2 Chronicles 4

2Ch 4:1.

ALTAR OF

BRASS.

1. he made an altar of brass--Steps must have been necessary for

ascending so elevated an altar, but the use of these could be no longer

forbidden

(Ex 20:26)

after the introduction of an official costume for the priests

(Ex 28:42).

It measured thirty-five feet by thirty-five, and in height seventeen

and a half feet. The thickness of the metal used for this altar is

nowhere given; but supposing it to have been three inches, the whole

weight of the metal would not be under two hundred tons [NAPIER].

2Ch 4:2-5.

MOLTEN

SEA.

2. he made a molten

sea--(See on

1Ki 7:23),

as in that passage "knops" occur instead of "oxen." It is generally

supposed that the rows of ornamental knops were in the form of ox

heads.

3. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast--The meaning is, that

the circular basin and the brazen oxen which supported it were all of

one piece, being cast in one and the same mould. There is a difference

in the accounts given of the capacity of this basin, for while in

1Ki 7:26

it is said that two thousand baths of water could be contained in it,

in this passage no less than three thousand are stated. It has been

suggested that there is here a statement not merely of the quantity of

water which the basin held, but that also which was necessary to work

it, to keep it flowing as a fountain; that which was required to fill

both it and its accompaniments. In support of this view, it may be

remarked that different words are employed: the one in

1Ki 7:26

rendered contained; the two here rendered, received and

held. There was a difference between receiving and

holding. When the basin played as a fountain, and all its parts

were filled for that purpose, the latter, together with the sea itself,

received three thousand baths; but the sea exclusively

held only two thousand baths, when its contents were restricted

to those of the circular basin. It received and held three thousand

baths [CALMET, Fragments].

2Ch 4:6-18.

THE

TEN

LAVERS,

CANDLESTICKS, AND

TABLES.

6. ten lavers--(See on

1Ki 7:27).

The laver of the tabernacle had probably been destroyed. The ten new

ones were placed between the porch and the altar, and while the molten

sea was for the priests to cleanse their hands and feet, these were

intended for washing the sacrifices.

7. ten candlesticks--(See on

1Ki 7:49).

The increased number was not only in conformity with the characteristic

splendor of the edifice, but also a standing emblem to the Hebrews,

that the growing light of the word was necessary to counteract the

growing darkness in the world [LIGHTFOOT].

11. Huram

made--(See on

1Ki 7:40).