1 Kings 7:16

KJV

And he made two chapiters [of] molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter [was] five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter [was] five cubits:

KJV (with Strong's)

And he made {H6213} two {H8147} chapiters {H3805} of molten {H3332} brass {H5178}, to set {H5414} upon the tops {H7218} of the pillars {H5982}: the height {H6967} of the one {H259} chapiter {H3805} was five {H2568} cubits {H520}, and the height {H6967} of the other {H8145} chapiter {H3805} was five {H2568} cubits {H520}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He made two capitals of melted bronze to set on the tops of the columns; each capital was eight-and-three-quarters feet high;

Berean Standard Bible

He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on top of the pillars, each capital five cubits high.

American Standard Version

And he made two capitals of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 7:16 meticulously describes the creation of the two ornate bronze capitals, or "chapiters," for the monumental pillars that stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. Crafted from molten brass, each chapiter stood an impressive five cubits high, signifying the immense scale and exquisite detail invested in the sacred edifice. This verse underscores the advanced craftsmanship employed and the profound reverence for God's dwelling place, where every element, even decorative ones, was fashioned with precision and grandeur to reflect the majesty of the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a detailed architectural report concerning Solomon's Temple and palace construction in [1 Kings 6-7](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6-7 - Solomon's Temple and Palace Construction"). Specifically, [1 Kings 7](/1_kings/7 "1 Kings 7 - Hiram's Craftsmanship for the Temple") focuses on the elaborate bronze furnishings and vessels crafted by Hiram of Tyre, a master artisan from Phoenicia, whose expertise is introduced in [1 Kings 7:13-14](/1_kings/7-13 "1 Kings 7:13-14 - Hiram of Tyre, Master Craftsman"). Following the description of the Temple's interior and exterior in [1 Kings 6](/1_kings/6 "1 Kings 6 - Construction of Solomon's Temple"), the narrative shifts to the two massive bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the Temple's porch. Verse 16 provides the initial description of the ornate tops of these pillars, setting the stage for further details about their intricate designs, including network, pomegranates, and lilies, found in subsequent verses like [1 Kings 7:17-20](/1_kings/7-17 "1 Kings 7:17-20 - Details of the Pillar Capitals").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a golden age for Israel, characterized by unprecedented wealth, political stability, and extensive building projects. The construction of the Temple was the crowning achievement, serving as the spiritual and national center for the Israelite people. The use of "molten brass" (bronze) for such large and intricate objects highlights the advanced metallurgical capabilities of the era, often facilitated by skilled artisans from neighboring Phoenicia, like Hiram. The Temple's design, while unique, likely incorporated elements of contemporary Near Eastern temple architecture, adapted to Israelite theological principles. The sheer scale and opulence were intended to reflect the glory and majesty of Yahweh, distinguishing Israel's God from the deities of surrounding nations and solidifying Jerusalem's status as a holy city.

* **Key Themes:** The meticulous description of the Temple's construction, including these chapiters, powerfully conveys several key themes. First, it underscores the **Divine Mandate for Excellence**, echoing the detailed instructions given for the Tabernacle in [Exodus 25-31](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25-31 - Tabernacle Instructions"), emphasizing that God's dwelling place demands the finest materials and craftsmanship. Second, the "molten brass" signifies **Exquisite Craftsmanship and Artistry**, reflecting the belief that beauty and skill are appropriate expressions of worship and reverence for God's glory. Third, the grandeur of these five-cubit-high chapiters contributes to the overall theme of the **Majesty and Grandeur of the Temple**, which was designed to be an awe-inspiring edifice, a fitting earthly dwelling for the presence of the Lord among His people, as detailed in [1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Dedication of Solomon's Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chapiters (Hebrew, _kōtārōt'_):** This term refers to the capital, or ornamental top, of a column or pillar. In ancient architecture, capitals were not merely structural but often highly decorative, serving as a visual transition between the shaft of the pillar and the entablature or roof. In the context of the Temple, these chapiters were not only massive but also intricately adorned with network, pomegranates, and lilies (as described in subsequent verses), signifying their symbolic and aesthetic importance in the sacred space.
* **Molten Brass (Hebrew, _nəḥōšeṯ yāṣûq_):** This phrase specifically denotes cast bronze. Bronze (often translated as "brass" in older versions like KJV) was an alloy of copper, typically with tin, known for its strength, durability, and ability to be cast into intricate shapes. The process of melting and casting such large quantities of bronze for these chapiters and other Temple furnishings (e.g., the Molten Sea in [1 Kings 7:23](/1_kings/7-23 "1 Kings 7:23 - The Molten Sea")) required advanced metallurgical knowledge and significant resources, highlighting the technical sophistication and wealth invested in the Temple's construction.
* **Five Cubits (Hebrew, _ḥāmēš 'ammāh_):** A cubit was an ancient unit of length, typically the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, varying slightly but generally around 18-21 inches (approx. 45-53 cm). Thus, five cubits would be approximately 7.5 to 8.75 feet (2.3-2.6 meters). This dimension emphasizes the monumental scale of these decorative elements, which were substantial in their own right, contributing significantly to the imposing height and grandeur of the pillars they topped.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he made two chapiters [of] molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars:"** This clause introduces the specific objects of Hiram's craftsmanship: two large, ornate capitals made from cast bronze. The phrase "to set upon the tops of the pillars" clearly indicates their function as the crowning elements of the two freestanding pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the Temple's entrance. This highlights the architectural design where these decorative elements were integral to the overall visual impact of the sacred structure.
* **"the height of the one chapiter [was] five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter [was] five cubits:"** This second clause provides the precise dimensions of these capitals, emphasizing their identical and substantial height. The repetition of "five cubits" for each chapiter underscores their symmetry and impressive scale. This detail is crucial for understanding the monumental nature of the pillars themselves and the visual grandeur they imparted to the Temple's facade, signaling the sacred and majestic nature of the space within.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Precise Description** and **Repetition** to convey its message. The precise description of "two chapiters," "molten brass," and the specific dimension of "five cubits" provides a vivid and concrete image of the architectural elements. This detailed enumeration is characteristic of the Temple construction narrative, emphasizing the meticulous adherence to design and the substantial resources involved. The repetition of "the height of the one chapiter [was] five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter [was] five cubits" serves to underscore the identical nature and impressive scale of these two capitals, reinforcing their symmetry and monumental presence. This literary technique not only provides clarity but also subtly highlights the perfection and balance intended for God's dwelling place.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 7:16, while seemingly a technical architectural detail, contributes significantly to the broader theological narrative of God's presence among His people. The meticulous craftsmanship and the sheer scale of these decorative elements underscore the theological principle that God is worthy of the absolute best. The Temple was not merely a building; it was the designated earthly dwelling place for the Name of the Lord, a tangible symbol of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The beauty and grandeur of its components, including these massive bronze chapiters, were designed to evoke awe and reverence, impressing upon the worshiper the majesty and holiness of the God who chose to dwell in their midst. This attention to detail reflects the divine blueprint for sacred spaces, where every element contributes to an environment conducive to worship and the experience of God's glory.

