For “oxen” we find in 1 Kings 7:24, “knops” or “gourds.” An early copyist, not comprehending the comparatively rare word here used for “gourd,” and expecting to hear of oxen, as soon as the molten sea was mentioned, changed the reading. read more
Three thousand baths - See 1 Kings 7:23 note. It is quite possible that either here or in Kings the text may have been accidentally corrupted. read more
A.M. 2992. B.C. 1012. The brazen altar, sea, and lavers, 2 Chronicles 4:1-6 . The golden candlesticks and tables, 2Ch 4:7 , 2 Chronicles 4:8 . The doors overlaid with brass, the vessels of the altar, and other brass work, 2 Chronicles 4:9-18 . The golden altar of incense, with its appurtenances, 2 Chronicles 4:19-22 . NOTES ON CHAPTER 4. 2 Chronicles 4:1-2. Ten cubits the height thereof This was too high for the priests to lay the victims on it, without going up some kind of... read more
Construction of the temple (2:1-7:22)With the help of King Hiram of Tyre, Solomon prepared materials and arranged a workforce to build the planned temple (2:1-18; see notes on 1 Kings 5:1-18). Construction went on for seven years, until the temple, its furniture, its courtyard, and all other articles and decorations connected with it were completed according to plan (3:1-5:1; see notes on 1 Kings 6:1-7:51). The temple was then dedicated to God (5:2-7:22; see notes on 1 Kings 8:1-9:9). read more
in a cubit: or, to the height of a cubit (i.e. one-fifth of the brazen sea). read more
received and held three thousand baths. 1 Kings 7:26 says 2,000; and it is alleged that "there must be a mistake in the figures". But no: 1 Kings 7:26 speaks of what it usually "contained", while here it speaks of what it could actually "receive and hold". read more
2 Chronicles 4:3. Similitude of oxen— The similitude of grapes. Houbigant. See the parallel passage, 1 Kings 7:24. read more
2. he made a molten sea—(See on :-), as in that passage "knops" occur instead of "oxen." It is generally supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox heads. read more
3. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast—The meaning is, that the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of one piece, being cast in one and the same mould. There is a difference in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin, for while in :- it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it, in this passage no less than three thousand are stated. It has been suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of water... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 4:5
An handbreadth . Not זֶרֶת , "a span", but טֶפַח , "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, it was able to hold . 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... read more