Boaz means

The name Boaz literally translates to "in strength" (derived from b, meaning "in", and oaz, "strength") 1, or "in thee is strength" 1 2. Situated on the left hand or north side of the porch at the entrance to King Solomon's Temple, it stands paired with its companion pillar, Jachin 1 2.

When paired with Jachin ("it shall be established"), the names combine to signify "in strength shall it be established" 1. Together, the two pillars symbolize the strength, stability, perpetuity, and providence of Deity, standing as emblems of faith and divine support 1 2 1.

William Preston introduced an expanded symbolic lecture linking the pillars to the exodus of Israel, attributing to Boaz the representation of the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites by night, while Jachin represented the pillar of cloud by day 1.

Carl Claudy reads Boaz specifically as the pillar of power or physical strength 2. In his interpretation of the Fellowcraft degree, as a candidate passes between the two columns, Boaz represents divine and human power, which must be paired with the control and guidance of Jachin; power without control is destructive and useless, just as control without power is futile 2.

Works cited

From the library. Each claim above is numbered to the work and page it came from.

Albert C. Mackey Encyclopedia of Freemasonry and Its Kindred Sciences pp. 1429-1435 Mackey gives the literal translation of Boaz and explains Preston's introduction of the pillars of cloud and fire into the lectures.; Mackey breaks down the Hebrew root words for Boaz and details its placement on the left or north side of the temple porch.

Carl Claudy Introduction to Freemasonry: Fellowcraft pp. 1-8 Claudy discusses the general symbolic connection between the pillars and divine faith or stability.; Claudy sets out his specific interpretation of Boaz as power or strength requiring the guidance of control.; Claudy cites the biblical account in I Kings regar

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