feminine active participle of כָּתַר; the capital of a column; chapiter.
Transliteration:kôthereth
Pronunciation:ko-theh'-reth
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word H3805 (כֹתֶרֶת, *kôthereth*) is a feminine active participle derived from the verb כָּתַר (kātar), meaning "to surround," "to crown," or "to wait." In its architectural application, *kôthereth* specifically denotes the "capital" or "chapiter" of a column. This refers to the uppermost, crowning element of a pillar, which typically provides a transition from the column shaft to the architectural load it supports (such as an architrave or ceiling). The etymological connection to "crowning" is evident, as the capital sits atop the column like a crown. Its semantic range is quite narrow, almost exclusively confined to descriptions of architectural components, particularly in the context of sacred structures.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term H3805 appears predominantly in the books of 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah, consistently referring to the decorative tops of columns or the rim of a large basin. Its most prominent occurrences are in the detailed descriptions of Solomon's Temple:
* **The Pillars Jachin and Boaz:** The word is frequently used to describe the elaborate capitals of the two massive bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the portico of Solomon's Temple.
* [[1 Kings 7:16]]: "He cast two pillars of bronze, eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass each of them about. And he made two capitals of molten bronze, to set upon the tops of the pillars..."
* [[1 Kings 7:17]]: Describes the intricate "nets of checkerwork" and "wreaths of chainwork" adorning these capitals.
* [[1 Kings 7:18]]: Mentions "pomegranates" arranged in rows around the capitals.
* [[1 Kings 7:19]]: Refers to the capitals in the portico.
* [[1 Kings 7:20]]: Further details the pomegranates above the checkerwork on the capitals.
* [[1 Kings 7:41]]: Summarizes "the two pillars, and the two capitals that were on the top of the two pillars."
* [[1 Kings 7:42]]: Mentions "the two nets of checkerwork for the two capitals."
* The parallel accounts in [[2 Chronicles 3:15-16]] and [[2 Chronicles 4:12]] provide similar descriptions, emphasizing the height, material, and ornamentation of these capitals.
* **The Sea of Cast Metal:** In [[1 Kings 7:31]], *kôthereth* is used to describe the "rim" or "mouth" of the great "Sea of Cast Metal," a large bronze basin used for priestly ablutions. While not a column capital, it still refers to the crowning, encircling element of the vessel.
* **Destruction of the Temple:** The later historical accounts in 2 Kings and Jeremiah lament the destruction and looting of the Temple by the Babylonians, explicitly mentioning the removal and breaking up of these bronze capitals.
* [[2 Kings 25:17]]: "The two pillars, the one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; all these things did the Chaldeans carry away. And the capitals that were upon the tops of the pillars, and the bases thereof, did they break in pieces..."
* [[Jeremiah 52:22-23]]: Provides a parallel account of this destruction, detailing the height of the capitals and their pomegranate decorations.
Throughout these contexts, *kôthereth* consistently points to an ornate, crowning architectural feature, often made of bronze and richly decorated, integral to the grandeur and symbolism of the Temple.
### Related Words & Concepts
The primary linguistic connection for H3805 is its root verb כָּתַר (kātar), which conveys the idea of encircling or crowning. This root is also found in words like `{{H3803}}` (keter), meaning "crown" (as in a royal diadem), reinforcing the notion of a crowning element.
Other related concepts include:
* **Pillars (`{{H5982}}`, עַמּוּד, *‘ammud*):** The *kôthereth* is inextricably linked to the pillars it crowns. The two pillars, Jachin and Boaz, were not structural in the typical sense but symbolic, standing at the Temple entrance.
* **Temple Architecture:** The *kôthereth* is a specific component within the larger, divinely ordained design of Solomon's Temple, alongside other elements like the bronze Sea, lavers, and various chambers.
* **Ornamentation:** The detailed descriptions of the capitals' decorations—nets of checkerwork, wreaths of chainwork, pomegranates, and lilies—connect *kôthereth* to the broader theme of rich, symbolic artistry in sacred spaces. These elements often carried connotations of fertility, life, and divine abundance.
### Theological Significance
The detailed attention given to the *kôthereth* in the biblical text, particularly within the descriptions of Solomon's Temple, underscores several theological points:
1. **Divine Design and Glory:** The meticulous specifications for the Temple, including the precise dimensions and elaborate ornamentation of its capitals, reflect God's demand for excellence and beauty in His dwelling place. The grandeur of the *kôthereth* contributed to the overall splendor of the Temple, thereby reflecting the glory and majesty of the God who resided there.
2. **Symbolism of the Pillars:** As the crowning elements of Jachin ("He will establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"), the capitals participated in the profound symbolic message conveyed by these pillars. They stood at the threshold of God's presence, signifying that the Lord establishes His people and provides their strength. The beauty atop these pillars would have visually reinforced the glory and stability of God's covenant.
3. **Holiness and Separation:** The ornate and precious nature of the Temple's components, including the *kôthereth*, distinguished it as a sacred space, set apart for the worship and presence of God. This architectural beauty served to elevate the human perception of divine holiness.
4. **Consequences of Disobedience:** The destruction and removal of the *kôthereth* along with the other Temple furnishings by the Babylonians serve as a poignant symbol of God's judgment upon Israel for their unfaithfulness. The dismantling of these sacred objects represented the temporary withdrawal of God's manifest presence and the desolation of His sanctuary, highlighting the tragic consequences of covenant breaking.
### Summary
The word H3805 (כֹתֶרֶת, *kôthereth*) refers to the "capital" or "chapiter" of a column, deriving its meaning from the idea of "crowning" or "surrounding." Primarily found in descriptions of Solomon's Temple, it denotes the ornate, often bronze, upper part of the two great pillars, Jachin and Boaz, and also the rim of the Sea of Cast Metal. Contextual analysis reveals its significance as a highly decorative architectural feature adorned with intricate designs. Theologically, the *kôthereth* speaks to the divine design and glory of God's dwelling, contributing to the profound symbolism of the Temple's pillars, which proclaimed God's establishment and strength. Its eventual destruction serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the temporary loss of God's manifest presence.
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