1 Kings 7:28 — Word Study
WLCוְזֶ֛ה מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה הַמְּכוֹנָ֖ה מִסְגְּרֹ֣ת לָהֶ֑ם וּמִסְגְּרֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין הַשְׁלַבִּֽים׃
BSAThiszeh [the specific design] was the designmaʻăseh [pattern, plan] of the standsmᵉkôwnâh [bases, pedestals] They had side panelsmiçgereth [perimeters, borders] attachedbêyn to uprightsshâlâb [frames, ledges]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וְזֶ֛ה | and this | Conjunction, particle |
| מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה | [was] [the] work of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| הַמְּכוֹנָ֖ה | the stand | Particle, noun common feminine singular absolute |
| מִסְגְּרֹ֣ת | rims | Noun common, feminine plural absolute |
| לָהֶ֑ם | [belonged] to them | Preposition, suffix |
| וּמִסְגְּרֹ֖ת | and rims | Conjunction, noun common feminine plural absolute |
| בֵּ֥ין | [were] between | Prep |
| הַשְׁלַבִּֽים׃ | the cross bars | Particle, noun common masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | This was the design of the stands: They had side panels attached to uprights, |
| KJV | And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges: |
| ASV | And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges; |
| YLT | And this [is] the work of the base: they have borders, and the borders [are] between the joinings; |
| WEB | The work of the bases was like this: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges; |
| BBE | And the bases were made in this way; their sides were square, fixed in a framework; |
Where they part company is מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה — see How Translations Differ.
The main clause introduces the design, with two subordinate phrases detailing the components of the stands.
8 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
subjectמִסְגֶּרֶת
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — 1 Kings 7:28
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Design of the Temple Standsgenerated
1 Kings 7:28 details the design of the stands used in the temple, emphasizing the careful craftsmanship involved in their construction. This verse is part of a larger description of the temple's furnishings and architecture, illustrating the importance of design in the worship space. The context highlights the meticulous nature of the work done by Solomon's builders, as seen in the preceding and following verses.
Cross References
The Key Word — מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה, ma.'a.Sehgenerated
The noun מַעֲשֶׂה (ma'aseh) refers to an action or deed, encompassing a range of activities from good to bad. It signifies work or craftsmanship, indicating the effort and intention behind the construction of the stands. The parsing as a masculine singular construct suggests it is part of a larger description of the design.
This word captures the essence of the work involved in creating the stands, highlighting not just the physical act but also the significance of the design as a reflection of divine order and purpose.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The finite verb מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה governs the entire clause, indicating that the design is a specific work. The structure includes noun phrases that describe the components of the stands, such as מִסְגְּרֹ֣ת (rims) and הַשְׁלַבִּֽים (cross bars).
The word order places emphasis on the design and its elements, showing the relationship between the stands and their functional parts.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
The Septuagint translates מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה as ἔργον (ergon), meaning 'work' or 'deed.' This choice reflects a focus on the labor and craftsmanship involved in the construction, aligning with the Hebrew sense of a purposeful act.
The translation maintains the integrity of the original meaning while adapting it to the Greek context, emphasizing the significance of the work done.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
1 Kings 7:28 describes the design of the stands used in the temple. It explains that these stands had side panels and cross bars, emphasizing the careful planning and craftsmanship involved in their construction.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
The design reflects careful craftsmanship and intentionality in the construction of the temple, indicating the importance of the place of worship.
They are essential components of the stands, contributing to their stability and functionality within the temple's architecture.
This verse is part of a detailed account of the temple's furnishings, highlighting the meticulous nature of the construction process.
The design teaches us about the value of careful planning and execution in our own work and endeavors.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- What aspects of design do I value in my own life and work?
- How can I apply the principles of careful craftsmanship in my daily tasks?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of intentionality in my actions?
- In what ways can I reflect the beauty and order of God's creation in my own work?
The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it
The early commentary from Bede highlights the significance of the design in reflecting virtues and the divine order in the temple's construction.
Hence the surface of the bases was not level at any point, but whichever side one turned, it was carved with mystical figures because the minds of the saints, indeed their whole way of life, displays the charm of the virtues in everything,Early Church Fathers on 1 Kings 7 →
Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on 1 Kings 7:28 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd the work of the bases was on this manner,.... The following was the form in which they were made: they had borders; plates of brass all around them, which enclosed them: and the borders were
Read John Gill on 1 Kings 7 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges: No JFB commentary on these verses.
Read Robert Jamieson on 1 Kings 7 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleThey had borders; broad brims, possibly for the more secure holding of the lavers.
Read Matthew Poole on 1 Kings 7 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments1 Kings 7:28 And the work of the bases [was] on this [manner]: they had borders, and the borders [were] between the ledges:Ver. 28. They had borders.] Around the vessel, like panes of wainscotting; whereon were engraven lions, oxen, and cherubims; to teach the priests courage, painfulness, and prudence.
