2 Chronicles 4

A description of the copper altar for the burnt-offering v.1. &c. Of the molten sea, 2. Of the Lavers, 6. Of the Candlesticks, 7. Of the Tables, 8. And the courts, 9 with a relation of all the pieces that Hiram made for the use of the Temple, which were either of copper, 11. Or of Gold, 19.

1. He made also a copper altar, [This altar was indeed like unto the altar that was made by Moseh in the wilderness, in fashion, because it was foursquare, and in the covering, which was of copper; but not in bigness, because it was much larger: besides that was made sit to be removed, and carried from place to place, but this was made to abide standing. Compare Exod.27.1, 2.] of twenty ells in the length thereof, and twenty ells in the breadth thereof, and ten ells in the height thereof.

2. Besides, he made the molten sea: [See of this, 1 Kings 7.on v.23. where likewise is the exposition of this text] it was of ten ells, from the one brim [Heb. Lip] thereof to the other brim thereof round in compass, and of five ells in the height thereof, and a measuring line of thirty ells did compass it round about.

3. Now under the same [To wit, the sea, meaning the brim thereof, 1 Kings 7.v.24.] was the similitude of oxen [understand this of the small images of oxen, which were under the brim at the belly of the sea, not of the great oxen, upon which the sea stood, as followeth. Compare further 1 Kings 7.on v.24.] compassing the same round about, ten in a cubit compassing the sea round about; Two rows of these oxen were cast in the casting thereof. [that is, which were cast together in one mould with this copper vessel, when it was cast.]

4. It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the West, and three looking toward the South, and three looking toward the East: and the sea was above upon them; and all their hinder parts were inward. [See 1 Kings 7.on verse 25.]

5. Now the thickness of it was an handbreadth, [that is, four fingers: so great is an handbreadth; called by the Latines Palmus minor; and is to be distinguished from another measure of this name called Palmus major, three times as broad, that is, a span] and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a beaker, (or) of a lily-flower, containing (many) Baths; it held three thousand.

6. And he made ten Lavers, [See of these, 1 Kings 7:38. and the annotate.] and put five on the right hand, [namely, of the Court] and five on the left, to wash in them, [to wit, the flesh of the offering] what belongeth to the burnt-offering, [Hebr. The work of the burnt-offering] they put in them: [to wit, to rinse and wash the same off. The Hebrew word signifieth properly such putting in or dipping, which tendeth to washing off, or washing away, whereby the filth and dirt or slime is gotten off. Compare Isa.4 4. Ezek.40.38.] but the sea was for the Priests to wash themselves in it.

7. He made also ten golden Candlesticks, according to their manner, [That is, according to the prescript, or pattern given by God, Exod.25.31. or delivered by David unto Salomon, 1 Chron.28.15.] and he set them in the Temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left hand.

8. He made also ten Tables, and placed them in the Temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left hand; And he made an hundred golden sprinkling-basins.

9. Furthermore, he made the court of the Priests; [See hereof, 1 Kings 6.on v.36.] and the great Court: [understand the outer Court, wherein the people assembled for the exercise of the worship of God, and to crave the help and assistance of God, which when it was done uprightly, according to the command and ordinance of God, then the help of God appeared. And hence the Hebrew appellation hath its original; as if we should say a help, or, place of help. See 1 Kings 7.v .12. and the annotate.] together with the doors of the Court, and overland the doors of them with copper.

10. Now he set the sea on the right side, toward the East, over against the South.

11. Moreover Huram [The craftman, whom the king of Tyre had sent to Salomon, of whom see 1 Kin.7.on v.13,14. And above chap.2.13,14. And below v.16.] made the pots, and the shovels, and the sprinkling-basin; So Huram finished the work that he made for king Salomon for the house of God.

12. The two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapters, on the head of the pillars: And the two nets, to cover the two pommels of the chapters, that were upon the head of the pillars.

13. And the four hundred pomegranates for the two nets: Two rows of pomegranates to each net, to cover the two pommels of the chapter, which were above upon the pillars. [Hebr. Upon the face of the pillars.]

14. He made also the bases; and lavers made he upon the bases.

15. One sea, [understand one sea because there was but one, wherein the priests washed themselves, and is to be distinguished from the lavers, wherein the flesh of the offerings, and what ever belonged thereunto, was washed, above v.6.] and the twelve oxen underneath.

16. Likewise the pots, and the shovels, and the flesh hooks, and all their vessels did Huram Abiu [Oth. His Father, or, his Fathers. See above chap.1.on ver.13.] make for king Salomon for the house of the LORD, of polished copper.

17. In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in close Earth, between Succoth, and between Zeredatha, [See the exposition of this verse, 1 Kings 7.on verse 46.]

18. And Salomon made all these vessels in great abundance: For the weight of the copper was not searched.

19. Salomon also made all the vessels, that were for the house of God, and the golden altar, and the tables, on which the shew-bread-(loaves) are.

20. And the candlesticks with their lamps of close gold, [See of this gold, 1 Kings 6.on v.20.] that they should kindle after the manner, [that is, after the law given of God, Exod.25.31,etc. and 37.17,etc.] before the oracles-place.

21. And the flowers, and the lamps, and the snuffers of gold, it was the perfectest gold: [Heb. The perfections of gold; that is, the best, finest, and purest gold.]

22. Together with the forks, [See 1 Kings 7.on v.50.] and the sprinkling-basins, and the incense bowels, and the censers of close gold: Concerning the entry of the house, the inner door, thereof, of the holy of holies, and the doors of the house of the Temple were of gold. [that is, overlaid with gold: For the inner part of the doors was of wood, 1 Kings 6:31, 32, 35.]