Biblical Hebrew Forum

[<RHutchin AT aol.com>]

We read in 1 Kings. 7:23 --  And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one
brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits: and
a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. 

This verse raises the issue of the value of Pi in the minds of some.  The
issue turns on whether the phrase--a line of thirty cubits did compass it
round about--must refer only to the outside diameter of the molten sea or can
it also refer to the inside diameter.  If it refers to the inside diameter,
then there is no problem.

Earlier in this chapter, we find in v15 --  For he cast two pillars of brass,
of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either
of them about. 

Here the similar phrase, did compass either of them about, seems to clearly
refer to the outside diameter of the pillars.

Q - Does the Hebrew text of v 23 support the reading that the inside diameter
of the molten sea is being described or does it require that we read the verse
as in v 15 to be the outside diameter of the molten sea?  Is the Hebrew text
equivalent in each case?

Roger Hutchinson
RHutchin AT AOL.com