דברי הימים ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק ט״ו

At the entrance of the Temple, within the space of the front hall, stood two impressive pillars whose exact measurements and design have sparked deep discussion [מצודת דוד]. Their recorded measurement of thirty-five cubits does not describe a single column, but rather the combined length of both pillars. This presents an immediate puzzle, as the Book of Kings records the height of each pillar as eighteen cubits, which would total thirty-six cubits when combined. A primary approach to explaining this difference focuses on how the pillars were manufactured. They were originally cast together as a single unit measuring exactly thirty-five cubits and were only separated later. The measurement given here reflects their length while lying flat on the ground during the casting process, whereas the Book of Kings describes their height after they were erected in the Temple [רד"ק].

As for the missing half-cubit for each pillar, commentators offer several explanations. Some suggest that the Book of Kings simply rounded the total number up, choosing not to be precise with half-cubits [רלב"ג]. Another perspective proposes that after the joint casting, the craftsman struck the metal with a hammer, physically stretching each pillar by an additional half-cubit [מלבי"ם]. A different approach focuses on the connection between the pillar and its top piece, the capital. According to this view, half a cubit of the pillar was inserted and hidden inside the capital [רלב"ג, רד"ק]. Alternatively, the bottom of the capital was hollowed out by half a cubit, so when it was placed over a seventeen-and-a-half-cubit pillar, it brought the total height perfectly to eighteen cubits [רש"י]. Finally, another opinion suggests the missing cubit is simply excluded from the initial count because its design work differed entirely from the rest of the pillar [רש"י].

Resting on top of each pillar was an ornate capital [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This top piece functioned as a type of covering or crown for the pillar [רש"י, מצודת דוד, רד"ק], and its name reflects its position at the very peak, looking down over the area [מלבי"ם]. Structurally, it was formed from two bowl-shaped pieces joined together [רלב"ג, מלבי"ם]. Its total height was five cubits. Yet again, this contrasts with the Book of Kings, which describes a capital of only three cubits. To resolve this, it is explained that the bottom two cubits of the capital were perfectly smooth, blending seamlessly with the pillar itself. Only the top three cubits protruded outward, heavily decorated with intricate netting and pomegranates. The Book of Kings specifically counts this highly decorated upper section, while the current account provides the complete height of the entire capital [רד"ק].