1 Kings 7:20

20 and again other pommels in the highness of [the] pillars above, by the measure of the pillar, set against the works like nets; and two hundred orders of pomegranates were in the compass of the second pommel. (and on the capitals, on the tops of the two bronze pillars, above the networks, were two hundred pomegranates in two rows, around each 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 perfectly the pillars, and two orders about all the works like nets, that those should cover the pommels, which were upon the highness of [the] pomegranates; in the same manner he did also to the second pommel. (And he finished the pillars, with two rows of pomegranates, all around the tops of the pillars, above the networks; he did this in the same manner for each of the capitals.)
19 And the pommels, that were upon the heads of the pillars in the porch, were made as by work of lily, of four cubits; (And the capitals, that were on the tops of the pillars in the vestibule, were shaped like lilies, four cubits in height;)
20 and again other pommels in the highness of [the] pillars above, by the measure of the pillar, set against the works like nets; and two hundred orders of pomegranates were in the compass of the second pommel. (and on the capitals, on the tops of the two bronze pillars, above the networks, were two hundred pomegranates in two rows, around each capital.)
21 And he set the two pillars in the porch of the temple; and when he had set the right half pillar, he called it by name Jachin, that is, steadfast; in like manner he raised up the second pillar, and he called the name thereof Boaz, that is, strength. (And he placed the two pillars in the vestibule of the Temple; and when he had raised up the right-hand pillar, he named it Jachin, that is, Steadfast; and in like manner he raised up the left-hand pillar, and he named it Boaz, that is, Strength.)
22 And he set upon the heads of the pillars a work by the manner of a lily; and (so) the work of the pillars was made perfect. (And on the very top of the pillars was lily work; and so the work of the pillars was finished, or completed.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.