Bath Circumference

1 Kings 7:23—”If the bath had a diameter of 10 cubits the circumference should be 31.416.”

Verse 26 says that the bath rim was about 8cm thick and was shaped like a lily:

Bath Shape

Therefore it depends on where you measure from. The top or bottom of the rim or the inside or outside for the vessel would all give a different diameter; and depending on whether you measure at the top of the rim or at the narrower point, you would get a different circumference.

With the Qur’ān we find a similar issue, with the Qur’ānic inheritance law (Nisa 4:11-12 and 4:176) not adding up for a deceased man leaving behind three daughters, two parents and a wife. Or if a man leaves only his mother, his wife and two sisters, then they receive 1/3, 1/4 and 2/3, which again adds up to 15/12 of the available property. We must give scripture the benefit of the doubt and measure by equal standards.

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