What is the meaning of 1 Kings 7:21? Thus he set up the pillars at the portico of the temple “Thus he set up the pillars at the portico of the temple.” (1 Kings 7:21a) • The verse records a literal moment: two massive bronze pillars, cast by Hiram (1 Kings 7:15-16), are raised at the very entrance to Solomon’s temple. • Pillars at an entrance proclaim both welcome and boundary. Like the tabernacle’s posts and veil (Exodus 26:37), they mark where common space ends and holy space begins. • By situating them at the portico, Solomon visually preaches Psalm 24:7—“Lift up your heads, O gates… that the King of Glory may come in.” • The pillars embody permanence. As Exodus 40:33 shows Moses completing the tabernacle, so Solomon’s setting of these pillars signals the temple’s completion and readiness for God’s presence (1 Kings 8:10-11). The pillar to the south he named Jachin “The pillar to the south he named Jachin.” (1 Kings 7:21b) • Naming was never casual in Scripture. “Jachin” declares, “He establishes.” • The south-side pillar reminds worshipers that God establishes every lasting work: – 2 Samuel 7:13—God promises to “establish” David’s house. – 1 Chronicles 17:12—He “establishes” a throne forever. – Isaiah 40:8—“The word of our God stands forever.” • Each entrance into the temple confronts the worshiper with this truth: your footing is firm only because the Lord sets it so (Psalm 40:2, 1 Peter 5:10). • In Christ, the ultimate Temple, God fulfills this promise (John 2:19-21, Revelation 3:12). and the pillar to the north he named Boaz “...and the pillar to the north he named Boaz.” (1 Kings 7:21c) • “Boaz” proclaims, “In Him is strength.” • Standing opposite Jachin, this pillar balances the message: the same God who establishes also empowers. – Psalm 28:7—“The LORD is my strength and my shield.” – Psalm 29:11—“The LORD gives strength to His people.” – Habakkuk 3:19—“The Lord GOD is my strength.” – Ephesians 6:10—“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” • Visitors entered between Stability (Jachin) and Strength (Boaz), a living sermon on God’s sufficiency. • The paired names hint at covenant completeness: God both begins and sustains (Philippians 1:6, Jude 24-25). summary 1 Kings 7:21 records more than architectural detail. Two real bronze pillars, planted at the temple’s threshold, bear names that preach: the Lord establishes (Jachin) and the Lord strengthens (Boaz). Every worshiper passing between them encountered this double assurance—God makes His dwelling secure and empowers His people to stand. The verse invites us today to enter God’s presence resting on the same certainties: His work cannot be shaken, and His strength will not fail. |
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