II Chronicles 3:16 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 3:16 Commentary: Pillar Ornaments in Context
Hebrew · 6 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Why does 2 Chronicles 3:16 mention chains 'in the inner sanctuary' when the pillars stood outside? Explore the textual puzzle and the symbolism of pomegranates.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Description of ornamental chains and pomegranates on the capitals of the two bronze pillars before the temple porch.
- Key words: Chains (שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת, sharsherōt), inner sanctuary (דְּבִיר, dəḇîr), pomegranates (רִמּוֹנִים, rimmōnîm), pillars (עַמּוּדִים, ammūdîm).
- Main debate: Whether the phrase “in the inner sanctuary” refers to location or is a textual error/gloss from 1 Kings 6:21.
- Theological theme: God’s dwelling place is adorned with symbols of fruitfulness and beauty, pointing to His abundant life and the extension of His glory outward.
- Best use: Illustrating the attention to detail in worship, the symbolic richness of temple architecture, and the value of grappling with textual issues honestly.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
He made interwoven chains and put them on top of the pillars. He made a hundred pomegranates and fastened them into the chainwork.
WEB World English Bible 2000
He made chains in the inner sanctuary, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made one hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
KJV King James Version 1769
And he made chains, as in the oracle, and put them on the heads of the pillars; and made an hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
And he made chains in the oracle, and put them on the tops of the pillars; and he made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
And he maketh chains in the oracle, and putteth on the heads of the pillars, and maketh a hundred pomegranates, and putteth on the chains.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
And he made chains [as] in the oracle, and he put them on the top of the pillars; and he made a hundred pomegranates, and put them on the chains.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
He made also as it were little chains in the oracle, and he put them on the heads of the pillars: and a hundred pomegranates, which he put between the little chains.
Translations in other languages (10 available)
Hizo asimismo cadenas en el oratorio, y púsolas sobre los capiteles de las columnas: é hizo cien granadas, las cuales puso en las cadenas.
Fez também correntes, como no compartimento interno, e as pôs sobre os capitéis das colunas: e fez cem romãs, as quais pôs nas correntes.
Il fit des chaînettes comme celles qui étaient dans le sanctuaire, et les plaça sur le sommet des colonnes, et il fit cent grenades qu’ il mit dans les chaînettes.
und machte Ketten zum Gitterwerk und tat sie oben an die Säulen und machte hundert Granatäpfel und tat sie an die Ketten
Ook maakte hij ketenen, als in de aanspraakplaats, en hij zette ze op de hoofden der pilaren; daartoe maakte hij honderd granaatappelen, en zette ze tussen de ketenen.
E fece delle catenelle, come quelle che erano nel santuario, e le pose in cima alle colonne; e fece cento melagrane, che sospese alle catenelle.
Sprawił też łańcuszki, jako w świątnicy, a przyprawił je na wierzch onych słupów; sprawił też sto jabłek granatowych, które wprawił między one łańcuszki.
И сделал цепочки, как во святилище, и положил на верху столбов, и сделал сто гранатовых яблок и положил на цепочки.
又照聖所 內鍊子的樣式做 鍊子，安 在 柱 頂上；又做 一百 石榴，安 在鍊子上。
And he made chains, like neck ornaments, and put them on the tops of the pillars, and a hundred apples on the chains.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · II Chronicles 3:16
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that this verse describes ornamental chains and pomegranates placed on the capitals of the two bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood before the temple porch (verses 15, 17). The main difficulty is the phrase “in the inner sanctuary” (Hebrew baddəḇîr). Since the pillars were outside the sanctuary, Keil and Delitzsch argue for a textual emendation: the word arose from rabîḏ (“necklace”) by transposition of letters, so the chains were on a ring or collar on the pillar’s capital. The Cambridge Bible notes that the words “in the oracle” are probably a gloss introduced from 1 Kings 6:21, which speaks of gold chains “before the inner sanctuary.” Barnes suggests the original text may have lost a letter, leading translators to supply “as” (so KJV: “chains, as in the oracle”). Despite this puzzle, all agree the chains and pomegranates belonged to the capitals, matching the parallel account in 1 Kings 7:17-20. The pomegranates, a common temple motif, likely symbolized fruitfulness and divine blessing.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Textual emendation view: Keil and Delitzsch, followed by many, propose reading 'in a ring/necklace' (bā-rabîd) instead of 'in the sanctuary' (ba-dəḇîr). This resolves the geographical problem and matches 1 Kings 7:17.
- Gloss view: The Cambridge Bible suggests the phrase is a marginal note from 1 Kings 6:21 that entered the text. The chains of gold 'before the inner sanctuary' in Kings became attached to the pillar description in Chronicles.
