2 Chronicles 3:16 kjv
And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
2 Chronicles 3:16 nkjv
He made wreaths of chainwork, as in the inner sanctuary, and put them on top of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates, and put them on the wreaths of chainwork.
2 Chronicles 3:16 niv
He made interwoven chains and put them on top of the pillars. He also made a hundred pomegranates and attached them to the chains.
2 Chronicles 3:16 esv
He made chains like a necklace and put them on the tops of the pillars, and he made a hundred pomegranates and put them on the chains.
2 Chronicles 3:16 nlt
He made a network of interwoven chains and used them to decorate the tops of the pillars. He also made 100 decorative pomegranates and attached them to the chains.
2 Chronicles 3 16 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 7:16 | "He cast two capitals of cast bronze... to set on the tops of the pillars." | Initial description of pillar capitals. |
| 1 Kgs 7:20 | "Pomegranates were in two rows all around on both capitals... two hundred in rows." | Broader count of pomegranates on capitals. |
| 1 Kgs 7:41-42 | "The two pillars and the two bowls of the capitals... and the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks..." | Summation of 400 pomegranates on capitals. |
| 2 Chron 3:15 | "He made in front of the house two pillars... and put capitals on the tops of them." | Immediate context of pillar construction. |
| 2 Chron 4:12-13 | "...the two pillars... and the two nets to cover the two bowls... And the four hundred pomegranates for the two nets." | Parallel description of pillars and nets. |
| Jer 52:22-23 | "And on the top of the pillars was a design of pomegranates... And there were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides..." | Provides varying pomegranate counts. |
| Exod 28:33-34 | "On its hem you shall make pomegranates of blue and purple and scarlet yarns... with bells of gold between them all around." | Pomegranates on High Priest's garment. |
| Exod 39:24-26 | "They made pomegranates of blue... on the hem... with bells." | Confirmation of pomegranates on priestly attire. |
| Num 13:23 | "Then they came to the Valley of Eshcol... and brought some pomegranates and figs." | Pomegranates as fruit of the Promised Land. |
| Deut 8:7-8 | "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land... a land of pomegranates, and of olive trees." | Pomegranates symbolize fruitfulness of God's land. |
| Song 4:3 | "Your temples are like halves of a pomegranate behind your veil." | Symbol of beauty and hidden richness. |
| Song 6:11 | "I went down to the orchard of nuts, to see the blossoms of the valley, to see whether the vines had budded, whether the pomegranates were in bloom." | Signifies natural beauty and fertility. |
| Joel 1:12 | "The vine has dried up... the pomegranate also, and the palm tree." | Withering of pomegranates signifies desolation. |
| 1 Kgs 6:1 | "In the four hundred and eightieth year after the people of Israel came out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign..." | Marks the start of Temple construction. |
| Psa 96:6 | "Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary." | Temple's aesthetic and symbolic importance. |
| Psa 132:13-14 | "For the LORD has chosen Zion... This is my resting place forever." | God's choice and presence in His dwelling. |
| Isa 60:13 | "The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress, the plane tree, and the pine, to beautify the place of my sanctuary..." | Temple's beautification for God's glory. |
| Eze 43:7 | "Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell..." | God's specific dwelling place. |
| Hag 2:9 | "The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former..." | Emphasizes the significance of God's house. |
| John 2:19-21 | "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up... He was speaking about the temple of His body." | Christ as the ultimate Temple. |
| 1 Cor 3:16 | "Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?" | Believers as spiritual temples of God. |
| Eph 2:21-22 | "In whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord..." | The church as God's dwelling place. |
| Rev 21:3 | "Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them..." | Ultimate dwelling of God with humanity. |
2 Chronicles 3 verses
2 Chronicles 3 16 Meaning
This verse describes a specific detail of the rich ornamentation of Solomon's Temple, particularly the two grand bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz. It states that Solomon (through his craftsmen) crafted one hundred pomegranates and carefully placed them upon the ornamental chains that adorned the capitals of these pillars. Specifically, fifty pomegranates were affixed to the chain on one pillar, and the remaining fifty were affixed to the chain on the other, ensuring perfect symmetry and elaborate decoration for the sacred structure.
2 Chronicles 3 16 Context
Chapter 3 of 2 Chronicles details Solomon's construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. Having previously specified its location (Moriah) and basic dimensions (v. 3-7), the narrative proceeds to describe its opulent interior, including the walls overlaid with gold, decorative palm trees, and cherubim (v. 4-7). Verses 15-17 then focus on the two prominent bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, standing at the porch of the Temple. Verse 16 specifically highlights an intricate ornamental feature of these pillars: the precise placement of one hundred pomegranates on the decorative chains that adorned their capitals. This attention to detail reflects not only the architectural grandeur fitting for God's house but also the symbolic richness embedded in every component of the sanctuary, affirming God's instruction and the profound significance of the Temple as His earthly dwelling.
