Lexical Summary shelabbim: Lattice, network, or interwoven work Original Word: שָׁלָב Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ledge From shalab; a spacer or raised interval, i.e. The stile in a frame or panel -- ledge. see HEBREW shalab NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom shalab Definition joining pieces (of stands) NASB Translation frames (3). Brown-Driver-Briggs שְׁלַבִּים noun [masculine] plural joinings of bases (ᵑ9 juncturae); — ׳בֵּין הַשׁ 1 Kings 7:28,29, ׳עַלהַֿשְּׁ 1 Kings 7:29; AV RV ledges, ribs (Kit) or frames (Benz), joining or binding the parts together. שׁלג (√ of following, unless loan-word; Late Hebrew = Biblical Hebrew, Ecclus 43:17c שלגו his snow; Arabic Topical Lexicon Distribution and Literary Setting Shalav appears exclusively in the detailed description of the ten bronze water carts fabricated for Solomon’s temple court (1 Kings 7:28, 29). The term designates the framed sections that held decorative panels and provided structural integrity to each mobile laver stand. Its cluster of three occurrences within a single paragraph underscores how narrowly the word is tied to this one architectural feature. Structural and Architectural Role 1 Kings 7:28 describes the design: “He made the stands with side panels between the frames.” The frames (shalav) functioned as the load-bearing skeleton of the carts, locking together the side panels and supporting the basins that held the water. Ancient Near Eastern chariot construction employs a similar system, hinting that the carts combined mobility with ceremonial durability. By specifying the frames, the text affirms the precision with which the temple’s furnishings were engineered—every joint, bracket, and ledge existing by divine instruction, not merely human ingenuity. Artistic and Symbolic Significance The frames enclosed panels that were “ornamented with lions, oxen, and cherubim” (1 Kings 7:29). These motifs echo other sanctuary symbols: By holding these images in place, the frames visually united kingship, sacrifice, and divine presence—key strands of Old Testament theology. Relationship to Levitical Worship Each cart bore a laver of roughly 220 gallons of water (1 Kings 7:38), enabling priests to wash the sacrificial parts before burning them (Leviticus 1:9). Without sturdy frames the carts could not have supported such weight. Thus shalav is indirectly linked to the daily pursuit of ritual purity. Its inclusion in the narrative reminds readers that holiness must be structurally sustained; external beauty without interior strength would have failed under repeated use. Theological Themes 1. Order and craftsmanship reflect God’s character (Exodus 31:1–5). Shalav testifies that divine worship calls for both utility and beauty. Ministry Reflections • Engineers, artists, and laborers all serve God when their craft undergirds corporate worship. Shalav, though mentioned only three times, exemplifies how Scripture weaves theological significance into the fine joints of sacred architecture, urging every generation to build its worship with the same reverent precision. Forms and Transliterations הַשְׁלַבִּ֖ים הַשְׁלַבִּ֗ים הַשְׁלַבִּֽים׃ השלבים השלבים׃ haš·lab·bîm hashlabBim hašlabbîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 7:28 HEB: וּמִסְגְּרֹ֖ת בֵּ֥ין הַשְׁלַבִּֽים׃ NAS: even borders between the frames, KJV: and the borders [were] between the ledges: INT: borders between the frames 1 Kings 7:29 1 Kings 7:29 3 Occurrences |
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. Aramaic תַּלְגָא, 
, Assyrian šalgu).