And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:

1 KINGS 7:40KJV
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1 Kings 7:40 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:40 mean?

1 Kings 7:40 describes how Hiram finished making the lavers (wash basins), shovels, and basins for King Solomon, completing all the metalwork he was assigned for the temple of the LORD. This verse marks the end of Hiram’s craftsmanship for Solomon’s temple, highlighting the completion of these important ritual items.

The setting is the building of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, with Hiram, a skilled craftsman from Tyre, working for King Solomon. The verse lists the final items Hiram made—lavers for washing, shovels for handling ashes, and basins for rituals—showing the practical preparations for temple worship. This moment signals that the major bronze work for the temple is now finished.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:40

  • לָגוֹת (lavers, H3595): These are large wash basins, used by priests for ceremonial washing. Their mention shows the care taken for ritual purity in temple service.
  • יָעִים (shovels, H3257): These tools were used for removing ashes from the altar, emphasizing the ongoing maintenance and cleanliness required in the temple.
  • מִזְרָקוֹת (basins, H4219): These vessels were likely used for catching blood from sacrifices or for other ritual purposes, underlining the practical needs of temple worship.
  • מְלָאכָה (work, H4399): This word refers to the skilled craftsmanship and labor involved, highlighting the expertise Hiram brought to the temple project.

Why 1 Kings 7:40 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Hiram’s role was not just decorative but essential for the temple’s daily function, providing the necessary tools for worship and sacrifice.
  • It marks a transition point in the narrative, showing that the physical preparations for temple worship are complete and ready for use.
  • The emphasis on completion signals the care and thoroughness with which Solomon’s temple was constructed, reflecting the importance placed on proper worship in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“shovels” Hebrew H3257 · used in 9 verses

  • Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
  • Numbers 4:14 And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, even the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.
  • 2 Chronicles 4:11 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;

“Hiram” Hebrew H2438 · used in 20 verses

  • 2 Samuel 5:11 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
  • 1 Kings 5:11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
  • 1 Kings 9:12 And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

“lavers” Hebrew H3595 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 30:18 Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put water therein.
  • Exodus 40:7 And thou shalt set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and shalt put water therein.
  • 1 Kings 7:38 Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

“basons” Hebrew H4219 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 27:3 And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make of brass.
  • Numbers 7:55 His offering was one silver charger of the weight of an hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary; both of them full of fine flour mingled with oil for a meat offering:
  • 2 Kings 25:15 And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away.