דברי הימים ב, פרק ד׳, פסוק ה׳

Solomon's massive water basin was an engineering marvel that combined immense structural strength with delicate, precise artistry. The walls of the enormous vessel were built thick and massive to contain a tremendous amount of weight [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. However, the upper rim presented a striking contrast. Instead of maintaining a thick edge, the brim was hammered and thinned out to resemble the delicate lip of a drinking cup [רש״י, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This rim flared outward, shaped like the unfolding petals of a lily [ביאור שטיינזלץ], and was further adorned with intricate engravings of lily flowers [רש״י, מצודת דוד].

Beyond its beauty, the basin boasted an enormous capacity, capable of holding a volume of roughly seventy cubic meters [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The historical record notes that it held three thousand measures. Yet, a parallel account in the Book of Kings states that the exact same vessel held only two thousand measures. This apparent contradiction is resolved by understanding the difference between measuring liquids and solids. The lower number of two thousand measures refers to liquid volume, such as water, which can only fill a vessel up to its flat brim. The higher number of three thousand measures calculates the capacity for dry goods. Dry materials can be piled up into a heap extending well above the rim of a container. In standard measurements, this heaped portion always adds exactly one-third to the total volume, perfectly accounting for the difference between the two figures [רש״י, רד״ק].