BibleWord.ai› Bible› 1 Kings› Chapter 7› Verse 20

1 Kings 7:20

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 7:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And there were capitals above also upon the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon the other capital.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And there were capitals above also upon the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon the other capital.
1 Kings 7:20 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 7

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17There were nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the capitals which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital.
18So he made the pillars; and there were two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars: and so did he for the other capital.
19And the capitals that were upon the top of the pillars in the porch were of lily-work, four cubits.
20And there were capitals above also upon the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon the other capital.
21And he set up the pillars at the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin; and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.
22And upon the top of the pillars was lily-work: so was the work of the pillars finished.
23And he made the molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and the height thereof was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits compassed it round about.
← 1 Kings 7:191 Kings 7:21 →
← Full Chapter 7 1 Kings Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network, etc.] The supplement is needless, according to Dr. Lightfoot; the sense being only, that the chapiters were above the lily work, which wrought out as far as the belly of the chapiters, or the middle cubit of them, which the pomegranates filled up: and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon the other chapiter: there were so many in each, which in all made four hundred, as in (<110742>1 Kings 7:42). In (<245223>Jeremiah 52:23), it is said there were ninety six on a side, and yet one hundred round about; the meaning of which is, either that there were twenty…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“In this verse also a portion of the original text is supposed to have fallen out in consequence of the repetition of words. The full phrase of the original has been retained in 1 Kings 7:16-17. It may be restored thus: “And the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the one chapiter, and two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.” The “four hundred” 1 Kings 7:42; 2 Chronicles 4:13, are obtained by counting the pomegranates of both pillars together. In Jeremiah 52:23, is an account of the arrangement of a single row of pomegranates, whereof each pillar had two. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The belly - So he calls the middle part of the chapiter, which jetted farthest out. Two hundred - They are said to be ninety and six on a side of a pillar; in one row and in all an hundred, Jer 52:23, four great pomegranates between the several checker - works being added to the first ninety six. And it must needs be granted, that there were as many on the other side of the pillar, or in the other row, which makes them two hundred upon a pillar, as is here said, and four hundred upon both pillars, as they are numbered, Ch2 4:13. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 7:21”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“and the pomegranates: Kg2 25:17; Ch2 3:16, Ch2 4:13; Jer 52:22, Jer 52:23 3 Kings (1 Kings) 7:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 7 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification