1 Kings 7:15

15 And he made two pillars of brass, one pillar of eighteen cubits of height; and a line of twelve cubits compassed ever either pillar. (And he made two bronze pillars, each pillar eighteen cubits in height; and it took a cord twelve cubits long to go all around either pillar.)

1 Kings 7:15 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 7:15

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 ^F14 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F14 Apud Euseb, Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 34. p. 450.

1 Kings 7:15 In-Context

13 Also king Solomon sent, and brought from Tyre, Hiram , (And King Solomon sent for, and brought there Hiram from Tyre,)

14 the son of a woman widow (the son of a widow woman), of the lineage of Naphtali, of the father of a man of Tyre, a craftsman of brass, and full of wisdom, and understanding, and doctrine, or teaching, to make all work of brass. And when he had come to king Solomon, he made all his work.

15 And he made two pillars of brass, one pillar of eighteen cubits of height; and a line of twelve cubits compassed ever either pillar. (And he made two bronze pillars, each pillar eighteen cubits in height; and it took a cord twelve cubits long to go all around either pillar.)

16 Also he made two pommels, molten of brass, which were set on the heads of the pillars; one pommel of five cubits of height, and the tother pommel of five cubits of height; (And he cast two bronze capitals, which were set on the tops of the pillars; each capital was five cubits in height;)

17 and by the manner of a net, and of chains knit together to themselves, by wonderful work. Ever either pommel of the pillars was molten; seven works like nets of orders were in one pommel, and seven works like nets in the tother pommel. (and they were decorated with networks of chains knit together. Each capital for the pillars was cast; and seven rows of networks were on each capital.)