1 Kings 7:23

A molten sea. This was a gigantic laver, for the various washings of the priests, corresponding to the laver of brass in the tabernacle (Ex. 30:18-21; 38:8). It was about 14 ft. 7 in. (4.4 m.) in diameter and 7 ft. 3 1/2 in. (2.2 m.) high, and held 2,000 baths (v. 26), or about 11,620 gal. or 43,998 liters (see Vol. I, pp. 166, 167). This may refer to the quantity of water ordinarily carried, and a statement in 2 Chron. 4:5, giving the capacity as 3,000 baths, or 65,998 liters, may refer to the utmost that the laver could hold.

Attempts to determine the volume of a “bath” on the basis of the measurements of the “molten sea” have been unsuccessful.

“Seas” are common objects in ancient temples, and were at times supplied with running water. In the case of Solomon’s Temple the water was probably obtained from underground cisterns. The purpose of the sea was “for the priests to wash in” (2 Chron. 4:6). Bowls of considerable size are represented on Assyrian reliefs, but none bear comparison to Solomon’s “sea.” The largest bowls known from antiquity are greatly inferior to this great bronze laver in Solomon’s Temple. It was no doubt a unique masterpiece.