1 Kings 7:23
New International Version
He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.

New Living Translation
Then Huram cast a great round basin, 15 feet across from rim to rim, called the Sea. It was 7 1 / 2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference.

English Standard Version
Then he made the sea of cast metal. It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
And he made the Sea of cast bronze, ten cubits from one brim to the other; it was completely round. Its height was five cubits, and a line of thirty cubits measured its circumference.

New American Standard Bible
He also he made the Sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in shape, and its height was five cubits, and it was thirty cubits in circumference.

NASB 1995
Now he made the sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits, and thirty cubits in circumference.

NASB 1977
Now he made the sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits, and thirty cubits in circumference.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he made the sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, and its height was five cubits, and thirty cubits in its circumference.

Amplified Bible
Now he made the Sea (basin) of cast metal, ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in form, five cubits high and thirty cubits in circumference.

Christian Standard Bible
He made the cast metal basin, 15 feet from brim to brim, perfectly round. It was 7 1 /2 feet high and 45 feet in circumference.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He made the cast metal reservoir, 15 feet from brim to brim, perfectly round. It was 7 1/2 feet high and 45 feet in circumference.

American Standard Version
And 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.

Contemporary English Version
Hiram also made a large bowl called the Sea. It was just over two meters deep, about 4.5 meters across, and 13.5 meters around.

English Revised Version
And 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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hiram made a pool from cast metal. It was 15 feet in diameter. It was round, 7 1/2 feet high, and had a circumference of 45 feet.

Good News Translation
Huram made a round tank of bronze, 7½ feet deep, 15 feet in diameter, and 45 feet in circumference.

International Standard Version
Hiram also made a sea of cast metal ten cubits from brim to brim, circular in shape and five cubits and 30 cubits in its inner circumference.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
He also made the large bronze basin called "The Sea." It measured 15 feet from rim to rim, was circular in shape, and stood seven-and-a-half feet high. Its circumference was 45 feet.

New Heart English Bible
He made the molten sea of seventeen feet and three inches from brim to brim, round in compass, and its height was eight feet and seven inches; and a line of fifty-one feet and eight inches encircled it.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was entirely round, and its hight was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits encompassed it.

World English Bible
He made the molten sea ten cubits from brim to brim, round in shape. Its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled it.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And he makes the molten sea, ten by the cubit from its edge to its edge; [it is] round all about, and its height [is] five by the cubit, and a line of thirty by the cubit surrounds it around;

Young's Literal Translation
And he maketh the molten sea, ten by the cubit from its edge unto its edge; it is round all about, and five by the cubit is its height, and a line of thirty by the cubit doth compass it round about;

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will make the sea molten, ten by the cubit, from its lip even to its lip, round, round about; and five by the cubit its height; and a rope thirty by the cubit will surround it round about.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He made also a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round all about; the height of it was five cubits, and a line of thirty cubits compassed it round about.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He also made a molten sea, of ten cubits from brim to brim, rounded on all sides. Its height was five cubits, and a thin rope of thirty cubits wrapped it all around.

New American Bible
Then he made the molten sea; it was made with a circular rim, and measured ten cubits across, five in height, and thirty in circumference.

New Revised Standard Version
Then he made the molten sea; it was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high. A line of thirty cubits would encircle it completely.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Then he made a molten sea, ten cubits in diameter; it was round about, and its height was five cubits and its circumference thirty cubits.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he made a sea that was smelted, ten cubits from its edge and unto its edge, round as a circle, and five cubits its height, and a cord of thirty cubits going around it as a circle.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And 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 did compass it round about.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he made the sea, ten cubits from one rim to the other, the same was completely circular round about: its height was five cubits, and its circumference thirty-three cubits.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Molten Sea
23He 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. 24Below the rim, ornamental buds encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 4:2-5
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. / Below the rim, figures of oxen encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea. / The Sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested on them, with all their hindquarters toward the center. ...

Exodus 30:18
“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it,

Exodus 38:8
Next he made the bronze basin and its stand from the mirrors of the women who served at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

Numbers 4:14
and place on it all the vessels used to serve there: the firepans, meat forks, shovels, and sprinkling bowls—all the equipment of the altar. They are to spread over it a covering of fine leather and insert the poles.

2 Kings 16:17
King Ahaz also cut off the frames of the movable stands and removed the bronze basin from each of them. He took down the Sea from the bronze oxen that were under it and put it on a stone base.

Jeremiah 52:17-20
Moreover, the Chaldeans broke up the bronze pillars and stands and the bronze Sea in the house of the LORD, and they carried all the bronze to Babylon. / They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes, and all the articles of bronze used in the temple service. / The captain of the guard also took away the basins, censers, sprinkling bowls, pots, lampstands, pans, and drink offering bowls—anything made of pure gold or fine silver. ...

2 Chronicles 4:6
He also made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. The parts of the burnt offering were rinsed in them, but the priests used the Sea for washing.

2 Chronicles 4:15
the Sea; the twelve oxen underneath the Sea;

1 Kings 7:38-39
He also made ten bronze basins, each holding forty baths and measuring four cubits across, one basin for each of the ten stands. / He set five stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north, and he put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

1 Kings 7:26
It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold two thousand baths.

Revelation 4:6
And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back.

Revelation 15:2
And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,

Ezekiel 47:1-5
Then the man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. / Next he brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and there I saw the water trickling out from the south side. / As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and led me through ankle-deep water. ...

John 2:6-7
Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons. / Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim.

Matthew 27:24
When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You bear the responsibility.”


