And he made ten bases of brass; four cubits was the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it.

1 KINGS 7:27KJV
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1 Kings 7:27 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:27 mean?

1 Kings 7:27 describes how ten bases made of brass were constructed, each measuring four cubits long, four cubits wide, and three cubits high. These bases were part of the furnishings for Solomon’s temple, showing the careful planning and substantial size of the temple’s equipment.

This verse is part of a detailed account of the temple’s construction, where the writer explains the materials and measurements of various items. The bases mentioned here were stands, likely used to support large water basins, and their size and number reflect the scale and craftsmanship involved in building the temple under King Solomon’s direction.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:27

  • The word for "bases" is מְכוֹנוֹת (mekhonot), transliterated as mekhonot, which refers to stands or platforms. These were not just decorative but functional, designed to hold the lavers (water basins) used by the priests.
  • "Brass" is נְחֹשֶׁת (nechoshet), transliterated as nechoshet, which often means bronze or copper alloy, not modern brass. This material was valued for its durability and appearance, suitable for temple furnishings.
  • The measurements use "cubit," אַמָּה (ammah), transliterated as ammah, which was a common ancient unit roughly the length of a forearm, about 18 inches (45 cm). Knowing this helps us picture the actual size of these bases—each about six feet long and wide, and four and a half feet high.

Why 1 Kings 7:27 matters

  • This verse helps clarify the scale and grandeur of Solomon’s temple by giving specific measurements and materials, which can be overlooked when reading about the temple as a whole.
  • The mention of ten bases shows the temple’s design was both orderly and symmetrical, reflecting the importance of structure and beauty in Israelite worship.
  • Understanding the function and size of these bases gives insight into the daily rituals and practical needs of the temple, connecting the text to real-life practices of ancient Israel.

Where else these words appear

“bases” Hebrew H4350 · used in 18 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:28 And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges:
  • 1 Kings 7:37 After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size.
  • 2 Kings 25:16 The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

“height” Hebrew H6967 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

“breadth” Hebrew H7341 · used in 89 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
  • Ezekiel 41:3 Then went he inward, and measured the post of the door, two cubits; and the door, six cubits; and the breadth of the door, seven cubits.

“length” Hebrew H753 · used in 90 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
  • Ezekiel 40:36 The little chambers thereof, the posts thereof, and the arches thereof, and the windows to it round about: the length was fifty cubits, and the breadth five and twenty cubits.