* [Exodus 25:8-9](/exodus/25-8 "God's Command to Build a Sanctuary")
* [Haggai 1:8](/haggai/1-8 "Rebuilding the Temple")
* [Psalm 96:6](/psalms/96-6 "Glory and Majesty in His Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of the Temple's construction, even down to the dimensions of its decorative elements like the chapiters, serves as a powerful reminder that our service and worship of God should be marked by excellence, not mere adequacy. Just as Solomon and Hiram invested their finest resources, skills, and attention to detail in creating a physical dwelling for God's presence, so too are we called to offer our best—our talents, time, and resources—in our spiritual lives and service. This isn't about earning God's favor, but about expressing our profound reverence and love for Him. The beauty and grandeur of the Temple were meant to inspire awe and point to the glory of God; similarly, our lives, lived in holiness and dedication, should reflect the beauty of Christ to a watching world, drawing others to Him. This verse challenges us to consider: are we giving God our "molten brass" — our most refined and costly offerings — or merely what is convenient or leftover?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or service am I called to demonstrate greater excellence, reflecting the meticulous care shown in the Temple's construction?**
* **How does the emphasis on beauty and grandeur in the Temple's design inform my understanding of worship and the aesthetic dimensions of faith?**
* **What "chapiters"—the finishing touches or often-overlooked details—in my spiritual walk or ministry might God be calling me to refine or elevate?**

### FAQ
**Why are the dimensions of the chapiters repeated in the verse?**

Answer: The repetition of "the height of the one chapiter [was] five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter [was] five cubits" is a literary device used to emphasize the identical nature and monumental scale of these two significant architectural elements. It underscores their symmetry and the deliberate precision involved in their creation. This repetition ensures that the reader grasps the exact specifications and the impressive, uniform grandeur of the pillars, which were critical features at the Temple's entrance, as described further in [1 Kings 7:21](/1_kings/7-21 "1 Kings 7:21 - Naming of Jachin and Boaz"). It highlights the meticulous attention to detail that characterized the entire Temple construction, reflecting the divine standard for God's dwelling place.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 7:16 describes a physical component of a literal temple, its ultimate fulfillment is found in Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with all its magnificent details and precise dimensions, served as a shadow and a type, pointing forward to the greater reality of God's dwelling among humanity. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of His body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection"). Christ is the true and ultimate Temple, the perfect dwelling place of God, in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" ([Colossians 1:19](/colossians/1-19 "Colossians 1:19 - The Fullness of God in Christ")). The grandeur and intricate beauty of the Temple's chapiters, designed to prepare the worshiper for God's presence, find their spiritual counterpart in the glory of Christ, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). Furthermore, through Christ, believers are incorporated into a spiritual temple, becoming "living stones... being built up as a spiritual house" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")), where God's Spirit now dwells ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone, Believers as the Temple")). Thus, the physical magnificence of Solomon's Temple, including its ornate chapiters, foreshadows the infinitely greater glory of Christ and His Church, the ultimate dwelling place of God among His people, culminating in the New Jerusalem where God's presence is direct and unmediated, for "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" ([Revelation 21:22](/revelation/21-22 "Revelation 21:22 - God and the Lamb are the Temple")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Chronicles 4:12

[To wit], the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters [which were] on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which [were] on the top of the pillars;

2 Chronicles 4:13

And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which [were] upon the pillars.

Exodus 36:38

And the five pillars of it with their hooks: and he overlaid their chapiters and their fillets with gold: but their five sockets [were of] brass.

Exodus 38:28

And of the thousand seven hundred seventy and five shekels he made hooks for the pillars, and overlaid their chapiters, and filleted them.

Exodus 38:19

And their pillars [were] four, and their sockets [of] brass four; their hooks [of] silver, and the overlaying of their chapiters and their fillets [of] silver.

Exodus 38:17

And the sockets for the pillars [were of] brass; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets [of] silver; and the overlaying of their chapiters [of] silver; and all the pillars of the court [were] filleted with silver.