1 Kings 7:24
New International Version
Below the rim, gourds encircled it—ten to a cubit. The gourds were cast in two rows in one piece with the Sea.

New Living Translation
It was encircled just below its rim by two rows of decorative gourds. There were about six gourds per foot all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.

English Standard Version
Under its brim were gourds, for ten cubits, compassing the sea all around. The gourds were in two rows, cast with it when it was cast.

Berean Standard Bible
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.

King James Bible
And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.

New King James Version
Below its brim were ornamental buds encircling it all around, ten to a cubit, all the way around the Sea. The ornamental buds were cast in two rows when it was cast.

New American Standard Bible
Under its brim gourds went around encircling it ten to a cubit, completely surrounding the Sea; the gourds were in two rows, cast with the rest.

NASB 1995
Under its brim gourds went around encircling it ten to a cubit, completely surrounding the sea; the gourds were in two rows, cast with the rest.

NASB 1977
And under its brim gourds went around encircling it ten to a cubit, completely surrounding the sea; the gourds were in two rows, cast with the rest.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now under its brim gourds went around encircling it ten to a cubit, entirely encircling the sea; the gourds were in two rows, cast with the Sea when it was cast.

Amplified Bible
Under its brim were gourds encircling it ten to a cubit, completely surrounding the Sea; the gourds were in two rows, cast in one piece with it.

Christian Standard Bible
Ornamental gourds encircled it below the brim, ten every half yard, completely encircling the basin. The gourds were cast in two rows when the basin was cast.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Ornamental gourds encircled it below the brim, 10 every half yard, completely encircling the reservoir. The gourds were cast in two rows when the reservoir was cast.

American Standard Version
And under the brim of it round about there were knops which did compass it, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about: the knops were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

Contemporary English Version
Two rows of bronze gourds were around the outer edge of the bowl, ten gourds to every 45 centimeters.

English Revised Version
And under the brim of it round about there were knops which did compass it, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about: the knops were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Under the rim were two rows of gourds all around the 45-foot circumference of the pool. They were cast in metal when the pool was cast.

Good News Translation
All around the outer edge of the rim of the tank were two rows of bronze gourds, which had been cast all in one piece with the rest of the tank.

International Standard Version
Under the brim, completely encircling it, were two rows of gourds inlaid as part of the original casting, ten to a cubit.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Under the rim all the way around it were round ornaments arranged in settings 15 feet long. The ornaments were in two rows and had been cast with "The Sea."

New Heart English Bible
Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it, for seventeen feet and three inches, encircling the sea: the buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

Webster's Bible Translation
And under the brim of it around there were knobs compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea around: the knobs were cast in two rows, when it was cast.

World English Bible
Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and knobs beneath its brim around are going around it, ten by the cubit, going around the sea; the knobs [are] in two rows, cast in its being cast.

Young's Literal Translation
and knops beneath its brim round about are compassing it, ten by the cubit, going round the sea round about; in two rows are the knops, cast in its being cast.

Smith's Literal Translation
And ornaments from beneath to its lip round about surrounding it, ten by the cubit, folding round the sea round about: two rows of ornaments being cast in its casting.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And a graven work under the brim of it compassed it, for ten cubits going about the sea: there were two rows cast of chamfered sculptures.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And a sculpted work under the brim encircled it for ten cubits going around the sea. There were two rows cast of striated sculptures.

New American Bible
Under the brim, gourds encircled it for ten cubits around the compass of the sea; the gourds were in two rows and were cast in one mold with the sea.

New Revised Standard Version
Under its brim were panels all around it, each of ten cubits, surrounding the sea; there were two rows of panels, cast when it was cast.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And under the brim of it round about there were buds encircling it, ten in a cubit, enclosing the sea; the buds were formed in two rows when it was cast.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The brims from under the edge as a circle, they go around it ten cubits; they go around the sea as a circle, two rows of the brims that were smelted in smelting.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And under the brim of it round about there were knops which did compass it, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about; the knops were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And stays underneath its rim round about compassed it ten cubits round;

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Molten Sea
23He 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. 24Below 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. 25The 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.…

Cross References
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. ...

