1 Kings 7:15

King James Version (KJV)

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.

Adam Clarke
Bible Commentary

He cast two pillars - eighteen cubits high - That is, about thirty feet in English measure.

A line of twelve cubits - In circumference. It would be difficult even now to procure a founder who could cast such massive pillars, whether solid or hollow.

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Albert Barnes
Notes on the Whole Bible

These famous pillars, which were broken in pieces by the Babylonians when they destroyed Jerusalem 2 Kings 25:13; Jeremiah 52:17, were probably for ornament, standing by themselves under or in front of the porch. It is certain that the Phoenicians used isolated metal columns as sacred ornaments, so that Hiram would be familiar with such a mode of ornamentation. Eighteen cubits appear to have been the height of the shaft only. Adding the capital 1 Kings 7:16, 1 Kings 7:19, the entire metal pillar was 27 cubits high; and if it had a stone base of eight cubits, which would not be greatly out of proportion, the height of 35 cubits (52 12 feet, 2 Chronicles 3:15) would have been reached. The height of some of the Persepolitan columns, with which these pillars may be best compared, is 67 feet. The circumference of 12 cubits (18 feet) implies a diameter of about 5 feet 9 inches at the base, which would make the column somewhat heavy in appearance. Egyptian pillars were, however, even thicker in proportion to their height. On the supposition that a portion of the original text has fallen out, this verse has been thus completed: “He cast two pillars of brass; eighteen cubits was the height of the one pillar, and eighteen cubits was the height of the other pillar; and a line of twelve cubits compassed the one pillar, and a line of twelve cubits compassed the other pillar.”

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Matthew Henry
Concise Bible Commentary

The two brazen pillars in the porch of the temple, some think, were to teach those that came to worship, to depend upon God only, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. "Jachin," God will fix this roving mind. It is good that the heart be established with grace. "Boaz," In him is our strength, who works in us both to will and to do. Spiritual strength and stability are found at the door of God's temple, where we must wait for the gifts of grace, in use of the means of grace. Spiritual priests and spiritual sacrifices must be washed in the laver of Christ's blood, and of regeneration. We must wash often, for we daily contract pollution. There are full means provided for our cleansing; so that if we have our lot for ever among the unclean it will be our own fault. Let us bless God for the fountain opened by the sacrifice of Christ for sin and for uncleanness.

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SDA Bible Commentary (limited)
Volume 1-7

15. Two pillars. Specifications concerning various parts of the pillars are given in a number of places, but not in sufficient detail to make the description entirely clear. The main shaft itself seems to have been 18 cu. (1 Kings 7:15; 2 Kings 25:17; Jer. 52:21), with capitals consisting of several members of various sizes, some of 3 cu. (2 Kings 25:17), of 4 cu. (1 Kings 7:19), and 5 cu. (1 Kings 7:16, 2; 2 Chron. 3:15; Jer. 52:22). In 2 Chron. 3:15 the height is given as 35 cu., which some regard as the over-all height, including the various members of the capitals and perhaps the base as well. Others take it to be the length of the two pillars. This finds some support in the fact that in 2 Chron. 3:15 the Heb. ’orek, “length,” is used, whereas here qomah, “height,” is used. The circumference of these pillars is given as 12 cu., which implies a diameter of 5 1/2 ft. (1.7 m.) In Jer. 52:21 we are told that they were hollow, and that the thickness of the brass was “four fingers.”

It is not clear whether the pillars were primarily for use or for ornament. Some believe that they served as supports to the roof of the Temple porch. Others think that they stood by themselves, under or in front of the porch. It is not likely that the purpose was for the support of the roof, for supporting pillars of brass are not employed in buildings of stone, and the measurements do not accord with those of the Temple porch. On Phoenician coins, temples are often pictured with a tall independent pillar on either side. Several clay models of temples excavated in Syria exhibit this feature, as does an actual temple uncovered at Tell Tainat in northern Syria. Every indication is that Solomon’s pillars were intended as works of art, and not as supports for the roof.

The names Jachin, “He shall establish,” and Boaz, probably meaning “in him is strength” (v. 21), doubtless were meant to betoken a realization of the fact that the strength of Israel and all its institutions comes from God (Ps. 28:7, 8; 46:1, 2; 62:7, 8; 140:7; Isa. 45:24; 49:5; Jer. 16:19), and that it is He who establishes the kingdom and His people in righteousness and mercy (Deut. 28:9; 29:13; 2 Sam. 7:12, 13; 1 Kings 9:5; Ps. 89:4; 90:17; Prov. 16:12; 16:5; 54:14). It is significant that when Israel forsook God and righteousness, the nation destroyed itself (Hosea 13:9; 14:1). When Nebuchadnezzar took Jerusalem, Solomon’s famous pillars were taken to Babylon (2 Kings 25:13; Jer. 52:17).