2 Chronicles 4:3 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.

Bible > 2 Chronicles > Chapter 4 > Verse 3

◄ 2 Chronicles 4:3 ►

New International Version
Below the rim, figures of bulls encircled it—ten to a cubit. The bulls 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 figures that resembled oxen. There were about six oxen per foot all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.

English Standard Version
Under it were figures of 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, figures of oxen 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 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.

New King James Version
And under it was the likeness of oxen encircling it all around, ten to a cubit, all the way around the Sea. The oxen were cast in two rows, when it was cast.

New American Standard Bible
Now figures like oxen were under it and all around it, ten cubits, entirely encircling the Sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece.

NASB 1995
Now figures like oxen were under it and all around it, ten cubits, entirely encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece.

NASB 1977
Now figures like oxen were under it and all around it, ten cubits, entirely encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now figures like oxen were under it and encircling it, ten cubits, entirely encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece.

Amplified Bible
Under it and entirely encircling it were figures of oxen, ten to a cubit. The oxen were in two rows, cast in one piece.

Christian Standard Bible
The likeness of oxen was below it, completely encircling it, ten every half yard, completely surrounding the basin. The oxen were cast in two rows when the basin was cast.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The likeness of oxen was below it, completely encircling it, 10 every half yard, completely surrounding the reservoir. The oxen were cast in two rows when the reservoir was cast.

American Standard Version
And under it was the likeness of oxen, which did compass it round about, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

Contemporary English Version
Its outer edge was decorated with two rows of carvings of bulls, ten bulls to about every 45 centimeters, all made from the same piece of metal as the bowl.

English Revised Version
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Under the rim were two rows of figurines shaped like bulls 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 decorations, one above the other. The decorations were in the shape of bulls, which had been cast all in one piece with the rest of the tank.

International Standard Version
Underneath, figurines resembling oxen encircled the circular sea beneath it, ten oxen every cubit, and encircling the sea completely. The oxen were in two rows, cast all at the same time.

Majority Standard Bible
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.

NET Bible
Images of bulls were under it all the way around, ten every eighteen inches all the way around. The bulls were in two rows and had been cast with "The Sea."

New Heart English Bible
Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for seventeen feet and three inches, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

Webster's Bible Translation
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which encompassed it: ten in a cubit, encompassing the sea. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.

World English Bible
Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

Literal Translations

Literal Standard Version
And the likeness of oxen [is] under it, encompassing it all around, ten to the cubit, surrounding the sea around; two rows of oxen are cast in its being cast.

Young's Literal Translation
And the likeness of oxen is under it, all round about encompassing it, ten in the cubit, compassing the sea round about; two rows of oxen are cast in its being cast.

Smith's Literal Translation
And a likeness of oxen underneath to it round about, round about, surrounding it: ten by the cubit going round the sea, round about. Two rows of oxen being cast in its casting.

Catholic Translations

Douay-Rheims Bible
And under it there was the likeness of oxen, and certain engravings on the outside of ten cubits compassed the belly of the sea, as it were with two rows.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Also, under it there was the likeness of oxen. And certain engravings encircled the cavity of the sea, along ten cubits of the outside, as if in two rows. Now the oxen were molten.

New American Bible
Under the brim a ring of figures of oxen encircled it for ten cubits, all the way around the compass of the sea; there were two rows of oxen cast in one mold with the sea.

New Revised Standard Version
Under it were panels all around, each of ten cubits, surrounding the sea; there were two rows of panels, cast when it was cast.

Translations from Aramaic

Lamsa Bible
And it stood upon twelve oxen, three facing north, three facing south, three facing west, and three facing east; and the sea was set above them, and their hinder parts were inward.

OT Translations

JPS Tanakh 1917
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about, for ten cubits, compassing the sea round about. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And beneath it the likeness of calves, they compass it round about: ten cubits compass the laver round about, they cast the calves two rows in their casting,

Additional Translations ...