Read John Trapp on 1 Kings 7 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(13-50) The exceedingly graphic and elaborate description of the work of Hiram on the vessels and furniture of the Temple, and on the great pillars, bears on the very face of it the most evident marks of historical accuracy and of the use of contemporary documents, and it has, moreover, great antiquarian interest. Looked at in itself, it shows that the Temple (like many other buildings in the comparative infancy of architecture) depended for its effect, not so much on size or proportion, as on rich material, elaborate decoration, and costly furniture, on which all the resources both of treasure and art were lavished. But besides this, the sense of the especial sacredness attached to all the…
Read Charles John Ellicott on 1 Kings 7 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges28. they had borders] From the description in the next verse, the word, which in its literal sense would apply to any surrounding or enclosure, must mean the side of the base, on which the figures mentioned in 29 were carved or cast. So that the panels of the R.V. (marg.) would be the most correct rendering. And so in 1 Kings 7:31-32; 1 Kings 7:35-36. between the ledges] These seem to have been the perpendicular shafts, at the four corners of each base, which would be raised so as to form two sides of the framework enclosing the panels. A more strictly literal rendering of the final words would be ‘even borders between the ledges.’
Read Cambridge on 1 Kings 7 →Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the BibleBorders - Rather, “panels” (so 1 Kings 7:32, 1 Kings 7:35), a set of square compartments between the “ledges” or borders, or mouldings.
Read Albert Barnes on 1 Kings 7 →Daniel Denison Whedon1808–1885Whedon's Commentary on the Bible28. They had borders — ξρβψεϊ, inclosed panels. (a a a in figure.) Between the ledges — ωׁ ?μαιν, joints; fastening places. The corner pieces which joined upon and fastened the panels.
Read Daniel Denison Whedon on 1 Kings 7 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
This was the design of the stands: They had side panels attached to uprights,
The work of the bases was like this: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges;
This was the design of the stands: They had side panels attached to uprights,
The stands were constructed with frames between the joints.
Tyndale line
And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges:
And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges;
And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders; and there were borders between the ledges:
And the work of the bases was in this manner : They had borders, and the borders were between the ledges:
And the worke of the bases was on this maner, They had borders, and the borders were betweene the ledges:
Strictly literal
And the work of the bases was this: they had panels, and the panels were between the fillets.
And this [is] the work of the base: they have borders, and the borders [are] between the joinings;
And this [is] the work of the base: they have borders, and the borders [are] between the joinings;
And this was the workmanship of the bases: They had borders, and the borders were between the corner ledges;
The work of the stands was like this. They had panels that stood between frames,
From the Latin
And the work itself of the bases, was intergraven: and there were gravings between the joinings.
Simplified
This is how they were put together: side panels were attached to uprights.
And the bases were made in this way; their sides were square, fixed in a framework;
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text and the Septuagint agree in their wording, with all eight Hebrew words matched in the Greek translation. This consistency indicates that the core meaning of the verse has been preserved across these ancient texts.
וְזֶ֛ה מַעֲשֵׂ֥ה הַמְּכוֹנָ֖ה מִסְגְּרֹ֣ת לָהֶ֑ם וּמִסְגְּרֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין הַשְׁלַבִּֽים׃
8 of the 8 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in 1 Kings 7:28
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
זֶה (zeh) is a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'this' or 'here.' It can stand alone, be used appositively, or function as a predicate. The word can also attach enclitically to interrogative pronouns, adding emphasis and directness. In poetry, it may serve as a relative pronoun, though this usage is rare.
זֶה demonstr.pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here
standing alone
In appos. to subst.
More oft. as pred.
It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
With prefixes (in special senses)
base
H2088 זֶה demonstr. pron. and adv.; fem. זֹאת, once זֹאתָה; this, here . standing alone
. In appos. to subst.
. More oft. as pred.
. It is attached enclitically, almost as an adv., to certain words, esp. interrog. pronouns, to impart, in a manner often not reproducible in Engl. idiom, directness and force, bringing the question or statement made into close relation with the speaker.
. In poetry, as a relative pron. (rare)
. With prefixes (in special senses)
2088 zeh zeh
a primitive word; the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this
or that:--he, X hence, X here, it(-self), X now, X of him, the
one...the other, X than the other, (X out of) the (self) same,
such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on
that side, X thus, very, which. Compare 2063, 2090, 2097,
2098.
see HEBREW for 02063
see HEBREW for 02090
see HEBREW for 02097
see HEBREW for 02098
זֶה (zeh) — this.
1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such
1a) (alone)
1a1) this one
1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another
1b) (appos to subst)
1b1) this
1c) (as predicate)
1c1) this, such
1d) (enclitically)
1d1) then
1d2) who, whom
1d3) how now, what now
1d4) what now
1d5) wherefore now
1d6) behold here
1d7) just now
1d8) now, now already
1e) (poetry)
1e1) wherein, which, those who
1f) (with prefixes)
1f1) in this (place) here, then
1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter
1f3) thus and thus
1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus
1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side
1f6) on this account
1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Conj | Pron — Conjunction · particleHC/Tm
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma`aseh) means deed or work, encompassing a range of actions from good to bad, and includes concepts like business, labor, and products made. It can refer to specific achievements, works of God, or even customs. The entries suggest a broad application in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicons.
