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erected over it; equal to it in its measures; so that the entire
altitude of the temple was a hundred and twenty cubits。 Its front
was to the east。 As to the porch; they built it before the
temple; its length was twenty cubits; and it was so ordered that
it might agree with the breadth of the house; and it had twelve
cubits in latitude; and its height was raised as high as a
hundred and twenty cubits。 He also built round about the temple
thirty small rooms; which might include the whole temple; by
their closeness one to another; and by their number and outward
position round it。 He also made passages through them; that they
might come into on through another。 Every one of these rooms had
five cubits in breadth; (7) and the same in length; but in height
twenty。 Above these there were other rooms; and others above
them; equal; both in their measures and number; so that these
reached to a height equal to the lower part of the house; for the
upper part had no buildings about it。 The roof that was over the
house was of cedar; and truly every one of these rooms had a roof
of their own; that was not connected with the other rooms; but
for the other parts; there was a covered roof common to them all;
and built with very long beams; that passed through the rest; and
rough the whole building; that so the middle walls; being
strengthened by the same beams of timber; might be thereby made
firmer: but as for that part of the roof that was under the
beams; it was made of the same materials; and was all made
smooth; and had ornaments proper for roofs; and plates of gold
nailed upon them。 And as he enclosed the walls with boards of
cedar; so he fixed on them plates of gold; which had sculptures
upon them; so that the whole temple shined; and dazzled the eyes
of such as entered; by the splendor of the gold that was on every
side of them; Now the whole structure of the temple was made with
great skill of polished stones; and those laid together so very
harmoniously and smoothly; that there appeared to the spectators
no sign of any hammer; or other instrument of architecture; but
as if; without any use of them; the entire materials had
naturally united themselves together; that the agreement of one
part with another seemed rather to have been natural; than to
have arisen from the force of tools upon them。 The king also had
a fine contrivance for an ascent to the upper room over the
temple; and that was by steps in the thickness of its wall; for
it had no large door on the east end; as the lower house had; but
the entrances were by the sides; through very small doors。 He
also overlaid the temple; both within and without; with boards of
cedar; that were kept close together by thick chains; so that
this contrivance was in the nature of a support and a strength to
the building。

3。 Now when the king had divided the temple into two parts; he
made the inner house of twenty cubits 'every way'; to be the most
secret chamber; but he appointed that of forty cubits to be the
sanctuary; and when he had cut a door…place out of the wall; he
put therein doors of Cedar; and overlaid them with a great deal
of gold; that had sculptures upon it。 He also had veils of blue;
and purple; and scarlet; and the brightest and softest linen;
with the most curious flowers wrought upon them; which were to be
drawn before those doors。 He also dedicated for the most secret
place; whose breadth was twenty cubits; and length the same; two
cherubims of solid gold; the height of each of them was five
cubits (8) they had each of them two wings stretched out as far
as five cubits; wherefore Solomon set them up not far from each
other; that with one wing they might touch the southern wall of
the secret place; and with another the northern: their other
wings; which joined to each other; were a covering to the ark;
which was set between them; but nobody can tell; or even
conjecture; what was the shape of these cherubims。 He also laid
the floor of the temple with plates of gold; and he added doors
to the gate of the temple; agreeable to the measure of the height
of the wall; but in breadth twenty cubits; and on them he glued
gold plates。 And; to say all in one word; he left no part of the
temple; neither internal nor external; but what was covered with
gold。 He also had curtains drawn over these doors in like manner
as they were drawn over the inner doors of the most holy place;
but the porch of the temple had nothing of that sort。

4。 Now Solomon sent for an artificer out of Tyre; whose name was
Hiram; he was by birth of the tribe of Naphtali; on the mother's
side; (for she was of that tribe;) but his father was Ur; of the
stock of the Israelites。 This man was skillful in all sorts of
work; but his chief skill lay in working in gold; and silver; and
brass; by whom were made all the mechanical works about the
temple; according to the will of Solomon。 Moreover; this Hiram
made two 'hollow' pillars; whose outsides were of brass; and the
thickness of the brass was four fingers' breadth; and the height
of the pillars was eighteen cubits and their circumference twelve
cubits; but there was cast with each of their chapiters lily…work
that stood upon the pillar; and it was elevated five cubits;
round about which there was net…work interwoven with small palms;
made of brass; and covered the lily…work。 To this also were hung
two hundred pomegranates; in two rows。 The one of these pillars
he set at the entrance of the porch on the right hand; and called
it Jachin (9) and the other at the left hand; and called it Booz。 

5。 Solomon also cast a brazen sea; whose figure was that of a
hemisphere。 This brazen vessel was called a sea for its
largeness; for the laver was ten feet in diameter; and cast of
the thickness of a palm。 Its middle part rested on a short pillar
that had ten spirals round it; and that pillar was ten cubits in
diameter。 There stood round about it twelve oxen; that looked to
the four winds of heaven; three to each wind; having their hinder
parts depressed; that so the hemispherical vessel might rest upon
them; which itself was also depressed round about inwardly。 Now
this sea contained three thousand baths。

6。 He also made ten brazen bases for so many quadrangular lavers;
the length of every one of these bases was five cubits; and the
breadth four cubits; and the height six cubits。 This vessel was
partly turned; and was thus contrived: There were four small
quadrangular pillars that stood one at each corner; these had the
sides of the base fitted to them on each quarter; they were
parted into three parts; every interval had a border fitted to
support 'the laver'; upon which was engraven; in one place a
lion; and in another place a bull; and an eagle。 The small
pillars had the same animals engraven that were engraven on the
sides。 The whole work was elevated; and stood upon four wheels;
which were also cast; which had also naves and felloes; and were
a foot and a half in diameter。 Any one who saw the spokes of the
wheels; how exactly they were turned; and united to the sides of
the bases; and with what harmony they agreed to the felloes;
would wonder at them。 However; their structure was this: Certain
shoulders of hands stretched out held the corners above; upon
which rested a short spiral pillar; that lay under the hollow
part of the laver; resting upon the fore part of the eagle and
the lion; which were adapted to them; insomuch that those who
viewed them would think they were of one piece: between these
were engravings of palm trees。 This was the construction of the
ten bases。 He also made ten large round brass vessels; which were
the lavers themselves; each of which contained forty baths; (10)
for it had its height four cubits; and its edges were as much
distant from each other。 He also placed these lavers upon the ten
bases that were called Mechonoth; and he set five of the lavers
on the left side of the temple (11) which was that side towards
the north wind; and as many on the right side; towards the south;
but looking towards the east; the same 'eastern' way he also set
the sea Now he appointed the sea to be for washing the hands and
the feet of the priests; when they entered into the temple and
were to ascend the altar; but the lavers to cleanse the entrails
of the beasts that were to be burnt…offerings; with their feet
also。

7。 He also made a brazen altar; whose length was twenty cubits;
and its breadth the same; and its height ten; for the
burnt…offerings。 He also made all its vessels of brass; the pots;
and the shovels; and the basons; and besides these; the snuffers
and the tongs; and all its other vessels; he made of brass; and
such brass as was in splendor and beauty like gold。 The king also
dedicated a great number of tables; but one that was large and
made of gold; upon which they set the loaves of God; and he made
ten thousand more that resembled them; but were done after
another manner; upon which lay the vials and the cups; those of
gold were twenty thousand; those of silver were forty thousand。
He also made ten thousand candlesticks; according to the command
of Moses; one of which he dedicated for the temple; that it might
b

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