1 Kings 7 20

1 Kings 7:20 kjv

And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.

1 Kings 7:20 nkjv

The capitals on the two pillars also had pomegranates above, by the convex surface which was next to the network; and there were two hundred such pomegranates in rows on each of the capitals all around.

1 Kings 7:20 niv

On the capitals of both pillars, above the bowl-shaped part next to the network, were the two hundred pomegranates in rows all around.

1 Kings 7:20 esv

The capitals were on the two pillars and also above the rounded projection which was beside the latticework. There were two hundred pomegranates in two rows all around, and so with the other capital.

1 Kings 7:20 nlt

The capitals on the two pillars had 200 pomegranates in two rows around them, beside the rounded surface next to the latticework.

1 Kings 7 verses

1 Kings 7 20 Meaning

This verse continues the detailed description of King Solomon's Temple, focusing specifically on the ornate bronze pillars known as Jachin and Boaz, located at the entrance. It specifies that the capitals (the tops) of these two massive pillars were adorned with two hundred pomegranates each. These pomegranates were arranged in decorative rows that encircled the capitals, emphasizing the beauty, completeness, and symbolic richness of the Temple's architectural design.

1 Kings 7 20 Context

1 Kings chapter 7 vividly details the construction of King Solomon's palace complex and, most notably, the elaborate adornments and furnishings of the Temple of the Lord. Following descriptions of the "House of the Forest of Lebanon" and the "Porch of Pillars," the narrative shifts to the crafting of specific items for the Temple itself, particularly the two colossal bronze pillars. Verses 15-22 focus on the casting and placement of these pillars, named Jachin ("He shall establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"), standing as sentinels before the Temple porch. Verse 20 continues this description, detailing the specific decoration of their capitals. The meticulous account of the Temple's construction highlights its significance as God's dwelling place, built with immense resources and intricate design, intended to reflect His glory and provide a magnificent setting for worship, setting it apart from any contemporary pagan shrines which lacked such divine prescription or material grandeur.

1 Kings 7 20 Word analysis

• And the capitals: (וְהַכֹּתָרֹת, vehakotārot)
  • Koteret (כֹּתֶרֶת) refers to the ornamental top part of a pillar. This detail emphasizes the intricate craftsmanship applied to even the upper sections, signifying thoroughness in Temple design. It draws attention to the grand entry of God's house.
• upon the two pillars: (עַל־שְׁנֵי הָעַמֻּדִים, ‘al-shēnê hā‘ammudim)
  • These are the bronze pillars Jachin and Boaz (1 Ki 7:21), symbols of divine strength and establishment, signifying the foundational truths upon which the Temple (and Israel's relationship with God) stood. Their prominence at the entrance underscored the divine support of God's dwelling.
• had pomegranates: (רִמֹּנִים, rimmonim)
  • Rimmon (רִמּוֹן) refers to the pomegranate fruit. In the ancient Near East, and particularly in Israel, pomegranates symbolized fruitfulness, fertility, abundance, prosperity, and divine blessing (e.g., Num 13:23; Deut 8:8). Their presence on priestly garments (Exo 28:33-34) linked them to the fruitfulness of obedience and divine provision, emphasizing these themes at the Temple entrance.
• also, two hundred: (מָאתַיִם, matayim)
  • The specific number "two hundred" indicates precision and abundance. This exactitude underscores the detailed nature of God's commands for the Temple's construction, implying divine perfection and completeness in His design, even down to numerical specifics. While 2 Chr 3:16 mentions 100, common explanations include viewing angles (100 per visible half), or Kings counts all in rows vs. Chronicles noting those associated with the chains. Regardless, both accounts depict lavishness.
• in rows round about: (טוּרִים סָבִיב סָבִיב, ṭûrîm sāḇîḇ sāḇîḇ)
  • This phrase indicates an organized, encircling pattern. The meticulous arrangement signifies order, beauty, and the encompassment of God's blessings and presence in His sanctuary, as well as the completeness and perfection of His design.
• upon the one capital; and so for the other capital: (עַל־הַכֹּתֶרֶת הָאַחַת וְכֵן עַל־הַכֹּתֶרֶת הַשֵּׁנִית, ‘al-hakoteret ha‘achat v’ken ‘al-hakoteret ha-shenit)
  • This repetition highlights the identical, symmetrical design of both pillar capitals. It stresses uniformity, balance, and intentionality in God's Temple, portraying divine order and the unified nature of His dwelling place.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the capitals upon the two pillars": Draws immediate attention to the ornate crownings of the prominent entrance pillars, signaling the significance of the Temple's very threshold as a place of grandeur and symbolic meaning.
• "had pomegranates also, two hundred in rows round about": Describes the specific decorative motif and its extensive application. The abundance (200) and structured arrangement ("in rows round about") reinforce the ideas of plentiful divine blessing and meticulous divine order radiating from the core of Israel's worship.
• "upon the one capital; and so for the other capital": Emphasizes perfect symmetry and consistency in the Temple's design, reflecting God's nature of order, holiness, and steadfastness. It underlines that every detail, even seemingly repetitive ones, was carefully orchestrated.

1 Kings 7 20 Bonus section

The Pomegranates described in 1 Kings 7:20 were not only decorative but were part of a rich tapestry of Temple symbolism. These ornaments, combined with other motifs like lilies (mentioned in earlier verses of 1 Ki 7), represented life, purity, and beauty. The inclusion of pomegranates on the Temple's very pillars echoes their use on the priestly ephod, forging a direct visual link between the sanctity of the High Priest and the sacred space itself. This connection reinforced the idea of Israel as a priestly nation (Exo 19:6), and the Temple as the nexus where divine holiness met human access through ordained means. The careful counting (200 pomegranates) suggests an intentional fullness and a deliberate artistic and theological statement about God's provision being more than sufficient.

1 Kings 7 20 Commentary

1 Kings 7:20 provides a minute detail of the Solomonic Temple's lavishness, specifying the decorative pomegranates on the capitals of Jachin and Boaz. These were not mere aesthetic choices but carried deep symbolic weight, resonating with biblical themes of fruitfulness, abundance, divine blessing, and priestly holiness (e.g., pomegranates on the high priest's robes, Exo 28:33-34). The precise number, 200 on each capital, along with their arrangement "in rows round about," speaks to the meticulous craftsmanship and the intended perfection of God's dwelling place. This precision underscored God's ordering of creation and worship, in contrast to the often chaotic or crude nature of pagan worship sites. The Temple's detailed design, from the massive pillars to these small fruits, collectively communicated the glory, order, and bounty of the God of Israel, affirming His commitment to His people and His dwelling among them. It stood as a tangible testament to God's presence, the source of all blessing and strength.