Jachin and Boaz
Jachin and Boaz were two monumental pillars made of brass or bronze that stood at the entrance of the vestibule of Solomon's Temple, the First Temple, constructed by King Solomon in Jerusalem.
The construction of these pillars is attributed to Hiram, a skilled artificer from Tyre, whose father was of the tribe of Naphtali and whose mother was of the tribe of Dan.
The biblical narrative details that these pillars were cast in the plain of Jordan, specifically in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah. The metal for these structures was reportedly taken by King David from the king of Zobah as part of the spoils of war.
The physical dimensions of the pillars are described with slight variations across different textual accounts. The Book of Kings states that each pillar was eighteen cubits high and twelve cubits in circumference. However, the Book of Chronicles records the height as thirty five cubits, a discrepancy often reconciled by scholars suggesting the latter figure represents the combined length of both pillars or includes the capitals. The pillars were hollow, with the metal having a thickness of four fingers.
Surmounting each shaft was a capital, or chapiter, measuring five cubits in height. These capitals were ornately decorated with lily work, networks of interwoven chains, and rows of pomegranates.
The text specifies that there were two hundred pomegranates in rows around the capitals. The lilies adorned the top of the pillars, while the networks covered the bowls of the capitals. These architectural elements were not merely decorative but held symbolic significance, with the pomegranates representing plenty and the abundance provided by God the Creator.
The pillars did not support the roof of the temple but stood as free standing columns at the entrance. This architectural feature was not unique to the Israelites but followed a pattern found in other Near Eastern temples, such as those in Byblos and Tyre, where pillars often stood before the inner shrine.
Etymology and Orientation
The naming of the pillars bears significant theological weight. The pillar set up on the south side was named Jachin, and the one on the north was named Boaz.
In the Hebrew language, Jachin is derived from a root meaning he establishes or he will establish,. Boaz is translated as in him is strength or simply strength. When read together, the names form a sentence signifying that God will establish in strength.
This phrase served as a constant reminder of the divine covenant and the dependence of the kingdom and the temple upon the power of God the Father.
The orientation of the pillars is traditionally understood from the perspective of one entering the temple from the east. In this view, Jachin stood on the right, which corresponds to the south, and Boaz stood on the left, corresponding to the north. This alignment matches the description given by the historian Josephus.
The pillars marked the threshold between the profane world outside and the sacred space within, symbolising the passage into the holy presence.
Masonic Significance and Symbolism
In the traditions of Freemasonry, Jachin and Boaz occupy a central position in the ritual and symbolism of the craft. They are prominently featured in the Fellow Craft degree, representing the entrance to the Middle Chamber of the temple.
The pillars are emblematic of the structural bulwarks of the fraternity, often associated with the concepts of strength and establishment.
While the biblical account describes the pillars as topped with capitals of lilies and pomegranates, Masonic tradition often adds celestial and terrestrial globes to the tops of the columns.
The celestial globe, typically placed on Jachin, symbolises the spiritual or divine aspects of man, while the terrestrial globe on Boaz represents the material or earthly nature.
The pillars are also associated with the Wardens of the Masonic lodge. The Senior Warden is linked to the pillar Jachin, signifying beauty and the establishment of the work, while the Junior Warden is associated with Boaz, representing strength.
In some jurisdictions, the pillars are placed in the northwest corner or at the entrance of the lodge room, though their exact placement can vary. They serve as a reminder to the initiate of the dual nature of existence and the balance required in the pursuit of truth.
Kabbalistic and Esoteric Interpretations
Beyond their physical and Masonic descriptions, Jachin and Boaz hold profound esoteric meanings within Kabbalism and Hermetic philosophy.
They are identified as the pillars of Mercy and Severity on the Kabbalistic Tree of Life. Jachin, the right hand pillar, represents the active, masculine, and expansive force associated with Mercy and the Sephirah Chokmah. Boaz, the left hand pillar, represents the passive, feminine, and restrictive force associated with Severity and the Sephirah Binah.
These two pillars explain the mysteries of antagonism in the natural, political, and religious worlds. They represent the necessary equilibrium between opposing forces: light and darkness, good and evil, necessity and liberty.
Creation is viewed as the result of the balance between these active and passive principles. The active principle seeks the passive, and from their union, a third principle or stability arises. In the worldview of Kabbalism, the universe exists through the tension and harmony of these forces.
This concept of equilibrium is central to the understanding of the Divine Nature in esoteric traditions. The Infinite Wisdom of God limits the Omnipotence of the Divine Will, resulting in Beauty or Harmony, which is the third column that supports the universe. The pillars thus symbolise the balance between the absolute power of the Deity and the Free Will of the creature. Without this counterpoise, the universe would either be a chaos of unbridled force or a stagnant void.
Alchemical Connections
In Alchemical philosophy, the pillars are associated with the three prime substances: Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt. Jachin is linked to the active, masculine principle of Sulphur, while Boaz is linked to the passive, feminine principle of Salt. The union of these principles is necessary for the Great Work, the transmutation of the base metals of human nature into the gold of spiritual enlightenment. The Alchemists taught that the true philosophical agent, Azoth, is composed of these elements in perfect balance.
Albert Pike and the Regulation of Force
Albert Pike, a prominent figure in the Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, elaborated extensively on the philosophical implications of Jachin and Boaz.
For Pike, the pillars represented the regulation of Force by Wisdom and Law. He argued that unregulated force is destructive, comparable to a volcano or an earthquake. Boaz symbolises this raw strength or force, while Jachin represents the establishment of order and rule.
Pike posited that in the state, the warlike and industrial force of the people must be regulated by the beauty of the arts and the intellect to achieve true freedom.
The balance between these forces is what sustains free government and prevents the descent into tyranny or anarchy. The pillars thus stand as a monument to the necessity of constitutional law and the wise administration of power.
This interpretation extends to the moral life of the individual. The Mason must learn to control the lower appetites and passions, represented by the material strength of Boaz, with the higher faculties of reason and conscience, represented by the stability of Jachin. It is only when these opposing natures are in equilibrium that the initiate can attain the state of the Perfect Master.
Conclusion
The pillars Jachin and Boaz serve as a multifaceted symbol spanning biblical history, Masonic ritual, and esoteric philosophy. Physically, they stood as imposing bronze sentinels at the entrance of Solomon's Temple, marking the transition into the sacred presence of the Deity. Etymologically, they declare the establishment of God's house in strength.
In Freemasonry, they act as the gateway for the initiate, representing the dualities of experience and the foundations of moral and intellectual growth. Esoterically, they embody the universal law of equilibrium, the balance between active and passive, male and female, mercy and severity.
Whether viewed as architectural marvels or metaphysical archetypes, Jachin and Boaz remain enduring emblems of the stability and strength required to build a temple, a society, or a human soul.