1 Kings 7:18 kjv
And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.
1 Kings 7:18 nkjv
So he made the pillars, and two rows of pomegranates above the network all around to cover the capitals that were on top; and thus he did for the other capital.
1 Kings 7:18 niv
He made pomegranates in two rows encircling each network to decorate the capitals on top of the pillars. He did the same for each capital.
1 Kings 7:18 esv
Likewise he made pomegranates in two rows around the one latticework to cover the capital that was on the top of the pillar, and he did the same with the other capital.
1 Kings 7:18 nlt
He also encircled the latticework with two rows of pomegranates to decorate the capitals over the pillars.
1 Kings 7 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Exo 25:9 | "According to all that I show you... so you shall make it." | Divine instruction for sacred objects. |
| Exo 28:33-34 | "...pomegranates of blue, purple, and scarlet... bells." | Pomegranates used for priestly garments, symbolic. |
| Exo 31:1-5 | "I have called by name Bezalel...and I have filled him..." | God bestows skill for sacred craftsmanship. |
| Exo 35:30-35 | "The Lord has called by name Bezalel... to design..." | Divine inspiration for artisans building Tabernacle. |
| Num 8:4 | "This was the workmanship of the lampstand—hammered work..." | Emphasizes detailed, specific workmanship for God. |
| 1 Ki 6:1 | "Now it came to pass... Solomon began to build the house..." | Overall context of Temple construction. |
| 1 Ki 7:13 | "King Solomon sent and brought Hiram from Tyre." | Hiram's role as the master craftsman. |
| 1 Ki 7:15-16 | "For he cast two pillars of bronze... capitals of bronze." | Description of the pillars Jachin and Boaz. |
| 1 Ki 7:20 | "...capitals which were on top of the pillars, also..." | Further details about the capitals. |
| 1 Ki 7:22 | "...the lily-work on the top of the pillars..." | Additional decorative elements on capitals. |
| 2 Chr 3:15-17 | "Also he made two pillars for the front of the temple..." | Parallel account of pillar construction and decoration. |
| 2 Chr 4:13 | "...the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks..." | Corroborates the quantity of pomegranates. |
| Psa 144:13 | "That our garners may be full, supplying all kinds of produce..." | Fruitfulness and abundance as a blessing. |
| Pro 3:9-10 | "Honor the LORD with your possessions... so your barns will be filled..." | Connection between honoring God and abundance. |
| Joel 1:12 | "The vine has dried up, and the fig tree has withered... all the trees of the field are withered..." | Loss of fruitfulness, often associated with judgment. |
| S.S. 4:13 | "Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with pleasant fruits..." | Pomegranates symbolizing beauty and fertility. |
| S.S. 6:11 | "...to see the green plants in the valley... whether the pomegranates had budded." | Pomegranates symbolize new life and growth. |
| S.S. 8:2 | "I would lead you and bring you into the house of my mother..." | Mention of pomegranate juice, for refreshment. |
| Hag 2:19 | "Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine, the fig tree... have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you." | Pomegranates and fruitfulness linked to God's blessing. |
| Jer 52:22-23 | "On the capitals were networks of pomegranates... ninety-six..." | Mentions these features in the context of Temple destruction. |
| Heb 8:5 | "who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed..." | Temple furnishings as earthly patterns of heavenly reality. |
| Heb 9:1-5 | "Then indeed, even the first covenant had ordinances... and the Tabernacle..." | Description of Tabernacle furniture, emphasizing detailed divine command. |
| Col 3:23 | "Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men." | Serving with excellence, reflecting the Temple's detailed craftsmanship. |
1 Kings 7 verses
1 Kings 7 18 Meaning
This verse meticulously describes a specific ornamental detail of the two large bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, located at the porch of Solomon's Temple. It states that two rows of bronze pomegranates were fashioned to adorn the network lattice-work, which in turn covered the capitals (the decorative tops) of these pillars. Specifically, the capitals were structured in a way that rested upon, or were integral to, the arrangement of pomegranates. Each capital was meticulously adorned with two hundred such pomegranates, demonstrating a precise and abundant design.
1 Kings 7 18 Context
This verse is found within the seventh chapter of 1 Kings, which exhaustively details the construction of Solomon's grand royal palace and, more importantly for this passage, the furnishings and architectural elements of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. Chapters 6 and 7 meticulously record the fulfillment of God's command to build a dwelling place for His name. Verse 18 specifically describes the decorative elements of the two magnificent freestanding bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, that stood at the entrance of the Temple. This precise account highlights the immense skill of Hiram, the master craftsman from Tyre, whom Solomon commissioned, and the sacred value placed on every detail of the holy edifice. The meticulousness in the description underscores the reverence and glory ascribed to God, for whom this structure was built, emphasizing His nature as one of order, beauty, and splendor.
1 Kings 7 18 Word analysis
- So he made: This refers to Hiram, the skilled craftsman brought by Solomon (1 Ki 7:13). The precision and artistry involved highlight not only human ingenuity but also the divine guidance often attributed to such work in the Tabernacle/Temple tradition.
