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 7:35KJV
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1 Kings 7:35 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:35 mean?

1 Kings 7:35 describes a part of the large bronze stands made for Solomon’s temple, saying that on top of each base there was a round structure, half a cubit high, and that the ledges and borders on top were made as one piece with the base. This verse is giving a detailed description of the craftsmanship and design of these temple furnishings.

In this section, the writer is explaining the construction details of the stands (or bases) that supported the bronze basins used in the temple. The focus is on the upper part of the base, highlighting how the round top, the ledges, and the borders were all crafted together from the same material, showing the skill and unity of the design.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:35

  • The word "top" (רֹאשׁ, rosh) is used here to refer to the uppermost part of the base, emphasizing the highest point of the structure.
  • "Base" (מְכוֹנָה, mekhonah) refers to the stand or platform that supported the basin, a key piece of temple equipment.
  • "Round" (סָבִיב, saviv) and "compass" (סָבִיב, saviv) together stress the circular shape of the upper part, which would have been visually distinct and structurally important.
  • "Ledges" (יָד, yad) literally means "hands," but here it refers to the projecting parts or supports on the top of the base, indicating functional elements that helped hold the basin.
  • "Borders" (מִסְגֶּרֶת, misgeret) means a frame or border, describing the decorative or structural edge around the top.

Why 1 Kings 7:35 matters

  • This verse helps clear up how detailed and intentional the temple furnishings were, showing that even the supports for the basins were carefully designed and unified in their construction.
  • The emphasis on the round top and the borders being "of the same" as the base highlights the craftsmanship and the idea that each part was not just attached, but formed together, adding to the strength and beauty of the piece.
  • Understanding these details connects to the wider passage by showing the effort and resources Solomon put into building the temple, reflecting the importance of the temple in Israel’s worship and identity.

Where else these words appear

“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 7:31 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 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.

“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 7:32 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.

“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.

“high” 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,