Audio Bible

Context

The Bronze Altar and Molten Sea
…2He 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. 3Below 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. 4The 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.…

Berean Standard Bible · Download

Cross References

1 Kings 7:24-26
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. / 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. / 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.

Exodus 25:18-20
Make two cherubim of hammered gold at the ends of the mercy seat, / one cherub on one end and one on the other, all made from one piece of gold. / And the cherubim are to have wings that spread upward, overshadowing the mercy seat. The cherubim are to face each other, looking toward the mercy seat.

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 7:29
and on the panels between the uprights were lions, oxen, and cherubim. On the uprights was a pedestal above, and below the lions and oxen were wreaths of beveled work.

1 Kings 7:36
He engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees on the surfaces of the supports and panels, wherever each had space, with wreaths all around.

Ezekiel 1:10
The form of their faces was that of a man, and each of the four had the face of a lion on the right side, the face of an ox on the left side, and also the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 10:14
Each of the cherubim had four faces: the first face was that of a cherub, the second that of a man, the third that of a lion, and the fourth that of an eagle.

Revelation 4:7
The first living creature was like a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face like a man, and the fourth was like an eagle in flight.

Revelation 5:6
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Revelation 5:8
When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 5:14
And the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Revelation 7:11
And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. And they fell facedown before the throne and worshiped God,

Revelation 14:3
And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. And no one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth.

Treasury of Scripture

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.

And under

1 Kings 7:24-26
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…

Ezekiel 1:10
As for the likeness of their faces, they four had the face of a man, and the face of a lion, on the right side: and they four had the face of an ox on the left side; they four also had the face of an eagle.

Ezekiel 10:14
And every one had four faces: the first face was the face of a cherub, and the second face was the face of a man, and the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

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.

2 Kings 4:39
And one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine, and gathered thereof wild gourds his lap full, and came and shred them into the pot of pottage: for they knew them not.

Jump to Previous

Below Cast Circling Compass Compassing Cubit Cubits Design Encircled Encircling Enclosing Encompassed Encompassing Entirely Figures Flowers Gourds Likeness Liquid Metal Oxen Piece Rim Round Rows Sea Similitude Ten Thirty Time Water-Vessel

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2 Chronicles 4

1. The altar of brass
2. The molten sea upon twelve oxen
6. The ten lavers, candlesticks, and tables
9. The courts, and the instruments of brass
19. The instruments of gold

Berean Study Bible

Below the rim
This phrase refers to the placement of the decorative elements on the "Sea," a large basin used in the temple for ceremonial washing. The "rim" signifies the upper boundary of the basin, indicating that the decorations were strategically placed to be visible yet not intrusive. In Hebrew, the word for "rim" can also imply a border or edge, symbolizing the boundary between the sacred and the profane, a recurring theme in temple design.

Figures of oxen
The oxen are significant in biblical symbolism, representing strength, service, and sacrifice. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, oxen were often associated with agricultural fertility and divine provision. The use of oxen figures here may symbolize the strength and sustenance provided by God to His people. The Hebrew word for oxen, "par," also conveys the idea of fruitfulness and abundance, aligning with the temple's purpose as a place of divine blessing.

Encircled it
This phrase indicates that the oxen figures formed a complete circle around the Sea. The circle is a symbol of eternity and completeness, reflecting the eternal nature of God's covenant with Israel. In the context of the temple, this encircling design may also represent the all-encompassing presence of God, who surrounds and protects His people.

Ten per cubit
The specific measurement of "ten per cubit" highlights the precision and orderliness of the temple's construction. The cubit, an ancient unit of length, underscores the meticulous care taken in following divine instructions. The number ten often symbolizes completeness and divine order in Scripture, suggesting that the design was not only aesthetically pleasing but also spiritually significant.

All the way around the Sea
This phrase emphasizes the thoroughness and uniformity of the design. The "Sea" refers to the large basin used for ritual purification, symbolizing the cleansing power of God. The complete encirclement by the oxen figures may represent the comprehensive nature of God's cleansing and sanctifying work in the lives of His people.

