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.
He also made ten basins for washing

Solomon provided these bronze basins for the temple’s sacrificial service, following the requirements for cleansing connected with the offerings.

1Ki 7:38 He also made ten bronze basins, each holding forty baths…
Exo 30:18-21 You are to make a bronze basin with a bronze stand…
Exo 40:30-32 He placed the basin between the Tent of Meeting…

and placed five on the south side and five on the north.

Their balanced arrangement in the temple court gave the priests ready access while reflecting the order of worship established for the house of God.

1Ki 7:39 He set five stands on the south side of the temple…
Exo 40:22-24 Moses placed the table in the Tent of Meeting…
Exo 26:35 And place the table outside the veil on the north side…

The parts of the burnt offering were rinsed in them,

The animals’ sacrificial portions were washed before being presented on the altar, preserving the distinction between what was holy and what was common.

Exo 29:17 Cut the ram into pieces, wash the entrails and legs,…
Lev 1:9 The entrails and legs must be washed with water,…
Lev 1:13 The entrails and legs must be washed with water,…

but the priests used the Sea for washing.

The great bronze Sea supplied water for the priests’ own ceremonial cleansing as they carried out their duties before the LORD.

1Ki 7:23-26 He also made the Sea of cast metal. It was circular…
Exo 29:4 Then present Aaron and his sons at the entrance…
Lev 8:6 Then Moses presented Aaron and his sons.…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel who commissioned the building of the temple, including its furnishings.

2. The Temple
The holy place in Jerusalem where the Israelites worshiped God, built by Solomon.

3. The Basins
Ten large containers used for washing the items used in burnt offerings.

4. The Sea
A large basin used by the priests for ceremonial washing.

5. The Priests
The Levitical priests who performed the temple rituals and sacrifices.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of Cleansing
The basins and the Sea symbolize the need for purification before approaching God. This reflects the holiness of God and the sinfulness of man.

Role of the Priests
The priests' use of the Sea for washing highlights their role as mediators between God and the people, foreshadowing Christ as our ultimate High Priest.

Preparation for Worship
The meticulous preparation and cleansing rituals underscore the importance of preparing our hearts before worshiping God.

Old Covenant and New Covenant
The physical washings of the Old Covenant point to the spiritual cleansing available through Jesus Christ in the New Covenant.

Holiness in Daily Life
Just as the priests needed to be clean to serve, believers are called to live holy lives, set apart for God's purposes.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the use of the basins and the Sea in the temple reflect the holiness of God and the need for purification?

2. In what ways does the role of the priests in the Old Testament foreshadow the work of Jesus Christ as our High Priest?

3. How can we apply the principle of preparation for worship in our personal and communal worship practices today?

4. What are some New Testament scriptures that discuss spiritual cleansing, and how do they relate to the physical washings in the Old Testament?

5. How can the concept of holiness, as demonstrated by the temple rituals, be applied to our daily lives as Christians?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 30:17-21
This passage describes the bronze basin Moses made for the tabernacle, which served a similar purpose for washing.

1 Kings 7:23-26
Provides a parallel account of the construction of the Sea and basins, emphasizing their importance in temple worship.

Hebrews 9:10
Discusses the ceremonial washings and regulations of the Old Covenant, pointing to their fulfillment in Christ.
Acceptable WorshipW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 4:1-6
The Furniture of the Holy CourtJ. Wolfendale.2 Chronicles 4:1-10
The Molten SeaHomiletical Commentary2 Chronicles 4:1-10
People
Huram, Solomon
Places
Jordan River, Most Holy Place, Succoth, Zeredah
Topics
Basins, Belonged, Burned, Burnt, Burnt-offering, Lavers, Maketh, Making, North, Offered, Offering, Offerings, Placed, Prepared, Priests, Purge, Putteth, Putting, Rinse, Rinsed, South, Ten, Themselves, Wash, Washed, Washing, Washing-vessels, Water-vessel
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 4:6

     5226   basin
     7416   purification
     7478   washing

2 Chronicles 4:1-22

     5207   architecture

2 Chronicles 4:2-6

     5272   craftsmen

2 Chronicles 4:6-8

     1653   numbers, 6-10

Library
The First Part
Of the Apocalyptical Commentaries, according to the Rule of the Apocalyptical Key, on the First Prophecy which is contained in the Seals and Trumpets; with an Introduction concerning the Scene of the Apocalypse. As it is my design to investigate the meaning of the Apocalyptical visions, it is requisite for me to treat, in the first place, of that celestial theatre to which John was called, in order to behold them, exhibited as on a stage, and afterwards of the prophecies in succession, examined by
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

Sanctification.
VI. Objections answered. I will consider those passages of scripture which are by some supposed to contradict the doctrine we have been considering. 1 Kings viii. 46: "If they sin against thee, (for there is no man that sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them to the enemy, so that they carry them away captives unto the land of the enemy, far or near," etc. On this passage, I remark:-- 1. That this sentiment in nearly the same language, is repeated in 2 Chron. vi. 26, and in Eccl.
Charles Grandison Finney—Systematic Theology

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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