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.

2 CHRONICLES 3:17KJV
Know the Bible

2 Chronicles 3:17 (KJV)

What does 2 Chronicles 3:17 mean?

2 Chronicles 3:17 describes how two large pillars were set up at the entrance of Solomon’s temple, with one on the right called Jachin and one on the left called Boaz. These pillars were given specific names and stood as prominent features in front of the temple building.

This verse is part of a detailed account of Solomon building the temple in Jerusalem. The writer is describing the physical construction and decoration of the temple, focusing here on the two pillars placed at the entrance. Naming the pillars highlights their importance and may reflect deeper symbolic meanings for the people of Israel.

The Hebrew behind 2 Chronicles 3:17

  • יָכִין (Yakhin, “Jachin”): This name is often understood as “He establishes” or “He will establish.” Naming the right pillar Jachin suggests a sense of stability or foundation, which would have been meaningful at the entrance of the temple.
  • בֹּעַז (Bo‘az, “Boaz”): This name is often understood as “In him is strength.” Naming the left pillar Boaz may have symbolized strength or power, complementing the idea of establishment from the other pillar.
  • הֵיכָל (heikhal, “temple”): This word refers specifically to the main sanctuary building, making it clear that these pillars were not just decorative but marked the entrance to the most sacred space.
  • יָמִין (yamin, “right hand”) and שְׂמֹאול (smo‘l, “left”): These words specify the exact placement of each pillar, emphasizing their intentional arrangement and the care taken in the temple’s design.

Why 2 Chronicles 3:17 matters

  • 2 Chronicles 3:17 clears up that the pillars were not structural supports but free-standing, named features at the temple entrance, which is sometimes misunderstood.
  • The specific names and placements of the pillars show that every detail of the temple was carefully planned and symbolically significant, not random or decorative alone.
  • This verse connects to the broader theme of the temple as a place of God’s presence, with the pillars possibly representing God’s promises of stability (“Jachin”) and strength (“Boaz”) to Israel.

Where else these words appear

“hand” Hebrew H3227 · used in 2 verses

  • Ezekiel 4:6 And when thou hast accomplished them, lie again on thy right side, and thou shalt bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days: I have appointed thee each day for a year.

“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 9:10 And of the priests; Jedaiah, and Jehoiarib, and Jachin,

“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 Kings 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.

“hand” 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 Kings 11:11 And the guard stood, every man with his weapons in his hand, round about the king, from the right corner of the temple to the left corner of the temple, along by the altar and the temple.