1 Kings 7:39
New International Version
He placed five of the stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north. He placed the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

New Living Translation
He set five water carts on the south side of the Temple and five on the north side. The great bronze basin called the Sea was placed near the southeast corner of the Temple.

English Standard Version
And he set the stands, five on the south side of the house, and five on the north side of the house. And he set the sea at the southeast corner of the house.

Berean Standard Bible
He set five stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north, and he put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

King James Bible
And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

New King James Version
And he put five carts on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house. He set the Sea on the right side of the house, toward the southeast.

New American Standard Bible
Then he placed the stands, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house; and he set the Sea of cast metal on the right side of the house eastward toward the south.

NASB 1995
Then he set the stands, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house; and he set the sea of cast metal on the right side of the house eastward toward the south.

NASB 1977
Then he set the stands, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house; and he set the sea of cast metal on the right side of the house eastward toward the south.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then he set the stands, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house; and he set the sea of cast metal on the right side of the house eastward toward the south.

Amplified Bible
Then he placed the bases, five on the right [or south] side of the house and five on the left [or north] side; and he set the Sea [of cast metal] on the right side of the house toward the southeast.

Christian Standard Bible
He set five water carts on the right side of the temple and five on the left side. He put the basin near the right side of the temple toward the southeast.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He set five water carts on the right side of the temple and five on the left side. He put the reservoir near the right side of the temple toward the southeast.

American Standard Version
And he set the bases, five on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.

Contemporary English Version
He put five stands on the south side of the temple, five stands on the north side, and the large bowl at the southeast corner of the temple.

English Revised Version
And he set the bases, five on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He put five stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north side of the temple. He set the pool on the south side of the temple in the southeast [corner].

Good News Translation
He placed five of the carts on the south side of the Temple, and the other five on the north side; the tank he placed at the southeast corner.

International Standard Version
He set five of the stands on the right side of the Temple and five on the left side of the Temple. He set the bronze sea on the right side of the Temple eastward facing the south.

Majority Standard Bible
He set five stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north, and he put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

NET Bible
He put five basins on the south side of the temple and five on the north side. He put "The Sea" on the south side, in the southeast corner.

New Heart English Bible
He set the bases, five on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

World English Bible
He set the bases, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house. He set the sea on the right side of the house eastward and toward the south.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he puts the five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house, and he has put the sea on the right side of the house eastward—from toward the south.

Young's Literal Translation
and he putteth the five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house, and the sea he hath put on the right side of the house, eastward -- over-against the south.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will give five bases upon the shoulder of the house from the right, and five upon the shoulder of the house from its left: and he gave the sea from the shoulder of the house to the right to the east over against the south.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he set the ten bases, five on the right side of the temple, and five on the left: and the sea he put on the right side of the temple over against the east southward.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he stationed the ten bases, five to the right side of the temple, and five to the left. And the sea he placed to the right side of the temple, opposite the east, toward the south.

New American Bible
He placed the stands, five on the south side of the house and five on the north. The sea he placed off to the southeast from the south side of the house.

New Revised Standard Version
He set five of the stands on the south side of the house, and five on the north side of the house; he set the sea on the southeast corner of the house.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he put five bases on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house; and he set the sea on the right side of the house, toward the south.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he made the bases, the five of the side of the right side house and the five of the left side of the house, and the sea he made at the south south east side of the house.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he set the bases, five on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house; and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and the sea was placed on the right side of the house eastward in the direction of the south.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Ten Bronze Basins
38He also made ten bronze basins, each holding forty baths and measuring four cubits across, one basin for each of the ten stands. 39He set five stands on the south side of the temple and five on the north, and he put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner of the temple.

Cross References
2 Chronicles 4:10
He put the Sea on the south side, at the southeast corner.

2 Chronicles 4:6
He also made ten basins for washing and placed five on the south side and five on the north. The parts of the burnt offering were rinsed in them, but the priests used the Sea for washing.

Exodus 30:18-21
“You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand for washing. Set it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it, / with which Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet. / Whenever they enter the Tent of Meeting or approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the LORD, they must wash with water so that they will not die. ...

1 Kings 6:3
The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple was twenty cubits long, extending across the width of the temple and projecting out ten cubits in front of the temple.

1 Kings 8:64
On that same day the king consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings, the grain offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar before the LORD was too small to contain all these offerings.

2 Chronicles 7:7
Then Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard in front of the house of the LORD, and there he offered the burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, since the bronze altar he had made could not hold all these offerings.

1 Kings 7:23-26
He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference. / Below the rim, ornamental buds encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea. / The Sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested on them, with all their hindquarters toward the center. ...

2 Chronicles 4:2-5
He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim, five cubits in height, and thirty cubits in circumference. / Below the rim, figures of oxen encircled it, ten per cubit all the way around the Sea, cast in two rows as a part of the Sea. / The Sea stood on twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing west, three facing south, and three facing east. The Sea rested on them, with all their hindquarters toward the center. ...

1 Kings 7:27-37
In addition, he made ten movable stands of bronze, each four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three cubits high. / This was the design of the stands: They had side panels attached to uprights, / and on the panels between the uprights were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the uprights was a pedestal above, and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of beveled work. ...

2 Chronicles 4:11-12
Additionally, Huram made the pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls. So Huram finished the work that he had undertaken for King Solomon in the house of God: / the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars; the two sets of network covering both bowls of the capitals atop the pillars;

1 Kings 7:40-45
Additionally, Huram made the pots, shovels, and sprinkling bowls. So Huram finished all the work that he had undertaken for King Solomon in the house of the LORD: / the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars; the two sets of network covering both bowls of the capitals atop the pillars; / the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network covering both the bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars); ...