- Harmonistic reading: Barnes and Matthew Henry understand 'as in the oracle,' meaning the chains were made in the style of those in the holy of holies. This keeps the received text intact without emendation.
- Literal reading: A minority view holds that the chains were actually made inside the sanctuary and then brought out, or that the text refers to a different set of chains. Context weighs against this.
What is clear: Despite the textual puzzle, all sides agree that chains and pomegranates decorated the capitals of the two pillars Jachin and Boaz, forming part of the rich ornamentation of Solomon’s temple.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Location of the chains | The chains adorned the pillar capitals outside the temple porch. | Whether the phrase 'in the inner sanctuary' means the chains were made there (and then placed on the pillars) or is a textual corruption/gloss. Keil and Delitzsch argue for an emendation to 'necklace'; Cambridge Bible calls it a gloss from 1 Kings 6:21; Barnes leaves the text as a crux. |
| Number of pomegranates | Pomegranates were part of the capital ornamentation. | 100 per capital in 2 Chronicles 3:16 vs 200 per capital in 1 Kings 7:20. Possible explanations: the Chronicler counted one row (the second row being implied), or his source used a different counting method (per side vs total circumference). |
| Textual integrity of the verse | The verse describes the same pillars as 1 Kings 7:15-22. | Whether the Hebrew text is original or corrupted. Some see a transposition of letters from רָבִיד (necklace); some see a scribal addition; others accept the plain reading 'in the oracle' as marking the style of the chains. |
| Meaning of 'chains' | Chains were decorative metal network on the capitals. | Whether they were actual chains hanging loosely or a lattice-like network (שְׂבָכָה in 1 Kings 7:17). The word שַׁרְשְׁרוֹת can mean a chain or something chain-like; the parallel text uses 'network'. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The two pillars, Jachin (“He will establish”) and Boaz (“in Him is strength”), stood at the entrance of the temple porch. According to 1 Kings 7:15-22, each pillar was eighteen cubits high with a capital of five cubits. The Chronicler gives a total height of thirty-five cubits (2 Chronicles 3:15), a number many scholars think arose from a scribal confusion: the Hebrew letters for 18 (י”ח) and 35 (ל”ה) look similar. The capital itself had two parts: a lower section, one cubit high, covered with chain-like network and decorated with two rows of pomegranates, and an upper section shaped like an open lily, four cubits high (1 Kings 7:17-20). The chains (sharsherōt) and pomegranates (rimmōnîm) described in this verse belong to that lower network.
The word dəḇîr normally means “the innermost room” of the temple, the holy of holies. Its appearance here is puzzling because the pillars were not inside that space. Some solutions: the Chronicler may have used a source that read “in the ring” (from rabîḏ), or the phrase is a marginal note that entered the text. The LXX reads “chains in the oracle,” showing the reading was already established by the third century BC. The number one hundred pomegranates also raises questions: 1 Kings 7:20 says two hundred were on each capital. Possibly the Chronicler counted only one row, or his text differed. The temple’s ornamentation was rich with agricultural symbols, pomegranates, lilies, gourds, reflecting the land’s fertility as God’s gift.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this verse other than the ambiguous phrase “in the inner sanctuary” (Hebrew ba-dəḇîr). The KJV and some older translations render it “as in the oracle,” adding the word “as” to smooth the reading (a conjectural emendation based on the assumption that a single letter was dropped). The LXX includes the phrase, so the reading is early. Several commentators (Keil and Delitzsch, Cambridge Bible) argue for a corruption: the original may have read ba-rāḇîd (“in a necklace/ring”), which was miswritten as ba-dəḇîr by transposition of two letters. This would connect directly to the capital’s network. No further variants are mentioned in the supplied material.
Reception History
Throughout church history, this verse has been read within the broader typological tradition of the temple. Early and medieval interpreters often saw the pillars Jachin and Boaz as types of the apostles or the twin pillars of the law and gospel. The pomegranates, already a symbol on the high priest’s robe (Exodus 28:33-34), were taken to represent the fruitfulness of the church or the many good works of the saints. The textual difficulty of “in the inner sanctuary” prompted commentary from the Reformation onward: Matthew Henry treats it practically, seeing the pillars as ornamented with chains “like those in the oracle” to unify the inner and outer aspects of the temple. In modern scholarship, the verse became a test case for understanding the Chronicler’s editorial method, whether he freely adapted his source (1 Kings 7) or had a different textual tradition. The verse continues to remind readers that even small details in Scripture can open windows into the history of its transmission and the richness of its symbolism.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God’s attention to beauty in worship. The chains and pomegranates were purely decorative, not functional. They show that worship spaces can reflect the Creator’s own delight in artistry and order.
