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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 3 verses 10–17
Here is an account of 1. The two cherubim, which were set up in the holy of holies. There were two already over the ark, which covered the mercy-seat with their wings; these were small ones. Now that the most holy place was enlarged, though these were continued (being appurtenances to the ark, which was not to be made new, as all the other utensils of the tabernacle were), yet those two large ones were added, doubtless by divine appointment, to fill up the holy place, which otherwise would have looked bare, like a room unfurnished. These cherubim are said to be of image-work (Ch2 3:10), designed, it is likely, to represent the angels who attend the divine Majesty. Each wing extended five cubits, so that the whole was twenty cubits (Ch2 3:12, Ch2 3:13), which was just the breadth of the most holy place, Ch2 3:8. They stood on their feet, as servants, their faces inward toward the ark (Ch2 3:13), that it might appear they were not set there to be adored (for then they would have been made sitting, as on a throne, and their faces towards their worshippers), but rather as themselves attendants on the invisible God. We must not worship angels, but we must worship with angels; for we have come into communion with them (Heb 12:22), and must do the will of God as the angels do it. The thought that we are worshipping him before whom the angels cover their faces will help to inspire us with reverence in all our approaches to God. Compare Co1 11:10 with Isa 6:2. 2. The veil that parted between the temple and the most holy place, Ch2 3:14. This denoted the darkness of that dispensation, and the distance which the worshippers were kept at; but, at the death of Christ, this veil was rent; for through him we are made nigh, and have boldness not only to look, but to enter, into the holiest. On this he was wrought cherubim. Heb. he caused them to ascend, that is, they were made in raised work, embossed. Or he made them on the wing in an ascending posture, as the other two that stood on their feet in an attending posture, to remind the worshippers to lift up their hearts, and to soar upwards in their devotions. 3. The two pillars which were set up before the temple. Both together were somewhat above thirty-five cubits in length (Ch2 3:15), about eighteen cubits high a-piece. See Kg1 7:15, etc., where we took a view of those pillars, Jachin and Boaz, establishment and strength in temple-work and by it.
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SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 3:16 provides a meticulous description of the elaborate adornment of the two grand bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. This verse highlights the exquisite craftsmanship involved in fashioning decorative chains and one hundred pomegranates, intricately placed upon these prominent architectural features. The phrase "as in the oracle" profoundly emphasizes the exceptional quality and sacred significance of these external embellishments, likening their preciousness and design to the holy elements found within the innermost sanctuary, thereby underscoring the holistic reverence and dedication to God manifested in every aspect of the Temple's construction.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
2 Chronicles 3:16 employs several literary devices to convey its profound message and enhance its descriptive power. Imagery is prominently used, as the verse paints a vivid picture of the ornate Temple entrance, allowing the reader to visualize the grandeur and intricate detail of the chains and pomegranates. This visual description contributes to the overall sense of awe and majesty surrounding God's dwelling. Symbolism is central, particularly with the "pomegranates," which universally represented fertility, abundance, and divine blessing in the ancient Near East. Their placement on the pillars symbolically declared the fruitfulness and prosperity associated with God's presence. The "chains" also carry symbolic weight, possibly representing strength, security, or the binding nature of the covenant. Furthermore, the phrase "as in the oracle" utilizes Comparison (or Simile), implicitly likening the quality and sacredness of the external decorations to the most holy elements within the Temple's inner sanctuary. This comparison elevates the significance of the pillars and their adornments, suggesting that the entire Temple, from its innermost sanctum to its outermost features, was consecrated and crafted with utmost reverence and dedication to God's glory.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The meticulous detail in 2 Chronicles 3:16, describing the chains and pomegranates on the Temple pillars, profoundly illustrates the Israelite understanding of God's holiness and the appropriate response to His presence. It underscores that every aspect of worship and the environment dedicated to God should reflect excellence, beauty, and intentionality. The Temple was not merely a functional building; it was a physical manifestation of God's glory and His covenant faithfulness. The symbolic adornments, particularly the pomegranates, spoke to God's character as the source of all abundance and blessing, inviting the worshiper to anticipate His provision and fruitfulness. This dedication to beauty and detail in the physical structure foreshadows the spiritual beauty and fruitfulness God desires in the lives of His people, who are called to be living temples, reflecting His glory in every facet of their existence.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed description of the Temple's adornment in 2 Chronicles 3:16 serves as a powerful reminder for believers today regarding the nature of our worship and service to God. Just as every part of the ancient Temple, from the innermost oracle to the external pillars, was crafted with meticulous care and symbolic richness, so too should our lives and our corporate worship be marked by excellence, intentionality, and a profound sense of reverence. This isn't about human performance or seeking praise, but about offering our very best to God out of genuine love and gratitude for His immeasurable worth. The pomegranates, symbolizing abundance and fruitfulness, prompt us to consider what "fruit" our lives are bearing for God's glory. Are we cultivating the spiritual fruit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control—in our daily walk, as described in Galatians 5? Do our actions, our words, and our attitudes reflect the beauty and holiness of the God we serve? The physical Temple was a place where God's presence dwelt; as believers, our bodies are now temples of the Holy Spirit, calling us to live lives that honor and reflect Him in every detail, making our entire existence an act of worship.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What were the "pillars" mentioned in this verse?
