מלכים א, פרק ז׳, פסוק כ״ה

The foundation supporting the great copper sea was constructed from twelve copper ox figures, arranged in a highly organized formation. This layout indicates that the lower section of the basin was square, with exactly three oxen positioned along each of its four sides [רד״ק]. The massive sea rested directly on top of these figures, a structural design specifically emphasized to provide a clear picture of how the basin was mounted [מצודת דוד].

The commentators agree that the animals were positioned so their faces were fully visible, looking outward toward the four cardinal directions. Because their heads faced outward toward the west, south, north, and east, their hindquarters were turned inward and hidden completely beneath the sea. This specific alignment meant that the back ends of the oxen faced one another. The hindquarters of the northern oxen pointed toward those in the south, while the backs of the eastern oxen directly faced those on the west.