דברי הימים ב, פרק ג׳, פסוק ט״ז

The construction of the Temple included intricate artwork blending structural elements with stunning decorations of chains and fruit. The placement of these decorations presents a spatial puzzle, as the records seem to connect chains located deep within the inner sanctuary to those resting on the pillars in the outer hall.

To resolve this apparent distance, it is explained that there were actually two distinct sets of chains [רד״ק, מצודת דוד]. The first set was located at the entrance to the Holy of Holies [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. These golden chains functioned as bolts securing the partition that separated the main hall from the Holy of Holies. Because of their location and function, the partition itself takes on the name of the inner sanctuary [מצודת דוד]. Taking a completely different approach, another perspective suggests that the inner sanctuary is not being discussed at all in this context. Instead, the description refers to a specific part of the pillars themselves, detailing the inner, covered space at the base of the decorative netting which resembled a small, enclosed room [מלבי״ם].

The second set of chains was placed directly on top of the outer pillars. These chains were crafted to look like a network of branches, designed specifically to cover the empty space at the top of the pillars [רש״י]. Woven into this metal netting were decorative pomegranates. Although the count is given as one hundred pomegranates, commentators agree this number refers to a single row or chain. To account for other historical records that count two hundred pomegranates, it is explained that each pillar featured two rows of chains, with one hundred pomegranates strung and hanging on each row [מצודת דוד, מלבי״ם].