And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
2 CHRONICLES 4:3KJVWhat does 2 Chronicles 4:3 mean?
2 Chronicles 4:3 describes how the large basin called the "sea" in Solomon’s temple was decorated underneath with images shaped like oxen, arranged in two rows all around it, with ten oxen per cubit. These oxen figures were cast together with the basin as a single piece.
This verse is part of a detailed description of the temple furnishings being made for King Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem. The writer is explaining to the reader how the "sea," a huge bronze basin used by the priests for washing, was both functional and beautifully decorated. The mention of the oxen and their arrangement highlights the care and artistry involved in making the temple’s sacred objects.
The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 4:3
- "similitude" (דְּמוּת, dĕmuth): This word means a likeness or image. Here, it refers to the oxen figures being shaped as representations, not real animals.
- "oxen" (בָּקָר, baqar): The word means oxen or cattle. The use of oxen as decoration may symbolize strength or service, fitting for the temple setting.
- "ten" (עֶשֶׂר, ‘eser) and "cubit" (אַמָּה, ‘ammah): These words give the measurement, showing that the figures were closely spaced—ten for every cubit (about 18 inches). This detail emphasizes the richness and density of the decoration.
- "cast" (יָצַק, yatsaq and מַסֵּכָה, massekhah): Both words refer to the process of casting metal. The verse notes that the oxen and the basin were made together, showing the skill involved in making such a large, ornate object.
Why 2 Chronicles 4:3 matters
- This verse clarifies that the temple furnishings were not just practical but also highly artistic, with symbolic decorations worked into their design.
- The detail about the oxen being cast as part of the basin, not added later, shows the advanced craftsmanship used in Solomon’s temple.
- Understanding the arrangement and symbolism of these decorations helps the reader appreciate the care and meaning invested in the temple’s construction, which was central to Israel’s worship.