1 Kings 7:17

For the capitals on top of the pillars he made a network of lattice, with wreaths of chainwork, seven for each capital.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — The biblical narrator describes Solomon’s temple construction to the reader, detailing the artisan’s work on the bronze pillars’ capitals. This passage occurs within the broader account of the sanctuary’s architectural specifications and furnishings.

The words — The text uses שְׂבָכִים (seva.khim) for “networks” and שַׁרְשְׁר֔וֹת (shar.she.rot) for “chains” to describe the lattice and wreath designs. These terms specify the interwoven metalwork that formed the decorative grating over each capital.

The thread — The imagery of chainwork appears in Exodus 28:14, 28:22, and 28:24, where braided gold chains secure the high priest’s breastplate. Both passages employ similar metalwork terminology to denote intricate, functional ornamentation in sacred objects.

Why it lands — The verse records the exact number and arrangement of the metal lattice, emphasizing precision in the temple’s fabrication. It requires the reader to note the deliberate craftsmanship and structural detail applied to the sanctuary’s entrance pillars.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Hebrew words

שְׂבָכִ֞יםse.va.Khimnetworks מַעֲשֵׂ֣הma.'a.Sehwork of שְׂבָכָ֗הse.va.Khaha network גְּדִלִים֙ge.di.Limfestoons מַעֲשֵׂ֣הma.'a.Sehwork of שַׁרְשְׁר֔וֹתshar.she.Rotchains לַכֹּ֣תָרֹ֔תla./Ko.ta.Rot[belonged] to the/ capitals אֲשֶׁ֖ר'a.Sherwhich עַל־'al-[were] on רֹ֣אשׁrosh[the] top of הָעַמּוּדִ֑יםha./'a.mu.Dimthe/ pillars שִׁבְעָה֙shiv.'Ahseven לַכֹּתֶ֣רֶתla./ko.Te.retfor the/ capital הָאֶחָ֔תha./'e.Chat<the>/ one וְשִׁבְעָ֖הve./shiv.'Ahand/ seven לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶתla./ko.Te.retfor the/ capital הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ha./she.Nit<the>/ second

King James Version

And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.

Cross-references

Exodus 28:14 and two chains of pure gold, made of braided cord work; and attach these chains to the settings.
Exodus 28:22 For the breastpiece, make braided chains like cords of pure gold.
Exodus 28:24 Then fasten the two gold chains to the two gold rings at the corners of the breastpiece,
Exodus 39:15 For the breastpiece they made braided chains like cords of pure gold.
2 Kings 25:17 Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall. The bronze capital atop one pillar was three cubits high, with a network of bronze pomegranates all around. The second pillar, with its network, was similar.