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:
1 Kings 7:16 nkjv
Then he made two capitals of cast bronze, to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits.
1 Kings 7:16 niv
He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on the tops of the pillars; each capital was five cubits high.
1 Kings 7:16 esv
He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits.
1 Kings 7:16 nlt
For the tops of the pillars he cast bronze capitals, each 7 1?2 feet tall.
1 Kings 7 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Temple/Tabernacle Construction & Description | ||
| Exod 26:37 | You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia… | Describes specific pillars for the Tabernacle veil. |
| Exod 36:38 | also the five pillars with their hooks; and he overlaid… | Mentions pillars constructed for the Tabernacle. |
| Exod 38:19 | and their twenty bases of bronze; the hooks of the pillars… | Pillars in the Tabernacle courtyard, often of bronze. |
| 1 Kgs 7:15 | He cast two bronze pillars, each eighteen cubits high... | Immediate context; the main body of Jachin and Boaz. |
| 1 Kgs 7:17 | He made a network of pomegranates, with chains... | Description of the elaborate decoration on these capitals. |
| 1 Kgs 7:20 | The capitals on the two pillars were above... | Further details on their location and ornamentation. |
| 1 Kgs 7:21 | He set up the pillars in the portico of the temple... | Placement of Jachin and Boaz at the Temple entrance. |
| 2 Chr 3:15 | He made two pillars, thirty-five cubits high... | Parallel account of pillar height in Chronicles. |
| 2 Chr 3:16 | And he made chains as in the inner sanctuary... | Details on the adornment of the capitals. |
| Jer 52:22 | A bronze capital was on top of one pillar... | Description of the capitals as part of the Temple's wealth. |
| Jer 52:23 | There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides… | Mentions the specific decorative elements on the capitals. |
| Ezek 40:48 | Then he brought me to the portico of the temple and… | Ezekiel's vision of a new Temple structure, including its portico. |
| Material (Bronze/Copper) | ||
| Exod 27:2 | You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns… | Bronze used for the altar in the Tabernacle. |
| Exod 38:8 | He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze… | Bronze for the Laver, linking it to ritual purity. |
| 1 Kgs 7:45 | the pots, the shovels, and the basins—all these articles... | Hiram's extensive use of bronze for Temple furnishings. |
| Craftsmanship & Divine Order | ||
| Exod 25:9 | Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern… | Emphasis on precise divine instruction for sacred structures. |
| 1 Chr 28:19 | All this, David said, the Lord made me understand… | Divine blueprint for Temple construction provided to David. |
| Heb 8:5 | They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things… | Earthly Tabernacle/Temple as a pattern of heavenly reality. |
| Symbolism of Pillars & Stability | ||
| Gen 28:18 | Jacob rose early in the morning, and he took the stone… | Stone pillar as a monument or memorial (Jacob's Bethel). |
| Ps 75:3 | The earth and all its inhabitants are melting away… | God upholds the pillars of the earth, symbolizing His control. |
| 1 Tim 3:15 | if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave… | The church described as "the pillar and buttress of the truth." |
| Rev 3:12 | The one who conquers, I will make him a pillar in the temple… | Believers made pillars in God's eternal Temple, representing stability and permanence. |
1 Kings 7 verses
1 Kings 7 16 Meaning
This verse describes a specific detail in the construction of Solomon's Temple, focusing on the two large bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at its entrance. It states that skilled artisans, under Hiram's direction, created two separate capital pieces (crowning tops) from cast bronze, each precisely five cubits in height. These capitals were designed to be placed atop the shafts of the pillars, indicating the completion and ornamentation of these significant architectural features.
1 Kings 7 16 Context
1 Kings chapter 7 is primarily dedicated to the extensive building projects undertaken by King Solomon, focusing heavily on the construction of the Temple for the Lord and also his own palace complex. Verses 13-47 specifically detail the work of Hiram, a skilled craftsman from Tyre, whom Solomon brought in for the specialized bronze work of the Temple. This verse (7:16) falls within Hiram's commission, describing the making of the intricate components. Immediately following this verse, the text provides further elaborate details of the decoration of these capitals with intricate networks of chains, pomegranates, and lily-work, underscoring the magnificent beauty of the Temple. Historically, the construction of this Temple was a monumental event for ancient Israel, marking the physical establishment of God's dwelling place among His people in Jerusalem. This building represented a central locus for worship and Israel's national identity, solidifying Solomon's reign and fulfilling God's promise to David for a lasting dynasty.
