2 Kings 25:17

Authorized King James Version

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The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

Original Language Analysis

שְׁמֹנֶה֩ was eighteen H8083
שְׁמֹנֶה֩ was eighteen
Strong's: H8083
Word #: 1 of 25
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה
Strong's: H6240
Word #: 2 of 25
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
אַמּה֒ cubits H520
אַמּה֒ cubits
Strong's: H520
Word #: 3 of 25
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
וְקוֹמַ֣ת The height H6967
וְקוֹמַ֣ת The height
Strong's: H6967
Word #: 4 of 25
height
לַֽעַמּ֥וּד pillar H5982
לַֽעַמּ֥וּד pillar
Strong's: H5982
Word #: 5 of 25
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
הָֽאֶחָ֗ד of the one H259
הָֽאֶחָ֗ד of the one
Strong's: H259
Word #: 6 of 25
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת and the chapiter H3805
הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת and the chapiter
Strong's: H3805
Word #: 7 of 25
the capital of a column
עָלָ֥יו׀ H5921
עָלָ֥יו׀
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 8 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת all of brass H5178
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת all of brass
Strong's: H5178
Word #: 9 of 25
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וְקוֹמַ֣ת The height H6967
וְקוֹמַ֣ת The height
Strong's: H6967
Word #: 10 of 25
height
הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת and the chapiter H3805
הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת and the chapiter
Strong's: H3805
Word #: 11 of 25
the capital of a column
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ three H7969
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ three
Strong's: H7969
Word #: 12 of 25
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אַמּה֒ cubits H520
אַמּה֒ cubits
Strong's: H520
Word #: 13 of 25
properly, a mother (i.e., unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e., a cubit; also a door-base (as a bond of the entrance)
הַשְּׂבָכָֽה׃ and the wreathen work H7639
הַשְּׂבָכָֽה׃ and the wreathen work
Strong's: H7639
Word #: 14 of 25
a net-work, i.e., (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to a pillar
וְרִמֹּנִ֧ים and pomegranates H7416
וְרִמֹּנִ֧ים and pomegranates
Strong's: H7416
Word #: 15 of 25
a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)
עַֽל H5921
עַֽל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 16 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת and the chapiter H3805
הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת and the chapiter
Strong's: H3805
Word #: 17 of 25
the capital of a column
סָבִ֖יב round about H5439
סָבִ֖יב round about
Strong's: H5439
Word #: 18 of 25
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
הַכֹּ֣ל H3605
הַכֹּ֣ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 19 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת all of brass H5178
נְחֹ֑שֶׁת all of brass
Strong's: H5178
Word #: 20 of 25
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וְכָאֵ֛לֶּה H428
וְכָאֵ֛לֶּה
Strong's: H428
Word #: 21 of 25
these or those
לַֽעַמּ֥וּד pillar H5982
לַֽעַמּ֥וּד pillar
Strong's: H5982
Word #: 22 of 25
a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform
הַשֵּׁנִ֖י and like unto these had the second H8145
הַשֵּׁנִ֖י and like unto these had the second
Strong's: H8145
Word #: 23 of 25
properly, double, i.e., second; also adverbially, again
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 24 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַשְּׂבָכָֽה׃ and the wreathen work H7639
הַשְּׂבָכָֽה׃ and the wreathen work
Strong's: H7639
Word #: 25 of 25
a net-work, i.e., (in hunting) a snare, (in architecture) a ballustrade; also a reticulated ornament to a pillar

Analysis & Commentary

The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it was brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 25: Covenant curses fulfilled completely. As Judah approaches exile, these events fulfill prophetic warnings and demonstrate that God's patience with covenant violation is not infinite.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 25 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction) reflects the historical reality of the final collapse of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and exile to Babylon as covenant curses are fully realized. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

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