What are Jachin and Boaz?

Answer

Jachin and Boaz are the names of two bronze pillars erected at the entrance to the vestibule of Solomon’s temple, as described in 1 Kings 7:21. The construction of the temple in Jerusalem began in 966 BC and was completed seven years later. The account of the temple’s construction can be found in 1 Kings 7 and 2 Chronicles 3.

To ensure the temple had the finest fittings, Solomon enlisted the services of a man named Hiram (or Huram) from Tyre to handle the bronze work. Hiram was renowned for his wisdom, understanding, and skill in bronze craftsmanship (1 Kings 7:13-14). The Scriptures provide intricate details about the pillars Jachin and Boaz, describing how they were adorned with chains, pomegranates, and lilies (verses 17–20).

Jachin and Boaz were positioned at the entrance to the temple’s vestibule or portico. Their impressive dimensions, including the decorative tops, stood at around thirty-five feet tall with an eighteen-foot circumference (1 Kings 7:15-20). The brass used for these pillars had been acquired by King David from the king of Zobah as part of the spoils of war (1 Chronicles 18:8-9).

The pillar on the south side of the entrance was named Jachin, while the one on the north was called Boaz. Both 2 Chronicles and 1 Kings recount the significance of these monumental pillars.

Some say that “he” set up the pillars and “he” named them Jachin and Boaz. Commentators are divided as to whether “he” refers to Hiram or Solomon. Whoever named them, their names are significant. Jachin (pronounced yaw-keen) means “he will establish,” and Boaz signifies “in him is strength.” Taken together, the names were a reminder that God would establish the temple and the worship of His name in strength.

The pillars Jachin and Boaz were destroyed along with the rest of the temple by the Chaldeans «Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon. », (Jeremiah 52:17), but the names’ meaning lives on in the spiritual kingdom of God. The names of the pillars represent the strength and stability of God’s promises of a kingdom that will last forever (Daniel 6:26;Luke 1:33;Hebrews 1:8;Revelation 11:15).