2 Kings 25 17

2 Kings 25:17 kjv

The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathed work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathed work.

2 Kings 25:17 nkjv

The height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the capital on it was of bronze. The height of the capital was three cubits, and the network and pomegranates all around the capital were all of bronze. The second pillar was the same, with a network.

2 Kings 25:17 niv

Each pillar was eighteen cubits high. The bronze capital on top of one pillar was three cubits high and was decorated with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around. The other pillar, with its network, was similar.

2 Kings 25:17 esv

The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and on it was a capital of bronze. The height of the capital was three cubits. A latticework and pomegranates, all of bronze, were all around the capital. And the second pillar had the same, with the latticework.

2 Kings 25:17 nlt

Each of the pillars was 27 feet tall. The bronze capital on top of each pillar was 7 1?2 feet high and was decorated with a network of bronze pomegranates all the way around.

2 Kings 25 verses

2 Kings 25 17 Meaning

The verse details the dimensions and decorative features of the two grand bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, that stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. It specifically notes their significant height, the height of their ornate bronze capitals, and the intricate network and pomegranate designs that adorned these capitals, all made of bronze. The passage underscores the thorough plundering of the Jerusalem Temple by the Babylonian forces, showcasing their systematic removal of sacred objects and valuable materials as part of Judah's ultimate defeat and exile.

2 Kings 25 17 Context

2 Kings chapter 25 chronicles the devastating climax of the kingdom of Judah. Following several warnings and acts of disobedience, God's judgment, as prophesied, culminates in the final destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The chapter details the siege, the famine within the city, King Zedekiah's attempt to flee, his capture and blinding, and the complete destruction of the city walls, the palace, and particularly the glorious Temple. Verse 17 fits within a detailed list of Temple articles that were either broken up and carried off as valuable bronze to Babylon or transferred whole. This particular verse highlights the large bronze pillars, once central features of the Temple, symbolizing its strength and establishment, now being dismantled. Historically, this event marks the end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a profound rupture in Israel's history. The dismantling of these significant, symbolic items underscores the total triumph of Babylon and the utter collapse of the Judean nation.

Word Analysis

• The one pillar: Refers to one of the two colossal bronze pillars standing at the Temple entrance, named Jachin ("He will establish") and Boaz ("In Him is strength"). These names themselves are highly significant, speaking of God's power and faithfulness to establish His covenant and His people. Their plundering signifies the perceived dismantling of that divine establishment, at least from a human perspective of judgment.
• was eighteen cubits high: In Hebrew, ʼammah (אַמָּה), a cubit was approximately 18-21 inches. Thus, these pillars stood an impressive 27-31.5 feet tall (approx. 8.2-9.6 meters), an extraordinary height for bronze structures of that era. This massive scale showcased the grandeur and wealth of Solomon's Temple.
• and a capital of bronze was on it: The kothéreth (כּוֹתֶרֶת) or tzoqeqeth (צוֹקֶרֶת) was the decorative, sculpted top section of the pillar. The term "capital" specifically describes this ornate crowning element.
• and the height of the capital was three cubits: This measurement for the capital varies slightly from the parallel account in 1 Kings 7:16, which states five cubits. Such discrepancies are common in ancient texts and may be attributed to different methods of measurement, varying interpretations of which part of the ornamentation counted towards the 'capital's height', or rounding in oral traditions or copyist variations. Jer 52:22 provides more detail: the capitals were 5 cubits, but there were 2 cubit moldings around the base of the capital, meaning total ornamentation was 5 cubits. The 2 Kings account may be referring only to the molded portion directly attached to the shaft.
• A network and pomegranates all around the capital:
  • network: śeḇāḵâ (שְׂבָכָה), referring to a woven or lattice-like work, an intricate pattern, indicating the highly decorative and detailed craftsmanship.
  • pomegranates: rimmonim (רִמֹּנִים), fruit known for their abundance of seeds, often symbolized fertility, blessing, prosperity, and the numerous offspring or followers of God. Their presence on the Temple pillars likely signified the fruitfulness of God's people or the blessings associated with His dwelling.
  • all around the capital: Emphasizes the completeness and beauty of the adornment, covering the entire circumference.
• all of bronze: n'choshāh (נְחֹשָׁה). Bronze was a highly valued metal in the ancient world, especially for Temple artifacts (like the Bronze Altar and Laver), known for its durability and resistance to decay. Its extensive use underscored the Temple's preciousness. Spiritually, bronze in the Temple sometimes signifies judgment or purification.
• And so was the second pillar with its network: Reaffirms that both pillars, Jachin and Boaz, were identical in their dimensions and intricate adornment, emphasizing the grandeur and symmetry of the Temple's facade.

2 Kings 25 17 Commentary

2 Kings 25:17 provides a precise, though mournful, accounting of the majestic pillars that graced the entrance of Solomon's Temple. Once powerful symbols of God's covenantal promises—His promise to establish His house and kingdom (Jachin) and to be the ultimate strength (Boaz) for His people—they are now systematically measured and broken apart by foreign invaders. The very dimensions and artistic detail, like the decorative bronze networks and pomegranates symbolizing life and fruitfulness, paradoxically highlight the extent of Judah's humiliation. The destruction of these fixed, foundational elements underscores that even the physical structure representing God's presence among them was vulnerable due to their continued idolatry and covenant breaking. It represents a visible, tangible sign that God had, in His righteous judgment, allowed the outward shell of their covenant relationship to be utterly dismantled, leading them to understand the true nature of their sin and God's holiness.

Bonus SectionThe careful enumeration of the Temple's assets being stripped away reflects the profound shame and despair felt by the Judeans. This was not merely the loss of material wealth but the dismantling of the very embodiment of their national identity and religious life. For ancient peoples, a defeated nation's gods and sacred objects were often paraded by the victors as a sign of their own gods' supremacy. The plundering of Jachin and Boaz by Babylon was, therefore, not just an economic act, but a symbolic defiling and dismantling of the theological pillars that upheld Judah's faith in God's presence and protection. The precision in measurement by the Babylonians or the recorders further emphasizes the systematic nature of the destruction. Even though their physical glory was destroyed, the spiritual significance and the memory of these pillars continued to serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of unfaithfulness and, eventually, hope for restoration rooted in God's ultimate establishment and strength.