* cast.  Heb. fashioned.  two pillars.
  21  2Ki 25:16,17  2Ch 3:15-17  4:12-22  Jer 52:21-13 
 * eighteen cubits.
   That is, nearly thirty feet, English measure.  But in the
   parallel place in Chronicles, these pillars are said to
   thirty-five cubits high.  Tremellius reconciles this
   difference by observing, that the common cubit was but
   one-half of the cubit of the sanctuary; so that eighteen of
   the one would make thirty-six of the other; from which, if we
   deduct one cubit for the base, there will remain thirty-five.
   Notwithstanding the names of these pillars, they seem to have
   supported no part of the building, and appear to have been
   formed for ornament; and were no doubt also emblematical.  The
   right pillar was called {Jachin,} which signifies, "He will
   establish;" while that on the left was named {Boaz,} "In it is
   strength."  Some think they were intended for memorials of the
   pillars and cloud of fire, which led Israel through the
   wilderness; but Henry supposes them designed for memorandums
   to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door.
   1st.  To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of
   their own, for strength and establishment in all their
   religious exercises.  2nd.  It was a memorandum to them of the
   strength and establishment of the temple of God among them.
   When the temple was destroyed, particular notice is taken of
   the breaking up and carrying away of these brazen pillars, 2
   Ki 25:13, 17, which had been the tokens of its establishment,
   and would have been still so, if they had not forsaken God.