2 Kings 25:17

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

The height {H6967} of the one {H259} pillar {H5982} was eighteen {H8083}{H6240} cubits {H520}, and the chapiter {H3805} upon it was brass {H5178}: and the height {H6967} of the chapiter {H3805} three {H7969} cubits {H520}; and the wreathen work {H7639}, and pomegranates {H7416} upon the chapiter {H3805} round about {H5439}, all of brass {H5178}: and like unto these had the second {H8145} pillar {H5982} with wreathen work {H7639}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The height of one column was thirty-one-and-a-half feet; on it was a capital of bronze five-and-a-quarter feet high, with netting and pomegranates all around the capital, all of bronze; the second column was similar, also with netting.

Berean Standard Bible

Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall. The bronze capital atop one pillar was three cubits high, with a network of bronze pomegranates all around. The second pillar, with its network, was similar.

American Standard Version

The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and a capital of brass was upon it; and the height of the capital was three cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the capital round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with network.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse from 2 Kings 25:17 provides a meticulous inventory of the dimensions and ornate features of one of the two massive brass pillars, Jachin and Boaz, that graced the entrance of Solomon's Temple. It serves as a poignant record of the systematic dismantling of the Temple's grandeur by the invading Babylonian army under Nebuchadnezzar, symbolizing the complete collapse of the Kingdom of Judah, the end of an era of national glory, and the profound theological implications of divine judgment executed through foreign conquest. The detailed description underscores the immense loss and the finality of God's judgment upon Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the grim final chapter of 2 Kings, which chronicles the complete destruction of Jerusalem and Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BC. The preceding verses vividly describe the capture of King Zedekiah, the tragic execution of his sons before his eyes, and the subsequent burning of the Temple, the king's palace, and all the great houses of Jerusalem. Following this detailed description of the pillars, the text continues to list other valuable Temple articles and royal treasures that were plundered and carried away to Babylon, emphasizing the thoroughness of the conquest and the utter desolation of the city. The meticulous inventory of these plundered items, including these magnificent pillars, serves to underscore the immense loss and the finality of God's judgment upon Judah, paralleling the narrative found in [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and providing a consistent testimony to these catastrophic events.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple in 586 BC was a cataclysmic event for ancient Israel, marking the end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah and initiating the Babylonian exile. The Temple, built by Solomon centuries earlier, was far more than a mere building; it was the very center of Israelite worship, the dwelling place of God's presence among His people, and the tangible symbol of their covenant relationship with Yahweh. The two colossal brass pillars, named Jachin ("He will establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"), were particularly significant, standing prominently at the Temple's porch ([1 Kings 7:21](/1_kings/7-21 "1 Kings 7:21 - Naming of the Pillars")). Their names likely symbolized God's promise to establish His house and His people in strength. The Babylonians, like other ancient Near Eastern conquerors, systematically plundered the defeated nation's sacred sites, not only for material gain but also to assert the supremacy of their own gods over the vanquished deity. The dismantling of these pillars represented the ultimate desecration and humiliation of Judah and its God in the eyes of the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** The meticulous description of the pillars' destruction contributes to several key themes prevalent in 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **Destruction and Desecration**, vividly portraying the systematic dismantling of the Temple, the central place of Israelite worship. The breaking down of these grand pillars symbolizes the complete collapse of the nation's spiritual and political independence. Secondly, it underscores the **Loss of Glory**, as the detailed measurements and descriptions of the ornate "wreathen work" and "pomegranates" on the "chapiter" (capital) highlight the beauty and grandeur that was irrevocably lost. These pillars were not merely structural but symbolic of God's presence and the stability of His covenant with Israel; their removal signifies the end of an era of national glory. Thirdly, and most profoundly, the destruction of the Temple and the city was understood by the prophets as a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry, social injustice, and disobedience to God's covenant, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience") and reiterated throughout the prophetic books. This event served as a stark reminder of **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, demonstrating that even the most sacred physical structures were not immune to God's wrath when His people broke faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cubits (Hebrew, _ʾammâh_):** An ancient unit of linear measurement, roughly the length of a forearm from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. While its exact length varied regionally and historically, it was approximately 18 inches (45 cm) in ancient Israel. Thus, "eighteen cubits" would be about 27 feet (8.2 meters), and "three cubits" about 4.5 feet (1.37 meters), emphasizing the impressive, monumental scale of these bronze pillars and their capitals. The use of this specific measurement highlights the historical accuracy and meticulousness of the biblical record, even in detailing destruction. This word (H520) is defined as "properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance); cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for מֵאָה), measure, post."
* **Chapiter (Hebrew, _kôthereth_):** This term (H3805) refers to the capital or top part of a column. In the context of the Temple pillars, these were not merely functional but highly ornate, made of brass and adorned with intricate designs. The description here specifies their height (three cubits) and the decorative elements upon them, indicating their significant artistic and symbolic value. The destruction of these ornate capitals was a particular act of desecration, stripping the pillars of their crowning glory. This word is defined as "feminine active participle of כָּתַר; the capital of a column; chapiter."
* **Wreathen work (Hebrew, _sᵉbâkâh_):** This term (H7639) describes the elaborate ornamentation on the chapiters. "Wreathen work" implies twisted, braided, or latticework designs, indicating intricate craftsmanship. Its inclusion on the Temple pillars speaks to the rich symbolism and high level of artistry in the original structure, making their plunder and destruction all the more significant as a loss of sacred beauty and symbolic meaning. This word is defined as "feminine of שָׂBָךְ; a net-work, i.e. (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to apillar; checker, lattice, network, snare, wreath(-enwork)."

