---
title: "Clarke"
description: "court, 8-10. The works which Huram performed, 11-17. Solomon finishes the temple, and its utensils, 18-22. NOTES ON CHAP. IV Verse 2 Chronicles 4:3. Under"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/clarkes-commentary/2-chronicles/4"
---

*court*, 8-10.
*The works which Huram performed*, 11-17.
*Solomon finishes the temple, and its utensils*, 18-22.
NOTES ON CHAP. IV

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:3](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/3). ***Under it was the similitude of oxen*** — In [1 Kings 7:24](../../../kjv/1-kings/7/24), instead of *oxen*, בקרים bekarim, we have *knops*, פקעים pekaim; and this last is supposed by able critics to be the reading which ought to be received here. What we call *knops* may signify *grapes, mushrooms, apples*, or some such ornaments placed round about under the turned over lip or brim of this caldron. It is possible that בקרים *bekarim, oxen*, may be a corruption of פקעים *pekaim, grapes*, as the פ *pe* might be mistaken for a ב *beth,* to which in ancient MSS. it has often a great resemblance, the dot under the top being often faint and indistinct; and the ע *ain*, on the same account might be mistaken for a ר *resh*. Thus *grapes* might be turned into *oxen. Houbigant* contends that the words in both places are right; but that בקר *bakar* does not signify *ox* here, but al large kind of *grape*, according to its meaning in Arabic: and thus both places will agree. But I do not find that [Arabic] *bakar*, or [Arabic] *bakarat*, has any such meaning in Arabic. He was probably misled by the following, in the Arabic Lexicon, *Camus*, inserted under [Arabic] *bakara*, both by *Giggeius* and *Golius*, [Arabic] *aino albikri, ox-eye*, which is interpreted *Genus uvae nigrae ac praeprandis, incredibilis dulcedinis. In* *Palaestina autem pro prunis absolute usurpatur*. "A species of black grape, very large, and of incredible sweetness. It is used in Palestine for *prune* or *plum*." What is called the *Damascene* plum is doubtless meant; but בקרים *bekarim*, in the text, can never have this meaning, unless indeed we found it associated with עין *ayin, eye*, and then עיני בקרים *eyney bekarim* might, according to the Arabic, be translated *plums, grapes, sloes*, or such like, especially those of the largest kind, which in size resemble the *eye of an ox*. But the criticism of this great man is not solid. The likeliest method of reconciling the two places is supposing a change in the letters, as specified above. The reader will at once see that what are called the *oxen*, [2 Chronicles 4:3](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/3), said to be round about the brim, are widely different from those [2 Chronicles 4:4](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/4), by which this molten sea was supported.

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:5](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/5). ***It - held three thousand baths.*** — In [1 Kings 7:26](../../../kjv/1-kings/7/26), it is said to hold only *two thousand baths*. As this book was written *after* the Babylonish captivity, it is very possible that reference is here made to the Babylonish *bath* which might have been *less* than the Jewish. We have already seen that the *cubit* of Moses, or of the ancient Hebrews, was *longer* than the Babylonish by *one palm*; see on [2 Chronicles 3:3](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/3/3). It might be the same with the measures of capacity; so that *two thousand* of the *ancient* Jewish baths might have been equal to *three thousand* of those used *after the* *captivity*. The *Targum* cuts the knot by saying, "It received *three* *thousand* baths of dry measure, and held *two thousand* of liquid measure."

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:6](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/6). ***He made also ten lavers*** — The lavers served to wash the different parts of the victims in; and the molten sea was for the use of the priests. In this they bathed, or drew water from it for their personal purification.

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:8](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/8). ***A hundred basons of gold*** — These were doubtless a sort of *paterae* or sacrificial spoons, with which they made *libations*.

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:9](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/9). ***He made the court of the priests*** — This was the *inner* court.
***And the great court*** — This was the *outer* court, or place for the assembling of the people.

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:16](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/16). ***Huram his father*** — אב *ab, father*, is often used in Hebrew to signify a *master, inventor, chief operator*, and is very probably used here in the former sense by the Chaldee: *All these* *Chiram his master made for King Solomon*; or *Chiram Abi*, or rather *Hiram*, made for the king.

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:17](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/17). ***In the clay ground*** — See on [1 Kings 7:46](../../../kjv/1-kings/7/46). Some suppose that he did not actually cast those instruments at those places, but that he brought the *clay* from that quarter, as being the most proper for making moulds to cast in.

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:21](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/21). ***And the flowers, and the lamps*** — Probably each branch of the chandelier was made like *a plant in flower*, and the opening of the flower was either the *lamp*, or served to support it.

Verse [2 Chronicles 4:22](../../../kjv/2-chronicles/4/22). ***The doors*****- were of*****gold.*** — That is, were overlaid with *golden plates*, the thickness of which we do not know.
THAT every thing in the tabernacle and temple was *typical* or *representative* of some excellence of the Gospel dispensation may be readily credited, without going into all the detail produced by the pious author of *Solomon's Temple Spiritualized*. We can see the general reference and the principles of the great design, though we may not be able to make a particular application of the *knops*, the *flowers*, the *pomegranates*, the *tongs*, and the *snuffers*, to some Gospel doctrines: such spiritualizing is in most cases weak, silly, religious trifling; being ill calculated to produce respect for Divine revelation.

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