the Week of Proper 22 / Ordinary 27
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1 Kings 7:15
Bible Study Resources
Concordances:
- Nave'sDictionaries:
- AmericanEncyclopedias:
- InternationalContextual Overview
Bible Verse Review
from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge
cast: Heb. fashioned
two pillars: 1 Kings 7:21, 2 Kings 25:16, 2 Kings 25:17, 2 Chronicles 3:15-17, 2 Chronicles 4:12-22, Jeremiah 52:21-23
eighteen cubits: That is, nearly thirty feet, English measure. But in the parallel place in Chronicles, these pillars are said to thirty-five cubits high. Tremellius reconciles this difference by observing, that the common cubit was but one-half of the cubit of the sanctuary; so that eighteen of the one would make thirty-six of the other; from which, if we deduct one cubit for the base, there will remain thirty-five. Notwithstanding the names of these pillars, they seem to have supported no part of the building, and appear to have been formed for ornament; and were no doubt also emblematical. The right pillar was called Jachin, which signifies, "He will establish;" while that on the left was named Boaz, "In it is strength." Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillars and cloud of fire, which led Israel through the wilderness; but Henry supposes them designed for memorandums to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door.
1st. To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises.
2nd. It was a memorandum to them of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them.
When the temple was destroyed, particular notice is taken of the breaking up and carrying away of these brazen pillars, 2 Kings 25:13, 2 Kings 25:17, which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been still so, if they had not forsaken God.
Reciprocal: 1 Kings 7:41 - two pillars 1 Chronicles 18:8 - wherewith Jeremiah 27:19 - the pillars Jeremiah 52:17 - pillars Ezekiel 40:49 - pillars John 6:13 - and filled
Cross-References
They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered.
They rose greatly on the earth, and all the high mountains under the entire heavens were covered.
And the water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains under all the heavens were covered.
The water prevailed more and more upon the earth, so that all the high mountains everywhere under the heavens were covered.
And the waters preuayled exceedingly vpon the earth, and al the high hilles that are vnder the whole heauen, were couered.
The water rose so much that even the highest mountains were covered by the water.
And the waters prevailed so mightily upon the earth that all the high mountains under the whole heaven were covered;
And the watris hadden maistrie greetli on erthe, and alle hiye hillis vndur alle heuene weren hilid;
And the waters preuailed exceedingly vpon the earth, and all the high hils, that were vnder the whole heauen, were couered.
And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
Gill's Notes on the Bible
For he cast two pillars of brass, eighteen cubits high apiece,.... In 2 Chronicles 3:15 they are said to be thirty five cubits high, which must be understood of the length or height of them both; and whereas that would allow but seventeen cubits and a half to a pillar, either the round number of eighteen is used, or half a cubit in each may be allowed, either for the base or pedestal into which they were put; or the chapiter at the top of them, into which they might go such a length, and so only what was seen is described:
and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about; that was the circumference of them, and therefore their diameter must be four cubits. Eupolemus, an Heathen writer n speaks of these pillars, but he makes the circuit of them to be but ten cubits; and says they were equal in height with the temple, and stood on the right and left, and were made of brass, and covered with gold, the thickness of a finger.
n Apud Euseb, Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 34. p. 450.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible
These famous pillars, which were broken in pieces by the Babylonians when they destroyed Jerusalem 2 Kings 25:13; Jeremiah 52:17, were probably for ornament, standing by themselves under or in front of the porch. It is certain that the Phoenicians used isolated metal columns as sacred ornaments, so that Hiram would be familiar with such a mode of ornamentation. Eighteen cubits appear to have been the height of the shaft only. Adding the capital 1Ki 7:16, 1 Kings 7:19, the entire metal pillar was 27 cubits high; and if it had a stone base of eight cubits, which would not be greatly out of proportion, the height of 35 cubits (52 12 feet, 2 Chronicles 3:15) would have been reached. The height of some of the Persepolitan columns, with which these pillars may be best compared, is 67 feet. The circumference of 12 cubits (18 feet) implies a diameter of about 5 feet 9 inches at the base, which would make the column somewhat heavy in appearance. Egyptian pillars were, however, even thicker in proportion to their height. On the supposition that a portion of the original text has fallen out, this verse has been thus completed: “He cast two pillars of brass; eighteen cubits was the height of the one pillar, and eighteen cubits was the height of the other pillar; and a line of twelve cubits compassed the one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits compassed the other pillar.”
Clarke's Notes on the Bible
Verse 1 Kings 7:15. He cast two pillars - eighteen cubits high — That is, about thirty feet in English measure.
A line of twelve cubits — In circumference. It would be difficult even now to procure a founder who could cast such massive pillars, whether solid or hollow.