- Pillars that bear witness. Jachin and Boaz stood at the entrance as silent proclaimers: God establishes and strengthens His people. The ornamental chains and fruit suggest that those who stand in God’s house are bound together in fruitful witness.
- From sanctuary to porch. Even if the textual puzzle remains, the link between the inner sanctuary and the outer pillars hints that the glory inside the temple extends outward. What is hidden in the holy of holies shapes what is seen at the entrance.
Five-point outline
- Textual difficulty reminds us that Scripture comes through human copyists, yet the church has preserved its meaning faithfully.
- The chains speak of connection, binding the capital to the pillar, binding the community to God.
- Pomegranates symbolize fruitfulness, not as earned produce but as evidence of the vine’s life (John 15:5).
- The number one hundred may represent completeness (a round number) or simply record what was seen.
- The verse’s place in the temple inventory shows that God cares about details, both grand and small.
Illustration hooks
- A builder chooses decorative corbels under a roof beam: they hold nothing up, but they make the house feel finished and beautiful.
- A wedding reception hall is strung with lights and fresh pomegranates on the tables. The decorations serve no practical need; they express joy and honor for the occasion.
- Two pillars flank the door of a library named “Truth and Wisdom.” Their carved vines and fruit tell visitors what the building is about before they step inside.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why does the Bible spend so many verses on temple decorations?
- How could the Chronicler write “in the inner sanctuary” when the pillars were outside?
- What does the pomegranate symbolize, and does it matter for my faith today?
Leading a Discussion
This verse looks like a minor detail, but it opens up larger questions about how we read Scripture, how we handle textual differences, and why beauty matters in worship. Before you begin, read 2 Chronicles 3:15-17 together and then compare it with 1 Kings 7:15-22. Notice the similarities and differences.
Discussion questions
- What do you observe about the pillars in verses 15-17? What are their names, and where were they placed?
- The phrase “in the inner sanctuary” seems out of place for pillars outside the porch. What explanations have you heard or can you think of for this? How do we handle such textual puzzles with wisdom and humility?
- Pomegranates appear on the high priest’s robe (Exodus 28:33-34) and on the temple capitals. What might this fruit have represented to ancient Israel? How does that connect to the land of promise (Deuteronomy 8:8)?
- The chains and pomegranates were part of the capital’s network. In what ways does the temple’s design reflect God’s character? What does it say that God wanted beauty in His dwelling place?
- How does the existence of two different accounts (Chronicles and Kings) affect your trust in Scripture? Can differences be signs of faithful retelling rather than errors?
- If time permits, read 1 Kings 6:21 about gold chains “before the inner sanctuary.” How might that verse have influenced the wording in 2 Chronicles 3:16?
- In your own life, where are you tempted to neglect “decorative” details, things that are not strictly necessary but express care, beauty, or honor? How could this verse invite you to pay attention to such details in your worship of God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Kings 6:21 | So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold. He drew chains of gold across before the inner sanctuary, and he overlaid it with gold. |
| I Kings 7:20 | There were capitals above also on the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network. There were two hundred pomegranates in rows around the other capital. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes questions the textual accuracy of the phrase "as in the oracle," suggesting it is corrupt. He argues that the translators' insertion of "as" assumes a missing letter, but there is no evidence that chains or festoons ever existed in the most holy place.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
This commentator argues that the phrase "in the oracle" was likely added later from 1 Kings and does not belong here. The Chronicler is describing the outside of the Temple, not the inner sanctuary. The Hebrew word translated "oracle" actually means "the hindmost part" of the building.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Note draws attention to the precise craftsmanship of the temple furnishings: chains fastened to the tops of the pillars, with one hundred pomegranates set among them. This detail highlights the ornate design and careful construction of the sacred objects.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch point out that the height of thirty-five cubits in this passage likely results from a scribal error where the number eighteen was mistakenly written as thirty-five. They also argue the word debir in verse 16 is a copyist's mistake and should be rabid, meaning a necklace or collar, referring to the lower part of the pillar capital.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights how the Chronicler's temple account differs from 1 Kings in its tighter arrangement, omitting the interruptions about God's promise and Solomon's palace. He also flags several textual problems, like the improbable porch height of 120 cubits and the brazen sea's overstated capacity of 3000 baths.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that when Solomon enlarged the most holy place, two large cherubim were added by divine appointment so the space would not look bare and unfurnished. These new cherubim, representing angels attending God, filled what would otherwise have been an empty room.