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 3:17KJVWhat 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.