Treasury of Scripture

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.

he made

Exodus 30:18-21
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 38:8
And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

a molten sea

2 Kings 25:13
And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.

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.

Jeremiah 52:17,20
Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon…

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Brim Cast Circular Circumference Compass Compassed Cubit Cubits Edge Encircled Encompassed Entirely Five Form Great Height High Hight Line Maketh Measure Measured Measuring Metal Molten Rim Round Sea Shape Ten Thereof Thirty Water-Vessel
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Brim Cast Circular Circumference Compass Compassed Cubit Cubits Edge Encircled Encompassed Entirely Five Form Great Height High Hight Line Maketh Measure Measured Measuring Metal Molten Rim Round Sea Shape Ten Thereof Thirty Water-Vessel
1 Kings 7
1. The building of Solomon's house
2. Of the house of Lebanon
6. Of the porch of pillars
7. Of the porch of judgment
8. Of the house for Pharaoh's daughter
13. Hiram's work of the two pillars,
23. Of the molten sea
27. Of the ten bases
38. Of the ten lavers
40. and all the vessels














He made the Sea of cast metal
The "Sea" refers to a large basin used in the temple for ceremonial washing, symbolizing purification. The Hebrew word for "Sea" is "yam," often used to describe large bodies of water, indicating its significant size and importance. "Cast metal" suggests a sophisticated process of metallurgy, reflecting the advanced craftsmanship during Solomon's reign. This craftsmanship is a testament to the resources and skills available, symbolizing the wealth and divine favor upon Israel at the time.

circular in shape
The circular design of the Sea is significant, as circles often symbolize eternity and perfection in biblical literature. This shape could represent the infinite nature of God and His eternal covenant with Israel. The use of a circle also reflects the harmony and order that God desires in His creation and worship.

measuring ten cubits from rim to rim
A cubit is an ancient measurement roughly equivalent to 18 inches or 45 centimeters. Thus, the Sea was approximately 15 feet in diameter. This substantial size underscores the grandeur of Solomon's temple and the importance of ritual purity. The precise measurements highlight the order and intentionality in God's instructions for worship.

and five cubits high
Standing at about 7.5 feet tall, the height of the Sea emphasizes its prominence and the reverence required in approaching it. The number five in biblical numerology often represents grace, suggesting that the act of purification is a gracious provision from God, allowing the priests to serve in His presence.

It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it
The circumference of thirty cubits (approximately 45 feet) further illustrates the Sea's vastness. The use of "line" (Hebrew "qav") for measurement indicates precision and care in the temple's construction, reflecting God's desire for excellence in worship. The number thirty can symbolize dedication and maturity, as seen in the age when Levites began their service, pointing to the maturity required in spiritual service.

(23-26) A molten sea--a gigantic laver for the ablution of the priests--corresponding to the laver of brass in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:18-21; Exodus 38:8). It had a diameter of 15 feet, and a height of 7« feet; but as it held 2,000 baths, that is, 17,000 gallons (or, as in 2Chronicles 4:3, 3,000 baths, that is, 25,500 gallons), it is clear that it could not have been a hemisphere, but must have bulged out in section. There must, however, have been first a bulging inwards, immediately under the rim: for the right translation of 1Kings 7:26 declares that the rim was in "the form of a lily flower," that is, curving outwards. Under the rim ran a double row of "gourd ornaments," like those carved in the cedar-panelling of the Temple. The sea stood on twelve oxen, corresponding perhaps to the twelve tribes of Israel--the ox being possibly the same emblem which was used in the form of the cherubim--till it was taken down and placed on the pavement by Ahaz (2Kings 16:17), and, like the great pillars, was broken up at last by the Chaldeans for the sake of the brass (2Kings 25:13). . . . Verse 23. - The writer now passes on to describe the brazen vessels made by Hiram for the temple use. And he made a [Heb. the] molten sea [so called on account of its unprecedented size and capacity. It was designed, like the laver of brass in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:18-20), to contain the water necessary for the ablutions of the priests. For its size and shape see below], ten cubits from the one brim to the other [Heb. from his lip to his lip] round all about [i.e., circular], and his height was five cubits [this was the depth of the vessel, exclusive of its foot or base]: and a line of thirty cubits did compass It round about. [The historian obviously uses round numbers when he speaks of the diameter as ten and the circumference as thirty cubits. If the diameter was exactly ten, the circumference would of course be about 31.5 cubits. But the sacred writers seldom aim at precision.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He also made
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ (way·ya·‘aś)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

the Sea
הַיָּ֖ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

of cast metal.
מוּצָ֑ק (mū·ṣāq)
Verb - Hofal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4165: Fusion, a casting, a mass

[It was] circular in shape,
עָגֹ֣ל ׀ (‘ā·ḡōl)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5696: Circular

measuring ten
עֶ֣שֶׂר (‘e·śer)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 6235: Ten

cubits
בָּ֠אַמָּה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

from rim
מִשְּׂפָת֨וֹ (miś·śə·p̄ā·ṯōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

[rim],
שְׂפָת֜וֹ (śə·p̄ā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8145: Second (an ordinal number)

five
וְחָמֵ֤שׁ (wə·ḥā·mêš)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2568: Five

cubits
בָּֽאַמָּה֙ (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

in height,
קוֹמָת֔וֹ (qō·w·mā·ṯōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6967: Height

and thirty
שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים (šə·lō·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 7970: Thirty, thirtieth

cubits
בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

in circumference.
וְקָו֙ (wə·qāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6961: A, cord


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OT History: 1 Kings 7:23 He made the molten sea of ten (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 7:22
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