Hiram Fashions The Two Pillars Of Bronze, Yakin and Boaz (1 Kings 7:15-22).
In front of the Temple were to be placed two pillars, which, going by clay models of temples which have been discovered in Palestine and Cyprus (13th-9th centuries BC), and possible examples found elsewhere (e.g. in Hazor, Arad and Kition), would be free standing. This is also confirmed on Sidonian coins. One of the pillars was named Yakin (‘He establishes'), and the other was named Boaz (‘with strength'). We must always beware of just assuming that similarity of construction meant similarity of significance, for even though there may often be common ground in religious symbols, in the end each country imbues its own symbols with its own meaning. And this was moreso with Israel than with any other nation. So we must in this case seek in them some significance which pointed towards the uniqueness of YHWH, for at this time Solomon was undoubtedly still fully focused on the sole worship of YHWH. Possibly in fact the thought is that of a proclamation, ‘He establishes -- with strength (the house of David)'. Another remoter possibility is that, with their decoration of blood-red pomegranates and lotus blossoms (an Egyptian symbol of life), they represented the two unique trees in the Garden of Eden, with one acting as a warning against sin and the other offering the possibility of life from YHWH. But the pomegranate was always seen as a sign of fruitfulness, and, alternated with bells, adorned the High Priest's robe. Thus they are more likely to be giving a positive picture as two witnesses to creation, and to God's promises to Israel.
Analysis.
a For he fashioned the two pillars of bronze, eighteen cubits high apiece. And a line of twelve cubits compassed each of them about (1 Kings 7:15).
b And he made two capitals of molten bronze, to set on the tops of the pillars: the height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits (1 Kings 7:16).
c There were nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars, seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital (1 Kings 7:17).
d So he made the pillars, and there were two rows round about on the one network, to cover the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, and so did he for the other capital. And the capitals that were on the top of the pillars in the porch were of lily-work, four cubits (1 Kings 7:18-19).
c And there were capitals above also on the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network, and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about on the other capital (1 Kings 7:20).
b And he set up the pillars at the porch of the temple. And he set up the right pillar, and called its name Yachin, and he set up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz, and on the top of the pillars was lily-work (1 Kings 7:21-22 a.
a So was the work of the pillars finished (1 Kings 7:22 b).
Note that in ‘a' he fashioned the pillars, and in the parallel the pillars were finished. In ‘b' the heads were set on the top of the pillars, and in ‘b' the pillars were set up with the tops of the pillars (the heads) being lily-work. In ‘c' we have a description of decorations on the heads, and in the parallel we have further descriptions of the decorations on the heads. In ‘d' and centrally we have a summary of the pillars and their heads, with an emphasis on the lily-work (or lotus blossoms). The lily-work or lotus blossoms were clearly seen as important.
‘ For he fashioned the two pillars of bronze, one was eighteen cubits high, and a line of twelve cubits compassed the other about.'
The wording is quaint, referring one measurement to one pillar and another to the other, with both measurements actually applying to both. This may have been with the intention of abbreviating the description, probably because he wanted the emphasis to be on the ‘heads'. The meaning is, however, clear. Each of the two pillars was made of bronze, and each was eighteen cubits (eight metres, twenty seven feet) high, a figure confirmed by 2 Kings 24:17. Their circumference is given as twelve cubits. That means that their diameter was about 1 Kings 3:8 cubits (just under two metres, or six feet). So they were large and impressive. That they were hollow is apparent from Jeremiah 52:21. In 2 Chronicles 3:15 they are stated to be ‘thirty five cubits high', but that is almost certainly because the Chronicler was seeking to obtain a multiple of five, the sacred number for both the Tabernacle and the Temple, and accomplished it by giving the height of the two pillars added together. (Half a cubit each may have been seen as lost in putting them into their foundations, or it may simply have been a rounding off in order to obtain a multiple of five).
‘ And he made two capitals of molten bronze, to set on the tops of the pillars: the height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits.'
On top of each pillar was set a ‘capital' or ‘crown' or ‘head' of molten bronze which was five cubits in height. The same size ‘crown' or ‘head' was set on both pillars. The dual emphasis on them in contrast with the pillars, brings out their importance and significance. They were seen as acting as two witnesses.
In 2 Kings 25:17, at the time of the destruction of the Temple, they would be said to be three cubits in height. This was probably due to deterioration, followed by repair work carried out during the renovations of Jehoash (2 Kings 12:6 ff) and Josiah (2 Kings 22:3 ff), which reduced their size.
‘ There were networks of latticework, and wreaths (spirals) of chain-work, for the capitals (heads) which were on the top of the pillars, seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital.'
