrews/9-14 "Hebrews 9:14 - Cleansing by Christ's Blood")
* [Titus 3:5](/titus/3-5 "Titus 3:5 - Washing of Regeneration")
* [1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Holy Priesthood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical Molten Sea no longer exists, its spiritual lessons resonate deeply with believers today. The need for the priests to wash themselves before ministering reminds us of the absolute necessity of spiritual purity for those who serve God. This purity is not achieved through ritualistic washing but through the cleansing power of Christ's atoning work. As a "royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")), we are called to live lives of holiness, continually seeking purification from sin through repentance and faith. Furthermore, the twelve oxen supporting the sea serve as a powerful reminder of the corporate nature of faith. Just as the tribes collectively supported the Temple's functions, so too are believers called to stand together, supporting one another and the mission of the church. Our individual purity contributes to the collective holiness of the body of Christ, enabling us to offer acceptable worship and service to God in unity and strength.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways do I actively pursue spiritual purity in my daily life, recognizing that I am called to be holy as God is holy?**
* **How does the symbolism of the twelve oxen challenge me to consider my role in supporting the collective body of Christ and its mission?**
* **What "cleansing" or preparation do I need to undertake before engaging in acts of worship or service to God?**

### FAQ
**What was the primary purpose of the Molten Sea in Solomon's Temple?**

Answer: The primary purpose of the Molten Sea was to provide water for the ceremonial washing and purification of the priests. Before performing their sacred duties, offering sacrifices, or entering the holy places, the Levitical priests were required to cleanse their hands and feet in this massive basin. This ritual washing underscored the absolute necessity of holiness and purity for those who ministered in the presence of God, as detailed in passages like [Exodus 30:17-21](/exodus/30-17 "Exodus 30:17-21 - The Bronze Laver"). It was a practical and symbolic means of maintaining ritual cleanliness in the Temple service.

**Why were there twelve oxen supporting the Molten Sea?**

Answer: The twelve oxen supporting the Molten Sea were highly symbolic. They represented the twelve tribes of Israel, signifying the unity, strength, and foundational support of the entire nation for the worship of God centered at the Temple. Arranged in groups of three facing the four cardinal directions, they also implied the comprehensive and all-encompassing nature of Israel's role in God's covenant. Oxen were known for their strength and service, making them fitting symbols for the robust and enduring support provided by the united tribes for the sacred functions of the sanctuary. This imagery reinforces the idea that the entire community was invested in and upheld the purity and practices of the Temple, as seen in the blessings and identity of the tribes throughout [Genesis 49](/genesis/49 "Genesis 49 - Jacob's Blessings").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The Molten Sea, with its function of ritual cleansing for the priests, finds its ultimate and perfect fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The vast quantity of water in the basin symbolized the abundant provision for purification, yet it could only offer external, temporary, and repeated cleansing. Christ, however, is the true and living "sea" of purification, whose blood cleanses us from all sin, not merely outwardly but inwardly and eternally. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), providing a once-for-all sacrifice that makes us truly holy and acceptable before God. Through His atoning work, we are given direct access to God, no longer needing ceremonial washings or a physical temple. As the writer of Hebrews declares, we can now "draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, with our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water" ([Hebrews 10:22](/hebrews/10-22 "Hebrews 10:22 - Draw Near to God")). The unity of the twelve oxen supporting the sea also points to Christ, who gathers all believers—from every tribe and nation—into one body, the Church, which He Himself cleanses and sanctifies to be presented as a radiant bride ([Ephesians 5:25-27](/ephesians/5-25 "Ephesians 5:25-27 - Christ Cleanses the Church")). Thus, the ancient symbol of the Molten Sea beautifully foreshadows the complete and perfect cleansing, unity, and access to God made possible only through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.