SEA, THE MOLTEN,

The great laver made by Solomon for the use of the priests in the temple, described in 1 Kings 7:23-26; 2 Chr. 4:2-5. It stood in the south-eastern corner of the inner court. It was 5 cubits high, 10 in diameter from brim to brim, and 30 in circumference. It was placed on the backs of twelve oxen, standing with their faces outward. It was capable of containing two or three thousand baths of water (comp. 2 Chr. 4:5), which was originally supplied by the Gibeonites, but was afterwards brought by a conduit from the pools of Bethlehem. It was made of “brass” (copper), which Solomon had taken from the captured cities of Hadarezer, the king of Zobah (1 Chr. 18:8). Ahaz afterwards removed this laver from the oxen, and placed it on a stone pavement (2 Kings 16:17). It was destroyed by the Chaldeans (25:13).

SEA, THE MOLTEN, or BRA'ZEN, the name of the large copper or bronze laver made by Solomon for the temple, and which stood upon twelve metal oxen in the southeast corner of the court of the priests. It is described in 1 Kgs 7:23-26. It was 74 feet high, 15 feet in diameter, and 45 feet in circumference, and contained 16,000 gallons (2 Chr 4:5 says SEA . 24,000). The Gibeonites, it is said, were at first employed to bring the water requisite to fill it, but at a later day it was supplied by a conduit from the pools of Bethlehem. Solomon made it of the copper captured from Tibhath and Chun, cities of Hadarezer, king of Zobah. 1 Chr 18:8. Ahaz took down the sea from off the brazen oxen and put it upon a pavement of stones. 2 Kgs 16:17. The Assyrians broke it in pieces. 2 Kgs 25:13. See Layer.