Boaz and Jachin

Boaz and Jachin

Boaz and Jachin were the names of two copper, brass or bronze pillars which stood in the porch of Solomon's Temple, the first Temple in Jerusalem, according to the Bible.

Description and Significance

These pillars are described in detail in 1 Kings 7:13-22 and 2 Chronicles 3:15-17. According to these descriptions, each pillar was about 18 cubits (approximately 8.2 metres or 27 feet) high and 12 cubits (roughly 5.5 metres or 18 feet) in circumference. They were hollow, cast of bronze, and their tops were adorned with intricate lily-work and pomegranates.

The pillars stood on each side of the entrance to the Temple. Jachin, meaning 'He will establish' in Hebrew, stood on the right (south), and Boaz, meaning 'In Him is strength', stood on the left (north). They were freestanding, separate from the main structure of the Temple, and while they may have had a symbolic function, they were not physically supportive of the building.

The two pillars had a particular importance in the design of Solomon's Temple and subsequently became symbols in Freemasonry and in the Tarot, where they are often depicted as guarding the entrance to a mysterious and mystical building or realm.

Origins of the Names

The names of the pillars, Boaz and Jachin, are most likely derived from Hebrew.

Boaz is a significant figure in the Old Testament, particularly in the Book of Ruth. He was a wealthy landowner of Bethlehem who married Ruth, a Moabite woman, thus becoming the great-grandfather of King David. His name, 'Boaz', is usually interpreted as 'In Him is strength'.

Jachin is a lesser-known figure in the Old Testament. His name appears in the Book of Genesis (46:10) and in the Book of Exodus (6:15), where he is listed as a son of Simeon and a grandson of Jacob. The name 'Jachin' is typically translated as 'He will establish'.

These names likely had specific significance in their context, possibly relating to religious or cultural beliefs about the power of God to establish and strengthen. However, the exact reasons King Solomon chose to name the pillars as such are not explicitly stated in the biblical text.=

Boaz and Jachin in the Tree of Life

In the Tree of Life, a central symbol in Kabbalah, these two pillars align with the left and right sides of the tree. The pillar of Boaz aligns with the left "Pillar of Severity," which contains the Sephirot (divine emanations) Binah (Understanding), Gevurah (Judgement/Strength), and Hod (Splendour).

Conversely, Jachin aligns with the right "Pillar of Mercy" which contains the Sephirot Chokhmah (Wisdom), Chesed (Kindness), and Netzach (Eternity).

This arrangement emphasises the importance of balance and harmony in Kabbalistic thought. For divine energy to flow correctly through the Tree of Life, it must balance the qualities on both sides of the tree, symbolised by Boaz and Jachin.

Boaz and Jachin in Freemasonry

While not directly a Kabbalistic interpretation, Freemasonry, which has been influenced by Kabbalistic ideas, also incorporates the symbolism of Boaz and Jachin into its rituals and iconography. In Masonic lore, the two pillars are representations of a gateway which leads the initiate from the outer world into the inner sanctum of the Lodge, marking a spiritual transition and transformation.

Again, as with the Kabbalistic interpretation, the pillars represent dualistic principles. They serve as reminders of the need for balance between opposing forces, the need for strength, and the importance of establishing a firm foundation on one's spiritual journey.

It's important to note that these interpretations can vary among different sources and traditions, and are part of an extensive, complex system of symbolic and philosophical thought.