2 Chronicles 4:2

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

Also he made {H6213} a molten {H3332} sea {H3220} of ten {H6235} cubits {H520} from brim {H8193} to brim {H8193}, round {H5696} in compass {H5439}, and five {H2568} cubits {H520} the height {H6967} thereof; and a line {H6957} of thirty {H7970} cubits {H520} did compass {H5437} it round about {H5439}.

He made the cast metal "Sea" circular, seventeen-and-a-half feet from rim to rim, eight-and-three quarters feet high and fifty-two-and-a-half feet in circumference.

He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference.

Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass; and the height thereof was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits compassed it round about.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 4:2 describes a significant architectural feature of Solomon's magnificent Temple in Jerusalem: the "molten sea." This large basin was a central element in the Temple courtyard, meticulously crafted according to divine specifications.

Context

This verse is part of a detailed description of the furnishings and implements made by Huram (or Hiram) for King Solomon's Temple. The "molten sea" served a crucial ritualistic purpose, primarily for the priests to wash their hands and feet before performing their sacred duties. This practice mirrored the function of the bronze laver in the wilderness tabernacle, though on a much grander scale, as noted in passages like Exodus 30:18-21. Its immense size underscored the vastness of the priestly work and the numerous sacrifices offered in the Temple.

Key Themes

  • Divine Precision and Obedience: The exact dimensions provided (ten cubits diameter, five cubits height, thirty cubits circumference) highlight the meticulous detail required in the Temple's construction. This reflects the principle that God demands precision and obedience in the execution of His divine plans.
  • Purity and Sanctification: The primary function of the molten sea was ceremonial purification. It symbolized the absolute necessity of spiritual cleanliness for those who ministered before God. This theme of purification is central throughout Scripture, pointing to the need for holiness when approaching the divine.
  • Temple Grandeur: The sheer scale of the molten sea, a massive bronze basin, contributed to the overall awe-inspiring grandeur of Solomon's Temple, reflecting the glory and majesty of the God it was built to honor.

Linguistic Insights

The term "cubit" (Hebrew: ammah) was an ancient unit of measurement, roughly the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but typically around 18-21 inches. The description of the molten sea's dimensions—a diameter of ten cubits and a circumference of thirty cubits—has often drawn attention. Mathematically, the ratio of circumference to diameter is Pi (π ≈ 3.14159...). The biblical text gives a ratio of exactly 3. Scholars generally understand this as a practical approximation typical of ancient measurements, or possibly referring to the outer circumference and inner diameter, rather than a precise mathematical statement about Pi. The focus is on the functional and symbolic aspects of the basin, not on advanced geometry.

Practical Application

While we no longer have a physical Temple or a molten sea for ceremonial washing, the spiritual principles remain highly relevant. The need for cleansing before approaching God is paramount in the New Covenant. We are reminded that through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we receive ultimate purification and access to God. As believers, our bodies are called to be temples of the Holy Spirit, requiring ongoing spiritual cleansing through repentance and faith. This verse encourages us to maintain a posture of reverence and purity in our walk with God, recognizing the holiness required to stand in His presence.

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Cross-References

  • Exodus 30:18 (2 votes)

    Thou shalt also make a laver [of] brass, and his foot [also of] brass, to wash [withal]: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.

  • Exodus 30:21 (2 votes)

    So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, [even] to him and to his seed throughout their generations.

  • Titus 3:5 (2 votes)

    Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

  • Zechariah 13:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

  • Revelation 7:14 (2 votes)

    And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  • 1 Kings 7:23 (2 votes)

    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.

  • 1 Kings 7:26 (2 votes)

    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.