1 Kings 7:17

Authorized King James Version

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And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.

Original Language Analysis

שְׂבָכִ֞ים And nets H7638
שְׂבָכִ֞ים And nets
Strong's: H7638
Word #: 1 of 17
a netting (ornament to the capital of a column)
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה work H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 2 of 17
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
שְׂבָכָ֗ה of checker H7639
שְׂבָכָ֗ה of checker
Strong's: H7639
Word #: 3 of 17
a net-work, i.e., (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to a pillar
גְּדִלִים֙ and wreaths H1434
גְּדִלִים֙ and wreaths
Strong's: H1434
Word #: 4 of 17
thread, i.e., a tassel or festoon
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה work H4639
מַֽעֲשֵׂ֣ה work
Strong's: H4639
Word #: 5 of 17
an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property
שַׁרְשְׁר֔וֹת of chain H8333
שַׁרְשְׁר֔וֹת of chain
Strong's: H8333
Word #: 6 of 17
a chain; (architectural) probably a garland
לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת chapiter H3805
לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת chapiter
Strong's: H3805
Word #: 7 of 17
the capital of a column
אֲשֶׁ֖ר H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 8 of 17
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 9 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
רֹ֣אשׁ which were upon the top H7218
רֹ֣אשׁ which were upon the top
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 10 of 17
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
הָֽעַמּוּדִ֑ים of the pillars H5982
הָֽעַמּוּדִ֑ים of the pillars
Strong's: H5982
Word #: 11 of 17
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
וְשִׁבְעָ֖ה and seven H7651
וְשִׁבְעָ֖ה and seven
Strong's: H7651
Word #: 12 of 17
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת chapiter H3805
לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת chapiter
Strong's: H3805
Word #: 13 of 17
the capital of a column
הָֽאֶחָ֔ת for the one H259
הָֽאֶחָ֔ת for the one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 14 of 17
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
וְשִׁבְעָ֖ה and seven H7651
וְשִׁבְעָ֖ה and seven
Strong's: H7651
Word #: 15 of 17
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת chapiter H3805
לַכֹּתֶ֥רֶת chapiter
Strong's: H3805
Word #: 16 of 17
the capital of a column
הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ for the other H8145
הַשֵּׁנִֽית׃ for the other
Strong's: H8145
Word #: 17 of 17
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again

Analysis & Commentary

And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of temple furnishings and solomon's palace, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

Historical Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

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