The oxen were cast
The casting of the oxen figures indicates that they were made using a mold, a common technique in ancient metallurgy. This process required skill and precision, reflecting the high level of craftsmanship dedicated to the temple's construction. The act of casting also symbolizes the formation and shaping of God's people, molded by His divine will and purpose.

In two rows
The arrangement of the oxen in two rows suggests a sense of order and balance. In biblical numerology, the number two often represents witness and testimony. This dual arrangement may symbolize the dual nature of God's covenant—His promises and His expectations for His people. It also reflects the harmony and balance inherent in God's creation and His divine plan.

When the Sea was cast
The casting of the Sea itself was a monumental task, requiring great skill and resources. This phrase highlights the importance of the Sea in temple worship, serving as a constant reminder of the need for purification and holiness. The act of casting, in this context, signifies the establishment of a sacred space where God's presence could dwell among His people, facilitating their worship and communion with Him.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(3) And under it was the similitude of oxen.--Literally, And a likeness of oxen (figured oxen) under it around surrounding it, ten in the cubit encompassing the sea around: two rows were the oxen, smelted in the smelting of it. In the parallel passage (1Kings 7:24) we read: And wild gourds underneath its lip around surrounding it," &c., as here; two of rows were the gourds, smelted in the smelting thereof. The Hebrew words for "oxen" and "gourds" might easily be confused by a transcriber, and accordingly it is assumed by most commentators that the text of the chronicler has suffered corruption, and should be restored from that of Kings. But there seems no reason--unless we suppose that each writer has given an exhaustive description, which is clearly not the case--why the ornamental rows which ran round the great basin should not have included both features, small figures of oxen, as well as wild gourds. Reuss objects on the ground of the diminutive size of the axon ("ten in a cubit"); but such work was by no means beyond the resources of ancient art. (Comp. the reliefs on the bronze doors of Shalmaneser 11. (859-825 B.C. ); 1Kings 7:29 actually gives an analogous instance.) The word p?q?'im, "wild gourds," only occurs in one other place of Kings, viz., 1Kings 6:18. (Comp. paqq-'oth, 2Kings 4:39.) A copyist of Kings might nave inadvertently repeated the word from the former passage in 1Kings 7:24. In any case it is sheer dogmatism to assert that "the copyists (in the Chronicle) have absurdly changed the gourds into oxen" (Reuss). The Syriac and Arabic omit this verse; but the LXX. and Vulg. have it.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 3. - The similitude of oxen. The parallel gives simply "knops" (i.e. flower-buds) in the room of this expression, and no word "similitude" at all, the characters spelling the word for "knops" being פְּקָעִים, and those for "oxen" being בְּקָרִים. The presence of the word "similitude" strongly suggests that the circles of decoration under description showed the likenesses of oxen, not necessarily (as Patrick) "stamped" on the so-called knops, but possibly constituting them. For the ambiguous under it of our present verse the parallel says with definiteness, "under the brim of it." There is intelligibility, at all events, in the ornamentation being of these miniature oxen, presumably three hundred in the circle of the thirty cubits. The symbolism would harmonize with that which dictated the superposition of the enormous vase on twelve probably life-size oxen. There is a general preference, however, accorded to the opinion that the present text has probably been the result of some copyist's corruption, and that the text of the parallel should be followed.

Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

Below [the rim],
תַּ֨חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

figures
וּדְמ֣וּת (ū·ḏə·mūṯ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1823: Resemblance, model, shape, like

of oxen
בְּקָרִים֩ (bə·qā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 1241: Beef cattle, ox, a herd

encircled
סָבִ֤יב ׀ (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
מַקִּיפִ֥ים (maq·qî·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
יְצוּקִ֖ים (yə·ṣū·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
שְׁנַ֤יִם (šə·na·yim)
Number - md
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].
בְּמֻֽצַקְתּֽוֹ׃ (bə·mu·ṣaq·tōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4166: Something poured out, a casting, a tube

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OT History: 2 Chronicles 4:3 Under it was the likeness of oxen (2 Chron. 2Ch iiCh ii ch 2 chr 2chr)