Answer: The pillars refer to Jachin and Boaz, two massive bronze columns that stood prominently at the entrance or porch of Solomon's Temple. 1 Kings 7:21 explains that Solomon named them Jachin (meaning "He will establish") and Boaz (meaning "In Him is strength"). These names were highly symbolic, declaring God's power to establish His covenant with Israel and to provide strength for His people and His house. They were not merely structural but bore significant theological weight, representing the stability and divine support of the Temple and the nation's relationship with God.
Why were pomegranates used as decoration on the Temple?
Answer: Pomegranates were a common and highly symbolic motif in ancient Near Eastern art and Israelite culture. Due to their many seeds and juicy pulp, they were widely recognized as symbols of fertility, abundance, and prosperity. In a religious context, they also represented divine blessing, life, and fruitfulness. Their presence on the Temple's pillars underscored the idea that God's house was a place of blessing and that His presence brought forth spiritual abundance. Pomegranates also appeared on the hem of the high priest's robe, alternating with golden bells, as described in Exodus 28:33-34, further associating them with sacredness and divine presence in worship.
What does "as in the oracle" mean in this context?
Answer: The "oracle" (Hebrew: dĕbîr) refers to the Holy of Holies, the innermost and most sacred chamber of the Temple, where the Ark of the Covenant resided. It was the place considered to be the most direct dwelling place of God's presence, where He communed with His people. The phrase "as in the oracle" implies that the chains and pomegranates on the external pillars were crafted with a level of preciousness, sacredness, or intricate design comparable to the elements found within this most holy inner sanctuary. It signifies that the entire Temple, from its innermost sanctum to its outermost features, was consecrated and crafted with the utmost reverence and dedication to God's glory, ensuring that even the visible entrance reflected the profound holiness and divine presence within.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The elaborate adornment of Solomon's Temple, as described in 2 Chronicles 3:16, with its meticulously crafted chains and symbolic pomegranates, ultimately points to the superior glory and perfect fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The earthly Temple, in all its magnificence, was a shadow and a type of the true dwelling place of God. While it was built with precious materials and intricate designs, its beauty and sacredness were limited and temporal. Christ, however, is the ultimate and eternal Temple, the very embodiment of God's presence among humanity, as He Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of the temple of His body (John 2:19-21). In Him, "all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9), making Him the true sanctuary. The pomegranates, symbolizing abundance and blessing, find their ultimate reality in Christ, who is the source of all spiritual fruit and overflowing life, declaring, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). The chains, representing connection and strength, are fulfilled in Christ, who perfectly binds humanity to God through His atoning work, establishing an unbreakable new covenant. The "oracle," the place of God's most intense presence, is now accessible to all believers through Christ, who, as the great High Priest, opened the way into the true Holy of Holies by His own blood (Hebrews 10:19-20). Furthermore, through Christ, believers themselves become "living stones" built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Him (1 Peter 2:5). Thus, the physical beauty and symbolic richness of the Temple in 2 Chronicles 3:16 serve as a testament to the infinitely greater glory, perfection, and spiritual abundance found in Christ, the true and eternal dwelling place of God.