Most people will not slow down to understand difficult passages like this. It deals with the architecture of Solomon’s Temple and uses unfamiliar words. But, for most of us, the passage is no more difficult than a description of a modern building by an architect. We would have to work to understand that as well. Be willing to look up some words and take time to understand the structure. Realize also that you will not be able to answer all your questions. However, your efforts will be rewarded. And your increased understanding of the Temple will prepare you to receive spiritual truths behind the physical structure. May the Lord help you in this special study.

What Does It Say?

1. Huram ___________ the work that he was to make for king ____________ for the house of God.
2. The Temple had one sea and twelve _________ under it.
3. The vessels were so abundant, that the weight of the _________ could not be found.
4. The candlesticks with their ________ were made of pure _______.
5. The inner doors for the most _________ place and the doors of the house of the _________ were of gold.

What Does It Mean?

1. Verses 12-13 gives a brief description of the two tall columns to be placed in front of the Temple. Study the verse and describe the columns to the best of your ability in your own words. Here are some definitions that might help. The pillars are the columns. A pommel is a round knob shape on the end of something (compare 1 Kings 7:41-42 [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; [42] And four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, even two rows of pomegranates for one network, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars;
   See All...). The chapiter is the capital or top part of a column. A wreath is a twisted band or ring of leaves, flowers, etc.
2. Pomegranates were used as decorations on the Temple pillars (v.13) and on the robe of the High Priest (Exodus 28:31-35 [31] And thou shalt make the robe of the ephod all of blue. [32] And there shall be an hole in the top of it, in the midst thereof: it shall have a binding of woven work round about the hole of it, as it were the hole of an habergeon, that it be not rent. [33] And beneath upon the hem of it thou shalt make pomegranates of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, round about the hem thereof; and bells of gold between them round about: [34] A golden bell and a pomegranate, a golden bell and a pomegranate, upon the hem of the robe round about. [35] And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not.
   See All...). Pomegranates are one of the fruits brought from Canaan by the spies (Numbers 13:23And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff; and they brought of the pomegranates, and of the figs.
   See All...) and are one of the promised fruits of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 8:8A land of wheat, and barley, and vines, and fig trees, and pomegranates; a land of oil olive, and honey;
   See All...). Consider the following characteristics of the pomegranate and tell why you think it was used on the Temple pillars and the priestly robe. 1) It is a shapely fruit with a pleasant reddish color. 2) It is known for its sweet flavor. 3) The plant has pretty red flowers. 4) It has a very large number of seeds. 5) It has a bitter peel. 6) It is ripe at the time of the Feast of Trumpets, the Jewish New Year. 7) It has a crown on top of the fruit.
3. What is the oracle? The word, oracle, is related to the word oral as in reference to spoken words. What is the connection? For help, see the following verses: Exodus 25:22And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.
   See All...; Numbers 7:89And when Moses was gone into the tabernacle of the congregation to speak with him, then he heard the voice of one speaking unto him from off the mercy seat that was upon the ark of testimony, from between the two cherubims: and he spake unto him.
   See All...; 1 Kings 6:5And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
   See All..., 16, 19-22; 2 Kings 19:15And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, and said, O LORD God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
   See All....

What Does It Mean to Me?

1. According to verses 16-17, the vessels of brass were formed in the clay ground. These vessels were of “bright brass” (v.16). This may refer to both the quality of the brass and to the care with which they were made and polished. Although they were only brass (and not silver or gold), they were used in the service of the house of the Lord. In scripture, men are compared to vessels. See Acts 9:15But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
   See All...; 2Corinthians 4:7But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.
   See All...; 1 Thessalonians 4:4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
   See All...; 2 Timothy 2:20-21 [20] But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. [21] If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.
   See All.... How can the vessels in 2 Chronicles 4:16-18 [16] The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass. [17] In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah. [18] Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.
   See All... be compared to those who serve the Lord?
2. Many of the items in the Temple were made of gold (v.20-22). This gold was “pure gold” (v.20, 22) and “perfect gold” (v.21). Consider the following verses: Job 23:10But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
   See All...; 1Corinthians 3:11-12 [11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
   See All...; 1 Peter 1:7That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
   See All...; Revelation 3:18I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.
   See All.... What things are symbolized by gold? Just tell what you think.