Furnishings for the Temple
In our previous lesson we discussed Solomon’s palace complex. In this lesson our focus returns to the Temple.
This passage introduces Huram (Hiram), a skilled craftsman whom Solomon brought in to make the bronze furnishings for the temple.
1 Kings 7:13-26 NLT
Furnishings for the Temple
13 King Solomon then asked for a man named Huram to come from Tyre. 14 He was half Israelite, since his mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father had been a craftsman in bronze from Tyre. Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze, and he came to do all the metal work for King Solomon.
15 Huram cast two bronze pillars, each 27 feet tall and 18 feet in circumference. 16 For the tops of the pillars he cast bronze capitals, each 7 1⁄2 feet tall. 17 Each capital was decorated with seven sets of latticework and interwoven chains. 18 He also encircled the latticework with two rows of pomegranates to decorate the capitals over the pillars. 19 The capitals on the columns inside the entry room were shaped like water lilies, and they were six feet tall. 20 The capitals on the two pillars had 200 pomegranates in two rows around them, beside the rounded surface next to the latticework. 21 Huram set the pillars at the entrance of the Temple, one toward the south and one toward the north. He named the one on the south Jakin, and the one on the north Boaz. 22 The capitals on the pillars were shaped like water lilies. And so the work on the pillars was finished.
23 Then Huram cast a great round basin, 15 feet across from rim to rim, called the Sea. It was 7 1⁄2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference. 24 It was encircled just below its rim by two rows of decorative gourds. There were about six gourds per foot all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.
25 The Sea was placed on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward. Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, and the Sea rested on them. 26 The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons of water.
Examine the Scriptures
1 Kings 7:13-26 NLT
Furnishings for the Temple
13 King Solomon then asked for a man named Huram to come from Tyre.
More detail about this request:
2 Chronicles 2 NLT
Preparations for Building the Temple
2:1 Solomon decided to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord, and also a royal palace for himself. … 3 Solomon also sent this message to King Hiram at Tyre: …
4 I am about to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God. …
7 “So send me a master craftsman who can work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as with purple, scarlet, and blue cloth. He must be a skilled engraver who can work with the craftsmen of Judah and Jerusalem who were selected by my father, David. …
11 King Hiram sent this letter of reply to Solomon:
…
13 “I am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented.
Some translations spell his name Hiram. This is not the King Hiram mentioned in chapter 5 or in 2 Chronicles.
- King Solomon asked for a man named Huram to come from Tyre.
14 He (Huram) was half Israelite, since his mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father had been a craftsman in bronze from Tyre (a Phoenician).
Comments from two different commentaries:
Apparently his mother was born in the city of Dan in Northern Israel close to the tribe of Naphtali, from which came her first husband. After he died, she married a man from Tyre. (NIV Study Bible)
Or
According to 2 Chronicles 2:14 (next page) Huram’s mother was from Dan. Perhaps Dan was the tribe into which she was born and Naphtali was her residence, or vice versa. (BKC)
Or
We may never know why 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles appear to differ.
- Unlike the hostility toward mixed heritage seen later in Biblical history, it appeared that Huram faced no social stigma.
Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze, and he came to do all the metal work for King Solomon.
Same verse in different treanslations:
1 Kings 7:14 ESV
14 He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze. And he was full of wisdom, understanding, and skill for making any work in bronze. He came to King Solomon and did all his work.
1 Kings 7:14 NIV
14 whose mother was a widow from the tribe of Naphtali and whose father was from Tyre and a skilled craftsman in bronze. Huram was filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work. He came to King Solomon and did all the work assigned to him.
2 Chronicles 2:13-14 NLT (re building the Temple)
13 “I (King Hiram) am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented. 14 His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.
Hiram was described as being:
“full of wisdom”
“understanding”
“skill”
These three words are significant. His ability was not simply technical knowledge. He possessed the wisdom and understanding necessary to use his craftsmanship effectively.
- Huram was extremely skillful and talented in any work in bronze
- God gives people different abilities that can be used in His service.
Other skilled craftsman mentioned in the Bible:
Exodus 31 NLT
Craftsmen: Bezalel and Oholiab
31:1 Then the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4 He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5 He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!
6 “And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:
Exodus 36:1 NLT
36:1 “The Lord has gifted Bezalel, Oholiab, and the other skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary. Let them construct and furnish the Tabernacle, just as the Lord has commanded.”
Exodus 28:3:NLT
3 Instruct all the skilled craftsmen whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom. Have them make garments for Aaron that will distinguish him as a priest set apart for my service.
Proverbs 22:29 NLT
29 Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.
- By describing a half-Gentile man (Huram) with the same terms used for a Spirit-filled Israelite hero (Bezalel), the text elevates Huram to a position of immense spiritual and cultural respect.
- The Lord gifted skilled craftsmen with wisdom and ability to perform any task involved in building the sanctuary.
Reflect on the following:
Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
15 Huram cast two bronze pillars, each 27 feet tall and 18 feet in circumference.
These two bronze pillars were massive.
16 For the tops of the pillars he cast bronze capitals, each 7 1⁄2 feet tall.
- In Biblical terms, a capital is the ornate, uppermost head or crown placed on top of a pillar or column.
The original Hebrew text uses the word kothereth (meaning capital or crown) or rosh (meaning head).
A pillar was considered unfinished until its capital was placed on top.
- Capitals and pillars in the Bible are rich in symbolism, representing divine strength, beauty, and the enduring presence of God among His people.
