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Underneath, figurines resembling oxen[a] encircled the circular sea[b] beneath it, ten oxen[c] every cubit,[d] and encircling the sea completely. The oxen were in two rows, cast all at the same time. 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[e] thick, with its brim fashioned like the brim of a cup. Similar in shape to a lily blossom, it could hold 3,000 baths.[f]

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Footnotes

  1. 2 Chronicles 4:3 Or cattle; and so throughout the chapter
  2. 2 Chronicles 4:3 Lit. encircled it
  3. 2 Chronicles 4:3 The Heb. lacks oxen
  4. 2 Chronicles 4:3 Lit. each cubit
  5. 2 Chronicles 4:5 I.e. about three inches; a handbreadth was about one sixth of a cubit
  6. 2 Chronicles 4:5 I.e. about 18,000 gallons; Cf. 1King 7:26, where the volume is given at 2,000 baths