2 Chronicles 3:16

And he made chains, [as] in the oracle, and put [them] on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put [them] on the chains.

And he made {H6213} chains {H8333}, as in the oracle {H1687}, and put {H5414} them on the heads {H7218} of the pillars {H5982}; and made {H6213} an hundred {H3967} pomegranates {H7416}, and put {H5414} them on the chains {H8333}.

He made chains in the sanctuary and added them to the tops of the columns, and he made a hundred pomegranates and attached them to the chains.

He made interwoven chains and put them on top of the pillars. He made a hundred pomegranates and fastened them into the chainwork.

And he made chains in the oracle, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 3:16 continues the description of the construction and adornment of King Solomon's Temple, focusing on the intricate details of the two massive bronze pillars that stood at the entrance of the sanctuary.

Context

This verse is part of a broader narrative in 2 Chronicles (and paralleled in 1 Kings) detailing the building of the first Temple in Jerusalem. After describing the dimensions and materials of the Temple, including the Most Holy Place, or oracle, the text turns to the external features. The two pillars, named Jachin and Boaz, were significant architectural and symbolic elements at the Temple's porch, and this verse specifically describes the decorative chains and pomegranates that adorned their capitals. The phrase "as in the oracle" suggests that the design or perhaps the preciousness of these chains was comparable to the sacred elements within the innermost sanctuary.

Key Themes

  • Meticulous Craftsmanship: The detailed description of chains and pomegranates highlights the extraordinary effort and precision invested in the Temple's construction. This reflects the reverence for God and the desire to build a dwelling worthy of His presence, adhering to divine specifications.
  • Symbolism of Adornment: The decorations were not merely aesthetic. The "chains" likely represented a binding, perhaps of covenant or strength, while the "pomegranates" (Hebrew: rimmonim) were ancient symbols of fertility, abundance, prosperity, and divine blessing. Their placement on the pillars would have conveyed a message of God's abundant provision and fruitfulness associated with His house. This symbolism is also seen in the high priest's garments, as mentioned in Exodus 28:33.
  • Glory and Majesty: The elaborate adornment contributed to the overall glory and majesty of the Temple, signaling its importance as the central place of worship and God's dwelling among His people.

Linguistic Insights

The term "oracle" in this context refers to the Most Holy Place or the Holy of Holies (Hebrew: dฤ•bรฎr), the innermost sanctuary of the Temple where the Ark of the Covenant resided. The comparison "as in the oracle" emphasizes the sacredness and high quality of the materials and design used even on the external pillars, connecting the outer court's beauty to the sanctity of the inner sanctuary.

Practical Application

The attention to detail in the Temple's construction, even down to the chains and pomegranates on the pillars, reminds believers of the importance of offering our best in service to God. It suggests that our worship, our service, and the environments we create for spiritual purposes should reflect reverence and a desire for excellence, not for human praise, but for God's glory. Just as the Temple was adorned with symbols of abundance and establishment, so too should our lives, as spiritual temples (1 Corinthians 6:19), be adorned with the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting God's character and blessing.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 7:20

    And the chapiters upon the two pillars [had pomegranates] also above, over against the belly which [was] by the network: and the pomegranates [were] two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.

  • 1 Kings 6:21

    So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.
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