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The height of the one pillar [was] eighteen cubits":** This clause establishes the colossal scale of one of the two main pillars (Jachin or Boaz) that stood before the Temple. At approximately 27 feet, these were monumental structures, signifying the grandeur and permanence of Solomon's Temple.
* **"and the chapiter upon it [was] brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits":** This specifies the material of the capital, or top part, of the pillar as "brass" (more accurately, bronze in many contexts), indicating a durable and valuable material. It also provides the specific height of the capital, approximately 4.5 feet, showing it was a substantial and prominent feature in itself, not merely a small cap. These details contribute to the overall impression of the pillars' impressive stature and material worth.
* **"and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass":** This describes the intricate ornamentation that adorned the capital. The "wreathen work" suggests elaborate, perhaps netted or braided, designs, while "pomegranates" were decorative elements shaped like the fruit, often used in sacred contexts to symbolize fertility, abundance, or divine blessing. The phrase "all of brass" reiterates the material, highlighting the consistency of the valuable metal used throughout the decorative elements, underscoring their artistic and material worth.
* **"and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work":** This final clause confirms that the second pillar (the one not explicitly detailed in the first part of the verse) was identical in its dimensions and ornamentation, particularly in its "wreathen work." This ensures that the reader understands the symmetry and uniformity of these two magnificent structures, emphasizing that both were equally grand and equally subject to the same fate of destruction and plunder.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of loss and destruction. **Descriptive Detail** is paramount, as the meticulous enumeration of measurements ("eighteen cubits," "three cubits") and ornate features ("wreathen work," "pomegranates") serves to highlight the immense value and grandeur of what was lost. This precision makes the destruction tangible and emphasizes the thoroughness of the Babylonian conquest. **Symbolism** is also heavily at play; the pillars themselves, named Jachin ("He will establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"), were potent symbols of God's covenant faithfulness and the stability of His presence with Israel. Their dismantling and removal thus symbolize the shattering of that perceived stability and the apparent withdrawal of God's protective hand due to Judah's unfaithfulness. Furthermore, there is an underlying sense of **Irony** or tragic reversal: structures built to symbolize establishment and strength are now utterly demolished, demonstrating the impermanence of even the most sacred physical objects when a people abandons their covenant with God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The detailed account of the Temple pillars' destruction in 2 Kings 25:17 serves as a powerful theological statement about divine judgment and the impermanence of even the most sacred physical structures. The Temple, though built for God's glory and intended as a perpetual dwelling place for His presence, was ultimately a conditional gift, subject to Israel's faithfulness to the covenant. Its destruction underscores that God's presence is not bound to a physical building but to His covenant relationship with His people. When that relationship was broken through persistent idolatry and disobedience, even the most magnificent symbols of His presence were subject to judgment. This event was a stark reminder that true security and glory do not reside in material possessions or grand edifices, but in faithful adherence to God's word. The dismantling of these pillars, once symbols of divine establishment and strength, became a testament to the consequences of national apostasy, forcing Judah to confront the reality of their broken covenant and the profound implications of their unfaithfulness.

