Answer to: Does The Math in 1 Kings 7:23 prove that the Bible has errors?
The short answer is no. It only appears that way at first glance. First let's look at the verses in question.
1Ki 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.
We have two measurements in verse 23 for a round object. The diameter is given as 10 cubits and the circumference is given as 30 cubits. Now if you remember your geometry the circumference is the diameter times pie. 10 cubits times 3.14 equals 31.4 cubits and not 30 cubits. This is why some people say that this is an error. We do not talk in cubits today so lets convert it to inches so we can understand the math better.
There are 18 inches to a cubit.
| 10 Cubits | times 18 inches | equals | 180 inches | |
| 30 Cubits | times 18 inches | equals | 540 inches |
A diameter of 180 inches times pie(3.14) equals 565.48 inches and not the circumference of 540 inches. We see the same difference when we figure it in inches. So what is the answer? Is this a conflict?
No! The answer is found a few verses later.
1Ki 7:26 And it [was] an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
The rim of this object was a hand breadth thick. That is about 4 inches.
So take the diameter of 180 inches and subtract 4 inches for one side and 4 inches for the other side. And multiply the diameter of 172 times pie.
180 inches is the diameter to the outside of the object.
-8 inches for the width of the rim.
172 inches for the diameter of the inside of the object.
x 3.14
= 540 inches.
The math comes out perfectly. The diameter that is given is for the outside of the object and the circumference that is given is for the inside of the object.
The Bible does not have any errors in it.
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