Lexical Summary kothereth: Capital, Chapiter Original Word: כֹתֶרֶת Strong's Exhaustive Concordance chapiter Feminine active participle of kathar; the capital of a column -- chapiter. see HEBREW kathar NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kathar Definition capital (of a pillar) NASB Translation capital (11), capitals (12), crown (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs כֹּתֶ֫רֶת, כּוֺתֶ֫רֶת noun feminine capital of pillar (as surrounding, crowning its top ?); — absolute כֹּתֶרֶת 1 Kings 7:16 (twice in verse) + 10 t.; הַכּוֺתֶרֶת Jeremiah 52:; plural absolute, כֹּתָרֹת 1 Kings 7:16 7t., כֹּתָרוֺת2Chronicles 4:12 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 4:13; — capitals of pillars יָכִין and בֹּעַז 1 Kings 7:16 (3 t. in verse) + 12 t. 1 Kings 7 2Chronicles 4:12 (twice in verse); 2Chronicles 4:13; 2 Kings 25:17 (3 t. in verse) = Jeremiah 52:22 (3 t. in verse). Topical Lexicon Definition in Context כֹּתֶרֶת (kōteret) denotes the ornate “capital” or “crown” fixed to the top of a pillar or stand. Rather than a mere architectural accessory, Scripture treats each kōteret as an integral, meaningful component of the building it completes. Occurrences and Narrative Setting 1. First Temple Construction (1 Kings 7; 2 Chronicles 4) Artistic Features • Size and Material: Cast wholly of bronze (1 Kings 7:16). These details reveal a fusion of strength and delicacy—heavy bronze fashioned into botanical forms—hinting at the Creator’s own union of power and beauty. Symbolic Significance 1. Headship and Completion A pillar’s capital completes the structure just as a crown completes a king. The temple capitals visually declare that the house is whole, ordered, and under God’s sovereignty. Pomegranates—filled with seeds—embody abundance. Encircling the capitals, they testify that true fruitfulness flows from worship centered on the LORD. The lily motif, frequently linked with purity, highlights the set-apart nature of the temple precincts (cf. Hosea 14:5). Jakin (“He establishes”) and Boaz (“In Him is strength”) receive their kōteret as crowns, reinforcing the covenant promise: God establishes His people in strength when they abide in His presence. Historical Trajectory • Dedication and Glory (circa 960 BC): At the temple’s inauguration, the capitals shimmered above the courts as the cloud of glory filled the house (1 Kings 8:10-11). Ministry and Devotional Implications 1. Worship Must Be Crowned with Holiness As the capital sanctified the pillar’s summit, so every ministry endeavor requires a “crown” of consecration. The LORD ordained elaborate artistry for His house, demonstrating that aesthetic excellence can—and should—serve sacred purposes. The removal of the kōteret warns that outward grandeur cannot compensate for inward corruption. True security lies in obedience. “The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone” (Psalm 118:22). Jesus unites foundation and crown: He is both the beginning and the perfecting of the household of faith (Hebrews 12:2). Key Passages 1 Kings 7:17 – “The capitals on top of the pillars were decorated with networks of checkerwork, with festoons of chainwork—seven for each capital.” 1 Kings 7:20 – “On the capitals of both pillars, above the rounded portion next to the latticework, there were two hundred pomegranates in rows all around.” 2 Kings 25:17 – “The bronze capital atop one pillar was three cubits high and was adorned with a network and pomegranates of bronze all around.” Jeremiah 52:22 – “A bronze capital was on top of one pillar… surrounded by a network with pomegranates, all of bronze.” In every appearance, כֹּתֶרֶת points upward—both literally and spiritually—directing worshipers to the majesty, fruitfulness, and holiness found in the God who crowns His dwelling with glory. Forms and Transliterations הַכֹּֽתָר֔וֹת הַכֹּֽתָרֹ֔ת הַכֹּֽתָרֹת֙ הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת הַכֹּתֶ֣רֶת הַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת הַכֹּתֶרֶת֮ הַכֹּתָרֹ֛ת הַכּוֹתֶ֛רֶת הכותרת הכתרות הכתרת וְהַכֹּתָר֛וֹת וְכֹֽתָרֹ֗ת וְכֹתֶ֨רֶת וְכֹתָרֹ֗ת והכתרות וכתרת כֹתָרֹ֜ת כתרת לַכֹּ֣תָרֹ֔ת לַכֹּתֶ֖רֶת לַכֹּתֶ֣רֶת לַכֹּתֶ֤רֶת לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת לכתרת chotaRot hak·kō·ṯā·rō·wṯ hak·kō·ṯā·rōṯ hak·kō·ṯe·reṯ hak·kō·w·ṯe·reṯ hakkotaRot hakkōṯārōṯ hakkōṯārōwṯ hakkoTeret hakkōṯereṯ hakkōwṯereṯ ḵō·ṯā·rōṯ ḵōṯārōṯ lak·kō·ṯā·rōṯ lak·kō·ṯe·reṯ lakKotaRot lakkōṯārōṯ lakkoTeret lakkōṯereṯ vechotaRot vechoTeret vehakkotaRot wə·hak·kō·ṯā·rō·wṯ wə·ḵō·ṯā·rōṯ wə·ḵō·ṯe·reṯ wəhakkōṯārōwṯ wəḵōṯārōṯ wəḵōṯereṯLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 1 Kings 7:16 HEB: וּשְׁתֵּ֨י כֹתָרֹ֜ת עָשָׂ֗ה לָתֵ֛ת NAS: two capitals of molten KJV: two chapiters [of] molten INT: two capitals made to set 1 Kings 7:16 1 Kings 7:16 1 Kings 7:17 1 Kings 7:17 1 Kings 7:17 1 Kings 7:18 1 Kings 7:18 1 Kings 7:19 1 Kings 7:20 1 Kings 7:20 1 Kings 7:31 1 Kings 7:41 1 Kings 7:41 1 Kings 7:42 2 Kings 25:17 2 Kings 25:17 2 Kings 25:17 2 Chronicles 4:12 2 Chronicles 4:12 2 Chronicles 4:13 Jeremiah 52:22 Jeremiah 52:22 Jeremiah 52:22 24 Occurrences |
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