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Questions From ReadersThe Watchtower—1959 | August 15
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lay far outside Babylonia of that day. Hence Genesis 12:1-3 is not chronologically placed in the account and it is the command issued by Jehovah before Abraham ever moved out of Ur in Babylonia and which also resulted in Abraham’s further move at the death of Terah in Haran.
● What accounts for the difference in capacity of the molten sea in Solomon’s temple as mentioned at 1 Kings 7:23-26 and ; 2 Chronicles 4:2-6?—F. B., U.S.A.
Various explanations of this seeming discrepancy have been made. One is that Second Chronicles, which was completed after the exile, speaks of Babylonian bath measures, whereas First Kings speaks of Jewish bath measures, and it is assumed that the Babylonian bath measure was possibly smaller, so that a greater number were required to equal the Jewish bath measures. Another suggestion is that one account gives the liquid bath measure and the other the dry bath measure. One commentator calls attention to the difference in the Hebrew words involved and suggests that when the temple basin was used as a fountain its bowl proper and the adjoining basins were filled with water in such usage so as to allow for a greater measure of liquid content.
However, if you will read the New World Translation of these two texts you will see how they can be understood without disharmony. First Kings 7:26 reads: “Two thousand bath measures were what it would contain.” However, 2 Chronicles 4:5 says: “As a receptacle, three thousand bath measures were what it could contain.” So you see that 2 Chronicles 4:5 tells us what the full capacity of the temple basin was as a receptacle, what it could contain, whereas 1 Kings 7:26 states the quantity of water that they were accustomed to put into the temple basin. In other words, they would never fill it full. They customarily put in only two thirds of its capacity.
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AnnouncementsThe Watchtower—1959 | August 15
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Announcements
FIELD MINISTRY
During August Jehovah’s witnesses will continue to offer the informative Bible study book “Your Will Be Done on Earth” and a booklet on a contribution of only 50c. For information as to how you may share, write us or contact the nearest Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s witnesses.
ANNUAL MEETING
On Thursday, October 1, 1959, at ten o’clock in the forenoon, the annual meeting of the members of Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania will be held at the Society’s office located at 4100 Bigelow Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Notice of the annual meeting will be sent to all the members. So that the letters of notice will reach the members shortly after September 1, all should be certain that the secretary’s office has their present addresses,
Proxies will accompany the notice of meeting. Each member should complete and return his proxy promptly whether he is going to be at the meeting personally or not and should do so so that the proxies will reach the office of the secretary of the Society not later than September 15.
MAKE SURE OF YOUR WAY OF LIFE
One of Jesus’ last promises on earth was made to a man not even one of his disciples—yet it holds out a hope for eternal blessings that will extend to all persons who are able to meet the requirements. Can you personally turn to the Bible and confidently point out those requirements for life? You can with the Bible-study helps From Paradise Lost to Paradise Regained and “Your Will Be Done on Earth.” These two hard-bound books totaling 640 pages are yours for only $1.25. Send today and receive two booklets free.
“WATCHTOWER” STUDIES FOR THE WEEKS
September 27: Be Ready Always to Make a Defense. Page 493.
October 4: Fear Jehovah—Never Men. Page 500.
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