1 Kings 7:15

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.

For he cast {H6696} two {H8147} pillars {H5982} of brass {H5178}, of eighteen {H8083}{H6240} cubits {H520} high {H6967} apiece {H5982}{H259}: and a line {H2339} of twelve {H8147}{H6240} cubits {H520} did compass {H5437} either {H8145} of them about {H5437}.

He made the two bronze columns, each one thirty-one-and-a-half feet high and twenty-one feet in circumference.

He cast two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference.

For he fashioned the two pillars of brass, eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits compassed either of them about.

Commentary

Context

This verse is part of the detailed description of King Solomon's extensive building projects, specifically the construction and furnishing of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem. After detailing the Temple's structure in 1 Kings chapter 6, the narrative in chapter 7 shifts to Solomon's own palace and then to the intricate, sacred furnishings for the Temple itself. Verse 15 introduces two of the most prominent and symbolically significant features: the colossal bronze pillars. These were crafted by Hiram, a master craftsman from Tyre, renowned for his skill in bronze work. These pillars, later named Jachin and Boaz (1 Kings 7:21), stood at the entrance of the Temple, serving as powerful symbols of strength and stability for God's house.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Grandeur and Human Skill: The immense scale and precision of these pillars—18 cubits high and 12 cubits in circumference—highlight the vast resources and exceptional craftsmanship dedicated to God's dwelling place. This reflects the Israelites' commitment to honoring God with the very best of their abilities and materials.
  • Symbolism of Pillars: In ancient Near Eastern cultures, large pillars often represented strength, support, and permanence. For Solomon's Temple, these imposing structures likely underscored the eternal nature of God's covenant with His people and His steadfast presence among them. They stood as enduring testaments to God's faithfulness and the stability of His kingdom.
  • Awe-Inspiring Entrance: Placed at the Temple's porch, these massive bronze structures would have immediately conveyed a sense of majesty, holiness, and divine power to anyone approaching the sacred space, preparing them for an encounter with the divine. They were not merely functional but profoundly symbolic and aesthetic.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cast" (יָצַק - yatsaq) implies a sophisticated process of pouring molten metal into a mold, indicating the advanced metallurgical skills of Hiram and his workers for such large bronze objects. The term "brass" (נְחֹשֶׁת - nechoshet) is often translated as bronze in modern versions, referring to an alloy of copper, known for its durability and value. This material was frequently used in the Tabernacle and Temple for sacred items. The "cubit" (אַמָּה - ammah) was a standard ancient measurement, typically from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but generally around 18 inches (approximately 45 cm). Thus, 18 cubits would be about 27 feet (8.1 meters) high, and a circumference of 12 cubits would be about 18 feet (5.4 meters).

Related Scriptures

  • For the detailed dimensions and naming of these pillars, see 1 Kings 7:21.
  • A parallel account of the Temple's construction and furnishings, including these pillars, can be found in 2 Chronicles 3:15-17, which offers slightly different measurements but confirms their significance and placement.
  • The concept of God's presence dwelling among His people, previously symbolized by the portable Tabernacle in the wilderness, finds its more permanent and magnificent expression in Solomon's Temple.

Practical Application

While we no longer build physical temples in the same way, this verse reminds us of the profound importance of dedicating our best to God. Whether in our talents, resources, or time, we are called to honor Him with excellence, reflecting His glory and majesty in all we do. The stability and grandeur of these pillars can also symbolize the foundational truths of our faith – truths that stand firm and provide strength in a changing world. Just as these pillars supported the entrance to God's earthly house, so too does our faith uphold our spiritual lives and witness. It encourages us to consider how our own lives, as "temples of the Holy Spirit" (1 Corinthians 6:19), might reflect God's majesty and invite others into His transforming presence.

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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 52:21 (5 votes)

    And [concerning] the pillars, the height of one pillar [was] eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof [was] four fingers: [it was] hollow.

  • 2 Chronicles 3:15 (4 votes)

    Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that [was] on the top of each of them [was] five cubits.

  • 2 Chronicles 3:17 (4 votes)

    And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

  • 1 Kings 7:21 (4 votes)

    And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.

  • 2 Kings 25:16 (2 votes)

    The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

  • 2 Kings 25:17 (2 votes)

    The height of the one pillar [was] eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it [was] brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

  • 1 Kings 7:41 (2 votes)

    The two pillars, and the [two] bowls of the chapiters that [were] on the top of the two pillars; and the two networks, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters which [were] upon the top of the pillars;