Jeremiah 27:19

KJV

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,

KJV (with Strong's)

For thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} concerning the pillars {H5982}, and concerning the sea {H3220}, and concerning the bases {H4350}, and concerning the residue {H3499} of the vessels {H3627} that remain {H3498} in this city {H5892},

Complete Jewish Bible

For this is what ADONAI-Tzva'ot says concerning the columns, the Sea, the bases and the rest of the articles still here in this city,

Berean Standard Bible

For this is what the LORD of Hosts says about the pillars, the sea, the bases, and the rest of the articles that remain in this city,

American Standard Version

For thus saith Jehovah of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that are left in this city,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 27:19 delivers a weighty prophetic declaration from the sovereign God of Israel, focusing on the fate of the remaining sacred articles within the Temple in Jerusalem. This verse serves as a stark warning, asserting that even the most prominent and cherished elements of the House of the LORD—the grand pillars, the immense bronze sea, and their intricate bases, along with all other surviving temple vessels—are destined for capture and removal by the Babylonian forces. It underscores God's absolute control over historical events and His impending judgment upon Judah, contradicting the false assurances of peace and immediate restoration offered by deceitful prophets.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 27 is part of a series of prophecies delivered during the early reign of King Zedekiah, specifically around 594 BC, following the first Babylonian deportation in 597 BC. The chapter opens with Jeremiah wearing a yoke, symbolizing the servitude Judah and surrounding nations must endure under Babylon, as ordained by the LORD. Verses 1-11 address foreign kings, urging submission to Nebuchadnezzar. Verses 12-15 directly counsel King Zedekiah to submit to Babylon, warning against false prophets who promise deliverance. Verses 16-22 specifically address the priests and the people, debunking the lies of prophets who claimed that the temple vessels already plundered would soon be returned. Instead, [Jeremiah 27:19-22](/jeremiah/27-19-22 "Jeremiah 27:19-22 - Prophecy of Remaining Temple Vessels") declares that even the remaining sacred items, including the most massive and symbolic ones, would be carried off to Babylon, explicitly contradicting the false hopes. This verse, therefore, functions as a direct refutation of deceitful prophecies and a confirmation of the impending, comprehensive judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This prophecy unfolds against the backdrop of the geopolitical turmoil of the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC, dominated by the rising Neo-Babylonian Empire. Judah, caught between Egypt and Babylon, was a vassal state, constantly tempted to rebel. King Zedekiah, installed by Nebuchadnezzar, faced immense pressure from surrounding nations and internal factions to resist Babylon. Culturally, the Temple in Jerusalem was the spiritual and national heart of Judah, its furnishings embodying the covenant relationship and God's presence. The "pillars," "sea," and "bases" mentioned in the verse refer to specific, monumental bronze items in Solomon's Temple, described in detail in [1 Kings 7:15-47](/1_kings/7-15-47 "1 Kings 7:15-47 - Description of Solomon's Temple Furnishings"). The idea that these sacred, seemingly permanent fixtures would be plundered was deeply unsettling and challenged the people's understanding of God's protection, especially when false prophets assured them otherwise (e.g., [Jeremiah 28:2-4](/jeremiah/28-2-4 "Jeremiah 28:2-4 - Hananiah's False Prophecy")).
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 27:19 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty** over nations and history, asserting that Babylon's rise and Judah's fall are not random events but instruments of God's judgment, as emphasized by the title "the LORD of hosts." Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Impending Judgment and Exile**, making it clear that even the most sacred symbols of God's presence would not prevent the full execution of His disciplinary plan, leading to the seventy-year Babylonian captivity, as later reiterated in [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"). Thirdly, the verse sharply contrasts **Truth versus Falsehood**, with Jeremiah's painful message standing in direct opposition to the comforting, yet ultimately destructive, lies of false prophets who promised peace and the immediate return of plundered items (see [Jeremiah 27:10](/jeremiah/27-10 "Jeremiah 27:10 - Warning Against False Prophets")). Finally, it speaks to the **Significance of Temple Furnishings**, not as magical talismans, but as physical representations of God's covenant presence, whose fate was tied to the nation's faithfulness, ultimately serving as a tangible sign of the covenant's breach and the temporary withdrawal of divine favor.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **LORD of hosts (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh Tsâbâʼ'_):** This powerful divine title, combining H3068 (_Yᵉhôvâh_, "the self-Existent or Eternal") and H6635 (_Tsâbâʼ_, "a mass of persons, especially organized for war; an army; host"), emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty and omnipotence. It portrays God as the supreme commander of all heavenly and earthly armies, highlighting His universal dominion and the irresistible nature of His decrees. In Jeremiah 27:19, its use underscores the certainty and authority of the judgment being pronounced; this is not a mere human prediction but a divine, unchangeable word from the Commander of the universe.
