Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

As I read it, the vessel containing the molten sea was positioned in the temple so that it blocked the access to God's presence, symbolizing the necessity of the Levitical priests first facing judgment (as indicated by the fire that was necessary to form the brass from which the vessel was made). However, the content of the vessel was used for the ceremonial cleansing of the priests, which then allowed them that access.

In that way, the content prefigured the cleansing and freedom from judgment provided by Christ through His sinless life, the shedding of His blood, and His resurrection, making all who placed their faith in Him part of the new universal priesthood of believers. The fact that the brim of the vessel was like that of a cup (2 Chronicles 4:5) was a precursor to believers being able to drink the water of life (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17).

June 12 2023 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

The Molten Sea was a large, circular bronze basin in King Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, used for the ritual washing of priests. Standing five cubits high with a ten-cubit diameter, it was cast by Hiram of Tyre and sat on the backs of twelve bronze oxen. This large reservoir of water, holding 2,000-3,000 baths, was crucial for maintaining ritual purity in the Temple worship. 

When the temple was constructed during Solomon’s reign, a “molten [that is, cast or poured] sea” replaced the portable basin of copper used with the earlier tabernacle. (Ex 30:17-21; 1Ki 7:23, 40, 44) Built by Hiram, a Hebrew-Phoenician, it was evidently called a “sea” because of the large quantity of water it could contain. This vessel, also of copper, was “ten cubits [4.5 m; 14.6 ft] from its one brim to its other brim, circular all around; and its height was five cubits [c. 2.2 m; 7.3 ft], and it took a line of thirty cubits [13.4 m; 44 ft] to circle all around it.”​—1Ki 7:23.

The molten sea remained in service until the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The Chaldeans broke it into pieces and carried the bronze back to Babylon as plunder.

In Prophecy, this may provide a key for understanding the references in the book of Revelation to the “glassy sea” seen before the throne of God in the apostle John’s vision. (Re 4:6; 15:2) It was “like crystal,” perhaps having transparent sides (compare Re 21:18, 21) so that the contents could be seen.

The symbolism of the “glassy sea” in John’s vision thus illustrates Paul’s inspired explanation that the earthly tabernacle and temple, with their equipment and priestly functions, served as patterns of heavenly things. (Compare Heb 8:4, 5; 9:9, 11, 23, 24; 10:1.)

The primary function was to provide water for the priests to wash their hands and feet, symbolising the need for spiritual and physical cleansing to approach God.

The massive size and capacity represented the vastness and completeness of God's provision for cleansing and purification. The water symbolised life and cleansing, signifying the need for purity in worship.

October 02 2025 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report