Bible Dictionary
Sea, The molten
The Salt Sea is the biblical name for the lake commonly called the Dead Sea. It received the Jordan and was known for its unusually saline water and low elevation.
Definition
The molten sea was the great copper laver made by Solomon for the priests of the temple. It stood on twelve oxen and held a large quantity of water for washing.
Biblical Usage
The vessel served the priests in the temple and was part of Solomon’s temple furnishings. Ahaz removed it from the oxen and placed it on a stone pavement; the Chaldeans later destroyed it.
Historical Background
It stood in the southeastern part of the inner court, measured ten cubits across and five cubits high, and held two or three thousand baths. Its water was first supplied by the Gibeonites and later by a conduit from Bethlehem.
Scripture References
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
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).