* **sea (Hebrew, _yâm'_):** Refers to H3220, _yâm_, meaning "a sea or large body of water." In the context of Solomon's Temple, "the sea" specifically denotes the large bronze laver (also known as the "molten sea") that stood in the temple courtyard. This massive basin, described in [1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - Description of the Molten Sea"), was used by the priests for ritual washing. Its mention here, alongside the pillars and bases, highlights its prominence and symbolic importance as a key feature of the temple, making its predicted removal a significant sign of impending desolation.
* **residue / remain (Hebrew, _yether_ / _yâthar'_):** These two words (H3499, _yether_, "remainder, rest, residue," and H3498, _yâthar_, "to remain or be left") are closely related and crucial to the verse's meaning. "Residue" refers to what is left over, while "remain" signifies the act of staying behind after others have departed or been removed. In Jeremiah 27:19, their combined use emphasizes that even the items that had survived the initial plundering (like those mentioned in [2 Kings 24:13](/2_kings/24-13 "2 Kings 24:13 - Nebuchadnezzar takes Temple treasures")) would not escape the final, comprehensive judgment. This highlights the totality of God's decree and the inevitability of the complete despoliation of the Temple.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For thus saith the LORD of hosts":** This opening phrase functions as a solemn, authoritative divine declaration. It establishes that the following message is not Jeremiah's personal opinion but a direct, unalterable word from the omnipotent God, the supreme commander of all creation. It demands absolute attention and submission.
* **"concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases":** This specifies the most prominent and symbolically significant bronze furnishings of Solomon's Temple that were still in Jerusalem. The "pillars" refer to Jachin and Boaz, the two massive bronze columns that stood at the temple's porch (cf. [1 Kings 7:15-22](/1_kings/7-15-22 "1 Kings 7:15-22 - Details of Jachin and Boaz")). "The sea" is the large bronze laver, and "the bases" refer to the wheeled stands that supported ten smaller lavers (cf. [1 Kings 7:27-39](/1_kings/7-27-39 "1 Kings 7:27-39 - Description of the Bronze Bases")). By naming these specific, monumental items, the prophecy underscores the extent and severity of the impending judgment, signaling that even the most impressive and seemingly permanent features of the sacred sanctuary would not be spared.
* **"and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city":** This clause broadens the scope of the prophecy beyond the named monumental items to include all other sacred "vessels" (utensils, implements, or apparatuses) that had not yet been plundered or destroyed. The phrase "that remain in this city" highlights that these items, though having survived previous incursions, were now explicitly marked for removal. This signifies the comprehensive nature of the impending Babylonian conquest and the complete despoliation of the Temple, leaving nothing behind.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 27:19 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message. The repeated phrase "concerning the..." (anaphora) serves to build a sense of impending doom and meticulous divine accounting, emphasizing that no item, however grand or sacred, will escape the decreed judgment. The specific naming of "the pillars," "the sea," and "the bases" uses **Synecdoche**, where prominent parts (these iconic temple furnishings) represent the whole (all the remaining temple treasures and, by extension, the fate of Jerusalem itself). This also functions as **Symbolism**, as these items were not merely functional but embodied God's covenant presence and Israel's spiritual identity. Their predicted removal is a powerful symbol of the temporary withdrawal of God's protective hand and the impending desolation. The entire verse is a direct **Prophetic Declaration**, characterized by the authoritative "thus saith the LORD of hosts," which lends an undeniable weight and certainty to the pronouncement, contrasting sharply with the false hopes offered by other prophets and underscoring the **Divine Authority** behind the message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 27:19 profoundly illustrates the principle that God's judgment is comprehensive and inescapable when His people persist in rebellion. The fate of the temple vessels, though inanimate objects, serves as a tangible manifestation of God's sovereign control over history and His willingness to use foreign powers as instruments of His righteous discipline. It challenges any notion that sacred objects or institutions can act as a magical shield against divine wrath, emphasizing that true security lies in obedience and faithfulness to the covenant. This passage reminds us that God's holiness demands accountability, and even His own dwelling place and its sacred contents are subject to His overarching purposes, which include both judgment and, ultimately, restoration.

