And under the borders were four wheels; and the axletrees of the wheels were joined to the base: and the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit.

1 KINGS 7:32KJV
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1 Kings 7:32 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:32 mean?

1 Kings 7:32 describes how each stand or base for the temple’s water basins had four wheels attached underneath, with axles connected to the base, and each wheel was one and a half cubits high. The verse gives specific details about the construction of these bases, focusing on their wheels and measurements.

This verse is part of a longer description of the furnishings King Solomon had made for the temple in Jerusalem. The writer is explaining to the reader how the portable stands for the bronze basins were built, highlighting their craftsmanship and size. These details help show the skill and care that went into making the temple’s equipment.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:32

  • "under" (תַּחַת, taḥat): This word means "beneath" or "under," clarifying that the wheels were placed underneath the borders or panels of the base, not beside or above them.
  • "wheels" (אוֹפַן, ofan): This word refers to a round wheel, emphasizing that these bases were designed to be movable, not stationary.
  • "axletrees" (יָד, yad): Literally meaning "hand," here it refers to the axle or shaft that joins the wheels to the base, showing how the wheels were attached in a practical, working way.
  • "cubit" (אַמָּה, ammah): This is a common ancient measurement, roughly the length of a forearm (about 18 inches or 45 centimeters), helping the reader picture the actual size of the wheels.

Why 1 Kings 7:32 matters

  • This verse helps clear up that the temple’s water basin stands were not fixed in place, but designed to be moved, which would have been important for cleaning or ritual use.
  • The detailed measurements and construction show the level of craftsmanship and planning that went into Solomon’s temple, reflecting its importance and the resources devoted to it.
  • By describing the wheels and axles, the verse connects to the wider passage’s focus on the practical and artistic aspects of temple worship, not just its spiritual or symbolic meaning.

Where else these words appear

“borders” Hebrew H4526 · used in 14 verses

  • Exodus 25:25 And thou shalt make unto it a border of an hand breadth round about, and thou shalt make a golden crown to the border thereof round about.
  • 2 Samuel 22:46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
  • 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.

“base” Hebrew H4350 · used in 18 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:27 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 7:37 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.

“wheels” Hebrew H212 · used in 22 verses

  • Exodus 14:25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
  • Ezekiel 1:16 The appearance of the wheels and their work was like unto the colour of a beryl: and they four had one likeness: and their appearance and their work was as it were a wheel in the middle of a wheel.
  • Ezekiel 10:10 And as for their appearances, they four had one likeness, as if a wheel had been in the midst of a wheel.

“under” Hebrew H8478 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 1:7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
  • Exodus 32:19 And it came to pass, as soon as he came nigh unto the camp, that he saw the calf, and the dancing: and Moses' anger waxed hot, and he cast the tables out of his hands, and brake them beneath the mount.
  • Job 34:26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others;