1 Kings 7:15

15 He cast two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference. ^[a]

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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

1 Kings 7:15 In-Context

13 Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre.

14 He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a craftsman in bronze. Huram had great skill, understanding, and knowledge for every kind of bronze work. So he came to King Solomon and carried out all his work.

15 He cast two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference.

16 He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on top of the pillars, each capital five cubits high.

17 For the capitals on top of the pillars he made a network of lattice, with wreaths of chainwork, seven for each capital.

Footnotes

• [a]. Each pillar was approximately 27 feet high and 18 feet in circumference (8.2 meters high and 5.5 meters in circumference).