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. ...

Exodus 25:31-34
Then you are to make a lampstand of pure, hammered gold. It shall be made of one piece, including its base and shaft, its cups, and its buds and petals. / Six branches are to extend from the sides of the lampstand—three on one side and three on the other. / There are to be three cups shaped like almond blossoms on the first branch, each with buds and petals, three on the next branch, and the same for all six branches that extend from the lampstand. ...

1 Kings 6:18
The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; not a stone could be seen.

1 Kings 6:29
Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers.

1 Kings 6:32
The double doors were made of olive wood, and he carved into them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with hammered gold.

1 Kings 6:35
He carved into them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, and he overlaid them with gold hammered evenly over the carvings.

1 Kings 7:20
On the capitals of both pillars, just above the rounded projection next to the network, were the two hundred pomegranates in rows encircling each capital.

1 Kings 7:26
It was a handbreadth thick, and its rim was fashioned like the brim of a cup, like a lily blossom. It could hold two thousand baths.

1 Kings 7:42
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 3:16
He made interwoven chains and put them on top of the pillars. He made a hundred pomegranates and fastened them into the chainwork.

2 Chronicles 4:12-13
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);

Jeremiah 52:20-23
As for the two pillars, the Sea, the twelve bronze bulls under it, and the movable stands that King Solomon had made for the house of the LORD, the weight of the bronze from all these articles was beyond measure. / Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall and twelve cubits in circumference; each was hollow, four fingers thick. / The bronze capital atop one pillar was five cubits high, with a network of bronze pomegranates all around. The second pillar, with its pomegranates, was similar. ...

Revelation 4:6
And before the throne was something like a sea of glass, as clear as crystal. In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, covered with eyes in front and back.

Revelation 15:2
And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, beside which stood those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name. They were holding harps from God,


Treasury of Scripture

And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.

knops

1 Kings 6:18
And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.

Exodus 25:31-36
And thou shalt make a candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work shall the candlestick be made: his shaft, and his branches, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, shall be of the same…

Exodus 37:17-22
And he made the candlestick of pure gold: of beaten work made he the candlestick; his shaft, and his branch, his bowls, his knops, and his flowers, were of the same: …

compassing the sea

2 Chronicles 4:3
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.

Jump to Previous
Below Brim Buds Cast Circling Colocynths Compass Compassing Completely Cubit Cubits Edge Encircled Encircling Enclosing Encompassing Flower Gourds Knobs Knops Lines Metal Rest Rim Round Rows Sea Surrounding Ten Thirty Together
Jump to Next
Below Brim Buds Cast Circling Colocynths Compass Compassing Completely Cubit Cubits Edge Encircled Encircling Enclosing Encompassing Flower Gourds Knobs Knops Lines Metal Rest Rim Round Rows Sea Surrounding Ten Thirty Together
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














Below the rim
This phrase indicates the location of the decorative elements on the "sea," a large basin used in the temple. The "rim" refers to the upper edge of this massive structure. In the Hebrew context, the word for "rim" (שָׂפָה, "saphah") can also mean "lip" or "edge," suggesting a boundary or limit. This detail emphasizes the meticulous craftsmanship and design that went into the temple's construction, reflecting the divine order and beauty intended for worship spaces.

Gourds
The Hebrew word used here is "פְּקָעִים" (peka'im), which can refer to ornamental knobs or buds, often resembling the shape of gourds. These decorative elements symbolize fertility and abundance, common themes in ancient Near Eastern art. The use of gourds in the temple's design may signify God's provision and the prosperity of His people, reminding worshippers of the Creator's sustaining power.

Encircled it
This phrase describes how the gourds were arranged around the sea. The Hebrew root "סָבַב" (sabab) means to surround or encircle, indicating completeness and protection. This imagery can be seen as a metaphor for God's encompassing presence and care for His people, as well as the unity and harmony that should characterize the community of believers.

