And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit: but the mouth thereof was round after the work of the base, a cubit and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.

1 KINGS 7:31KJV
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1 Kings 7:31 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:31 mean?

1 Kings 7:31 describes the detailed design of a part of the temple furnishings, specifically the top opening (“mouth”) of a bronze stand, giving its measurements and shape. The verse explains that this opening was round, measured a cubit and a half across, and was decorated with engravings and borders that were square, not round.

This verse is part of a larger section where the writer describes the intricate craftsmanship of items made for Solomon’s temple, focusing here on the bases that supported the bronze lavers (water basins). The description is technical, meant to give the reader a clear mental picture of the object’s shape, size, and decoration, showing the care and artistry involved in the temple’s construction.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:31

  • “mouth” (פֶּה, peh): This word refers to the opening or top of the stand, emphasizing the functional part where the basin would sit or water would be poured.
  • “cubit” (אַמָּה, ammah): This is a unit of length, roughly 18 inches (about 45 cm), giving a sense of the actual size of the opening.
  • “round” (עָגֹל, agol): The word highlights the shape of the opening, which is important because later in the verse, the engravings are described as “foursquare” (רָבוּעַ, rabu’a), not round, drawing attention to the contrast in design elements.
  • “gravings” (מִקְלָעוֹת, miqla’ot): This term refers to the decorative carvings or engravings around the mouth, showing the level of detail and ornamentation involved.

Why 1 Kings 7:31 matters

  • This verse helps the reader appreciate the precision and artistry involved in building the temple, showing that even utilitarian objects were made with great care and beauty.
  • The technical details clarify that the temple furnishings were not generic or simple but were thoughtfully designed, each with unique features and decorations.
  • Understanding the measurements and shapes described here helps make sense of the broader passage, which is full of architectural and artistic details meant to convey the grandeur of Solomon’s temple.

Where else these words appear

“gravings” Hebrew H4734 · used in 4 verses

  • 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.
  • 1 Kings 6:29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
  • 1 Kings 6:32 The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.

“round” Hebrew H5696 · used in 5 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
  • 1 Kings 7:35 And in the top of the base was there a round compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the borders thereof were of the same.
  • 1 Kings 10:19 The throne had six steps, and the top of the throne was round behind: and there were stays on either side on the place of the seat, and two lions stood beside the stays.

“chapiter” Hebrew H3805 · used in 12 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:16 And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:
  • 1 Kings 7:19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.
  • 2 Kings 25:17 The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

“foursquare” Hebrew H7251 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 27:1 And thou shalt make an altar of shittim wood, five cubits long, and five cubits broad; the altar shall be foursquare: and the height thereof shall be three cubits.
  • Exodus 37:25 And he made the incense altar of shittim wood: the length of it was a cubit, and the breadth of it a cubit; it was foursquare; and two cubits was the height of it; the horns thereof were of the same.
  • Ezekiel 40:47 So he measured the court, an hundred cubits long, and an hundred cubits broad, foursquare; and the altar that was before the house.