* [1 Kings 7:15-22](/1_kings/7-15-22 "1 Kings 7:15-22 - Construction of Jachin and Boaz")
* [Jeremiah 52:17-23](/jeremiah/52-17-23 "Jeremiah 52:17-23 - Parallel Account of Temple Plunder")
* [Lamentations 2:7](/lamentations/2-7 "Lamentations 2:7 - Desecration of the Sanctuary")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The somber account of 2 Kings 25:17, detailing the destruction of the Temple's grand pillars, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that no physical structure, however sacred or magnificent, is immune to the ravages of time or the consequences of human sin. The Temple, the very dwelling place of God's presence on earth, was dismantled, not because God abandoned His people, but because His people had abandoned Him. This narrative challenges us to examine where we place our ultimate trust and derive our sense of security and glory. Do we rely on external forms of worship, impressive buildings, or material blessings, or do we root our faith in an enduring, personal relationship with God? The impermanence of the physical Temple points us to the transcendent nature of God's presence, which cannot be contained or destroyed by human hands. It calls us to prioritize spiritual realities over temporal ones, to cultivate a living faith that withstands external changes, and to understand that God's true dwelling place is not in stone and brass, but in the hearts of His faithful people, transformed by His Spirit.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my security and hope—in external structures, possessions, or in my relationship with God?**
* **How does the destruction of the Temple challenge my understanding of God's presence and His judgment?**
* **In what ways might I be prioritizing the "physical" aspects of my faith over the "spiritual" realities?**
* **What does it mean for me to be a "living temple" for God's Spirit today?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the pillars Jachin and Boaz, and why are their dimensions detailed here?**

Answer: The pillars Jachin and Boaz, whose dimensions are detailed in [2 Kings 25:17](/2_kings/25-17 "2 Kings 25:17 - Description of the Pillars' Destruction"), were monumental bronze columns that stood at the porch of Solomon's Temple. Their names, Jachin ("He will establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"), are believed to symbolize God's promise to establish His house and His people in strength and permanence. They were not merely structural but deeply symbolic, representing God's enduring presence and covenant faithfulness. Their detailed description in this verse, even in their destruction, underscores the immense value and symbolic importance of what was lost. The meticulous recording of their dimensions (18 cubits high, with 3-cubit capitals, adorned with wreathen work and pomegranates) emphasizes the thoroughness of the Babylonian plunder and the complete desecration of the Temple, highlighting the profound loss for the Israelites and the finality of divine judgment that had come upon them.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The destruction of Solomon's Temple, and specifically the dismantling of its glorious pillars as described in [2 Kings 25:17](/2_kings/25-17 "2 Kings 25:17 - The Temple Pillars Dismantled"), serves as a profound foreshadowing of a greater, more enduring reality found in Jesus Christ. While the physical Temple was a magnificent symbol of God's presence among His people, it was ultimately temporary and vulnerable to human sin and external forces. Its destruction, a consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness, pointed to the need for a new covenant and a new dwelling place for God. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), referring not to the stone building but to the "temple of his body" ([John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus' Body as the Temple")). Christ is the ultimate and perfect Temple, the true dwelling place of God on earth, in whom all the fullness of the Godhead dwells ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of God in Christ")). His sacrifice and resurrection established a new way for humanity to access God, no longer through a physical structure or ritualistic sacrifices, but through Him, the living cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone")). Furthermore, through Christ, believers themselves become living stones, built into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Believers as Living Stones")), collectively forming the church, which is now the body of Christ and the temple of the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple")). Thus, the tragedy of the Temple's destruction ultimately points to the superior and indestructible reality of God's presence in Christ and His church, a spiritual edifice that no earthly power can dismantle or carry away.

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

Jeremiah 52:21

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.

Jeremiah 52:23

And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; [and] all the pomegranates upon the network [were] an hundred round about.

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.

1 Kings 7:22

And upon the top of the pillars [was] lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.