King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 52:17 Mean?

Jeremiah 52:17 in the King James Version says “Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.”

Jeremiah 52:17 · KJV

Context

15

Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.

16

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.

17

Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans brake, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon.

18

The caldrons also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the bowls, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away. shovels: or, instruments to remove the ashes bowls: or, basons

19

And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away. firepans: or, censers

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Also the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea—meticulous inventory of the temple's bronze furnishings being plundered begins here. The pillars of brass (עַמּוּדֵי הַנְּחֹשֶׁת, amudei hanechoshet) refer to Jachin and Boaz, the two massive bronze pillars Solomon erected at the temple entrance (1 Kings 7:15-22), each 27 feet high, crowned with ornate capitals. These pillars symbolized God's strength and establishment of His house—their names meant 'He establishes' (Jachin) and 'In Him is strength' (Boaz). Their destruction signified God's strength departing from the temple.

The bases (הַמְּכֹנוֹת, hammekhonot) were the ornate bronze carts that held lavers for ritual washing (1 Kings 7:27-37). The brasen sea (יָם הַנְּחֹשֶׁת, yam hanechoshet) was the massive bronze basin holding thousands of gallons for priestly purification (1 Kings 7:23-26), resting on twelve bronze bulls. The Chaldeans brake these sacred objects—not merely took them, but carried all the brass of them to Babylon, melted down as raw material. This desecration fulfilled warnings that Israel's idolatry would result in God giving His glory to foreigners (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11). The temple's magnificent bronze works, crafted for God's glory, became Babylonian plunder—the tragic end of objects made for worship perverted by the people's unfaithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Solomon's temple furnishings represented extraordinary craftsmanship and enormous wealth. The bronze pillars alone required advanced metallurgy—each was cast hollow, about 3 inches thick, requiring massive molds and foundries. The bronze sea weighed approximately 27 tons when empty. These objects had stood for nearly 400 years (967-586 BC), symbols of God's presence and Israelite worship. Their destruction devastated survivors psychologically and theologically—how could God's house be plundered? The answer lay in understanding that God never promised to protect structures while people violated covenant. The pillars Jachin and Boaz proclaimed God's establishment and strength, but these attributes belonged to God Himself, not the building. When the people forsook God, the structure lost divine protection. Babylon's practice of plundering conquered temples served both economic and religious purposes: the valuable metals enriched Babylon's treasury, while humiliating conquered peoples' gods demonstrated Marduk's supposed supremacy. Ironically, Daniel later demonstrated Yahweh's superiority over Babylon's gods (Daniel 1-6), and Babylon itself fell to Persia within 50 years. The temple vessels were eventually returned under Cyrus (Ezra 1:7-11), though the bronze objects destroyed here had to be recreated for the second temple.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the destruction of the temple's bronze pillars teach about the difference between sacred symbols and God's actual presence?
  2. How had Israel's unfaithfulness transformed objects meant for God's glory into mere plunder for pagans?
  3. In what ways might modern believers mistake religious buildings or symbols for God's true presence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְאֶת1 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

עַמּוּדֵ֨י2 of 21

“Also the pillars”

H5982

a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e., platform

נְחֻשְׁתָּ֖ם3 of 21

“all the brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר4 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּבֵית5 of 21

“that was in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה6 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְֽאֶת7 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמְּכֹנ֞וֹת8 of 21

“and the bases”

H4350

a pedestal, also a spot

וְאֶת9 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יָ֧ם10 of 21

“sea”

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

נְחֻשְׁתָּ֖ם11 of 21

“all the brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר12 of 21
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

בְּבֵית13 of 21

“that was in the house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֖ה14 of 21

“of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שִׁבְּר֣וּ15 of 21

“brake”

H7665

to burst (literally or figuratively)

כַשְׂדִּ֑ים16 of 21

“the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ17 of 21

“and carried”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת18 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל19 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נְחֻשְׁתָּ֖ם20 of 21

“all the brass”

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

בָּבֶֽלָה׃21 of 21

“of them to Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

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 52:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 52:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 27:19-222 Chronicles 4:12-15Jeremiah 52:21-23Lamentations 1:101 Kings 7:501 Kings 7:15-37

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
View all places in Jeremiah 52 →

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