Pommel
## The Pommel in Solomon's Temple The term 'pommel' is found in the King James Version's description of the two massive bronze pillars that flanked the entrance to Solomon's Temple (2 Chronicles 4:12-13). These pillars, named Jachin (meaning 'He establishes') and Boaz (meaning 'In Him is strength'), were crowned with ornate capitals. The KJV describes these capitals as having a 'pommel,' a word derived from Old French meaning a rounded knob or ball. Most modern translations, including the ESV, NIV, and CSB, more accurately translate the Hebrew word gullah as 'bowl,' referring to the bowl-shaped structure that formed the top of each capital.
## Architectural Description and Symbolism According to the biblical account, each pillar stood about 27 feet tall (1 Kings 7:15), with the pommel or bowl-shaped capital adding another 7.5 feet. The capitals were elaborately decorated with networks of chainwork and rows of pomegranates (2 Chronicles 3:16). This lavish ornamentation served a dual purpose: it displayed the excellence and beauty appropriate for God's house, and it symbolized fertility, abundance, and the covenant community. The names of the pillars themselves—Jachin and Boaz—declared a theological truth about God's enduring establishment of His covenant and the strength found in Him.
## Historical and Cultural Context In ancient Near Eastern architecture, freestanding pillars at temple entrances were common, often symbolizing the presence of the deity and marking sacred space. The detailed description of the temple's construction in 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 3-4 emphasizes that every element was carefully designed and crafted according to divine wisdom given to Solomon and the craftsman Hiram of Tyre. The use of bronze, a costly and durable material, and the intricate artwork demonstrated the immense resources and skill devoted to creating a dwelling worthy of Yahweh.
## Theological Significance The pommel-crowned pillars were not merely decorative; they were theological signposts. Their prominent placement at the temple's entrance served as a constant visual reminder to all who approached that they were entering the place where God had chosen to dwell among His people. The stability and permanence suggested by the massive bronze structures pointed to the unchanging nature of God and His covenant promises. In the grand narrative of Scripture, these temple artifacts point forward to the true and permanent dwelling of God with humanity ultimately realized in Jesus Christ (John 2:19-21) and the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:22).
Biblical Context
The term 'pommel' appears exclusively in 2 Chronicles 4:12-13 (KJV) in the context of describing the ornate capitals atop the two bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz) that stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. Parallel accounts in 1 Kings 7:41-42 describe the same features using the term 'bowls.' These pillars were integral to the temple's architecture, marking the threshold between the common and the sacred.
Theological Significance
The pommel-crowned pillars symbolized God's established covenant (Jachin) and the strength found in Him (Boaz). They represented the stability, permanence, and beauty of God's dwelling with His people. As entrance markers to the temple, they visually communicated that access to God's presence was founded on His faithful promises and power. They point to the theological truth that God initiates and sustains relationship with His people.
Historical Background
Archaeological finds from the ancient Near East, such as ivory carvings and temple models, show that freestanding pillars with decorated capitals were a common architectural feature in religious and royal structures. The detailed description of the temple's construction aligns with known Phoenician craftsmanship of the period, as Hiram, the chief craftsman, was from Tyre. The use of bronze, a material requiring advanced metallurgical skill, highlights the technological capabilities of the 10th century BCE.