- the pillars: Specifically, these are Jachin ("He will establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"), monumental bronze structures outside the Temple sanctuary (1 Ki 7:15-22). Their freestanding nature suggests symbolic significance rather than primary structural support.
- and two rows (שְׁנֵי טוּרִים - shenei turim): Signifies symmetry, repetition, and a structured arrangement. "Rows" indicates an ordered sequence or line, crucial for aesthetic and symbolic purity in sacred design.
- around each of the networks (עַל־הַשְּׂבָכָה - al-ha-sevakah): The Hebrew word sevakah means "network," "lattice," or "grating." It describes an intricate, probably woven or interlaced, pattern made of bronze. The "around each" suggests that each network (one per capital) was enveloped by the pomegranate arrangement, contributing to the rich decorative layering.
- to cover (לְכַסּוֹת - lekhasot): While implying concealment, in this ornamental context, it means to adorn or overlay. The decorations were intended to enhance and beautify the capitals, not merely to hide them.
- the capitals (אֶת־הַכֹּתָרֹת - et-hakoterot): The decorative tops of the pillars, distinct from the shaft. These were central to the pillar's overall aesthetic and housed many of its ornamental details.
- that were on top of the pomegranates (אֲשֶׁר עַל־רֹאשׁ הָרִמֹּנִים - asher al-rosh harimmonim): This specific phrasing, unusual in translation, suggests an arrangement where the structural or upper part of the capitals (or the network as part of the capital) rested upon or emerged from a layer or base of pomegranates. It implies a hierarchical or foundational arrangement of the decorative elements, with pomegranates forming a lower, perhaps foundational, visual tier.
- and thus he made the pomegranates: This phrase reinforces that the pomegranates themselves were carefully crafted according to this design principle before being affixed.
- and so there were two hundred (מָאתַיִם - ma'atayim) on each capital: This precise number signifies exactitude and abundance. For two pillars, this meant four hundred pomegranates in total (as confirmed by 2 Chr 4:13). The use of exact figures highlights the deliberate and non-arbitrary nature of the Temple's design, consistent with divine specifications given for sacred structures in the Bible.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "So he made the pillars, and two rows...": This highlights the combined effort of the artisan (Hiram) executing a divinely inspired design, focusing immediately on the initial large structures (pillars) and their primary decorative method (rows).
- "around each of the networks to cover the capitals": This detail demonstrates an intricate, multi-layered decorative approach. The networks served as a frame or foundation for the pomegranates, all contributing to the ornate beauty of the capitals. It speaks to a rich visual complexity intended for the sacred space.
- "that were on top of the pomegranates": This clause describes a unique structural relationship between the capital and the pomegranates, possibly indicating the pomegranates forming a lower or foundational ornamental tier on which the rest of the capital's structure was visually supported or integrated. This specific arrangement suggests deliberate and symbolic artistic intent.
- "and so there were two hundred on each capital": This phrase emphasizes the scale and precision of the ornamentation. The quantity points towards abundance, fruitfulness, and the lavishness dedicated to the dwelling of the Lord, while the exactitude highlights the meticulous order characteristic of divine mandates.
1 Kings 7 18 Bonus section
The precise placement of the two rows of pomegranates on the networks, specifically describing the capitals as "on top of the pomegranates," has been a point of interest for scholars attempting to reconstruct the visual appearance of the pillars. This unique arrangement suggests a more complex, layered design than a simple array of fruit shapes, indicating sophisticated ancient metallurgy and design. The very specific mention of 200 pomegranates per capital (leading to 400 total) implies an intention to impress upon the viewer the sheer abundance and meticulous detail, signifying God's inexhaustible blessing and meticulous nature. Furthermore, the selection of the pomegranate, a common motif in the ancient Near East symbolizing life and abundance, placed this imagery within a sacred context, elevating its meaning beyond mere decoration to one imbued with theological significance about God's provision and life-giving presence.
1 Kings 7 18 Commentary
1 Kings 7:18 offers a glimpse into the exquisite detail and grandeur of Solomon's Temple, particularly the elaborate ornamentation of the colossal bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz. This verse, with its precise count of 200 pomegranates on each capital, underlines the unparalleled craftsmanship of Hiram, the bronze worker from Tyre. The inclusion of pomegranates as a primary decorative motif is highly significant. In biblical culture, pomegranates symbolized fertility, abundance, prosperity, and the blessings of God (as seen on the High Priest's garments in Exodus). Their presence on the Temple's entrance pillars would have conveyed a message of life, fruitfulness, and divine favor for those entering God's house.
The detailed description underscores that nothing in the Temple's construction was arbitrary or minimal. Every element, from its materials to its numerical arrangement, contributed to a rich tapestry of symbolism intended to reflect God's glory, holiness, and magnificent character. This meticulousness served to honor God, for whom the Temple was built as a central dwelling place among His people. It highlights the divine emphasis on excellence and order in sacred spaces, mirroring the perfect order of creation itself.
This serves as an example for believers to offer their best in service to the Lord, knowing that even the minutest details contribute to a larger picture that glorifies Him (Col 3:23). It teaches that God values not only grand acts but also diligent and beautiful craftsmanship, recognizing the beauty of order and the power of symbolic representation.