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Document Details : Title: The Value of Pi and the Circumference of the 'Molten Sea' in 3 Kingdoms 7,10 Author(s): HOLLENBACK, George M. Journal: Biblica Volume: 79 Issue: 3 Date: 1998 Pages: 409-412 DOI: 10.2143/BIB.79.3.3200626 Abstract : The dimensions of the 'molten sea', the huge vessel fabricated for King Solomon’s temple, are given in 1 Kgs 7,23.26 (MT) and 3 Kingdoms 7,10.12 (LXX). All measurements of the MT correspond exactly to those of the LXX except one, the circumference. The MT gives 'thirty cubits' and the LXX 'thirty-three cubits'. It seems probable that the MT used the value attributed to pi by the Old Babylonian (pi = 3), whereas the LXX may have known the more accurate value discovered by Archimedes and presumably known in Alexandria (pi = approximately 3 1/7). |
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