Equipment for the Temple

(1 Kgs 7.23–51)

14.1: Ex 27.1–2King Solomon had a bronze altar made, which was nine metres square and 4.5 metres high. 2He also made a round tank of bronze, 2.2 metres deep, 4.5 metres in diameter, and 13.2 metres in circumference. 3All round the outer edge of the rim of the tank4.3 Probable text All round… tank; Hebrew unclear. were two rows of decorations, one above the other. The decorations were in the shape of bulls, which had been cast all in one piece with the rest of the tank. 4The tank rested on the backs of twelve bronze bulls that faced outwards, three facing in each direction. 5The sides of the tank were 75 millimetres thick. Its rim was like the rim of a cup, curving outwards like the petals of a flower. The tank held about 60,000 litres. 64.6: Ex 30.17–21They also made ten basins, five to be placed on the south side of the Temple and five on the north side. They were to be used to rinse the parts of the animals that were burnt as sacrifices. The water in the large tank was for the priests to use for washing.

7-84.7: Ex 25.31–404.8: Ex 25.23–30They made ten gold lampstands according to the usual pattern, and ten tables, and placed them in the main room of the Temple, five lampstands and five tables on each side. They also made a hundred gold bowls.

9They made an inner courtyard for the priests, and also an outer courtyard. The doors in the gates between the courtyards were covered with bronze. 10The tank was placed near the south-east corner of the Temple.

11-16Huram also made pots, shovels, and bowls. He completed all the objects that he had promised King Solomon he would make for the Temple:

The two columns

The two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the columns

The design of interwoven chains on each capital

The 400 bronze pomegranates arranged in two rows round the design of each capital

The ten4.11–16 Probable text (see 1 Kgs 7.40–45) ten; Hebrew he made. carts

The ten basins

The tank

The twelve bulls supporting the tank

The pots, shovels, and forks.

Huram the master craftsman made all these objects4.11–16 One ancient translation all these objects; Hebrew all their objects. out of polished bronze, as King Solomon had commanded, for use in the Temple of the LORD.

17The king had them all made in the foundry between Sukkoth and Zeredah4.17 Zeredah; or Zarethan (see 1 Kgs 7.46). in the Jordan Valley. 18So many objects were made that no one determined the total weight of the bronze used.

19King Solomon also had gold furnishings made for the Temple: the altar and the tables for the bread offered to God; 20the lampstands and the lamps of fine gold that were to burn in front of the Most Holy Place, according to plan; 21the flower decorations, the lamps, and the tongs; 22the lamp snuffers, the bowls, the dishes for incense, and the pans used for carrying live coals. All these objects were made of pure gold. The outer doors of the Temple and the doors to the Most Holy Place were overlaid with gold.