In biblical terminology, the term "brim" refers to the edge or the outermost part of a container, often used in the context of vessels or bodies of water. The concept of the brim is significant in several biblical narratives, symbolizing fullness, abundance, or the boundary of a divine act.

Old Testament References

1. Solomon's Temple: The term "brim" is notably used in the description of the "Sea of cast metal" in Solomon's Temple. This large basin, used for ceremonial washing by the priests, is described in 1 Kings 7:23-26 and 2 Chronicles 4:2-5. The Berean Standard Bible states, "It was round, ten cubits from brim to brim, and five cubits high. A line of thirty cubits measured its circumference" (1 Kings 7:23). The brim here signifies the vastness and the grandeur of the temple's furnishings, reflecting the glory and majesty of God’s dwelling place.

2. Symbol of Abundance: In the context of abundance, the brim is used metaphorically to describe overflowing blessings. Psalm 23:5, while not using the word "brim" directly, conveys a similar idea with the imagery of an overflowing cup: "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows" . The concept of overflowing to the brim is a powerful image of divine provision and blessing.

New Testament References

1. Miracle at Cana: In the New Testament, the miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana involves the concept of filling to the brim. John 2:7 records Jesus instructing the servants, "Fill the jars with water." So they filled them to the brim." This act of filling the jars to the brim signifies the completeness and the miraculous nature of Jesus' first recorded miracle, demonstrating His divine authority and the abundance of His provision.

Theological Implications

The use of "brim" in the Bible often carries theological implications of God's abundance and the completeness of His works. It serves as a reminder of the fullness of God's blessings and the overflowing nature of His grace. The imagery of the brim, whether in the context of the temple or in Jesus' miracles, underscores the idea that God's provision is not just sufficient but abundant, exceeding human expectations.

Cultural and Historical Context

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the brim of a vessel was an important feature, often indicating the capacity and value of the container. In biblical times, the brim would have been a practical aspect of daily life, as well as a symbolic element in religious rituals and narratives. The precision in describing the dimensions of the temple's basin or the act of filling jars to the brim reflects the meticulous nature of biblical accounts and the importance of detail in conveying spiritual truths.

Overall, the concept of the brim in the Bible serves as a powerful symbol of God's overflowing provision and the completeness of His divine acts, resonating with themes of abundance, blessing, and divine presence throughout the Scriptures.1. (n.) The rim, border, or upper edge of a cup, dish, or any hollow vessel used for holding anything.

2. (n.) The edge or margin, as of a fountain, or of the water contained in it; the brink; border.

3. (n.) The rim of a hat.

4. (v. i.) To be full to the brim.

5. (v. t.) To fill to the brim, upper edge, or top.

6. (a.) Fierce; sharp; cold. See Breme.

BRIM

qatseh or qetseh = "an extremity" (in a variety of applications and idioms), "border," "edge," "side," "shore" (Joshua 3:15 the King James Version; the Revised Version (British and American) "brink"); also saphah or sepheth = "edge," "lip" (1 Kings 7:23, 24, 26 2 Chronicles 4:2, 5). In John 2:7, the adverb ano, is used to emphasize the verb egemisan = "to fill," thus giving the idea of "filling to the top."

507. ano -- up, above
... ano Phonetic Spelling: (an'-o) Short Definition: up, above, things above, heaven
Definition: up, above, up to the top, up to the brim, things above, heaven ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/507.htm - 6k

1690. embrimaomai -- to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly
... to be moved with anger, to admonish sternly. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
embrimaomai Phonetic Spelling: (em-brim-ah'-om-ahee) Short Definition: I snort ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1690.htm - 7k

8193. saphah -- lip, speech, edge
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition lip, speech, edge NASB Word Usage babbling
(2), bank (10), binding (2), brim (9), edge (17), empty (2), gossip* (1 ...
/hebrew/8193.htm - 6k

