Two Brazen Pillars

From the Oklahoma Mason

unity, peace, plenty

THE TWO GREAT brass pillars for King Solomon’s Temple porch were cast in the clay grounds between Succoth and Zeredathah which is approximately 35 miles from the city of Jerusalem. Near the site of the grounds stands the village of Seikooth. Many jewelers in the Palestinian area use molds of clay taken from these grounds in the manufacturing of their wares.

Complete Biblical reference can be found in I Kings 7th Chap. And II Chronicals, 4th Chap. As to the two pillars that were placed at the entrance of Solomon’s Temple. Also may be found the story of the destruction of the Temple in II Kings, Chapters 24 and 25.

The clay found in this location is said to be of a brownish color and of such tenacity (strong, adhesive, or tensile strength) as to make it invaluable for making molds. Bearing this in mind one can readily see how it would be possible to cast the two brazen pillars upright. According to the Scriptures all the sacred vessels of the temple were cast there.

The two pillars or columns were placed at the entrance to the temple with the pillar named Jachin on the right hand or south side. The other named Boaz, was placed on the left hand or north side. The two columns were not, as some believe, merely ornamental or placed there to enhance the beauty of the Temple. They were memorials to the pillar of cloud that overshadowed by day (right hand) and the pillar of fire that illuminated by night (left hand) the pathway of the Children of Isreal as they traveled to the “Promised Land” according to the Commandment of God.

The lesson which Masonic lectures teach with the symbolism of the two pillars could be that as the two brass columns denote strength, stability and beauty they are likened to the feeling of power which man derives from the beautiful promises of God that through faith in Him and dependence upon Him all things are possible if we will only BELIEVE.

In placing the location of the Temple and subsequently that of the pillars we find from Biblical maps, historical data and from writers such as Mackey and Lightfoot that the Temple situated on Mount Moriah was in the Southeastern section of the city of Jerusalem.

Though the Temple was destroyed during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, the foundations of the Temple are still there and what was once the site of the House of God is now the site of Mosque of Omar, a Mohammedan or Islamite Temple. They believe that Allah is the only God and that Mohammed is his prophet. Ironical, in that the Temple was destroyed because God’s people were worshiping idols and not keeping covenant with his commandments.

Mount Moriah, the place where Abraham was directed by God to offer up his son Isaac, was the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. King David purchased the property from Ornan and David’s son, King Solomon, erected the Temple of God thereon. The aforementioned floor being the seat of the Temple erected to God gives allusion to the ground floor or checkered pavement of King Solomon’s Temple and subsequently to that of the Lodge.

So far as the editor can determine from the Scriptures, learned masonic writers’ material, and his minister who is a doctor of theology, a cubit is popularly calculated to be 18 inches; and a hand’s breadth to be four fingers or three inches. I am told this is derived from the Jewish rate of measure being broken back to that of the English system.

The two brazen pillars Jachin and Boaz were hollow and their walls were four fingers breadth. Their height was 18 cubits or 27 feet, and their circumference 12 cubits or 18 feet. The chapiters which were set atop the pillars were of brass also and 5 cubits or 7 ½ feet high.

The chapiters were ornamented with lily-work, net-work and pomegranates, denoting peace, unity and plenty. The lily, by its purity and the retired situation in which it grows, signifies peace; the net-work, by the intimate connection of its several parts, displays unity and the pomegranate, by the exuberance of its seeds, denotes plenty.

They are said to have been surmounted by globes representing the terrestial and celestial spheres. Masonry teaches that the globes or artificial spherical bodies represent on their convex surfaces the countries, seas and various parts of the earth on the one and the face of the universe with its various constellations on the other.

In the pillars and chapiters we find the lesson of a constant devotion to God and the keeping of His commandments brings one into the graces and subject to the eternal blessings of Him who sitteth as Judge Supreme over us all. In the terrestial and celestial spheres we find that when one pursues the study of the phenomenal fixation of these things as God’s handiwork we cannot help but believe in the immortality of the soul as stated by God when He promised those that would believe on Him (Christ) should have eternal life.

No, Brethren, Masonry is not a religion and a Masonic Temple is not a church!! However, we firmly believe that Masonry through its teachings and applications of scriptural heritage makes a man better because of a realization of God and His plan of life. Go to the church of your choice as a Mason and consequently as a better Christian, father, or husband.

Editors Note: Don’t get excited! The work in Maryland differs quite a bit from this article

Reprinted from The Maryland Master Mason, Volume 7, No. 4, April 1969.

Editors: Arthur L. Gosnell and John Wigglesworth