2 Kings 25:16

KJV

The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD; the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

KJV (with Strong's)

The two {H8147} pillars {H5982}, one {H259} sea {H3220}, and the bases {H4350} which Solomon {H8010} had made {H6213} for the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}; the brass {H5178} of all these vessels {H3627} was without {H3808} weight {H4948}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The bronze in the two columns, the one Sea and the bases, all of which Shlomo had made for the house of ADONAI, was more than could be weighed.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the two pillars, the Sea, and the movable stands that Solomon had made for the house of the LORD, the weight of the bronze from all these articles was beyond measure.

American Standard Version

The two pillars, the one sea, and the bases, which Solomon had made for the house of Jehovah, the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 25:16 provides a poignant inventory of the immense bronze artifacts plundered from Solomon's Temple by the Babylonians, specifically detailing the removal of the two monumental pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the colossal "molten sea," and the intricate bases for the lavers. The verse emphasizes the immeasurable quantity of these valuable materials, serving as a stark and somber testament to the complete subjugation of Judah, the systematic desecration of its most sacred edifice, and the fulfillment of divine judgment against a disobedient nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is deeply embedded within the climactic and tragic narrative of Jerusalem's fall to Babylon in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). Following the breaching of the city walls, the capture and blinding of King Zedekiah, and the subsequent execution of Judah's nobles, the narrative shifts its focus to the systematic destruction and plunder of the city, with particular emphasis on the Temple. Verses 13-17 meticulously list the Temple's bronze and gold articles that were broken up and carried away to Babylon, underscoring the thoroughness of the despoliation. This specific verse highlights the largest and most prominent bronze structures, setting the stage for the complete demolition of the Temple in the verses that follow ([2 Kings 25:9](/2_kings/25-9 "2 Kings 25:9 - Burning of the Temple")) and the subsequent exile of the remaining population. It marks the culmination of a long history of warnings and serves as the narrative climax of the Deuteronomistic history's account of Judah's decline.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The destruction of Jerusalem and its magnificent Temple by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces in 586 BC was an unparalleled catastrophe for ancient Israel. The Temple, built by King Solomon centuries earlier, was far more than a mere building; it was the sacred center of Israelite worship, the embodiment of national identity, and the perceived dwelling place of Yahweh among His people. In the ancient Near East, the plundering and destruction of a defeated nation's temple was a common and highly symbolic act, signifying the complete triumph of the conquering deity over the vanquished god and the utter subjugation of the people. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, was a highly valued and durable metal, extensively used for both functional and ceremonial objects. The sheer scale of its removal, described as "without weight," underscores the immense wealth and resources seized by the Babylonians, further emphasizing the complete economic and spiritual devastation inflicted upon Judah.
* **Key Themes:** The plundering of the Temple, as meticulously detailed in this verse, contributes significantly to several overarching themes evident throughout [2 Kings](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem") and the broader prophetic literature. It powerfully illustrates the theme of **divine judgment and covenant curses** being fulfilled due to Israel's persistent idolatry, social injustice, and unfaithfulness, particularly as forewarned in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). The systematic stripping of the Temple's sacred items underscores the **desecration of the holy** and the **loss of tangible divine presence**, leading to the **end of an era**—the cessation of the Davidic monarchy in Judah and the Temple cult as it was known. The description of the plunder as "without weight" also emphasizes the theme of **immeasurable loss and devastation**, marking the complete collapse of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the [Babylonian exile](/2_kings/25-21 "2 Kings 25:21 - The Babylonian Exile"), a period that profoundly reshaped Israelite identity and theology.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pillars (Hebrew, _ʻammûwd'_):** From H5982, meaning "a column (as standing); also a stand, i.e. platform." In this context, it refers specifically to Jachin and Boaz, the two massive, ornate bronze columns that stood at the porch of Solomon's Temple ([1 Kings 7:15-22](/1_kings/7-15-22 "1 Kings 7:15-22 - Construction of Jachin and Boaz")). These were not structural supports but symbolic monuments, representing strength, stability, and God's enduring presence. Their removal by the Babylonians thus signified the complete collapse of Judah's spiritual and national foundation, and the perceived dismantling of divine support.
* **Sea (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** From H3220, meaning "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 artificial basin." Here, it refers to the "molten sea," a colossal bronze basin, approximately 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet deep, resting on twelve bronze oxen ([1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - The Molten Sea")). It served as a large reservoir for the priests to wash themselves, symbolizing purification and the vastness of God's provision. Its plundering represented the seizure of a central ritual object and a significant source of valuable bronze.
* **Weight (Hebrew, _mishqâl'_):** From H4948, meaning "weight (numerically estimated); hence, weighing (the act)." The phrase "without weight" (Hebrew, _lôʼ mishqâl'_ from H3808 "not" and H4948 "weight") is a hyperbole, meaning "immeasurable" or "beyond weighing." It emphasizes the enormous quantity and value of the bronze items taken, underscoring the vastness of the plunder and the scale of the loss incurred by Judah. It communicates that the amount was so great it defied conventional measurement, highlighting the overwhelming nature of the Babylonian despoliation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The two pillars, one sea, and the bases which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD;":** This clause precisely identifies the most prominent and massive bronze artifacts from the Temple that were targeted for plunder. "The two pillars" are Jachin and Boaz, magnificent bronze columns described in detail in [1 Kings 7:15-22](/1_kings/7-15-22 "1 Kings 7:15-22 - Construction of Jachin and Boaz"), which stood at the Temple entrance. "One sea" refers to the "molten sea," a colossal bronze basin used for priestly ablutions, meticulously described in [1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - The Molten Sea"). "The bases" were intricate, wheeled stands designed for ten smaller bronze lavers, also for ritual washing, as detailed in [1 Kings 7:27-39](/1_kings/7-27-39 "1 Kings 7:27-39 - The Bronze Bases and Lavers"). The concluding phrase "which Solomon had made for the house of the LORD" serves to emphasize the original grandeur, sacred purpose, and royal patronage of these items, creating a stark and tragic contrast with their current fate as plunder.
* **"the brass of all these vessels was without weight.":** This concluding clause powerfully highlights the sheer volume and immense value of the bronze (often more accurately translated as "bronze" rather than "brass" in modern versions, as it was an alloy of copper and tin). The hyperbolic phrase "was without weight" signifies that the quantity was so immense it was beyond calculation or measurement by conventional means. This dramatic statement effectively conveys the overwhelming extent of the Babylonian plunder, not merely of precious metals like gold and silver, but also of the monumental bronze structures, underscoring the complete and devastating nature of the Temple's despoliation and the profound loss experienced by Judah.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to heighten its emotional and theological impact. **Hyperbole** is prominently featured in the phrase "without weight," which dramatically emphasizes the immeasurable quantity of bronze taken from the Temple. This exaggeration serves to convey the overwhelming scale of the plunder and the profound sense of loss and devastation. **Metonymy** and **Symbolism** are also deeply at play, as the enumerated plundered items—the pillars, the sea, the bases—stand in for the entire Temple itself and, by extension, the nation of Judah. Their physical removal and destruction symbolize the complete subjugation, desecration, and ultimate downfall of the kingdom and its religious center. The stark, almost clinical enumeration of these once-sacred items, juxtaposed with the immense value implied by "without weight," also creates a powerful sense of **pathos**, evoking a feeling of tragedy, sorrow, and lament over the destruction of what was once glorious, sacred, and central to Israelite identity.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The plundering of the Temple's most iconic bronze elements, as described in [2 Kings 25:16](/2_kings/25-16 "2 Kings 25:16 - Temple Plunder"), serves as a powerful theological statement about the dire consequences of covenant disobedience and the transient nature of even the most sacred physical structures. While the Temple was central to Israel's identity and worship, its desecration and destruction were not arbitrary acts of a foreign power, but rather the painful fulfillment of God's warnings against persistent idolatry, social injustice, and unfaithfulness. This catastrophic event underscored that God's presence was not ultimately bound to a building, nor was His covenant unbreakable if His people continually rebelled. It forced Judah to confront the sobering reality that true security and blessing lay not in grand edifices or ritual objects, but in faithful adherence and obedience to the Lord Himself. This immense loss, though devastating, ultimately paved the way for a deeper, more spiritual understanding of God's presence, one that could transcend geographical location and physical structures, preparing the way for a future where God's dwelling would be among His people in a new and profound way.

