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The sea stood on top of twelve oxen, three of which faced to the north, three of which faced to the west, three of which faced to the south, and three of which faced toward the east. The sea was placed on top of the oxen, with all of their hindquarters turned inwards. It was a handbreadth[a] thick, with its brim fashioned like the brim of a cup. Similar in shape to a lily blossom, it could hold 3,000 baths.[b] Solomon[c] also made ten wash basins, placing five on the right side and five on the left. The basins were intended for use to rinse burnt offerings, and the sea was intended for use by the priests to wash in.

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 4:5 I.e. about three inches; a handbreadth was about one sixth of a cubit
  2. 2 Chronicles 4:5 I.e. about 18,000 gallons; Cf. 1King 7:26, where the volume is given at 2,000 baths
  3. 2 Chronicles 4:6 Lit. He