2 Chronicles 4:5
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
What's striking here isn't just the size of the Sea of Solomon, but how precisely it's described: the "thickness" and the "brim like the flower of a lily" point to meticulous craftsmanship, not just raw capacity. This detail emphasizes that even in the practical construction of temple furnishings, God's people were called to reflect His own perfect order and beauty. It suggests that how we build, and the care we put into the details, can itself be an act of worship.
Solomon is in the process of constructing and dedicating the magnificent Temple, a central place for Israel to worship God. Following the description of the great bronze Sea and the ten smaller lavers, this verse details the elaborate craftsmanship of the Sea itself, highlighting its size and intricate design. This opulent artistry underscores the grandeur and importance of the place where God would meet His people.
Ever wonder why the Bible includes so many specific details about ancient temple items? It wasn't just for show!
This verse describes the Great Sea, a massive bronze basin in Solomon's temple. Notice the exact measurements: a handbreadth thick, a brim like a cup's flower, and a capacity of 3,000 baths. These aren't random details. God instructed Moses and Solomon to build the tabernacle and temple with incredible precision. Every measurement, every material, every design element pointed to His perfect holiness and His detailed plan for worship and atonement. Even the decorative elements, like the lily-flower brim, were part of this deliberate, beautiful craftsmanship. This precision underscores that nothing in God's plan is accidental; it's all purposeful and points to Him.
This enormous water basin held thousands of gallons. What did all that water represent for worshipers?
The Great Sea was primarily a place for the Levitical priests to wash. The sheer volume of water (3,000 baths) speaks to the immense need for purity required in approaching a holy God. Think about it: the priests had to be ritually clean to perform their duties. This basin was essential for their daily service. Symbolically, it points forward to Christ, who is our ultimate cleansing from sin. Just as this physical basin provided the means for ritual purity, Jesus' sacrifice provides the spiritual purity that allows us full access to God.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 2 Chronicles 4:5 is available in the Sola app.
Understand the original words
bath · Hebrew Noun
A unit of dry or liquid measurement in the ancient Near East, used here to describe the immense capacity of the bronze sea, emphasizing the scale and sufficiency of the provision for purification.
The detailed description of the bronze Sea in 2 Chronicles 4 highlights the grandeur and meticulous craftsmanship invested in worship during Solomon's reign, standing in stark contrast to the later destruction of the Temple.
c. 967 BC
Solomon's Temple Construction Begins
King Solomon began the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental project that would become the center of Israelite worship.
c. 960 BC— this verse
Dedication of Solomon's Temple
The magnificent Temple was completed and dedicated to God, filled with sacred furnishings, including the great bronze Sea.
c. 960 BC
Installation of the Great Bronze Sea
The large laver, described in detail in 2 Chronicles 4, was placed in the Temple courtyard to be used by the priests for ritual cleansing.
586 BC
Destruction of the First Temple
The Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar II conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the First Temple, looting its precious furnishings, including the bronze Sea.
This passage describes the molten sea in Solomon's Temple, which is identical in size and purpose to the one described in 2 Chronicles, offering a parallel account of its construction and specifications.
Jeremiah 52:17This verse recounts the destruction of the Temple vessels by the Babylonians, including the molten sea, highlighting the significance of this elaborate structure within the Temple's history.
Exodus 30:18While describing the laver for the priests' washing in the Tabernacle, this passage shows the continuity of ritual purity and the use of basins for sacred purposes, echoing the function of the great molten sea in the Temple.
Ezekiel 40:3In Ezekiel's vision of the future Temple, a measuring line and a measuring bowl are mentioned, reflecting the meticulous attention to detail in sacred architecture and measurement that is also evident in the description of the molten sea.
What's striking here isn't just the size of the Sea of Solomon, but how precisely it's described: the "thickness" and the "brim like the flower of a lily" point to meticulous craftsmanship, not just raw capacity. This detail emphasizes that even in the practical construction of temple furnishings, God's people were called to reflect His own perfect order and beauty. It suggests that how we build, and the care we put into the details, can itself be an act of worship.
Solomon is in the process of constructing and dedicating the magnificent Temple, a central place for Israel to worship God. Following the description of the great bronze Sea and the ten smaller lavers, this verse details the elaborate craftsmanship of the Sea itself, highlighting its size and intricate design. This opulent artistry underscores the grandeur and importance of the place where God would meet His people.
Solomon is in the process of constructing and dedicating the magnificent Temple, a central place for Israel to worship God. Following the description of the great bronze Sea and the ten smaller lavers, this verse details the elaborate craftsmanship of the Sea itself, highlighting its size and intricate design. This opulent artistry underscores the grandeur and importance of the place where God would meet His people.
"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." — What's striking here isn't just the size of the Sea of Solomon, but how precisely it's described: the "thickness" and the "brim like the flower of a lily" point to meticulous craftsmanship, not just…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
