He set the bases, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house. He set the sea on the right side of the house eastward and toward the south.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 39. Right side, to the south, between the temple and the altar of holocausts.—Sea. It was the most towards the east, of the five basins, ( Calmet.) or near the eastern gate of the priests’ court, standing on the south of the entrance, that they might purify themselves. Menochius.—S. Justin (ap. ii.) observes that the pagans imitated this custom. But this ought not to hinder Christians from employing a thing which is innocent in itself, and calculated to make them aspire to the greatest purity, when they approach to God. Bible.
Spargit & ipse suos lauro rorante capillos
Incipit & solitâ fundere voce preces. Fast. v.