2 Chronicles 3 16 Word analysis
And he made (וַיַּעַשׂ - Vayy'as): This signifies an active construction or fabrication. "He" refers to Solomon, or by extension, the skilled artisans like Huram-abi commissioned by him, emphasizing the human agency involved in executing a divine blueprint for the Temple.
an hundred (מֵאָה - Mē'āh): The specific number emphasizes precision and thoroughness in the Temple's design and construction. Every detail was accounted for, reflecting divine order and completeness in the sanctuary's components.
pomegranates (רִמּוֹנִים - Rimmônîm): Plural of rimmon in Hebrew. These were not merely decorative but highly symbolic fruits in ancient Israel, representing fertility, abundance, prosperity, divine blessing, and life (e.g., Deut 8:8). Their presence on the high priest's robes (Exod 28:33-34) underscored their sacred connection. On the Temple pillars, they symbolized God’s abundant life and blessings, a subtle contrast to the pagan fertility symbols in surrounding cultures by being dedicated exclusively to Yahweh and His pure worship.
and put them (וַיִּתֵּן - Vayyitten): Denotes the careful and intentional act of placement, integrating these ornamental pieces into the larger architectural design of the sacred structure.
on the chains (עַל־הַשַּׁרְשְׁרוֹת - ‘al-haššaršĕrôṯ): Hebrew sharshĕrôt, referring to decorative chains that were part of the capitals atop the pillars. These chains further enhanced the ornate aesthetic, potentially signifying connection, unity, or even the binding power of divine covenants and law.
and fifty (וַחֲמִשִׁים - Waḥămiššîm): This reiterates numerical precision, underscoring the exact and methodical nature of the craftsmanship, ensuring consistency in the Temple's adornment.
on the one chain (בַּשַּׁרְשֶׁרֶת הָאֶחָת - baššaršereth hā'eḥāth): Specifies the meticulous distribution, demonstrating symmetry and balance within the sacred architectural design.
and fifty on the other chain (וַחֲמִשִׁים בַּשַּׁרְשֶׁרֶת הָאַחֶרֶת - waḥămiššîm baššaršereth hā'aḥereṯ): Reinforces the identical arrangement on both chains and pillars, emphasizing the uniform and systematic construction of God's house, where order and beauty were paramount.
"And he made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains": This phrase highlights the intentionality and skilled execution in adorning the Temple. The creation and placement of the pomegranates signify not just human artistry but also obedience to a divinely inspired architectural vision, aiming for excellence in God's dwelling place.
"and fifty on the one chain, and fifty on the other chain": This precise numerical division across the two chains emphasizes symmetry, balance, and meticulous detail in the Temple's design. This exactitude underscores that the sacred space was constructed with great care, reflecting divine order and completeness.
2 Chronicles 3 16 Bonus section
- Discrepancy in Counts: While 2 Chronicles 3:16 specifically mentions 100 pomegranates "on the chains" (50 on each chain for the two pillars), other accounts like 1 Kings 7:20 and 1 Kings 7:42/2 Chronicles 4:13 mention "two hundred in rows all around on both capitals" (or 400 for two networks) or even "ninety-six pomegranates on the sides" (Jer 52:23). This apparent discrepancy is often understood not as a contradiction but as different methods of counting or describing different parts of the overall ornamentation on the pillar capitals. For example, 100 might refer to those visible on the chains themselves, while 400 could be the total number integrated within the intricate network structure (which the chains were part of) over both capitals, and 96 could refer to the visible exposed pomegranates on a particular aspect. This highlights the rich and multi-layered detail that characterizes descriptions of the Temple.
- Architectural Symmetry: The explicit division of fifty pomegranates on each of the two chains signifies a profound emphasis on symmetry in the sacred architecture. This balance mirrors the divine order and harmony believed to emanate from God's dwelling place, instructing observers about the systematic and perfect nature of the Lord.
- Cultural Significance: Pomegranates were revered throughout the ancient Near East as symbols of life and fruitfulness. By integrating them so prominently into the Temple, Israel elevated a universal symbol and sanctified it within the context of Yahweh's worship, distinctly dedicating its life-giving attributes to the one true God, differentiating itself from common pagan fertility rites.
2 Chronicles 3 16 Commentary
2 Chronicles 3:16, while seemingly a minor detail of temple decoration, offers insight into the lavishness and symbolic depth of Solomon's Temple. The description of one hundred pomegranates, evenly distributed on the chains atop the great pillars, underscores the commitment to both artistic excellence and theological significance. Pomegranates, as symbols of life, fertility, and divine blessing in Israelite culture, adorned God's house as a constant visual affirmation of His covenantal promises to His people and the abundant life found in His presence. This precise enumeration (100 in total, 50 on each chain) also speaks to the ordered, purposeful, and comprehensive nature of God's design, contrasting with any haphazard or human-centered approach to worship. It served as a grand testament to the beauty and bounty God desired for His dwelling among His people, inviting them to recognize the source of all true prosperity. For instance, like carefully adorned altars in homes signify reverence, so too did these rich decorations remind Israel of the holiness and blessedness associated with God's dwelling.