17 Each capital was decorated with seven sets of latticework and interwoven chains. 18 He also encircled the latticework with two rows of pomegranates to decorate the capitals over the pillars.
Verses about pomegranates:
Numbers 13:23 NLT
23 When they came to the valley of Eshcol, they cut down a branch with a single cluster of grapes so large that it took two of them to carry it on a pole between them! They also brought back samples of the pomegranates and figs.
Deuteronomy 8:8 NLT
8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey.
Exodus 28:33-34 NLT
Aaron’s Priestly Garment
33 Make pomegranates out of blue, purple, and scarlet yarn, and attach them to the hem of the robe, with gold bells between them. 34 The gold bells and pomegranates are to alternate all around the hem.
Pomegranates are often interpreted as symbols of abundance.
19 The capitals on the columns inside the entry room were shaped like water lilies, and they were six feet tall.
These appear to be different from the capitals on the pillars.
20 The capitals on the two pillars had 200 pomegranates in two rows around them, beside the rounded surface next to the latticework.
- These designs featuring pomegranates and lilies, are often interpreted as symbols of abundance and beauty.
21 Huram set the pillars at the entrance of the Temple, one toward the south and one toward the north. He named the one on the south Jakin, and the one on the north Boaz.
- These two massive pillars made of bronze, named Jakin and Boaz, were positioned at the entrance to the temple.
They may have been free standing, though some temples from the ancient world had pillars supporting the roof of the porch.
These were probably free standing since the narrator describes them here with the temple furnishing rather than in the earlier discussion in chapter 6 of the Temple structure.
In Solomon’s Temple, pillars were not only functional but also highly decorative. The two bronze pillars named Jachin and Boaz stood at the entrance of the Temple, symbolizing God’s establishment and strength. (MacArthur has these pillars pictured freestanding outside of the temple.)
Jakin: The name means “he established” or “He establishes” or “He shall establish”
The work of God is established by God.
Boaz: The name means “in Him is strength” or “In it is strength”
The strength necessary to accomplish God’s work ultimately comes from God.
God’s security and strength is available to the nation living in obedience to Him.
- The height and beauty of the capitals drew people’s eyes upward toward the glory of God in the sanctuary.
22 The capitals on the pillars were shaped like water lilies. And so the work on the pillars was finished.
23 Then Huram cast a great round basin,
Remember:
The bronze washbasin in the tabernacle.
Plans for the Washbasin in the Tabernacle
Exodus 30:17-21 NLT
17 Then the Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a bronze washbasin with a bronze stand. Place it between the Tabernacle and the altar, and fill it with water. 19 Aaron and his sons will wash their hands and feet there. 20 They must wash with water whenever they go into the Tabernacle to appear before the Lord and when they approach the altar to burn up their special gifts to the Lord—or they will die! 21 They must always wash their hands and feet, or they will die. This is a permanent law for Aaron and his descendants, to be observed from generation to generation.”
15 feet across from rim to rim, called the Sea. It was 7 1⁄2 feet deep and about 45 feet in circumference. 24 It was encircled just below its rim by two rows of decorative gourds. There were about six gourds per foot all the way around, and they were cast as part of the basin.
This was a massive basin.
- Huram made an enormous water reservoir for the ceremonial washing and purification of the priests before they performed their sacred duties in Solomon’s Temple.
Depending on the unit of measure (feet or cubit) it took between 500 -600 gourds to decorate the basin.
The Sea cast of metal was a large round metal basin designed to hold 11,000 gallons of water.
Used for ritual cleansing.
2 Chronicles 4:6 NLT
… the priests washed themselves in the Sea.
A reservoir for the temple courtyard. (BKC)
The priests needed water for ceremonial washing associated with their service.
The Sea therefore had a practical purpose: providing a large quantity of water for purification associated with temple worship.
25 The Sea was placed on a base of twelve bronze oxen, all facing outward.
- The number 12 is significant in scripture.
The number twelve in scripture frequently represents the twelve tribes:
The priests served God on behalf of all twelve tribes of Israel.
The number 12 appears in:
Exodus 24:4 NLT
4 Then Moses carefully wrote down all the Lord’s instructions. Early the next morning Moses got up and built an altar at the foot of the mountain. He also set up twelve pillars, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel.
Joshua 4:1-9
Two piles of 12 stones as memorials to the crossing of the Jordan by the 12 tribes.
12 also appears in:
Revelation 21:10-14 NLT
10 So he took me (John) in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and he showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God. 11 It shone with the glory of God and sparkled like a precious stone—like jasper as clear as crystal. 12 The city wall was broad and high, with twelve gates guarded by twelve angels. And the names of the twelve tribes of Israel were written on the gates. 13 There were three gates on each side—east, north, south, and west. 14 The wall of the city had twelve foundation stones, and on them were written the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.
- The oxen also represented strength and stability. The enormous basin rested upon them.
Three faced north, three faced west, three faced south, and three faced east, and the Sea rested on them.
26 The walls of the Sea were about three inches thick, and its rim flared out like a cup and resembled a water lily blossom. It could hold about 11,000 gallons of water.
Summary:
- God equips people, from any heritage, with wisdom, understanding, and skill, and He can use those gifts to accomplish His purposes.
- Hiram’s work reminds us that faithfulness to God includes doing ordinary work with extraordinary care because we are ultimately serving Him.
More Temple furnishings in our next lesson