2 Chronicles 4:16-17
and the pots, shovels, meat forks, and all the other articles. All these objects that Huram-abi made for King Solomon for the house of the LORD were of polished bronze. / The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Succoth and Zeredah.

1 Kings 8:22
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

2 Chronicles 6:12-13
Then Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel and spread out his hands. / Now Solomon had made a bronze platform five cubits long, five cubits wide, and three cubits high and had placed it in the middle of the courtyard. He stood on it, knelt down before the whole assembly of Israel, spread out his hands toward heaven,

John 2:6
Now six stone water jars had been set there for the Jewish rites of purification. Each could hold from twenty to thirty gallons.


Treasury of Scripture

And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

Jump to Previous
Bases Cast Corner East Eastward Facing Five Great House Metal North Over-Against Placed Putteth Right Sea Side South Southeast Stands Water-Vessel
Jump to Next
Bases Cast Corner East Eastward Facing Five Great House Metal North Over-Against Placed Putteth Right Sea Side South Southeast Stands Water-Vessel
1 Kings 7
1. The building of Solomon's house
2. Of the house of Lebanon
6. Of the porch of pillars
7. Of the porch of judgment
8. Of the house for Pharaoh's daughter
13. Hiram's work of the two pillars,
23. Of the molten sea
27. Of the ten bases
38. Of the ten lavers
40. and all the vessels














He set five stands on the south side of the temple
The placement of the stands, or bases, on the south side of the temple indicates a strategic arrangement for the temple's furnishings. These stands were used to hold the basins for washing, which were essential for the priests' ritual purification. The number five often symbolizes grace in biblical numerology, suggesting the grace of God in providing a means for purification. The south side of the temple was significant as it was associated with warmth and light, symbolizing God's presence and favor.

and five on the north
The symmetry of placing five stands on the north side mirrors the arrangement on the south, emphasizing balance and order in the temple's design. The north side, often associated with darkness or judgment in biblical literature, contrasts with the south, yet here it is harmonized within the temple's sacred space. This balance reflects the comprehensive nature of God's provision and the inclusivity of His covenant with Israel.

and he put the Sea on the south side
The "Sea" refers to the large bronze basin used for the priests' ceremonial washing, symbolizing cleansing and purification. Its placement on the south side aligns with the theme of light and divine favor. The Sea's immense size and capacity underscore the abundance of God's provision for purification. This basin can be seen as a type of Christ, who provides ultimate cleansing from sin.

at the southeast corner of the temple
The southeast corner's location is significant as it combines the attributes of both the south (light, favor) and the east (new beginnings, resurrection). This positioning may symbolize the hope and renewal found in God's presence. The southeast corner's strategic placement also suggests a practical consideration for accessibility and functionality within the temple's layout, ensuring that the priests could efficiently perform their duties.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel who commissioned the building of the temple, a central figure in this passage.

2. The Temple
The holy place in Jerusalem where the Israelites worshiped God, built by Solomon as a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant.

3. The Stands
Bronze structures used to support the basins for washing, part of the temple furnishings.

4. The Sea
A large bronze basin used by the priests for ceremonial washing, symbolizing purification.

5. The South and North Sides
The specific locations within the temple complex where the stands and the Sea were placed, indicating order and purpose in worship.
Teaching Points
Order and Purpose in Worship
The specific placement of the stands and the Sea reflects God's desire for order and intentionality in worship. Our worship should be structured and purposeful, reflecting God's holiness and majesty.

Symbolism of Purification
The Sea's role in ceremonial washing symbolizes the need for spiritual cleansing. As believers, we are called to seek purity and holiness in our lives, recognizing that true cleansing comes through Christ.

The Role of the Temple
The temple served as a physical representation of God's presence among His people. Today, believers are the temple of the Holy Spirit, called to live in a way that honors God's indwelling presence.

Attention to Detail in Service
The detailed description of the temple's furnishings reminds us of the importance of diligence and excellence in our service to God. We should strive to offer our best in all that we do for Him.(39) The sea.--This was placed on the south-eastern side of the Temple, on one side of the great altar; the ten smaller lavers were ranged five on each side.

Verse 39. - And he put five bases on the right side [Heb. shoulder] of the house, and five on the left side of the house [i.e., on the south and north sides of the court of the priests]: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south. [This passage is decisive as to which was the right and which the left. The right side was the south. It was probably for convenience that the sea did not stand due east of the house, i.e., between the porch and altar.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He set
וַיִּתֵּן֙ (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

five
חָמֵ֞שׁ (ḥā·mêš)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2568: Five

stands
הַמְּכֹנ֔וֹת (ham·mə·ḵō·nō·wṯ)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 4350: A fixed resting place, base

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the south
מִיָּמִ֔ין (mî·yā·mîn)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south

side
כֶּ֤תֶף (ke·ṯep̄)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3802: The shoulder, side-piece, lateral projection of anything

of the temple
הַבַּ֙יִת֙ (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house

and five
וְחָמֵ֛שׁ (wə·ḥā·mêš)
Conjunctive waw | Number - feminine singular
Strong's 2568: Five

on
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the north,
מִשְּׂמֹאל֑וֹ (miś·śə·mō·lōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8040: Dark, the north, the left hand

and
וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-)
Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

he put
נָתַ֞ן (nā·ṯan)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

the Sea
הַיָּ֗ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

on the south
הַיְמָנִ֛ית (hay·mā·nîṯ)
Article | Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 3233: Right hand, right

side,
מִכֶּ֨תֶף (mik·ke·ṯep̄)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3802: The shoulder, side-piece, lateral projection of anything

at the southeast corner
קֵ֖דְמָה (qê·ḏə·māh)
Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6924: The front, of place, time

of the temple.
הַבַּ֧יִת (hab·ba·yiṯ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1004: A house


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OT History: 1 Kings 7:39 He set the bases five (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 7:38
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