And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

1 KINGS 7:22KJV
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1 Kings 7:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 7:22 mean?

1 Kings 7:22 marks the completion of the two pillars made for the entrance to Solomon’s temple. The mention of lily-shaped decoration shows that the finished pillars included carefully fashioned details at their tops, not just the tall bronze columns themselves.

The verse gives a final picture of those upper decorations after the pillars receive their names in verse 21. The narrator then moves on to describe another bronze object made for the temple in verse 23.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 7:22

  • “lily” — שׁוֹשַׁן (shoshan): This word refers to a lily or lily-like flower. Here it describes the flower-shaped pattern used in the decoration at the tops of the pillars.
  • “finished” — תָּמַם (tamam): This word carries the sense of being complete. Its use marks the end of the work on the pillars before the account turns to another object.

Why 1 Kings 7:22 matters

  • The pillars were decorated objects as well as large structures. Verse 22 draws attention to the “lily work” at their tops, while the earlier description includes other decorative features.

  • The two named pillars belong to the same completed project. Verse 21 calls them Jachin and Boaz, and verse 22 closes the account of the work on both.

  • The verse marks a change of subject within the account of the temple furnishings. The word “finished” closes the description of the pillars before verse 23 introduces the large bronze basin called the “molten sea.”

Where else these words appear

“lily” Hebrew H7799 · used in 15 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.
  • Psalms 69:1 To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.
  • Song of Solomon 5:13 His cheeks are as a bed of spices, as sweet flowers: his lips like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh.

“finished” Hebrew H8552 · used in 62 verses

  • Genesis 47:15 And when money failed in the land of Egypt, and in the land of Canaan, all the Egyptians came unto Joseph, and said, Give us bread: for why should we die in thy presence? for the money faileth.
  • Joshua 5:8 And it came to pass, when they had done circumcising all the people, that they abode in their places in the camp, till they were whole.
  • Isaiah 16:4 Let mine outcasts dwell with thee, Moab; be thou a covert to them from the face of the spoiler: for the extortioner is at an end, the spoiler ceaseth, the oppressors are consumed out of the land.

“pillars” Hebrew H5982 · used in 84 verses

  • Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:
  • Exodus 39:33 And they brought the tabernacle unto Moses, the tent, and all his furniture, his taches, his boards, his bars, and his pillars, and his sockets,
  • 2 Kings 25:13 And the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.

“work” Hebrew H4399 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 2:2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
  • Numbers 28:26 Also in the day of the firstfruits, when ye bring a new meat offering unto the LORD, after your weeks be out, ye shall have an holy convocation; ye shall do no servile work:
  • 2 Chronicles 24:13 So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it.