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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>2 Chronicles 4:5 It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold three thousand baths.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/2_chronicles/4-5.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/2/14_2Ch_04_05.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="2 Chronicles 4:5 - The Bronze Altar and Molten Sea" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. 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It held three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/4.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 16,500 gallons of water.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/2_chronicles/4.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Its thickness was a handbreadth. And its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held 3,000 baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/4.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/4.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the thickness of it <i>was</i> an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; <i>and</i> it received and held three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/2_chronicles/4.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />It <i>was</i> a handbreadth thick; and its brim was shaped like the brim of a cup, <i>like</i> a lily blossom. It contained three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/2_chronicles/4.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />It was a hand width thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, <i>like</i> a lily blossom; it could hold three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/4.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom; it could hold 3,000 baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/2_chronicles/4.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And it was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, <i>like</i> a lily blossom; it could hold 3,000 baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/2_chronicles/4.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And it was a handbreadth thick, and its brim was made like the brim of a cup, <i>as</i> a lily blossom; it could hold 3,000 baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/2_chronicles/4.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />It was a handbreadth (the width of the four fingers) thick; its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold 3,000 baths (measures).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/2_chronicles/4.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The basin was three inches thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup or a lily blossom. It could hold eleven thousand gallons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/2_chronicles/4.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The reservoir was three inches thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup or a lily blossom. It could hold 11,000 gallons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/2_chronicles/4.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And it was a handbreadth thick; and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/2_chronicles/4.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The sides of the bowl were 75 millimeters thick, and its rim was in the shape of a cup that curved outward like flower petals. The bowl held about 60,000 liters. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/2_chronicles/4.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And it was an handbreadth thick; and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/2_chronicles/4.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The pool was three inches thick. Its rim was like the rim of a cup, shaped like a lily's bud. It held 18,000 gallons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/2_chronicles/4.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The sides of the tank were 3 inches thick. Its rim was like the rim of a cup, curving outward like the petals of a flower. The tank held about 15,000 gallons. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/2_chronicles/4.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />It was a handbreadth thick, with its brim fashioned like the brim of a cup. Similar in shape to a lily blossom, it could hold 3,000 baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/2_chronicles/4.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/2_chronicles/4.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />It was four fingers thick and its rim was like that of a cup shaped like a lily blossom. It could hold 18,000 gallons.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/2_chronicles/4.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />It was almost three inches thick; and its brim was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/2_chronicles/4.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the thickness of it was a hand-breadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/2_chronicles/4.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />It was a handbreadth thick. Its brim was made like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It received and held three thousand baths. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/2_chronicles/4.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And its thickness [is] a handbreadth, and its lip as the work of the lip of a cup flowered with lilies; holding [within]—it contains three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/2_chronicles/4.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And its thickness is a handbreadth, and its lip as the work of the lip of a cup flowered with lilies; taking hold -- baths three thousand it containeth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/2_chronicles/4.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And its thickness a hand breadth, and its lip according to the work of the lip of a cup, a lily flower holding; it will contain three thousand baths.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/2_chronicles/4.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Now the thickness of it was a handbreadth, and the brim of it was like the brim of a cup, or of a crisped lily: and it held three thousand measures. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/2_chronicles/4.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Now its thickness had the measure of the palm of a hand, and its brim was like the lip of a cup, or like the outturned petal of a lily. And it held three thousand measures.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/2_chronicles/4.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />It was a handbreadth thick, and its brim resembled that of a cup, being lily-shaped. It had a capacity of three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/2_chronicles/4.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Its thickness was a handbreadth; its rim was made like the rim of a cup, like the flower of a lily; it held three thousand baths.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/2_chronicles/4.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And he made also ten poles, and put five on the right hand and five on the left, to carry with them the altar of burnt offering.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/2_chronicles/4.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And its thickness, a hands breadth, and the rim of the sea as the round rim of a cup that is very beautiful, and he made ten poles, and he put five at the right side and five at the left, by which to hold up the altar of burnt offering.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/2_chronicles/4.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And it was a handbreadth thick; and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/2_chronicles/4.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And its thickness was a hand-breadth, and its brim as the brim of a cup, graven with flowers of lilies, holding three thousand measures: and he finished <i>it</i>.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/zGrb4955Tvs?start=658" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/2_chronicles/4.htm">The Bronze Altar and Molten Sea</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>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. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/2947.htm" title="2947: ṭe·p̄aḥ (N-ms) -- A span, handbreadth, coping. From taphach; a spread of the hand, i.e. A palm- breadth; architecturally, a corbel.">It was a handbreadth</a> <a href="/hebrew/5672.htm" title="5672: wə·‘ā·ḇə·yōw (Conj-w:: N-msc:: 3ms) -- Thickness. Or mobiy; from abah; density, i.e. Depth or width.">thick,</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: ū·śə·p̄ā·ṯōw (Conj-w:: N-fsc:: 3ms) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">and its rim</a> <a href="/hebrew/4639.htm" title="4639: kə·ma·‘ă·śêh (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- A deed, work. From asah; an action; generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product or property.">was fashioned</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄aṯ- (N-fsc) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">like the brim</a> <a href="/hebrew/3563.htm" title="3563: kō·ws (N-fs) -- From an unused root meaning to hold together; a cup, often figuratively, a lot; also some unclean bird, probably an owl.">of a cup,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7799.htm" title="7799: šō·wō·šan·nāh (N-cs) -- Or showshan; or shoshan; and showshannah; from suws; a lily, as a flower of arch. Ornament; also a trumpet: lily, Shoshannim.">like a lily</a> <a href="/hebrew/2388.htm" title="2388: ma·ḥă·zîq (V-Hifil-Prtcpl-ms) -- A primitive root; to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong, obstinate; to bind, restrain, conquer."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6525.htm" title="6525: pe·raḥ (N-msc) -- A bud, sprout. From parach; a calyx; generally, bloom.">blossom.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3557.htm" title="3557: yā·ḵîl (V-Hifil-Imperf-3ms) -- To comprehend, contain. A primitive root; properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain.">It could hold</a> <a href="/hebrew/7969.htm" title="7969: šə·lō·šeṯ (Number-msc) -- A three, triad. Or shalosh; masculine shlowshah; or shloshah; a primitive number; three; occasionally third, or Thrice.">three</a> <a href="/hebrew/505.htm" title="505: ’ă·lā·p̄îm (Number-mp) -- A thousand. Prop, the same as 'eleph; hence a thousand.">thousand</a> <a href="/hebrew/1324.htm" title="1324: bat·tîm (N-fp) -- A bath (a Heb. measure). Probably from the same as battah; a bath or Hebrew measure of liquids.">baths.</a> </span><div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">1 Kings 7:26</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Exodus 30:18</a></span><br />“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,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-23.htm">1 Kings 7:23-25</a></span><br />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, ornamental buds 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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/38-8.htm">Exodus 38:8</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-38.htm">1 Kings 7:38-39</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-44.htm">1 Kings 7:44</a></span><br />the Sea; the twelve oxen underneath the Sea;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-40.htm">1 Kings 7:40</a></span><br />Additionally, Huram made the pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls. So Huram finished all the work that he had undertaken for King Solomon in the house of the LORD:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-45.htm">1 Kings 7:45</a></span><br />and the pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls. All the articles that Huram made for King Solomon in the house of the LORD were made of burnished bronze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-50.htm">1 Kings 7:50</a></span><br />the pure gold basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, ladles, and censers; and the gold hinges for the doors of the inner temple (that is, the Most Holy Place) as well as for the doors of the main hall of the temple.