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Bible critics frequently claim that the [[Bible]] has an incorrect value for Pi.

Bible critics frequently claim that the [[Bible]] has an incorrect value for Pi.

This claim is based on a verse in the first book of Kings:

This claim is based on a verse in the [[I Kings|first book of Kings]]:

{{bible quote|He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten cubits from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.|book=1_Kings|chap=7|verses=23|version=NIV}}

{{bible quote|He made the Sea of cast metal, circular in shape, measuring ten [[cubit]]s from rim to rim and five cubits high. It took a line of thirty cubits to measure around it.|book=1_Kings|chap=7|verses=23|version=NIV}}

The critics say that this amounts to the Bible claiming that the value of pi is 3.

The critics say that this amounts to the Bible claiming that the value of pi is 3.

The assumptions are:

The assumptions are:

* The Bible is trying to provide a value for pi.  This is clearly not the case; it is merely describing the size of the object.<ref name="math">Peterson and Rick, 1999.</ref>

* The Bible is trying to provide a value for pi.  This is clearly not the case; it is merely describing the size of the object.<ref name="math">Peterson and Rick, 1999.</ref>

* The value in the Bible is ''wrong'', rather than just imprecise.  However, to the nearest whole number, the value is correct,<ref name="math" /> and it was quite common at the time to round numbers.<ref name="jph">Holding, J.P.</ref>

* The value in the Bible is ''wrong'', rather than just imprecise.  However, to the nearest [[whole number]], the value is correct,<ref name="math" /> and it was quite common at the time to round numbers.<ref name="jph">Holding, J.P.</ref>

* That both the diameter and the circumference are measuring the same edges.  It's possible, even if unlikely, that the diameter is an outside measurement and the circumference is an inside measurement.  A straight calculation doesn't allow for the thickness of the sides.<ref name="jph" />

* That both the [[diameter]] and the [[circumference]] are measuring the same edges.  It's possible, even if unlikely, that the diameter is an outside measurement and the circumference is an inside measurement.  A straight calculation doesn't allow for the thickness of the sides.<ref name="jph" />

* That both the diameter and the circumference are measuring the same part of the object.  The object is also described as having an outward-turned rim.  The easiest places to measure the diameter would be across the wider rim, and the easiest place to measure the circumference would be around the body below the rim.<ref>Grigg, 1995.</ref>

* That both the diameter and the circumference are measuring the same part of the object.  The object is also described as having an outward-turned rim.  The easiest places to measure the diameter would be across the wider rim, and the easiest place to measure the circumference would be around the body below the rim.<ref>Grigg, 1995.</ref>