The Hebrew nouns translated cups and basins both refer to bowls. The distinction seems to be that cups were more shallow than basins. See also the comments on verse 40.

It is not certain what the distinction is between the two items rendered “tongs” (verse 49) and snuffers. Some think that both Hebrew nouns refer to tools used to extinguish the flame of a burning lamp wick. Some scholars claim that the Hebrew noun translated “tongs” comes from a root meaning “to take away,” and this tool was used like tongs or tweezers for removing burnt up wicks. Holladay, however, suggests that this tool was used to cut wicks. The Hebrew noun rendered snuffers may come from a root meaning “to prune,” and may refer to a tool used to trim wicks. Most modern translations render these two nouns as “tongs” and “snuffers [or, lamp snuffers].”

Dishes for incense translates a single Hebrew noun. These small dishes were in the shape of a cupped hand. The same Hebrew noun, in fact, also means “palm [of a hand].” Revised English Bible calls them “saucers.” This is an accurate description of the form of the object, but it does not indicate the function of these dishes; and for this reason something like “dishes for incense” is preferable.

Firepans: A translation that makes clear the function of these pans should be used, as in Good News Translation (“pans used for carrying live coals”). Lev 16.12 shows that these firepans were used for carrying burning incense.

Sockets translates a Hebrew noun that occurs only twice in the Old Testament. In Isa 3.17 it means “forehead” (Revised Standard Version “secret parts”) and it may mean “front” here in verse 50. In connection with the doors of the innermost part of the house, De Vries says “doorfronts for the inner sanctuary.” Others take it as a reference to “panels” for the doors (Revised English Bible, New Jerusalem Bible), and others have “hinges” (Good News Translation, New American Bible, Anchor Bible) or sockets (Revised Standard Version/New Revised Standard Version). If this Hebrew noun means “hinges” or sockets here, then the sense is probably that they were made of bronze and covered with gold, since hinges made of pure gold would not have been strong enough to hold the weight of doors.

For the innermost part of the house, see 1 Kgs 6.19; for the most holy place, refer to 1 Kgs 6.16; and for the nave, see 1 Kgs 6.3.

As noted in verses 48 and 49, the Hebrew emphasizes the word “gold.” A more literal translation reads “and the cups and the snuffers and the basins and the dishes for incense and the firepans, pure gold; and the sockets for the doors of the house, the innermost, for the most holy place, for the doors of the nave of the Temple, gold.”

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 1. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .