1 Kings 7:16
1 Kings 7:16 in Multiple Translations
He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on top of the pillars, each capital five cubits high.
And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:
And he made two capitals of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits.
And he made the two crowns to be put on the tops of the pillars, of brass made soft in the fire; the crowns were five cubits high.
He also cast two capitals in bronze to place on top of the columns. Each capital was five cubits high.
And he made two chapiters of molten brasse to set on the tops of the pillars: the height of one of the chapiters was fiue cubites, and the height of the other chapiter was fiue cubites.
And two chapiters he hath made to put on the tops of the pillars, cast in brass; five cubits the height of the one chapiter, and five cubits the height of the second chapiter.
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.
And he made two capitals of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the hight of the one capital was five cubits, and the hight of the other capital was five cubits:
He made also two chapiters of molten brass, to be set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:
He also made two bronze caps to be put on top of the pillars. Each cap was 7-1/2 feet tall.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 7:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 7:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֨י
כֹתָרֹ֜ת
עָשָׂ֗ה
לָ/תֵ֛ת
עַל
רָאשֵׁ֥י
הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֖ים
מֻצַ֣ק
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
חָמֵ֣שׁ
אַמּ֗וֹת
קוֹמַת֙
הַ/כֹּתֶ֣רֶת
הָ/אֶחָ֔ת
וְ/חָמֵ֣שׁ
אַמּ֔וֹת
קוֹמַ֖ת
הַ/כֹּתֶ֥רֶת
הַ/שֵּׁנִֽית
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֨י
shᵉnayim
H8147
two
Conj | Adj
כֹתָרֹ֜ת
kôthereth
H3805
capital
N-fp
עָשָׂ֗ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
לָ/תֵ֛ת
nâthan
H5414
to give
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
רָאשֵׁ֥י
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-mp
הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֖ים
ʻammûwd
H5982
pillar
Art | N-mp
מֻצַ֣ק
yâtsaq
H3332
to pour
V-Hophal-Inf-c
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
bronze
N-fs
חָמֵ֣שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
five
Adj
אַמּ֗וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
cubit
N-fp
קוֹמַת֙
qôwmâh
H6967
height
N-fs
הַ/כֹּתֶ֣רֶת
kôthereth
H3805
capital
Art | N-fs
הָ/אֶחָ֔ת
ʼechâd
H259
one
Art | Adj
וְ/חָמֵ֣שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
five
Conj | Adj
אַמּ֔וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
cubit
N-fp
קוֹמַ֖ת
qôwmâh
H6967
height
N-fs
הַ/כֹּתֶ֥רֶת
kôthereth
H3805
capital
Art | N-fs
הַ/שֵּׁנִֽית
shênîy
H8145
second
Art | Adj
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 7:16
וּ/שְׁתֵּ֨י
shᵉnayim
H8147
"two"
Conj | Adj
The Hebrew word for the number two appears in Genesis and Exodus, describing pairs and dualities. It can also mean double or twice. In the Bible, it is often used to describe things that come in twos, like two witnesses or two tablets.
Definition: 1) two 1a) two (the cardinal number) 1a1) two, both, double, twice 1b) second (the ordinal number) 1c) in combination with other numbers 1d) both (a dual number)
Usage: Occurs in 646 OT verses. KJV: both, couple, double, second, twain, [phrase] twelfth, [phrase] twelve, [phrase] twenty (sixscore) thousand, twice, two. See also: Genesis 1:16; Exodus 30:4; Numbers 13:23.
כֹתָרֹ֜ת
kôthereth
H3805
"capital"
N-fp
This word describes the capital or top part of a column, often decorated with intricate designs, like those found in Solomon's Temple.
Definition: capital crown, capital of a pillar
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: chapiter. See also: 1 Kings 7:16; 1 Kings 7:41; Jeremiah 52:22.
עָשָׂ֗ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
לָ/תֵ֛ת
nâthan
H5414
"to give"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This word means to give, put, or set something, with a wide range of applications. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, describing God's actions and human interactions. The word is used to convey giving, selling, or exchanging something.
Definition: : give/deliver/send/produce 1) to give, put, set 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to give, bestow, grant, permit, ascribe, employ, devote, consecrate, dedicate, pay wages, sell, exchange, lend, commit, entrust, give over, deliver up, yield produce, occasion, produce, requite to, report, mention, utter, stretch out, extend 1a2) to put, set, put on, put upon, set, appoint, assign, designate 1a3) to make, constitute 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be given, be bestowed, be provided, be entrusted to, be granted to, be permitted, be issued, be published, be uttered, be assigned 1b2) to be set, be put, be made, be inflicted 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be given, be bestowed, be given up, be delivered up 1c2) to be put upon
Usage: Occurs in 1816 OT verses. KJV: add, apply, appoint, ascribe, assign, [idiom] avenge, [idiom] be (healed), bestow, bring (forth, hither), cast, cause, charge, come, commit, consider, count, [phrase] cry, deliver (up), direct, distribute, do, [idiom] doubtless, [idiom] without fail, fasten, frame, [idiom] get, give (forth, over, up), grant, hang (up), [idiom] have, [idiom] indeed, lay (unto charge, up), (give) leave, lend, let (out), [phrase] lie, lift up, make, [phrase] O that, occupy, offer, ordain, pay, perform, place, pour, print, [idiom] pull, put (forth), recompense, render, requite, restore, send (out), set (forth), shew, shoot forth (up), [phrase] sing, [phrase] slander, strike, (sub-) mit, suffer, [idiom] surely, [idiom] take, thrust, trade, turn, utter, [phrase] weep, [phrase] willingly, [phrase] withdraw, [phrase] would (to) God, yield. See also: Genesis 1:17; Genesis 40:21; Exodus 30:12.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
רָאשֵׁ֥י
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-mp
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
הָֽ/עַמּוּדִ֖ים
ʻammûwd
H5982
"pillar"
Art | N-mp
In the Bible, this Hebrew word refers to a pillar or column, often used as a symbol of strength or support. It can also describe a platform or a stand, like a column of smoke rising into the air. The word is used in various contexts, including architecture and nature.
Definition: 1) pillar, column 1a) pillar 1b) column, upright 1c) column (of smoke)
Usage: Occurs in 84 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] apiece, pillar. See also: Exodus 13:21; 1 Kings 7:3; Psalms 75:4.
מֻצַ֣ק
yâtsaq
H3332
"to pour"
V-Hophal-Inf-c
This verb means to pour something out, like liquid or metal, and can also imply making something firm or hard. It's used in books like Isaiah 44:3 and Jeremiah 10:14.
Definition: : pour 1) to pour, flow, cast, pour out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pour, pour out 1a2) to cast 1a3) to flow 1b) (Hiphil) to pour, pour out 1c) (Hophal) 1c1) to be poured 1c2) cast, molten (participle) 1c3) being firmly established (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 49 OT verses. KJV: cast, cleave fast, be (as) firm, grow, be hard, lay out, molten, overflow, pour (out), run out, set down, stedfast. See also: Genesis 28:18; 1 Kings 7:24; Psalms 41:9.
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת
nᵉchôsheth
H5178
"bronze"
N-fs
This Hebrew word refers to copper or something made of it, like a coin or chain. It can also symbolize something base or impure, as in lust or filthiness. It appears in various KJV translations, including brasen and brass.
Definition: 1) copper, bronze 1a) copper (ore), bronze (as copper alloy) 1b) fetters (of copper or bronze) 1c) copper (as value)
Usage: Occurs in 119 OT verses. KJV: brasen, brass, chain, copper, fetter (of brass), filthiness, steel. See also: Genesis 4:22; 1 Kings 7:38; Psalms 107:16.
חָמֵ֣שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
אַמּ֗וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
"cubit"
N-fp
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.
קוֹמַת֙
qôwmâh
H6967
"height"
N-fs
Qomah refers to height or stature, describing how tall someone or something is, like the height of a person or a building in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: 1) height 1a) height, stature 1b) height
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] along, height, high, stature, tall. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:23; Isaiah 10:33.
הַ/כֹּתֶ֣רֶת
kôthereth
H3805
"capital"
Art | N-fs
This word describes the capital or top part of a column, often decorated with intricate designs, like those found in Solomon's Temple.
Definition: capital crown, capital of a pillar
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: chapiter. See also: 1 Kings 7:16; 1 Kings 7:41; Jeremiah 52:22.
הָ/אֶחָ֔ת
ʼechâd
H259
"one"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means one or united, and is used to describe something that is single or unique. It is often translated as one, first, or alone. For example, in Genesis 1:5, God calls the light day and the darkness night, and separates them into one thing from another.
Definition: 1) one (number) 1a) one (number) 1b) each, every 1c) a certain 1d) an (indefinite article) 1e) only, once, once for all 1f) one...another, the one...the other, one after another, one by one 1g) first 1h) eleven (in combination), eleventh (ordinal)
Usage: Occurs in 739 OT verses. KJV: a, alike, alone, altogether, and, any(-thing), apiece, a certain, (dai-) ly, each (one), [phrase] eleven, every, few, first, [phrase] highway, a man, once, one, only, other, some, together, See also: Genesis 1:5; Exodus 36:26; Numbers 7:70.
