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.
He made a molten sea. In the tabernacle was no such vessel; the laver served the double purpose of washing the hands and feet of the priests, as well as the parts of the sacrifices. But in the temple there were separate vessels provided for these offices (see the notes at 2 Chronicles 4:6). The molten sea was an immense semi-circular vase, measuring 17 1/2 feet diameter, and being 8 3/4 feet in depth. This, at 3 1/2 inches, could not weigh less than from 25 to 30 tons in one solid casting, and held from 16,000 to 20,000 gallons of water. The brim was all carved with lily-work or flowers, and oxen were carved or cut on the outside all round, to the number of 300; and it stood on a pedestal of twelve oxen. These oxen must have been of considerable size, like the Assyrian bulls, so as their corresponding legs would give thickness or strength to support so great a weight; for, when the vessel was filled with water, the whole weight would be about 100 tons (Napier) (see the notes at 2 Chronicles 4:5).