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/7-51.htm">1 Kings 7:51</a></span><br />So all the work that King Solomon had performed for the house of the LORD was completed. Then Solomon brought in the items his father David had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the furnishings—and he placed them in the treasuries of the house of the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-2.htm">2 Chronicles 4:2-4</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-6.htm">2 Chronicles 4:6</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-10.htm">2 Chronicles 4:10</a></span><br />He put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-11.htm">2 Chronicles 4:11</a></span><br />Additionally, Huram made the pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls. So Huram finished the work that he had undertaken for King Solomon in the house of God:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-12.htm">2 Chronicles 4:12-16</a></span><br />the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars; the two sets of network covering both bowls of the capitals atop the pillars; / the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network covering both the bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars); / the stands; the basins on the stands; ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.</p><p class="hdg">with flowers of lilies.</p><p class="hdg">See</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">1 Kings 7:26</a></b></br> And it <i>was</i> 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.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">1 Kings 7:26</a></b></br> And it <i>was</i> 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.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/2_chronicles/2-10.htm">Baths</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Blossom</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-2.htm">Brim</a> <a href="/1_kings/18-32.htm">Capacity</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Containeth</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-5.htm">Cup</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Curved</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-2.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Flower</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-3.htm">Flowers</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-17.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Handbreadth</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Hand-Breadth</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/16-25.htm">Held</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/13-9.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Lily</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Lip</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/28-6.htm">Open</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/1-16.htm">Received</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-3.htm">Rim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-2.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/2_kings/8-15.htm">Thick</a> <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm">Thickness</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/2-18.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-4.htm">Three</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-10.htm">Work</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-14.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/3-14.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/ezra/7-22.htm">Baths</a> <a href="/job/15-30.htm">Blossom</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-10.htm">Brim</a> <a href="/matthew/25-15.htm">Capacity</a> <a href="/ezekiel/23-32.htm">Containeth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-4.htm">Cup</a> <a href="/revelation/14-14.htm">Curved</a> <a href="/job/1-15.htm">Edge</a> <a href="/job/8-12.htm">Flower</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-21.htm">Flowers</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-6.htm">Hand</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Handbreadth</a> <a href="/psalms/39-5.htm">Hand-Breadth</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-37.htm">Held</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-22.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/psalms/60-1.htm">Lily</a> <a href="/proverbs/17-7.htm">Lip</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-9.htm">Open</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/9-13.htm">Received</a> <a href="/ezekiel/43-17.htm">Rim</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-9.htm">Thereof</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-17.htm">Thick</a> <a href="/job/22-13.htm">Thickness</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/7-5.htm">Thousand</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/6-13.htm">Three</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-11.htm">Work</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/24-12.htm">Worked</a> <a href="/2_chronicles/4-11.htm">Wrought</a><div class="vheading2">2 Chronicles 4</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-1.htm">The altar of brass</a></span><br><span class="reftext">2. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-2.htm">The molten sea upon twelve oxen</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-6.htm">The ten lavers, candlesticks, and tables</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-9.htm">The courts, and the instruments of brass</a></span><br><span class="reftext">19. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-19.htm">The instruments of gold</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/4.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/2_chronicles/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/2_chronicles/4.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>It was a handbreadth thick</b><br>The thickness of the basin, described as a handbreadth, indicates the substantial nature of the construction. A handbreadth is approximately four inches, suggesting durability and strength. This detail highlights the craftsmanship and resources dedicated to the temple, reflecting the importance of worship in Israelite society. The use of such a measurement also connects to other biblical descriptions of sacred objects, emphasizing precision and care in following divine instructions.