7097. qatseh -- end, extremity
... end, extremity. Transliteration: qatseh Phonetic Spelling: (kaw-tseh') Short Definition:
after. after, border, brim, brink, edge, end, infinite, frontier, ...
/hebrew/7097.htm - 5k

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
... Under the brim were two rows of balls or bosses, encircling the laver. Twelve
oxen, three looking in four different directions, supported ...
/.../milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/hiram the inspired artificer.htm

Impure Zeal
... prophets, and worshippers, recovered from their fright, came flocking to the great
temple in Samaria, till it was like a cup filled with wine from brim to brim ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/impure zeal.htm

Hollow Laughter, Solid Joy
... thoughts, emotions, purposes, and acts were in perfect harmony with the perfect
will of the perfect God, filled His humanity up to the very brim with gladness ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/hollow laughter solid joy.htm

A Free Salvation
... to be a Christian would be a bright and happy thing for it lights up this valley
of tears, and fills the wells in the valley of Baca to the brim with streams ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/a free salvation.htm

The Waterpots at Cana
... And they filled them up to the brim.""John 2:7. YOU KNOW THE NARRATIVE. ... He said,
"Fill the waterpots with water," and they filled them up to the brim. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 26 1880/the waterpots at cana.htm

The First Sign --The Marriage in Cana.
... three firkins apiece. Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water.
And they filled them up to the brim. And He saith unto ...
/.../v the first signthe marriage.htm

Perhaps There is no Book Within the Whole Canon of Scripture So ...
... 5. "May abound to every good work." Now filled to the brim, and still connected
with an inexhaustible supply, the vessel must overflow, and that on every side. ...
/.../jennings/old groans and new songs/chapter i perhaps there is.htm

The Marriage of Cana
... with water. And they filled them to the brim. And he saith unto them, draw
out now, and bear to the governor of the feast. And they ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the marriage of cana.htm

The Folly and Danger of Being not Righteous Enough
... My hour is not yet come." After this he commanded them to fill the water-pots with
water, and they filled them to the brim, and this water he turned into wine ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the folly and danger of.htm

Sinners Bound with the Cords of Sin
... The cup of sin, with rainbow bubbles on its brim, is black with deep damnation in
its dregs. O that men would consider this, and turn from their delusions. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 16 1870/sinners bound with the cords.htm

Brim (9 Occurrences)
... 3. (n.) The rim of a hat. 4. (vi) To be full to the brim. 5. (vt) To fill to the
brim, upper edge, or top. ... See Breme. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BRIM. ...
/b/brim.htm - 10k

Brim-full (1 Occurrence)
Brim-full. Brimful, Brim-full. Brimstone . Multi-Version Concordance
Brim-full (1 Occurrence). Acts 2:13 But others, scornfully ...
/b/brim-full.htm - 6k

Rim (18 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:23 He made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass,
and its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled it ...
/r/rim.htm - 11k

Lilies (15 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought
like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths ...
/l/lilies.htm - 10k

Lily-blossoms (2 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And its thickness was a hand-breadth, and its brim was like the work
of the brim of a cup, with lily-blossoms; it held two thousand baths. (DBY). ...
/l/lily-blossoms.htm - 7k

Thickness (12 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And its thickness was a hand-breadth, and its brim was like the work
of the brim of a cup, with lily-blossoms; it held two thousand baths. ...
/t/thickness.htm - 10k

Baths (8 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). 1 Kings 7:26 It was a handbreadth thick: and its brim was worked like
the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it held two thousand baths. ...
/b/baths.htm - 9k

Blossom (23 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:26 And its thickness was a hand-breadth, and its brim was like the work
of the brim of a cup, with lily-blossoms; it held two thousand baths. ...
/b/blossom.htm - 14k

Circular (5 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 7:23 He made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass,
and its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled it ...
/c/circular.htm - 8k

Flower (33 Occurrences)
... (BBE). 1 Kings 7:26 It was a handbreadth thick: and its brim was worked like the
brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it held two thousand baths. ...
/f/flower.htm - 18k

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