2Ch 4:2-5 | KingComments | STEP | Not only is worship (the altar) greater or wider in the temple than in the tabernacle, but cleansing is also greater. This is not, as with the tabernacle, a bronze laver , but a sea cast of bronze, with a capacity of no less than 66,000 liters, assuming that one bath is twenty-two liters. It determines that those in such an exalted service, at such a large altar, the purification must also be more thorough. No dimensions are given for the laver of the tabernacle. The size of this depends on the mirrors that the women have given ( ). The dimensions of the sea are given. It are dimensions that indicate that the cast sea contains an enormous amount of water. The immense volume of 66,000 liters speaks of God being a God Who “abundantly” pardons ( ). It emphasizes that cleansing of the greatest sins is possible. The unlimited grace in cleansing is also represented by the four wind directions of the four times three oxen. The number four is the number of the whole earth. Everyone can be cleansed of any sin. The twelve oxen on which the sea stands can also be compared to the twelve apostles. Oxen can also be seen as a picture of servants (cf. ). The twelve apostles have been instructed to preach in the Name of the Lord Jesus “repentance for forgiveness of sins … to all the nations”, “to the remotest part of the earth” ( ; ). In the book of Revelation the sea is of glass, like crystal, because the redeemed there no longer need cleansing ( ). They are there in a state of perfect holiness and purity.

‏ 2 Chronicles 4:2-5

The Cast Sea

Not only is worship (the altar) greater or wider in the temple than in the tabernacle, but cleansing is also greater. This is not, as with the tabernacle, a bronze laver, but a sea cast of bronze, with a capacity of no less than 66,000 liters, assuming that one bath is twenty-two liters. It determines that those in such an exalted service, at such a large altar, the purification must also be more thorough.

No dimensions are given for the laver of the tabernacle. The size of this depends on the mirrors that the women have given (Exo 38:8). The dimensions of the sea are given. It are dimensions that indicate that the cast sea contains an enormous amount of water. The immense volume of 66,000 liters speaks of God being a God Who “abundantly” pardons (Isa 55:7). It emphasizes that cleansing of the greatest sins is possible.

The unlimited grace in cleansing is also represented by the four wind directions of the four times three oxen. The number four is the number of the whole earth. Everyone can be cleansed of any sin.

The twelve oxen on which the sea stands can also be compared to the twelve apostles. Oxen can also be seen as a picture of servants (cf. 1Cor 9:9-10). The twelve apostles have been instructed to preach in the Name of the Lord Jesus “repentance for forgiveness of sins … to all the nations”, “to the remotest part of the earth” (Lk 24:47; Acts 1:8).

In the book of Revelation the sea is of glass, like crystal, because the redeemed there no longer need cleansing (Rev 4:6a). They are there in a state of perfect holiness and purity.