Bible Commentaries

doors = entrances.

sawed with saws. Figure of speech Ployptoton. App-6.

a widow"s. One of nine widows specially mentioned. See note on Genesis 38:19.

Naphtali: by marriage. By birth, of Dan (2 Chronicles 2:14). Dan furnished Aholiab, one of the builders of the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:6).

cunning = knowing, or skilful. Compare 1 Samuel 16:18. 1 Chronicles 22:15.

works in brass = castings in bronze. These were the subjects of later prophecy (Jeremiah 27:19), fulfilled in 2 Kings 25:13-17.

cast. Hebrew fashioned.

two pillars = the two pillars: i.e. the two notable pillars, for ornament, not for support, and hollow (Jeremiah 52:21).

eighteen cubits high apiece. So 2 Kings 25:17 and Jeremiah 52:21. But 2 Chronicles 3:15 (margin) says thirty-five cubits long: i.e. together, the top of "each" being reckoned separately. Therefore the height here was 17 + cubit being taken up in the joining on of the capital.

apiece. This is the reckoning here. In 2 Chronicles 3:15 they are reckoned together. See margin.

chapiters. Old French chapiteau, from Latin. capitu-lum = capitals, or crowns.

five cubits. So 2 Chronicles 3:15. But 2 Kings 25:17 says three cubits, not including the "wreathen" or lattice work, which is described separately, and must have been two cubits.

nets = frames, or net- or lattice-work. These are included in the five cubits here and in 2 Chronicles 3:15, but not in 2 Kings 25:17.

belly = swell, or protuberance.

in the porch = for the porch.

Jachin = He (God) will establish. Referring to His

Boaz = In Him (God) is strength, People Israel.

molten sea = brazen laver. "Sea" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for what contained it.

a line of thirty cubits. Here the proportion of the diameter to the circumference (1 Kings 1:3) was revealed, while human wisdom was still searching it out.

two thousand., 2 Chronicles 4:5 says three thousand. But 1 Kings 7:26 speaks of what it did (usually) contain; while 2 Chronicles 4:5 speaks of what it could " receive and hold". No bath in use is filled to its full capacity.

baths. See App-51.

borders = panels, or enclosures.

additions = connections. Probably wreaths. Occurs only here and 1 Kings 7:29, 1 Kings 7:30, 1 Kings 7:36.

wheels: showing that these lavers were movable; and indicating that when "that which is perfect should come (viz. the washing with spirit, Acts 1:5), the type (water) was to be wheeled away".

plates = axletrees.

undersetters = projections, or supports.

at the side of = opposite.

borders = panels. Removed by Ahaz (2 Kings 16:17). Replaced by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:19). Existed at taking of Temple (Jeremiah 52:17, Jeremiah 52:20).

naves = felloes.

felloes = spokes.

spokes = naves.

proportion : i.e. on a reduced scale, as the plates required.

lavers = cauldrons (for boiling the peace offerings). Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "pans". Compare 1 Kings 7:45 and 2 Chronicles 4:11.

made = made for.

networks = lattices.

upon = upon the face of. Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6.

found out = sought out. 4

vessels = furniture.

altar : i.e. the altar of incense. Compare 1 Kings 6:22.

candlesticks. Compare 2 Chronicles 4:20. Solomon exceeded the pattern in number but followed the design in shape. Size not stated.

pure gold. In Palestine, gold has the least possible alloy, and is exceedingly malleable.

the most holy place = the holy of holies.

the things which David his father had dedicated = the holy things of David. Hebrew. kodesh. See note on Exodus 3:5