1 Kings 7:16

“And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars, etc.] These were large ovals in the form of a crown, as the word signifies; or like two crowns joined together, as Ben Gersom; or bowls, as they are called, (<110741>1 Kings 7:41), the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits; in (<122517>2 Kings 25:17) they are said to be but three cubits high; but that is to be understood only of the ornamented part of them, the wreathen work and pomegranates on them, as there expressed; here it includes, with that, the part below unornamented.”

“The general character of the “chapiters” or capitals, their great size in proportion to the shaft, which is as one to two, and their construction of two quite different members, remind us of the pillars used by the Persians in their palaces, which were certainly more like Jachin and Boaz than any pillars that have reached us from antiquity. The ornamentation, however, seems to have been far more elaborate than that of the Persian capitals. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Five cubits - The word chapiter is taken either more largely for the whole, so it is five cubits; Or, more strictly, either for the pommels, as they are called, Ch2 4:12, or for the cornice or crown, and so it was but three cubits, to which the pomegranates being added make it four cubits, as it is below, Kg1 7:19, and the other work upon it took up one cubit more, which in all made five cubits. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 7:17”

“Exo 36:38, Exo 38:17, Exo 38:19, Exo 38:28; Ch2 4:12, Ch2 4:13 3 Kings (1 Kings) 7:17”