Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 7:25
It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea [was set] above upon them, and all their hinder parts [were] inward.
25. the sea was set above upon them ] i.e. The bottom rested on the backs of the oxen. Thus the height from the ground to the rim would be five cubits, and the height of the oxen besides. Nothing is said of such a thing, but it is not unlikely that the water was drawn out through the mouths of the oxen.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Josephus charged Solomon with a breach of the Commandment Exo 20:4-5, on account of the oxen here and the lions for his throne. The charge expresses the prohibition which some Jews have conceived the Commandment to urge against the arts of sculpture and painting.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
It stood upon twelve oxen, of solid brass, which was necessary to bear so great a weight. It is probably conceived that the water was by cocks drawn out of the mouths of these oxen. Three of these looked each way; partly for the more equal and convenient support of the vessel; and partly that divers persons might draw water out of it at the same time, which was frequently necessary, especially in great solemnities.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
It stood upon twelve oxen,…. Figures of them in brass, of full proportion:
three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and so turned to the four quarters of the world:
and the sea was set above upon them; as it were on the backs of them, and their mouths served as spouts or cocks, to let water out of it on all sides:
and all their hinder parts were inward; that they might not be seen, and which met in a centre; they that were north came against those that were south, and they in the east met with those to the west. The brass of the sea, according to Jacob Leon r, weighed 1,800 arobas, and, with twelve oxen under, 33,500; each aroba being twenty five pounds weight.
r Relation of Memorable Things in the Temple, ch. 4. p. 21.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
25. It stood upon twelve oxen Josephus adds that its middle part rested on a short pillar ten cubits in diameter.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Ki 7:25 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea [was set] above upon them, and all their hinder parts [were] inward.
Ver. 25. It stood upon twelve oxen. ] Figuring out the twelve apostles and their successors, who went into all parts of the world, teaching “the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 4:4, 2Ch 4:5, Jer 52:20, Eze 1:10, Mat 28:19, Mar 16:15, Mar 16:16, Luk 24:47, 1Co 9:9, Rev 4:6, Rev 4:7
Reciprocal: 1Ki 7:29 – lions
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1Ki 7:25-26. It stood upon twelve oxen Of solid brass, which was necessary to bear so great a weight. Probably the water was drawn by cocks out of the mouths of these oxen. It contained two thousand baths That is, five hundred barrels, the bath being a measure of the same bigness with the ephah, each containing about eight gallons. It appears from 2Ch 4:5, that if filled up to the brim, it would receive three thousand baths. But it is probable they were not wont to put so much in it, lest, with the wind, it should run over; and that two thousand was the quantity usually kept in it.