* [2 Kings 25:13-17](/2_kings/25-13-17 "2 Kings 25:13-17 - Babylonian Plunder of Temple Articles")
* [Daniel 5:2-3](/daniel/5-2-3 "Daniel 5:2-3 - Belshazzar's Sacrilege with Temple Vessels")
* [Ezra 1:7-11](/ezra/1-7-11 "Ezra 1:7-11 - Cyrus Returns Temple Vessels to Jerusalem")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 27:19, though a prophecy of judgment, carries profound lessons for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that God's word is utterly reliable, even when it delivers uncomfortable truths that challenge our preconceived notions of security or comfort. In a world saturated with appealing but often deceptive messages, this verse calls us to cultivate discernment, to cling to the unvarnished truth of God's revelation, and to resist the temptation to seek reassurance in false promises or superficial spirituality. It teaches us that true faith is not about manipulating God for our desired outcomes, but about humble submission to His sovereign will, even when His plans involve allowing loss or hardship. Just as the physical temple and its cherished items were subject to God's ultimate purpose, so too are our most prized possessions, our institutions, and even our lives. Our ultimate trust must be in the LORD of hosts Himself, not in the tangible blessings or structures He provides, knowing that His purposes, though sometimes painful, are always redemptive and lead to a greater glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where might I be seeking false comfort or security instead of trusting in God's sovereign plan, especially when facing difficult truths?**
* **How does the unsparing nature of God's judgment on His own temple challenge my understanding of His holiness and justice?**
* **What "sacred" things in my life (traditions, institutions, possessions) might I be holding onto more tightly than my obedience to God's revealed will?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of the "pillars, sea, and bases" in the Temple, and why were they specifically mentioned?**

Answer: The "pillars, sea, and bases" were not just ordinary temple furnishings; they were monumental and highly symbolic bronze structures from Solomon's original Temple. The two great bronze pillars, named Jachin and Boaz ([1 Kings 7:15-22](/1_kings/7-15-22 "1 Kings 7:15-22 - Description of Jachin and Boaz")), stood at the entrance, symbolizing strength and stability. The "molten sea" ([1 Kings 7:23-26](/1_kings/7-23-26 "1 Kings 7:23-26 - Description of the Molten Sea")) was an enormous bronze basin for priestly ablutions, symbolizing purity and the vastness of God's provision. The "bases" ([1 Kings 7:27-39](/1_kings/7-27-39 "1 Kings 7:27-39 - Description of the Bronze Bases")) were intricate wheeled stands for smaller lavers. Their specific mention in [Jeremiah 27:19](/jeremiah/27-19 "Jeremiah 27:19 - Prophecy of Temple Plunder") highlights their prominence and the fact that even these massive, seemingly permanent fixtures, central to the temple's function and symbolism, would not be spared from the Babylonian plunder. This underscored the totality of God's judgment and the futility of relying on physical structures for protection when the covenant was broken.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 27:19, with its focus on the despoliation of the physical Temple and its sacred vessels, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Covenant and the person of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with its furnishings, was a shadow of the true spiritual reality found in Christ. While the physical temple was subject to destruction due to human sin, Jesus declared Himself to be the true Temple, stating, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")," referring to His body ([John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")). The judgment pronounced upon the physical temple in Jeremiah foreshadows the end of the Old Covenant system, which was ultimately fulfilled in Christ's perfect sacrifice and the establishment of a new, spiritual temple made of believers ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Believers as Living Stones")). The "residue of the vessels that remain" in Jerusalem points to the finality of God's judgment on a rebellious system, yet in Christ, God's ultimate purpose is not destruction but redemption and the building of a new, eternal dwelling place. The "LORD of hosts" who exercised sovereign judgment in Jeremiah now exercises sovereign grace through the resurrected Christ, gathering a people for Himself from every nation, who worship Him not in a physical temple with plundered vessels, but in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). Thus, what was lost in the old covenant through judgment is infinitely surpassed and eternally secured in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the true and indestructible Temple.

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

2 Kings 25:13

And 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, did the Chaldees break in pieces, and carried the brass of them to Babylon.

Jeremiah 52:17

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.

Jeremiah 52:23

And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; [and] all the pomegranates upon the network [were] an hundred round about.

2 Kings 25:17

The height of the one pillar [was] eighteen cubits, and the chapiter upon it [was] brass: and the height of the chapiter three cubits; and the wreathen work, and pomegranates upon the chapiter round about, all of brass: and like unto these had the second pillar with wreathen work.

2 Chronicles 4:2

Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.

2 Chronicles 4:16

The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the LORD of bright brass.

1 Kings 7:15

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.