וְ/חָמֵ֣שׁ
châmêsh
H2568
"five"
Conj | Adj
This Hebrew word simply means the number five. It is used throughout the Bible to describe quantities of five, such as five loaves of bread in Matthew 14:17. It can also mean a multiple of five.
Definition: 1) five 1a) five (cardinal number) 1b) a multiple of five (with another number) 1c) fifth (ordinal number)
Usage: Occurs in 272 OT verses. KJV: fif(-teen), fifth, five ([idiom] apiece). See also: Genesis 5:6; Numbers 31:45; Ezra 2:66.
אַמּ֔וֹת
ʼammâh
H520
"cubit"
N-fp
A cubit is a unit of measurement, about the length of a forearm, used in the Bible to describe the size of objects like the Ark of the Covenant in Exodus. It is also used to describe a foundation or a door-base.
Definition: cubit-a measure of distance (the forearm), roughly 18 in (. 5m). There are several cubits used in the OT, the cubit of a man or common cubit (De 3:11), the legal cubit or cubit of the sanctuary (Eze 40:5) plus others. See a Bible Dictionary for a complete treatment. Aramaic equivalent: am.mah (אַמָּה "cubit" H0521)
Usage: Occurs in 132 OT verses. KJV: cubit, [phrase] hundred (by exchange for H3967 (מֵאָה)), measure, post. See also: Genesis 6:15; 2 Chronicles 3:3; Isaiah 6:4.
קוֹמַ֖ת
qôwmâh
H6967
"height"
N-fs
Qomah refers to height or stature, describing how tall someone or something is, like the height of a person or a building in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: 1) height 1a) height, stature 1b) height
Usage: Occurs in 43 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] along, height, high, stature, tall. See also: Genesis 6:15; 1 Kings 7:23; Isaiah 10:33.
הַ/כֹּתֶ֥רֶת
kôthereth
H3805
"capital"
Art | N-fs
This word describes the capital or top part of a column, often decorated with intricate designs, like those found in Solomon's Temple.
Definition: capital crown, capital of a pillar
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: chapiter. See also: 1 Kings 7:16; 1 Kings 7:41; Jeremiah 52:22.
הַ/שֵּׁנִֽית
shênîy
H8145
"second"
Art | Adj
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means second or again, like when Moses went up Mount Sinai a second time in Exodus 24:15-18. It can also mean another or something distinct.
Definition: 1) second 1a) second (the ordinal number) 1b) again (a second time) 1c) another, other (something as distinct from something else)
Usage: Occurs in 152 OT verses. KJV: again, either (of them), (an-) other, second (time). See also: Genesis 1:8; 1 Kings 6:1; Isaiah 11:11.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 7:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 7:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 7:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 7:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 7:16
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 7:16
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
Context — The Pillars and Capitals
14He 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.
15He cast two pillars of bronze, each eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference.
16He also made two capitals of cast bronze to set on top of the pillars, each capital five cubits high.
17For the capitals on top of the pillars he made a network of lattice, with wreaths of chainwork, seven for each capital. 18Likewise, he made the pillars with two rows of pomegranates around each grating to cover each capital atop the pillars.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Exodus 38:19 | with four posts and four bronze bases. Their hooks were silver, as well as the bands and the plating of their tops. |
| 2 | 2 Chronicles 4:12–13 | the two pillars; the two bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars; the two sets of network covering both bowls of the capitals atop the pillars; the four hundred pomegranates for the two sets of network (two rows of pomegranates for each network covering both the bowl-shaped capitals atop the pillars); |
| 3 | Exodus 38:17 | The bases for the posts were bronze, the hooks and bands were silver, and the plating for the tops of the posts was silver. So all the posts of the courtyard were banded with silver. |
| 4 | Exodus 36:38 | together with five posts and their hooks. He overlaid the tops of the posts and their bands with gold, and their five bases were bronze. |
| 5 | Exodus 38:28 | With the 1,775 shekels of silver he made the hooks for the posts, overlaid their tops, and supplied bands for them. |
1 Kings 7:16 Summary
This verse talks about the capitals that were made to go on top of the pillars in the temple. They were made of bronze and were five cubits high. The capitals were an important part of the temple's design, adding beauty and grandeur to the overall structure, much like the decorations in Solomon's temple (1 Kings 6:23-35). Just as the temple was a place of worship and connection with God, we can use our own talents and skills to build something beautiful for Him, as encouraged in Psalms 90:17 and Matthew 5:16.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were the capitals made of and why is that significant?