Around the ‘crowns' or ‘heads' on top of the pillars were wound nets of latticework and wreaths of chain work, presumably to form a kind of decoration. There were seven to each pillar.
‘ So he made the pillars, and there were two rows round about on the one network, to cover the capitals that were on the top of the pomegranates, and so did he for the other capital.'
It is now again emphasised that ‘he made the pillars', and it would appear that what follows, although in technical language, is intended to indicate that each network of lattice work had two rows of wreaths of chain work which covered the ‘heads', this being above where the pomegranates (mentioned later) were engraved. And this occurred in both cases. (We must remember that the original listeners as it was read out would have been able to visualise the situation from memory).
‘ And the capitals that were on the top of the pillars in the porch were of lily-work, four cubits.'
Furthermore, with regard to the top four of the five cubits of the heads, there was, as well as the other decorations, engraved lily-work (or lotus blossoms). The limitation would presumably be because the first cubit of the head was covered with the network and wreaths, and with the engraved pomegranates. The emphasis on the lily-work (see also 1 Kings 7:22) brings out its importance. In the Song of Solomon (e.g. 1 Kings 2:16; 1 Kings 6:2-3) the shepherd was seen as ‘feeding among the lilies' which were a picture of a fruitful and pure Israel, and the beloved herself was seen as like a lily (e.g. 1 Kings 2:1-2; 1 Kings 4:5; 1 Kings 7:2). To go among the lilies was to leave behind the imperfections of city life and to enjoy the God-given freedom of Israel's countryside. Lilies thus symbolised the purity of all that was best in Israel before it was spoiled by sophistication.
‘ And there were capitals above also on the two pillars, close by the belly (bulbous part) which was beside the network, and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about on the other capital.'
It is now repeated that the two pillars had ‘heads' above them, and it would appear that the lower part of the heads were in a bulbous shape, with the network and engraved rows of pomegranates going round the heads above (or even on) the bulge. A similar bulbous shape at the lower part of such a ‘head' has actually been found on free-standing columns at the Temple of Aphrodite in Paphos.
To sum up the picture which has been painstakingly built up (probably so that the hearer could see it being accomplished stage by stage), we have the large, stout pillars of bronze, which lead up to the ‘heads', with the lower part of the ‘heads' having a bulge in them. These were then decorated with networks of lattice work and wreaths of chain work, with rows of pomegranates in the first cubit, and lily work (or lotus blossoms) covering all but the first cubit.
‘ And he set up the pillars at the porch of the temple. And he set up the right pillar, and called its name Yakin, and he set up the left pillar, and called its name Boaz.'
Having been made (which was a huge task in itself, comparable with Sennacherib's mythical beasts cast in bronze) the pillars were then set up at the porch of the Temple, the one being named ‘He Establishes' (Yakin) and the other being named ‘With Strength' (Boaz). The verb ‘kun', from which comes ‘yakin', features prominently in Nathan's prophecy concerning the Davidic house (2 Samuel 7:12-13; 2 Samuel 7:16, cited in 1 Kings 2:24, compare Isaiah 9:7), where the promise is that the throne of his kingship will be established for ever. (And Boaz was a well known ancestor of David and could stand for the Davidic house). So as already suggested above this may be intended to be an open proclamation that the house of David was ‘established -- with strength' with the help of YHWH. And with their pomegranates and lily-work they may also possibly have been intended as a proclamation of the glory of the Creator, as the Creator of all that was beautiful (lily-work/lotus blossoms) and delightful and good to partake of (pomegranates).
This idea has been extended to suggest that the words yakin and be‘oz are the opening words of well known declarations about YHWH, e.g. ‘He will establish (yakin) the throne of David' (compare 2 Samuel 13:16) and ‘in the strength (be‘oz) of YHWH will the king rejoice' (compare Psalms 21:1; Psalms 21:13).
Another suggestion which has gained some popularity is that fires were kept alight in one or both of the heads symbolising YHWH's presence with His people, in the same way as He was present with them in the pillar of fire in the Exodus. There are indications of such pillars having fires in them elsewhere. Herodotus, for example, tells us that one of the pillars before the Temple of Baal in Tyre held a fire which glowed at night, and Hiram came from Tyre.
‘ And on the top of the pillars was lily-work. So was the work of the pillars finished.
The fact that the heads were decorated with lily-work is again emphasised, stressing the connection of the heads with nature (or with lotus blossoms connecting them with life. The word for lily is similar to the Egyptian word for lotus-flower). And with all this the work of the pillars was said to have been brought to completion, a statement which indicates the first break in the passage (see also 1 Kings 7:40; 1 Kings 7:51, and summary above).
To sum up we may see these two pillars as declaring the glory of the Creator, the purity of the pure in Israel, and as underlining the certainty of YHWH's everlasting covenant with the house of David.