King James Version
What Does Jeremiah 27:21 Mean?
“Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;”
Jeremiah 27:21 · KJV
Context
19
For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,
20
Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
21
Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;
22
They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryYea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem (כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל־הַכֵּלִים הַנּוֹתָרִים בֵּית־יְהוָה וּבֵית מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָה, koh-amar YHWH tseva'ot elohei yisra'el al-hakkelim hannotarim beit-YHWH uveit melekh-y'hudah)—the full divine title 'LORD of hosts, God of Israel' lends maximum authority. The term נוֹתָר (notar, 'remain/be left') emphasizes these are remnants from previous plundering.
The prophecy encompasses vessels in both temple (בֵּית־יְהוָה, beit-YHWH) and palace (בֵּית מֶלֶךְ, beit melekh), showing comprehensive judgment affecting religious and political spheres equally. False prophets focused on temple vessels' sanctity; Jeremiah reveals that palace wealth will likewise be taken. No sphere is exempt from covenant curse—religious institutions and political power structures both fall under judgment.
The prophecy encompasses vessels in both temple (בֵּית־יְהוָה, beit-YHWH) and palace (בֵּית מֶלֶךְ, beit melekh), showing comprehensive judgment affecting religious and political spheres equally. False prophets focused on temple vessels' sanctity; Jeremiah reveals that palace wealth will likewise be taken. No sphere is exempt from covenant curse—religious institutions and political power structures both fall under judgment.
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
The distinction between temple and royal vessels indicates two spheres of Judean life—worship and governance. Both had been partially plundered in 597 BC (2 Kings 24:13). The remaining items represented continuity of both religious worship and royal authority. Their prophesied removal meant total cessation of both temple worship and Davidic rule in Jerusalem.
Reflection Questions
- How do you distinguish between sacred institutions God will preserve versus those under judgment?
- What happens when both religious and political structures fail simultaneously in a society?
- How does comprehensive judgment affect all spheres of life, not merely religious ones?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 16 wordsכִּ֣י1 of 16
H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
כֹ֥ה2 of 16
H3541properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֔ה4 of 16
“of the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת5 of 16
“of hosts”
H6635a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵ֣י6 of 16
“the God”
H430gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל7 of 16
“of Israel”
H3478he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
עַל8 of 16
H5921above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הַכֵּלִ֗ים9 of 16
“concerning the vessels”
H3627something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)
הַנּֽוֹתָרִים֙10 of 16
“that remain”
H3498to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
וּבֵ֥ית11 of 16
“and in the house”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֔ה12 of 16
“of the LORD”
H3068(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וּבֵ֥ית13 of 16
“and in the house”
H1004a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוּדָ֖ה15 of 16
“of Judah”
H3063jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃16 of 16
“and of Jerusalem”
H3389jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
Study Guide
Historical Context
This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.
Theological Significance
Jeremiah 27:21 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.