Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary: 3 Kings
Ver. 21. Temple. Against the wall, (Jeremias lii. 23,) on each side of the door which leads to the holy place. The pillars might be 28 cubits high, ver. 15. --- Jachin intimated that God "will establish." --- Booz means, "strength is in him." (Calmet) --- Both together might foretel the stability of the temple. "He shall establish in strength." We have already mentioned the conjecture of Houbigant, that these two pillars were erected in honour of some of Solomon's progenitors, though the former be lost in his genealogy, Ruth iv. 22. (Haydock) --- Jachin. That is, firmly established. --- Booz. That is, in its strength. By recording these names in holy writ, the Spirit of God would have us understand the invincible firmness and strength of the pillars on which the true temple of God, which is the Church, is established. (Challoner)
Ver. 22. Lily, or rose, as Susan means both. This ornament seems to have been detached from the rest of the chapiter, and one cubit high, ver. 16. (Calmet)
Ver. 23. Brim, in diameter. The circumference was about 30 cubits; for it is not exactly three [but pi (3.14159...)] times as much as the diameter. (Calmet) --- The latter is [approximately] as 7 to 22, with respect to the circumference. But the Scripture takes no notice of trifles. (Menochius)
Ver. 24. Ten cubits. All was not therefore ornamented. Protestants, "there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit....the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast." (Haydock) --- The signification of Pekahim is not ascertained, whether it be "apples, balls," &c., or perhaps a corrupt word for Bokrim, "oxen," or "ox heads;" as 2 Paralipomenon (iv. 3,) clearly explains it. (Calmet) --- There also it is insinuated, that the carvings commenced only towards the bottom, where the circumference was reduced to 10 cubits. (Menochius)
Ver. 25. Oxen. Josephus and the Jews would condemn Solomon for making these figures; but it is clear that his present was acceptable to God, as well as his person. (Calmet) --- Within. The oxen were of solid brass, to support such a weight. (Menochius) --- Some think that the water was discharged through their mouths. But Pelletier believes that there were cocks placed between each of the four divisions of oxen, which let water into a basin below, in which the priests might purify themselves. He supposes also that the vessel was double; the cup would contain 2000 baths, and the foot or basin another 1000, by which means he would reconcile this book with that of Chronicles. (Melanges, T. i. p. 115.)
Ver. 26. Two thousand bates. That is, about ten thousand gallons. This was the quantity of water which was usually put into it: but it was capable, if brim-full, of holding three thousand. See 2 Paralipomenon iv. 5, 7. (Challoner) --- The batus contained about five gallons. (Worthington) --- Some imagine, without grounds, (Calmet) that the measure in Paralipomenon was of a less capacity. (Vallalpand) (Cornelius a Lapide) --- The smaller is called metreta, "measure," after the Greek, as it had no proper name. (Salien) --- Instead of a hand's breadth, it is literally, "three ounces," or the fourth part of a Roman foot; which is equivalent to four fingers' (Haydock) breadth, or a "hand's breadth," as the Hebrew tophach implies, or a little above three inches. --- Crisped, or "full-blown lily." The Chaldean supposes it was thus ornamented. Hebrew, "with flowers of lilies," (Calmet) or "roses," Shoshan. (Haydock)
Ver. 27. Bases. These were designed to wash the victims. (Pelletier)
Ver. 28. And. Hebrew is very obscure in this and the following verse. Indeed interpreters are so little agreed about the precise signification of some of the terms, that it is not necessary to repeat their sentiments.
Ver. 32. Joined. Yet not so as to be immovable. (Calmet)
Ver. 36. Palm-trees were not expressed, ver. 29. All was in relievo, and represented in its natural posture. (Calmet) --- About. One would have taken them to be alive, they were so well executed. Hebrew, "according to the proportion of every one, and added round about," (Haydock) projecting. (Menochius)
Ver. 39. Right side, to the south, between the temple and the altar of holocausts. --- Sea. It was the most towards the east, of the five basins, (Calmet) or near the eastern gate of the priests' court, standing to the south of the entrance, that they might purify themselves. (Menochius) --- St. Justin Martyr (apology ii.) observes that the pagans imitated this custom. But this ought not to hinder Christians from employing a thing which is innocent in itself, and calculated to make them aspire to the greatest purity, when they approach to God. (Haydock)
Spargit & ipse suos lauro rorante capillos
Incipit & solita fundere voce preces. (Ovid, Fast. v.)
Ver. 40. Shovels. Scutras may also signify "cauldrons," from their resemblance with a shield. These terms occur [in] Exodus xxvii. 3., (Calmet) and are there properly translated, shovels, &c. (Haydock) --- The Jews say there were always, at least, three things of the same species, that one might be ready in case another was defiled.
Ver. 41. Cords: no mention of these had been made before. The same terms are frequently expressed in a different manner, ver. 15, to 20. Hebrew, "the two pillars and the chapiters round, (Calmet) which were on the top of the pillars and the two nets to cover the two bowls of (or the two circular) chapiters," &c. (Haydock)
Ver. 45. Fine brass (aurichalco.) Some pretended that gold was mixed with this sort of brass. But Pliny ([Natural History?] xxxiv. 2.) informs us that it came out of the mines, without dross. --- Hebrew, "polished (or refined) brass." (Calmet) --- It might resemble the Corinthian brass. (Menochius)
Ver. 46. Sarthan. This place was on the west, and Socoth on the east of the Jordan, near Bethsan, chap. iv. 12. (Calmet) --- Josue iii. 16. (Haydock) --- Adrichomius places both on the east, in the tribe of Gad. (Menochius)
Ver. 47. Weighed. It was deemed unnecessary, and too troublesome. (Haydock) --- Hebrew, "And Solomon would not have all the vessels weighed," on account of the too great number: "the weight of the brass was not discovered." (Vatable)
Ver. 48. Altar, not that on which the ark was placed, (chap. vi. 20.; Calmet) though some are of that opinion; (Menochius, &c.) but perhaps the altar of incense. The one which Moses had made was probably too small, (Calmet) and reposited in the treasury. (Rabbins) --- Table. In 1 Paralipomenon iv. 8., we find ten specified, one between each candlestick, in the holy place. Josephus ([Antiquities?] viii. 2.) mentions an incredible number of gold and silver utensils, which are not found in Scripture; and the Rabbins are not sparing in miracles, to promote a respect for the temple. No venomous creature, they say, was ever seen in Jerusalem; nor did man seek for lodgings in vain, &c. The priests were so numerous, that the same person had never to offer the perpetual sacrifice or incense twice in his life. No one durst spit in the temple, nor turn his back on the altar, &c. (Calmet)
Ver. 51. Dedicated. Literally, "sanctified," (Haydock) or set apart. (Worthington) --- Gold, unwrought. (Menochius)
Bible Text & Cross-references:
Solomon's palace, his house in the forest, and the queen's house: the work of the two pillars: the sea (or laver) and other vessels.
1 And Solomon built his own house in *thirteen years, and brought it to perfection.
2 He built also the house of the forest of Libanus; the length of it was a hundred cubits, and the breadth fifty cubits, and the height thirty cubits: and four galleries between pillars of cedar: for he had cut cedar-trees into pillars.
3 And he covered the whole vault with boards of cedar, and it was held up with five and forty pillars. And one row had fifteen pillars,
4 Set one against another,
5 And looking one upon another, with equal space between the pillars, and over the pillars were square beams in all things equal.
6 And he made a porch of pillars of fifty cubits in length, and thirty cubits in breadth: and another porch before the greater porch, and pillars, and chapiters upon the pillars.