* [Jeremiah 52:17-23](/jeremiah/52-17-23 "Jeremiah 52:17-23 - Parallel Account of Temple Plunder")
* [1 Kings 7:15-47](/1_kings/7-15-47 "1 Kings 7:15-47 - Detailed Description of Temple Bronze Work")
* [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience and Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The vivid scene of the Temple's systematic dismantling and plunder, particularly the removal of its massive bronze components, offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a potent and sobering reminder that even the most cherished and sacred physical symbols, institutions, or traditions are ultimately temporal and vulnerable. Our security, hope, and worship must never be rooted in material possessions, impressive buildings, human-made structures, or even the outward expressions of our faith, no matter how grand or historically significant they may seem. Instead, our ultimate allegiance, trust, and confidence must reside solely in the unchanging character and enduring faithfulness of God Himself. This account challenges us to critically examine where we truly place our confidence—is it in the visible and tangible elements of our faith, or in the invisible, eternal, and sovereign God? It underscores that true worship is not confined to a specific place or ritual but is a matter of the heart, lived out in spirit and truth, even, and perhaps especially, in times of profound loss, displacement, or the crumbling of familiar structures. The destruction of the Temple, while undeniably tragic, ultimately served a divine purpose in preparing God's people for a more profound, spiritual understanding of His presence that would culminate in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might we, like ancient Israel, be tempted to place our ultimate trust or identity in physical structures, cherished traditions, or even successful ministries, rather than in God alone?**
* **How does the transient nature of the Temple's grandeur, as depicted in this verse, challenge our own perspectives on material wealth, earthly achievements, and the pursuit of visible success within the church?**
* **What does this passage teach us about God's unwavering justice and His willingness to allow even sacred things to be stripped away when His people persist in unfaithfulness and rebellion?**

