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1 Kings 7:38

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 7:38 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he made ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths; and every laver was four cubits; and upon very one of the ten bases one laver.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he made ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths; and every laver was four cubits; and upon very one of the ten bases one laver.
1 Kings 7:38 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
35And in the top of the base was there a round compass half a cubit high; and on the top of the base the stays thereof and the panels thereof were of the same.
36And on the plates of the stays thereof, and on the panels thereof, he graved cherubim, lions, and palm-trees, according to the space of each, with wreaths round about.
37After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one form.
38And he made ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths; and every laver was four cubits; and upon very one of the ten bases one laver.
39And he set the bases, five on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, toward the south.
40And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he wrought for king Solomon in the house of Jehovah:
41the two pillars, and the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; and the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars;
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then made he ten lavers of brass, etc.] There was but one in the tabernacle of Moses, and what became of that is not known: some Jewish writers f128 say it was placed in Solomon’s temple, and these lavers, five on the right and five on the left of it; however, here were enough provided for the purpose for the priests to wash their burnt offerings in, (<140406>2 Chronicles 4:6) and were typical of the large provision made in the blood of Christ for the cleansing of his people; whose works, services, and sacrifices, as well as persons and garments, need continual washing in that blood; (see <451201>Romans 12:1 <660713>Revelation 7:13), one laver contained forty baths; and a bath, according to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Every laver was four cubits - Assuming height to be intended, and taking the cubit at 20 inches, the entire height of the lavers as they stood upon their wheeled stands would seem to have been 13 ft. 9 in. It is evident, therefore, that the water must have been drawn from them, as from the “molten sea,” through cocks or taps. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“ten lavers: Exo 30:17-21, Exo 30:28, Exo 38:8, Exo 40:11, Exo 40:12; 2Chr. 4:6-22; Zac 13:1; Heb 9:10; Heb 10:22; Jo1 1:7; Rev 7:14 3 Kings (1 Kings) 7:39”
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Sources and verification