New English Translation

1 Kings 7:23-37 New English Translation (NET)

23. He also made the large bronze basin called “The Sea.” It measured 15 feet from rim to rim, was circular in shape, and stood seven-and-a-half feet high. Its circumference was 45 feet.

24. Under the rim all the way around it were round ornaments arranged in settings 15 feet long. The ornaments were in two rows and had been cast with “The Sea.”

25. “The Sea” stood on top of twelve bulls. Three faced northward, three westward, three southward, and three eastward. “The Sea” was placed on top of them, and they all faced outward.

26. It was four fingers thick and its rim was like that of a cup shaped like a lily blossom. It could hold about 12,000 gallons.

27. He also made ten bronze movable stands. Each stand was six feet long, six feet wide, and four-and-a-half feet high.

28. The stands were constructed with frames between the joints.

29. On these frames and joints were ornamental lions, bulls, and cherubs. Under the lions and bulls were decorative wreaths.

30. Each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles and four supports. Under the basin the supports were fashioned on each side with wreaths.

31. Inside the stand was a round opening that was a foot-and-a-half deep; it had a support that was two and one-quarter feet long. On the edge of the opening were carvings in square frames.

32. The four wheels were under the frames and the crossbars of the axles were connected to the stand. Each wheel was two and one-quarter feet high.

33. The wheels were constructed like chariot wheels; their crossbars, rims, spokes, and hubs were made of cast metal.

34. Each stand had four supports, one per side projecting out from the stand.

35. On top of each stand was a round opening three-quarters of a foot deep; there were also supports and frames on top of the stands.

36. He engraved ornamental cherubs, lions, and palm trees on the plates of the supports and frames wherever there was room, with wreaths all around.

37. He made the ten stands in this way. All of them were cast in one mold and were identical in measurements and shape.