King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 7:39 Mean?

1 Kings 7:39 in the King James Version says “And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the ... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south. side: Heb. shoulder

1 Kings 7:39 · KJV


Context

37

After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size.

38

Then made he ten lavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths: and every laver was four cubits: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.

39

And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south. side: Heb. shoulder

40

And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD: And Hiram: Heb. And Hirom

41

The two pillars, and the two bowls of the chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars; and the two networks, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars;


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.

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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
נָתַ֞ן1 of 22

And he put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת2 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמְּכֹנ֔וֹת3 of 22

bases

H4350

a pedestal, also a spot

וְחָמֵ֛שׁ4 of 22

and five

H2568

five

עַל5 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִכֶּ֨תֶף6 of 22

side

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

הַבַּ֧יִת7 of 22

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מִיָּמִ֔ין8 of 22

on the right

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

וְחָמֵ֛שׁ9 of 22

and five

H2568

five

עַל10 of 22
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

מִכֶּ֨תֶף11 of 22

side

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

הַבַּ֧יִת12 of 22

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

מִשְּׂמֹאל֑וֹ13 of 22

on the left

H8040

properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

וְאֶת14 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיָּ֗ם15 of 22

the sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

נָתַ֞ן16 of 22

And he put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

מִכֶּ֨תֶף17 of 22

side

H3802

the shoulder (proper, i.e., upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments hang); figuratively, side-piece or lateral projection of anythi

הַבַּ֧יִת18 of 22

of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַיְמָנִ֛ית19 of 22

on the right

H3233

right (i.e., at the right hand)

קֵ֖דְמָה20 of 22

eastward

H6924

the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)

מִמּ֥וּל21 of 22

over against

H4136

properly, abrupt, i.e., a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite

נֶֽגֶב׃22 of 22

the south

H5045

the south (from its drought); specifically, the negeb or southern district of judah, occasionally, egypt (as south to palestine)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 7:39 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 7:39 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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