And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.

1 KINGS 7:21KJV
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1 Kings 7:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:21 mean?

1 Kings 7:21 describes how two large pillars were set up at the entrance of Solomon’s temple, with the right pillar named Jachin and the left pillar named Boaz. These pillars were given specific names, marking them as significant features in the temple’s design.

In this verse, the writer is describing the construction of Solomon’s temple in Jerusalem, focusing on the porch area at the entrance. The person overseeing this work is Hiram, a skilled craftsman brought from Tyre. Naming the pillars “Jachin” (meaning “He will establish”) and “Boaz” (meaning “In him is strength”) shows that these were not just structural supports but carried symbolic meaning for Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:21

  • יָכִין (Yakhin, “Jachin”): This name is often understood as “He will establish.” Placing this name on the right pillar may have symbolized stability and God’s promise to establish His people.
  • בֹּעַז (Boaz, “Boaz”): This name is often understood as “In him is strength.” Naming the left pillar Boaz could point to the idea that strength comes from God.
  • אוּלָם (ulam, “porch”): This word refers to the entrance area of the temple, highlighting that these pillars stood at a prominent and visible place, marking the threshold between the outside world and the holy space inside.

Why 1 Kings 7:21 matters

  • This verse clears up that the pillars were not just architectural features but were given names with deep meaning, showing their symbolic importance in Israel’s worship.
  • By naming the pillars, the text emphasizes that every part of the temple was designed with intention and meaning, not just for function but to communicate something about God’s relationship with His people.
  • Understanding the placement and naming of these pillars helps clarify the careful planning and craftsmanship that went into building the temple, which is a major theme in this part of 1 Kings.

Where else these words appear

“Jachin” Hebrew H3199 · used in 8 verses

  • Genesis 46:10 And the sons of Simeon; Jemuel, and Jamin, and Ohad, and Jachin, and Zohar, and Shaul the son of a Canaanitish woman.
  • Numbers 26:12 The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites: of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites: of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites:
  • 1 Chronicles 24:17 The one and twentieth to Jachin, the two and twentieth to Gamul,

“left” Hebrew H8042 · used in 9 verses

  • Leviticus 14:15 And the priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand:
  • Leviticus 14:26 And the priest shall pour of the oil into the palm of his own left hand:
  • 2 Chronicles 3:17 And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

“right” Hebrew H3233 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 29:20 Then shalt thou kill the ram, and take of his blood, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and upon the tip of the right ear of his sons, and upon the thumb of their right hand, and upon the great toe of their right foot, and sprinkle the blood upon the altar round about.
  • Leviticus 14:25 And he shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering, and the priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and put it upon the tip of the right ear of him that is to be cleansed, and upon the thumb of his right hand, and upon the great toe of his right foot:
  • 2 Chronicles 3:17 And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.

“Boaz” Hebrew H1162 · used in 22 verses

  • Ruth 2:1 And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.
  • Ruth 2:15 And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not:
  • Ruth 4:8 Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he drew off his shoe.