1 Kings 7:20

20 And the capitals upon the two pillars, above also, close to the enlargement which was behind the network, had two hundred pomegranates in rows round about, [also] on the other capital.

1 Kings 7:20 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 7:20

And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also
above, over against the belly which was by the network
The supplement is needless, according to Dr. Lightfoot; the sense being only, that the chapiters were above the lily work, which wrought out as far as the belly of the chapiters, or the middle cubit of them, which the pomegranates filled up:

and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon
the other chapiter:
there were so many in each, which in all made four hundred, as in ( 1 Kings 7:42 ) . In ( Jeremiah 52:23 ) , it is said there were ninety six on a side, and yet one hundred round about; the meaning of which is, either that there were twenty four to every wind, as the word there is, and four on the four angles, and so in all one hundred; or, as the above learned writer, when the pillars were set to the wall, only ninety six appeared in sight in a row, the other four being hid behind them.

1 Kings 7:20 In-Context

18 And he made pomegranates, namely two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars; and so he did for the other capital.
19 And the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily-work [as] in the porch, four cubits.
20 And the capitals upon the two pillars, above also, close to the enlargement which was behind the network, had two hundred pomegranates in rows round about, [also] on the other capital.
21 And he set up the pillars for the porch of the temple; and he set up the right pillar, and called its name Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz.
22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily-work; and the work of the pillars was finished.

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Lit. 'beyond;' and so ver. 30.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.