The capitals were made of cast bronze, which was a valuable and durable material, signifying the richness and grandeur of King Solomon's kingdom, as seen in 1 Kings 7:16, and reflecting the craftsmanship described in Exodus 35:35.
How did the height of the capitals relate to the pillars?
The capitals were five cubits high, which was relatively short compared to the eighteen cubit height of the pillars, as mentioned in 1 Kings 7:15, indicating a sense of proportion and balance in the design.
What was the purpose of the capitals on top of the pillars?
The capitals served as a decorative and functional element, providing a base for the network of lattice and wreaths of chainwork, as described in 1 Kings 7:17, and adding to the overall beauty and majesty of the temple, much like the decorations in Ezekiel 41:18-20.
Can we apply the idea of craftsmanship in 1 Kings 7:16 to our own lives?
Yes, just as Huram's skill and knowledge were used to create beautiful and functional pieces for the temple, we can use our own gifts and talents to serve and glorify God, as encouraged in Colossians 3:23-24 and Ephesians 2:10.
Reflection Questions
- What does the attention to detail in the construction of the temple reveal about God's character and expectations for our own work?
- How can I apply the principle of using my skills and talents to serve God, just as Huram did in the construction of the temple?
- What role does beauty and aesthetics play in our worship and service to God, as reflected in the decorative elements of the temple?
- In what ways can I use my own creative abilities to bring glory to God, whether in a physical or spiritual sense?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 7:16
And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars,.... These were large ovals in the form of a crown, as the word signifies; or like two crowns joined together, as Ben
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 7:16
And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits: No JFB commentary on this verse.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
The height of the one chapiter was five cubits. Object. It is but three cubits in . Answ. The word chapiter is taken diversely, as hundreds of other words are; either more largely for the whole, so it is five cubits; or more strictly, either for the pommels, as they are called, , or for the cornice or crown; and so it was but three cubits, to which the pomegranates being added make it four cubits, as it is below, ; and the other work upon it took up one cubit more, which in all made five cubits.
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
1 Kings 7:16 And he made two chapiters [of] molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter [was] five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter [was] five cubits:Ver. 16. To set upon the tops of the pillars.] Hence they were called chapiters, or heads, coronamenta, epistylia; crowns they are called.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
(13-50) The exceedingly graphic and elaborate description of the work of Hiram on the vessels and furniture of the Temple, and on the great pillars, bears on the very face of it the most evident marks of historical accuracy and of the use of contemporary documents, and it has, moreover, great antiquarian interest. Looked at in itself, it shows that the Temple (like many other buildings in the comparative infancy of architecture) depended for its effect, not so much on size or proportion, as on rich material, elaborate decoration, and costly furniture, on which all the resources both of treasure and art were lavished. But besides this, the sense of the especial sacredness attached to all the vessels of the Temple, which was hereafter to degenerate into a Pharisaic superstition (see Matthew 23:16-18), suggested the most careful record of every detail, and reverently traced to “the Spirit of God” the gift of “wisdom of heart” “to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,” as in Bezaleel and Aholiab for the Tabernacle (Exodus 35:31-32), so also in Hiram for the Temple. There is something especially remarkable in this broad comprehensiveness of conception which recognises the illuminating and inspiring power of the Spirit of God, not only in the moral and religious teaching of the prophet and the devotional utterances of the psalmist, but in the warlike enthusiasm of the Judge, the sagacity of the statesman, the imaginative skill of the artist, and the wisdom of the philosophic thinker. Nothing could more strikingly illustrate the Apostolic declaration: “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4).
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 7:16
13–22. Hiram a Tyrian worker in brass casts the pillars Jachin and Boaz (2 Chronicles 2:4; 2 Chronicles 3:15-17) 13. sent and fet] ‘Fet’ is the old English past tense of the verb ‘fetch,’ and occurs several times in the version of 1611 (e.g. Genesis 18:7) but the more modern form has been introduced into our Bibles since 1750. Hiram out of Tyre] The name of this workman is spelt Huram in 2 Chronicles 4:11. He was highly esteemed by the Tyrian king who in 2 Chronicles 2:13 calls him ‘Huram my father,’ and in a later verse (2 Chronicles 4:16) it is said ‘the vessels thereof did Huram his father make for king Solomon.’ So that he became as much treasured by the one king as by the other. For the expression cp. Genesis 45:8 where Joseph speaks of himself as a father to Pharaoh.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 7:16
The general character of the “chapiters” or capitals, their great size in proportion to the shaft, which is as one to two, and their construction of two quite different members, remind us of the
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:16
16. Two chapiters — Or capitals. Molten brass — Brass melted, so as to be cast into the forms desired.