Definition: And it [was] an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from 1 Kings 7:26. It's a really interesting and symbolic description of a huge, elaborate ritual! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes a massive, incredibly ornate basin (or container) filled with flowers and decorated with lilies. Let’s unpack that a bit further: “And it [was] an hand breadth thick…” – This tells us the basin was very large. Think of it like a giant, incredibly wide-mouthed tub. “An hand breadth” means roughly 12 inches across. “…and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup…” - The edge of the basin had a beautiful, rounded shape – almost like a cup! This emphasizes its decorative and impressive nature. “with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.” - This is where it gets really striking. The basin wasn’t just filled with water; it was overflowing with flowers . And the lilies were so plentiful, they represented a huge amount – “two thousand baths” – of water. That's a massive quantity! What does this all tell us about the event? This passage is from the Book of Kings and describes a very important ritual where King David built a large basin for washing in the Tabernacle (the Jewish temple) in Jerusalem. It symbolized: Offering and Worship: The basin was a place to offer sacrifices and to show reverence to God. Purification & Holiness: The lilies and water represent purity and spiritual cleansing, reflecting God’s holiness. Abundance & Divine Favor: The massive amount of flowers and water suggests a tremendous display of God's favor and generosity. In short, it's a vivid picture of a powerful and significant event – the creation of a large, beautiful basin filled with flowers to symbolize offering and divine blessing. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the symbolism behind this particular passage?