And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
(2 Chronicles 4:5) KJV
Another way to resolve the Biblical value of Pi uses more mathematical information than we thought we had: the thickness of the brim of the molten sea. Let’s look at a logical way to solve this issue.
Inner not Outer Diameter
- IF the circumference of 30 cubits is the inner edge of the brim,
- AND the brim is a handbreadth wide,
- THEN the diameter of the inside of the vessel,
- not including the brim, is 30 / 3.14 = 9.55 cubits.
Do you see where this is going? The outer diameter of the vessel, including the brim, is 9.55 cubits + 2 handbreadths.
Width of a Handbreadth
- IF The diameter of 10 cubits = 9.55 cubits + two handbreadths (one on either side),
- THEN two handbreadths = 10 – 9.55 = 0.45 cubits,
- THEREFORE a handbreadth is 0.45/2 = 0.225 cubits.
The Bible doesn’t give us a value for the outer circumference of the vessel, but we obtain that by simply multiplying the diameter of 10 cubits by 3.14 = 31.4 cubits.
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