1 Kings 7 16 Word analysis
- He made: This refers to Hiram, the exceptionally skilled bronze worker commissioned by Solomon (1 Kgs 7:13-14). His craft represents divine gifting applied to sacred work. The precision reflects the high standards required for God's house.
- two capitals: The Hebrew word is
koteret(כֹּתֶרֶת), meaning "capital" or "crown." This implies they were not merely flat tops but elaborate crowning pieces, distinct from the shaft of the pillars. The dual nature highlights the two prominent pillars, Jachin and Boaz. - of cast bronze: The Hebrew is
yeṭûqot nechoshet(יְצוּקוֹת נְחֹשֶׁת), literally "poured/cast bronze/copper." Bronze (nechoshet) was a vital and precious metal in the ancient world, renowned for its strength, durability, and beauty, especially when polished. "Cast" signifies a highly advanced metallurgical technique for the time, ensuring uniformity and intricate detail possible only through pouring molten metal into molds. This process, as opposed to hammering, allowed for the scale and artistic complexity of these capitals. Bronze was also commonly associated with sacred items in the Tabernacle (altars, laver, various vessels) and symbolized judgment or endurance. - to set on the tops: Implies a distinct, crowning placement. The capitals served as the finished, prominent elements of the pillars, indicating their completion and the grandness of their design.
- of the pillars: Refers to the main shafts of Jachin and Boaz (1 Kgs 7:15). These colossal pillars themselves were structural but also symbolic, standing prominently at the Temple entrance.
- the height of one capital was five cubits: A
cubit(Hebrew:ammah- אַמָּה) was a measurement based on the length of a forearm, typically ranging from 18 to 22 inches (approx. 45-55 cm). A height of five cubits, therefore, means these capitals were significant in size, roughly 7.5 to 9 feet tall (2.3-2.7 meters). This considerable height would have made them highly visible and added to the impressive stature of the Temple entrance. The exactness of the measurement underscores the meticulous nature of the construction, emphasizing adherence to detailed plans. - and the height of the other capital was five cubits: The repetition of the precise dimension ("five cubits") emphasizes the perfect symmetry and identical nature of the two capitals. This balance highlights architectural harmony and intentionality, reflecting divine order and precision.
1 Kings 7 16 Bonus section
The mention of "cast bronze" here, alongside extensive descriptions of other bronze Temple implements (like the "molten sea" and lavers), highlights the remarkable metallurgical skills of Hiram. This level of bronze casting, particularly for such massive objects, was at the technological forefront of the ancient Near East. The significant use of bronze, often polished to a reflective shine, would have added immense splendor and weight to the Temple's exterior elements, further elevating its majestic presence. The "five cubits" for the capital's height could also be contrasted with the pillars' overall height of eighteen cubits (1 Kgs 7:15), indicating that these ornamental tops comprised a significant portion of the total pillar height. This highlights their prominence and artistic importance rather than just being simple capstones.
1 Kings 7 16 Commentary
1 Kings 7:16 serves as a foundational detail in describing the exquisite grandeur of Solomon's Temple, specifically its two colossal bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz. This verse zeroes in on the decorative and weighty "capitals," the crowning elements placed atop the pillar shafts. Crafted from cast bronze by Hiram, these capitals, each a formidable five cubits high, signify the immense scale and meticulous design that characterized every part of the Temple. Their precise dimensions and identical nature emphasize the order, beauty, and lavishness inherent in a structure built to honor the King of Kings. While primarily descriptive, the precision and material choices reflect the Israelite understanding of dedicating only the best and most precisely made objects to God, echoing divine instructions for sacred structures throughout Scripture. These capitals were not merely functional but were designed to symbolize the crowning glory and stability of God's presence among His people.