2 Chronicles 4:4 web — It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward th…

World English Bible

"It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set on them above, and all their hinder parts were inward."

— 2 Chronicles 4:4, World English Bible

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2 Chronicles 4:4 in Other Translations

6 versions All translations
  • KJV

    “It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.”

  • ASV

    “It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set upon them above, and all their hinder parts were inward. ”

  • NET

    ““The Sea” stood on top of twelve bulls. Three faced northward, three westward, three southward, and three eastward.“The Sea” was placed on top of them, and they all faced outward.”

  • DRB

    “And the oxen were cast: and the sea itself was set upon the twelve oxen, three of which looked toward the north, and other three toward the west: and other three toward the south, and the other three that remained toward the east, and the sea stood upon them: and the hinder parts of the oxen were inward under the sea.”

  • BBE

    “It was supported on twelve oxen, three facing to the north, three to the west, three to the south, and three to the east, the water-vessel resting on top of them; their back parts were all turned to the middle of it.”

  • KJVA

    “It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.”

2 Chronicles 4 — Context

1

Then he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits its length, and twenty cubits its breadth, and ten cubits its height.

2

Also he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass; and its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled it.

3

Under it was the likeness of oxen, which encircled it, for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The oxen were in two rows, cast when it was cast.

4

It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set on them above, and all their hinder parts were inward.

5

It was a handbreadth thick; and its brim was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily: it received and held three thousand baths.

6

He made also ten basins, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them; such things as belonged to the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.

7

He made the ten lampstands of gold according to the ordinance concerning them; and he set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.

2 Chronicles 4:4 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 2 Chronicles 4:4 say?
2 Chronicles 4:4 in the World English Bible reads: “It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set on them above, and all their hinder parts were inward.”
Where is 2 Chronicles 4:4 in the Bible?
2 Chronicles 4:4 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 2 Chronicles, chapter 4, verse 4.
Who wrote 2 Chronicles?
2 Chronicles is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Ezra). It was written c. 450–425 BC.
What is the book of 2 Chronicles about?
2 Chronicles narrates Solomon's reign and the kings of Judah down to the exile, with particular emphasis on the temple and faithful worship. It ends with Cyrus's decree authorizing the return — a note of hope for a people just home from Babylon.
What are the major themes of 2 Chronicles?
2 Chronicles explores themes including Temple, Worship, Faithful Kings, Reform, Return. These themes shape the meaning and context of 2 Chronicles 4:4.
What translation should I read 2 Chronicles 4:4 in?
2 Chronicles 4:4 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 2 Chronicles 4:4?
2 Chronicles 4:4 reads (WEB): “It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set on them above, and all their hinder parts were inward.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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