מַעֲשֶׂה 233 n.m. deed, work
base
H4639 מַעֲשֶׂה deed, work
4639 ma`aseh mah-as-eh'
from 6213; an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction;
abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically,
a poem) or (generally) property:--act, art, + bakemeat,
business, deed, do(-ing), labor, thing made, ware of making,
occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well,
((handy-, needle-, net-))work(ing, - manship), wrought.
see HEBREW for 06213
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: work.
: work/product
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: justice.
: justice/right/righteousness
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: judgement.
: judgement/punishment
1) deed, work
1a) deed, thing done, act
1b) work, labour
1c) business, pursuit
1d) undertaking, enterprise
1e) achievement
1f) deeds, works (of deliverance and judgment)
1g) work, thing made
1h) work (of God)
1i) product
מַעֲשֶׂה (ma.a.seh) — deed: custom.
: custom/manner
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
The Hebrew word מְכוֹנָה (*mkownah*) is a feminine noun meaning 'base' or 'pedestal.' It is derived from the root of another word, מָכַן (*makhan*), and refers to a fixed resting place. The entries consistently emphasize its meaning related to a foundational support.
מְכוֹנָה, מְכֹנָה 25 n.f. fixed resting-place, base
base
H4350 מְכוֹנָה, מְכֹנָה, מְכֻנָה
4350 mkownah mek-o-naw'
or mkonah {mek-o-naw'}; feminine of 4349; a pedestal, also a
spot:--base.
see HEBREW for 04349
מְכוֹנָה (me.kho.nah) — base.
fixed resting place, base, pedestal
Also means: me.khu.nah (מְכֻנָה "base" H4369)
Art | N-fs — Particle · noun common feminine singular absoluteHTd/Ncfsa
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת (misgereth) refers to a border or rim, as well as a fastness or stronghold. It is derived from the root meaning to enclose, indicating something that serves as a margin or boundary. The term appears in contexts related to borders and strongholds, highlighting its use in describing enclosed spaces.
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת n.f. 1. border, rim. 2. fastness
base
H4526 מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת 1. border, rim. 2. fastness
4526 micgereth mis-gheh'-reth
from 5462; something enclosing, i.e. a margin (of a region,
of a panel); concretely, a stronghold:--border, close place,
hole.
see HEBREW for 05462
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת (mis.ge.ret) — perimeter.
1) border, fastness, rim
1a) border, rim
1b) fastness
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural absoluteHNcfpa
הֶם (hem) — them.
Personal object pronoun - suffix for propositions and verbs without an object: 3rd person masculine plural
HRd/Sp3mp — Preposition · suffixHRd/Sp3mp
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת (misgereth) refers to a border or rim, as well as a fastness or stronghold. It is derived from the root meaning to enclose, indicating something that serves as a margin or boundary. The term appears in contexts related to borders and strongholds, highlighting its use in describing enclosed spaces.
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת n.f. 1. border, rim. 2. fastness
base
H4526 מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת 1. border, rim. 2. fastness
4526 micgereth mis-gheh'-reth
from 5462; something enclosing, i.e. a margin (of a region,
of a panel); concretely, a stronghold:--border, close place,
hole.
see HEBREW for 05462
מִסְגֶּ֫רֶת (mis.ge.ret) — perimeter.
1) border, fastness, rim
1a) border, rim
1b) fastness
HC/Ncfpa — Conjunction · noun common feminine plural absoluteHC/Ncfpa
בַּ֫יִן (beyn) is a noun meaning 'interval' or 'space between.' It primarily functions as a preposition meaning 'between' or 'among,' and can also indicate distinctions or choices. The dual form בֵּנַ֫יִם refers specifically to the space between two entities, such as armies. The entries do not indicate any significant disagreement.
בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between
always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
base
H996 בַּ֫יִן subst. prop. interval, space between . always (exc. dual) as prep. in the interval of, between
. Dual בֵּנַ֫יִם space between two armies
996 beyn bane
(sometimes in the plural masculine or feminine); properly,
the constructive form of an otherwise unused noun from 995; a
distinction; but used only as a prep, between (repeated before
each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction,
either...or:--among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), +
from (the widest), X in, out of, whether (it be...or), within.
see HEBREW for 0995
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between.
: between
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
בַּ֫יִן (ba.yin) — between: among.
: among
between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
A sub-meaning of ben (בַּ֫יִן ": between" H0996)
Prep — PrepHAcmsc
שַׁלָבִּים (shalabim) refers to joinings or spacers, particularly in the context of frames or panels. It is derived from the root word שָׁלָב (shalav), which denotes a ledge or raised interval. The term appears in discussions of construction and design, particularly in relation to bases.
שַׁלָבִּים n.[m.]pl. joinings of bases
base
H7948 שַׁלָבִּים, שָׁלָב
7948 shalab shaw-lawb'
from 7947; a spacer or raised interval, i.e. the stile in a
frame or panel:--ledge.
see HEBREW for 07947
שַׁלָבִּים (sha.lav) — frame.
joinings (of bases)
Art | N-mp — Particle · noun common masculine plural absoluteHTd/Ncmpa