ירמיהו, פרק נ״ב, פסוק כ״ג

The architectural design of the copper pillars in the Temple featured complex decorations, most notably intricate rows of carved pomegranates. A careful accounting of these ornaments reveals what seems at first to be a mathematical contradiction. The record initially counts ninety-six pomegranates, yet immediately concludes that there were one hundred in total. Furthermore, historical accounts from the Book of Kings state there were two hundred pomegranates on each pillar.

To resolve this, [רש״י] and [מצודת דוד] explain that each pillar actually held two distinct rows, with each row containing exactly one hundred pomegranates. This perfectly accounts for the two hundred per pillar. The smaller number of ninety-six refers strictly to those that were visible. When King Solomon erected these pillars, he placed them extremely close to the Temple wall. Consequently, the wall obscured four pomegranates in every row, leaving exactly ninety-six exposed to the outside. Offering a different perspective, [ביאור שטיינזלץ] suggests that the ninety-six pomegranates were arranged in a single continuous direction, possibly winding around the pillar in a spiral pattern. The four additional pomegranates needed to reach one hundred were simply placed as individual ornaments, separate from the primary row.

The exact positioning of these ornaments is further clarified by examining how they faced outward. [רש״י] and [רד״ק] understand that the pomegranates were oriented toward the various sides and directions of the pillars. Alternatively, [מצודת ציון] and [מצודת דוד] interpret their placement as facing the open air and the empty space of the hall. In this view, the description specifically highlights the pomegranates that were exposed to the open space, making them clearly visible to anyone standing in the room. Ultimately, all of these pomegranates were suspended on a decorative network that wrapped completely around the pillars from every side [מצודת דוד].