Ten per cubit
The specific measurement of "ten per cubit" highlights the precision and orderliness of the temple's construction. A cubit, an ancient unit of length, was approximately 18 inches or 45 centimeters. The number ten often symbolizes completeness or divine order in biblical numerology. This detail underscores the perfection and divine inspiration behind the temple's design, reflecting God's perfect nature.

They were cast
The process of casting these decorative elements involved pouring molten metal into molds, a technique requiring great skill and artistry. The Hebrew word "יָצַק" (yatsaq) means to pour or cast, emphasizing the craftsmanship involved. This process mirrors the idea of God as the divine craftsman, shaping and molding His creation with intention and care.

In two rows
The arrangement of the gourds in two rows suggests symmetry and balance, key elements in the temple's design. The number two can symbolize witness or testimony in biblical terms, perhaps indicating that the temple itself serves as a testament to God's glory and presence among His people.

When the sea was cast
The "sea" refers to the large basin used for ritual purification by the priests. The casting of the sea, a significant engineering feat, reflects the grandeur and importance of the temple. The Hebrew word for "sea" (יָם, "yam") can also mean a large body of water, symbolizing chaos and the unknown. In this context, the sea's casting represents God's sovereignty over chaos, bringing order and sanctity to His dwelling place.

Verse 24. - And under the brim of it round about [The edge of the laver was curved outwards (ver. 26)] there were knops [see note on 1 Kings 6:18. The text of 2 Chronicles 4:3, בקרים ("the similitude of oxen"), is obviously a clerical error for פקעים (Keil), but whether דמות is an interpolation may well be doubted. Keil thinks it was introduced to explain the mention of oxen] compassing [Heb. surrounding, some word] it, ten in a cubit [It does not follow from this that each gourd or knop was "a little over two inches in diameter " (Keil), for they may not have been in close contact, and, moreover the cubit was probably 18 inches], compassing the sea round about : the ]mops were cast in two rows, when it was cast. [Lit., two rows; the knops were cast in its casting. The "brass," of which the laver was composed, had been taken by David from the cities of Hadarezer (1 Chronicles 18:8; 1 Samuel 8:8, LXX.)]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Below
מִתַּ֨חַת (mit·ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

the rim,
לִשְׂפָת֤וֹ ׀ (liś·p̄ā·ṯōw)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

ornamental buds
וּפְקָעִים֩ (ū·p̄ə·qā·‘îm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 6497: Gourd (shaped) ornaments

encircled
סָבִיב֙ (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

it,
אֹת֔וֹ (’ō·ṯōw)
Direct object marker | third person masculine singular
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

ten
עֶ֚שֶׂר (‘e·śer)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 6235: Ten

per cubit
בָּֽאַמָּ֔ה (bā·’am·māh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520: A mother, a cubit, a door-base

all the way
מַקִּפִ֥ים (maq·qi·p̄îm)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 5362: To strike, to knock together, surround, circulate

around
סָבִ֑יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

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

cast
יְצֻקִ֖ים (yə·ṣu·qîm)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine plural
Strong's 3332: To pour out, to melt, cast as metal, to place firmly, to stiffen, grow hard

in two
שְׁנֵ֤י (šə·nê)
Number - mdc
Strong's 8147: Two (a cardinal number)

rows
טוּרִים֙ (ṭū·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2905: A row, a wall

as a part of [the Sea].
בִּיצֻקָתֽוֹ׃ (bî·ṣu·qā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3333: Poured out, run into a, mould


Links
1 Kings 7:24 NIV
1 Kings 7:24 NLT
1 Kings 7:24 ESV
1 Kings 7:24 NASB
1 Kings 7:24 KJV

1 Kings 7:24 BibleApps.com
1 Kings 7:24 Biblia Paralela
1 Kings 7:24 Chinese Bible
1 Kings 7:24 French Bible
1 Kings 7:24 Catholic Bible

OT History: 1 Kings 7:24 Under its brim around there were buds (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 7:23
Top of Page
Top of Page