<p><b>and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom</b><br>The imagery of a cup and a lily blossom suggests beauty and elegance. The lily is often associated with purity and is a common motif in biblical literature, symbolizing God's provision and care (e.g., <a href="/matthew/6-28.htm">Matthew 6:28-29</a>). The design reflects the aesthetic values of the time and the desire to create a space that honors God with both function and form. This artistic detail may also symbolize the abundance and life-giving nature of God's presence, as water is a source of life.<p><b>It could hold three thousand baths</b><br>The capacity of the basin, holding three thousand baths, underscores its immense size and the scale of temple operations. A bath is an ancient unit of measurement, roughly equivalent to six gallons, indicating the basin could hold about 18,000 gallons of water. This large capacity was necessary for the numerous ritual washings required by the priests, as described in Levitical law. The provision for such a large amount of water signifies the importance of purification and cleanliness in worship, foreshadowing the ultimate purification through Christ's sacrifice, as water often symbolizes cleansing and renewal in Scripture (e.g., <a href="/john/4-14.htm">John 4:14</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>The king of Israel who commissioned the building of the temple, including the crafting of the Sea of cast metal described in this verse.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_temple.htm">The Temple</a></b><br>The holy place in Jerusalem where the Israelites worshiped God, built by Solomon as a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_sea_of_cast_metal.htm">The Sea of Cast Metal</a></b><br>A large basin used for ceremonial washing by the priests, symbolizing purification and readiness to serve in the temple.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/h/hiram_of_tyre.htm">Hiram of Tyre</a></b><br>The skilled craftsman who assisted Solomon by providing materials and expertise for the temple's construction, including the Sea.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/jerusalem.htm">Jerusalem</a></b><br>The city where the temple was built, serving as the spiritual center for the Israelites.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/s/symbolism_of_purity.htm">Symbolism of Purity</a></b><br>The Sea of cast metal represents the need for spiritual cleansing. Just as the priests needed to be clean to serve, we must seek spiritual purity through Christ.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/attention_to_detail_in_worship.htm">Attention to Detail in Worship</a></b><br>The detailed description of the Sea's construction highlights the importance of reverence and care in our worship practices. We should approach God with intentionality and respect.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_and_abundance.htm">God's Provision and Abundance</a></b><br>The Sea's capacity to hold three thousand baths signifies God's abundant provision. In our lives, we can trust in God's ability to provide for our needs beyond measure.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_beauty_of_holiness.htm">The Beauty of Holiness</a></b><br>The lily blossom design on the rim symbolizes beauty and holiness. Our lives should reflect the beauty of God's holiness in our actions and attitudes.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/continuity_of_god's_plan.htm">Continuity of God's Plan</a></b><br>The connection between the Old Testament rituals and the New Testament fulfillment in Christ shows the continuity of God's redemptive plan. We are part of this ongoing account of redemption.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_2_chronicles_4.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 2 Chronicles 4</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_the_bronze_sea's_capacity_differ.htm">How do we reconcile the apparent capacity discrepancy of the bronze sea between 1 Kings 7:26 (2,000 baths) and 2 Chronicles 4:5 (3,000 baths)? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_many_baths_did_solomon_build.htm">Solomon built a facility containing how many baths? Two thousand (1 Kings 7:26) Over three thousand (2 Chronicles 4:5)</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_does_2_chron_5_10_differ_from_heb_9_4.htm">2 Chronicles 5:10 - Why does this verse say only the tablets were in the Ark when Hebrews 9:4 mentions additional items, creating a seeming contradiction?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_no_records_of_2_chronicles_4_1-6.htm">Why is there no extra-biblical record of such an elaborate and costly construction project mentioned in 2 Chronicles 4:1-6?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/2_chronicles/4.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">And the thickness</span> <span class= "bld">. . .</span> <span class= "bld">a cup.</span>--Identical with <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm" title="And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was worked like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.">1Kings 7:26</a>.<p><span class= "bld">With flowers of lilies.</span>--See margin. "Lily" here is <span class= "ital">shoshann?h;</span> in Kings, <span class= "ital">shosh?n.</span> LXX., "graven with lily buds." Syriac and Arabic, "and it was very beautiful." Vulg., "like the lip of a cup, or of an open lily."<p><span class= "bld">And it received and held three thousand baths.</span>--Literally, <span class= "ital">holding</span> (whole) <span class= "ital">baths: three thousand would it contain.</span> The bath was the largest of Hebrew liquid measures. Perhaps the true reading is, "holding three thousand baths," the last verb being a gloss borrowed from Kings. So Vulg. Syriac and Arabic omit the clause. The LXX. had the present reading. <a href="/1_kings/7-26.htm" title="And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was worked like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.">1Kings 7:26</a> reads, <span class= "ital">two thousand baths would it contain.</span> Most critics assume this to be correct. Some scribe may have read '<span class= "ital">al?phim,</span> "thousands," instead of <span class= "ital">'alpayim, "</span>two thousand," and then have added "three" (<span class= "ital">sh?l?sheth</span>) under the influence of the last verse. But it is more likely that the numeral "three" having been inadvertently omitted from the text of Kings, the indefinite word "thousands" was made definite by turning it into the dual "two thousand" Either mistake would be possible, because in the unpointed text <span class= "ital">'al?phim</span> and <span class= "ital">'alpayim</span> are written alike. The Syriac has the curious addition, "And he made ten poles, and put five on the right and five on the left, and bare with them the altar of burnt offerings." Similarly the Arabic version.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/2_chronicles/4.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">An handbreadth</span>. Not <span class="hebrew">זֶרֶת</span>, "a span" (nevertheless tabled by Conder, 'Handbook to the Bible,' 2nd edit., p. 79, as a handbreadth, and put at eight digits, two palms, or 5.33 inches), but <span class="hebrew">טֶפַח</span>, "the palm of the open hand," the breadth of the four fingers, which Thenius puts at 3.1752 inches, but Conder's table at 2.66 inches. It received and held should be translated, <span class="accented">it was able</span> to <span class="accented">hold</span>. Three thousand baths. The parallel has two thousand baths, and this latter is the likelier reading. It is, however, conceivable that the statement of Kings may purport to give the quantity of water used, and that of Chronicles the quantity which the vessel at its fullest could accommodate. As to the real capacity of the bath, we are hopelessly at sea. Josephus's estimate of it is about eight gallons and a half, that of the rabbinists about four gallons and a half (see Smith's 'Dictionary of the Bible,' 3:1742), and Conder, in the 'Handbook to the Bible,' p. 80, a fractional quantity above six gallons. The largest bowls on the Assyrian bas-reliefs, the silver bowl of Croesus, and the bronze bowl in Scythia (Herodotus, 1:51; 4:81), did not, under the lowest estimate of the bath, hold as much as one-half of the contents of this vast sea of brass of Solomon. The use of this vessel was, as we read in the next verse, for the priests to wash in, or, as some would read, to wash at (<a href="/exodus/30-18.htm">Exodus 30:18-20</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">It was a handbreadth</span><br /><span class="heb">טֶ֔פַח</span> <span class="translit">(ṭe·p̄aḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2947.htm">Strong's 2947: </a> </span><span class="str2">A spread of the hand, a palm-breadth, a corbel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thick,</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָבְי֣וֹ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·ḇə·yōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5672.htm">Strong's 5672: </a> </span><span class="str2">Density, depth, width</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and its rim</span><br /><span class="heb">וּשְׂפָתוֹ֙</span> <span class="translit">(ū·śə·p̄ā·ṯōw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">was fashioned</span><br /><span class="heb">כְּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(kə·ma·‘ă·śêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4639.htm">Strong's 4639: </a> </span><span class="str2">An action, a transaction, activity, a product, property</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the brim</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׂפַת־</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄aṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of a cup,</span><br /><span class="heb">כּ֔וֹס</span> <span class="translit">(kō·ws)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3563.htm">Strong's 3563: </a> </span><span class="str2">A cup, a lot, some unclean bird, an owl</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a lily</span><br /><span class="heb">שֽׁוֹשַׁנָּ֑ה</span> <span class="translit">(šō·wō·šan·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7799.htm">Strong's 7799: </a> </span><span class="str2">A lily, as a, flower of architectural ornament, a, trumpet</span><br /><br /><span class="word">blossom.</span><br /><span class="heb">פֶּ֖רַח</span> <span class="translit">(pe·raḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6525.htm">Strong's 6525: </a> </span><span class="str2">A calyx, bloom</span><br /><br /><span class="word">It could hold</span><br /><span class="heb">יָכִֽיל׃</span> <span class="translit">(yā·ḵîl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3557.htm">Strong's 3557: </a> </span><span class="str2">To keep in, to measure, to maintain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">three</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹ֥שֶׁת</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·šeṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7969.htm">Strong's 7969: </a> </span><span class="str2">Three, third, thrice</span><br /><br /><span class="word">thousand</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲלָפִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·lā·p̄îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_505.htm">Strong's 505: </a> </span><span class="str2">A thousand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">baths.</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּתִּ֔ים</span> <span class="translit">(bat·tîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1324.htm">Strong's 1324: </a> </span><span class="str2">A bath (a Hebrew measure)</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">2 Chronicles 4:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/2_chronicles/4-5.htm">OT History: 2 Chronicles 4:5 It was a handbreadth thick (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="2 Chronicles 4:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 4:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/2_chronicles/4-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="2 Chronicles 4:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="2 Chronicles 4:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>