1 Kings Chapter 7 · Verse 26
And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
Original Language Analysis
טֶ֔פַח
And it was an hand breadth
H2947
טֶ֔פַח
And it was an hand breadth
Strong's:
H2947
Word #:
2 of 11
a spread of the hand, i.e., a palm-breadth (not 'span' of the fingers); architecturally, a corbel (as a supporting palm)
שְׂפַת
and the brim
H8193
שְׂפַת
and the brim
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
3 of 11
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
thereof was wrought
H4639
כְּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה
thereof was wrought
Strong's:
H4639
Word #:
4 of 11
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
שְׂפַת
and the brim
H8193
שְׂפַת
and the brim
Strong's:
H8193
Word #:
5 of 11
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
כּ֖וֹס
of a cup
H3563
כּ֖וֹס
of a cup
Strong's:
H3563
Word #:
6 of 11
a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)
פֶּ֣רַח
with flowers
H6525
פֶּ֣רַח
with flowers
Strong's:
H6525
Word #:
7 of 11
a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom
שׁוֹשָׁ֑ן
of lilies
H7799
שׁוֹשָׁ֑ן
of lilies
Strong's:
H7799
Word #:
8 of 11
a lily (from its whiteness), as a flower of architectural ornament; also a (straight) trumpet (from the tubular shape)
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
H505
אַלְפַּ֥יִם
two thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
9 of 11
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of temple furnishings and solomon's palace, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.