In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

1 KINGS 7:46KJV
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1 Kings 7:46 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:46 mean?

1 Kings 7:46 states that King Solomon had the temple’s bronze items cast in molds made from clay, and this work was done in the plain of the Jordan River, specifically between the locations of Succoth and Zarthan. The verse highlights the specific place and method used for making these important temple furnishings.

This verse comes in the middle of a detailed description of how Solomon’s temple was built and furnished. The writer is explaining to the reader exactly where the large bronze items—like pillars and basins—were made, giving historical and geographical details. The mention of the clay ground and the area between Succoth and Zarthan shows the practical side of temple construction and the scale of the operation.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:46

  • "plain" (כִּכָּר, kikkar): This word often refers to a circular area or a flat expanse, and here it points to a specific region along the Jordan River where the casting took place.
  • "clay" (עֲבֹת, ʿavot) and "ground" (אֲדָמָה, adamah): These words together indicate that the molds were made from earth or clay, which was a common ancient technique for casting large metal objects.
  • "cast" (יָצַק, yatsaq): This verb means to pour out or cast, especially in the context of metalwork, emphasizing that the items were not carved or hammered but formed by pouring molten metal into molds.

Why 1 Kings 7:46 matters

  • This verse clears up that the large bronze items for the temple were not made on-site in Jerusalem but in a special location suited for large-scale metalwork.
  • The detail about the clay ground shows the practical, hands-on methods used in ancient craftsmanship, giving a glimpse into the technology and resources of Solomon’s time.
  • By naming Succoth and Zarthan, the verse connects the temple’s construction to real, known places, grounding the story in historical geography and reinforcing its authenticity for ancient readers.

Where else these words appear

“Zarthan” Hebrew H6891 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 3:16 That the waters which came down from above stood and rose up upon an heap very far from the city Adam, that is beside Zaretan: and those that came down toward the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, failed, and were cut off: and the people passed over right against Jericho.
  • 1 Kings 4:12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Bethshean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abelmeholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam:

“Succoth” Hebrew H5523 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 33:17 And Jacob journeyed to Succoth, and built him an house, and made booths for his cattle: therefore the name of the place is called Succoth.
  • Joshua 13:27 And in the valley, Betharam, and Bethnimrah, and Succoth, and Zaphon, the rest of the kingdom of Sihon king of Heshbon, Jordan and his border, even unto the edge of the sea of Chinnereth on the other side Jordan eastward.
  • Judges 8:15 And he came unto the men of Succoth, and said, Behold Zebah and Zalmunna, with whom ye did upbraid me, saying, Are the hands of Zebah and Zalmunna now in thine hand, that we should give bread unto thy men that are weary?

“cast” Hebrew H3332 · used in 51 verses

  • Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.
  • Leviticus 14:26 And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:
  • 2 Kings 4:40 So they poured out for the men to eat. And it came to pass, as they were eating of the pottage, that they cried out, and said, O thou man of God, there is death in the pot. And they could not eat thereof.

“plain” Hebrew H3603 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 13:10 And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
  • 2 Samuel 12:30 And he took their king's crown from off his head, the weight whereof was a talent of gold with the precious stones: and it was set on David's head. And he brought forth the spoil of the city in great abundance.
  • 1 Chronicles 29:4 Even three thousand talents of gold, of the gold of Ophir, and seven thousand talents of refined silver, to overlay the walls of the houses withal: