מלכים א, פרק ז׳, פסוק ל״ג

The copper stands in the Temple were supported by wheels that blended complex engineering with deep symbolism. Their overall design resembled the wheels of a chariot, a choice understood in two distinct ways. A straightforward perspective suggests they were modeled after the wheels of standard royal chariots pulled by animals [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A more profound approach connects their design to the Divine chariot. According to this view, King Solomon used his wisdom to craft the wheels in the likeness of the heavenly chariot that the prophet Ezekiel would later describe in his visions, featuring an intricate structure of intersecting wheels set crosswise within one another [רש"י, רד"ק, אברבנאל].

The physical structure of each wheel consisted of four main components. At the center were the fixed axles upon which the entire wheel rotated [רש"י, רלב"ג, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי"ם]. Radiating outward from the center were the spokes, which acted as arms or poles connecting the inner portion of the wheel to its outer boundary.

Regarding the exact placement of the wheel's rings, commentators offer differing perspectives. One approach identifies the central hub—the inner ring containing the hole for the axle—as the highest point of the wheel when laid flat on the ground. In this model, large outer rims acted as a belt, tightly binding the outside of the wheel [רש"י, מצודת ציון, מלבי"ם]. Conversely, other scholars reverse this layout, arguing that the heavy outer circles formed the main exterior framework, while smaller, tightly bound inner rings surrounded the axles [רלב"ג, אברבנאל]. An additional explanation proposes that the central sections served as structural frames upon which the outer rims rested [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Regardless of how the specific rings were arranged, the creation of these wheels was a mechanical marvel. Despite the intricate details and the multiple distinct components—axles, hubs, spokes, and rims—the wheels were not assembled from separate pieces of metal. There was no joining of parts or hammering involved. Instead, each complete wheel was formed as a single, unified casting of molten copper [מצודת דוד, רלב"ג, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ, מלבי"ם].