1 Kings 7:25 Meaning and Explanation
“It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The molten sea rested on twelve bronze oxen facing outward toward the four directions, three to each side.
What Does 1 Kings 7:25 Mean?
The great basin was borne upon twelve bronze oxen, set in four groups of three, each group facing one of the four directions. Their hindquarters turned inward, they bore the weight of the sea upon their backs.
Twelve oxen, like the twelve tribes, lift the waters of cleansing toward every direction of the earth. The number quietly gathers all Israel beneath the sign of purity, and the outward gaze hints at a blessing meant for the whole world. The God who chose one people always intended a cleansing that would reach to the north, south, east, and west, to the ends of the earth.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 7:25
What does 1 Kings 7:25 mean?
The molten sea rested on twelve bronze oxen facing outward toward the four directions, three to each side.