### FAQ
**What were the "two pillars" and "one sea" specifically mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "two pillars" refer to Jachin and Boaz, magnificent, freestanding bronze columns that stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. They were not load-bearing but served as powerful symbols of God's strength, stability, and covenant faithfulness. Their detailed construction is described in [1 Kings 7:15-22](/1_kings/7-15-22 "1 Kings 7:15-22 - Construction of Jachin and Boaz"). The "one sea" is the "molten sea," a colossal bronze basin, approximately 15 feet in diameter and 7.5 feet deep, supported by twelve bronze oxen. It functioned as a large reservoir for the priests to perform their ritual washings, symbolizing purification and the vastness of God's provision, as described in [1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - The Molten Sea"). These were among the most prominent, valuable, and symbolically significant bronze items in the Temple complex.

**Why does the verse state that the "brass of all these vessels was without weight"?**

Answer: The phrase "without weight" (Hebrew: _lôʼ mishqâl_) is a powerful hyperbole, meaning the quantity of bronze was so vast that it was immeasurable, incalculable, or simply too great to be weighed by conventional means. This dramatic statement serves to emphasize the enormous scale of the plunder and the immense value of the materials taken by the Babylonians. It underscores the thoroughness and devastating impact of the Babylonian despoliation, highlighting the profound economic, symbolic, and spiritual loss suffered by Judah with the destruction of its beloved Temple. It communicates an overwhelming sense of loss that defies quantification.

**What is the deeper theological significance of the Babylonians taking these specific items from the Temple?**

Answer: The plundering of these iconic and massive Temple artifacts by the Babylonians carried profound theological and symbolic significance. First, in the ancient Near Eastern worldview, it symbolized the complete and decisive victory of Nebuchadnezzar and his god (Marduk) over Judah and its God, Yahweh. Second, it represented the ultimate desecration of the sacred space, stripping it of its glory, functionality, and perceived divine presence. Third, and most crucially from a biblical perspective, it was a tangible and devastating fulfillment of the prophetic warnings of judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and moral corruption. It demonstrated that God would indeed allow His holy place to be destroyed if His people continued in rebellion, underscoring His justice and sovereignty. This event marked the definitive end of an era for the Davidic monarchy and the Temple cult, ushering in the Babylonian exile and forcing a re-evaluation of Israel's relationship with God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The plundering and destruction of Solomon's Temple, as vividly depicted in [2 Kings 25:16](/2_kings/25-16 "2 Kings 25:16 - Temple Plunder"), points forward to the ultimate fulfillment found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the physical Temple, a magnificent structure made with human hands, was utterly destroyed and its sacred objects carried away, the New Testament reveals that God's true dwelling place is no longer bound to a building or a geographical location, but is a spiritual reality centered in Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring prophetically to [the temple of His body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus and the Temple"). He is the ultimate and perfect Temple, the very place where God fully dwells among humanity in bodily form ([Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ")). Furthermore, through Christ's atoning sacrifice and resurrection, believers are incorporated into this new spiritual edifice, becoming "living stones" built into a "spiritual house" and a "holy priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), a holy temple in the Lord where God's Spirit now resides ([Ephesians 2:21-22](/ephesians/2-21-22 "Ephesians 2:21-22 - A Holy Temple in the Lord")). The loss of the physical Temple in the Old Covenant foreshadows a greater reality where worship is no longer confined to Jerusalem or a specific mountain, but is offered "in spirit and truth" through Christ, the true High Priest ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth"); [Hebrews 8:1-2](/hebrews/8-1-2 "Hebrews 8:1-2 - Christ, the True High Priest")). Thus, the devastation of the Old Covenant sanctuary ultimately paves the way for the enduring, unplunderable, and infinitely more glorious sanctuary found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and establishes a new and better covenant, making His dwelling among His people forever ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God Dwells with His People")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 7:47

And Solomon left all the vessels [unweighed], because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out.