1 Kings 7:23–39

The Bronze Tank

²³Huram made a round tank of bronze, 2.2 metres deep, 4.4 metres in diameter, and 13.2 metres in circumference. ²⁴All round the outer edge of the rim of the tank^x were two rows of bronze gourds, which had been cast all in one piece with the rest of the tank. ²⁵The tank rested on the backs of twelve bronze bulls that faced outwards, three facing in each direction. ²⁶The sides of the tank were 75 millimetres thick. Its rim was like the rim of a cup, curving outwards like the petals of a lily. The tank held about 40,000 litres.

The Bronze Carts

²⁷Huram also made ten bronze carts; each was 1.8 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, and 1.3 metres high. ²⁸They were made of square panels which were set in frames, ²⁹with the figures of lions, bulls, and winged creatures on the panels; and on the frames, above and underneath the lions and bulls, there were spiral figures in relief. ³⁰Each cart had four bronze wheels with bronze axles. At the four corners were bronze supports for a basin; the supports were decorated with spiral figures in relief. ³¹There was a circular frame on top for the basin. It projected upwards 45 centimetres from the top of the cart and 18 centimetres down into it. It had carvings round it. ³²The wheels were 66 centimetres high; they were under the panels, and the axles were of one piece with the carts. ³³The wheels were like chariot wheels; their axles, rims, spokes, and hubs were all of bronze. ³⁴There were four supports at the bottom corners of each cart, which were of one piece with the cart. ³⁵There was a 22 centimetre band round the top of each cart; its supports and the panels were of one piece with the cart. ³⁶The supports and panels were decorated with figures of winged creatures, lions, and palm trees, wherever there was space for them, with spiral figures all round. ³⁷This, then, is how the carts were made; they were all alike, having the same size and shape.

^38*Huram also made ten basins, one for each cart. Each basin was 1.8 metres in diameter, and held about 800 litres. ³⁹He placed five of the carts on the south side of the Temple, and the other five on the north side; the tank he placed at the south-east corner.