Jeremiah 52:13

KJV

And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great [men], burned he with fire:

KJV (with Strong's)

And burned {H8313} the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, and the king's {H4428} house {H1004}; and all the houses {H1004} of Jerusalem {H3389}, and all the houses {H1004} of the great {H1419} men, burned {H8313} he with fire {H784}:

Complete Jewish Bible

He burned down the house of ADONAI, the royal palace and all the houses in Yerushalayim - every notable person's house he burned to the ground.

Berean Standard Bible

He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building.

American Standard Version

And he burned the house of Jehovah, and the king’s house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, even every great house, burned he with fire.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:13 vividly records the catastrophic culmination of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, detailing the systematic and comprehensive destruction wrought by Nebuzaradan, captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard. This verse specifically highlights the burning of the most significant structures in the city—the sacred Temple, the royal palace, and the homes of Jerusalem's elite—signifying the utter collapse of Judah's spiritual, political, and social fabric, and marking the definitive end of the Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is part of the historical appendix to the Book of Jeremiah, found in chapter 52, which largely parallels the account of Jerusalem's fall in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). Following a prolonged siege and King Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon, the city was breached, and its inhabitants faced severe famine and eventual capture. The preceding verses in [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile") describe the capture of Zedekiah, the slaughter of his sons, and the blinding of the king, setting the stage for the complete dismantling of the city. Verse 13, therefore, marks the physical obliteration of the city's most vital institutions, serving as the grim climax to the narrative of Judah's downfall.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Jeremiah 52:13 occurred around 586 BC, during the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar's reign. Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, had been under Babylonian siege for over two years. The destruction of cities, especially their temples and royal residences, was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern warfare, designed to demoralize the conquered populace, assert dominance, and prevent future rebellion. For Judah, the Temple was not merely a building but the symbolic dwelling place of Yahweh, a tangible sign of His covenant presence. Its destruction, alongside the king's palace (the seat of the Davidic monarchy) and the homes of the "great men" (the ruling elite), represented the complete dismantling of Judah's national identity, religious system, and political autonomy. The fire was not accidental but a deliberate act of annihilation, underscoring the finality of Babylonian conquest and, from a theological perspective, the severity of divine judgment.
* **Key Themes:** The burning of Jerusalem, particularly "the house of the LORD," is a powerful manifestation of several core themes in Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores **Divine Judgment and Consequences**, illustrating the severe repercussions of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience, as repeatedly warned by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 7:1-15](/jeremiah/7-1 "Jeremiah 7:1-15 - The Temple Sermon")). The **Desecration of Sacred Space** is another profound theme; the Temple, once the symbol of God's presence, became a site of destruction, signaling a period of divine discipline and the apparent withdrawal of God's visible protection. This act, however, was part of God's sovereign plan, a necessary purification to prepare for future restoration. Finally, the verse highlights the **Total Devastation** of the nation, emphasizing that no aspect of Judah's life—religious, political, or social—was untouched by the judgment, leading to the profound suffering and reflection characteristic of the [Babylonian exile](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of the Seventy-Year Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **burned (Hebrew, _sâraph'_):** From the primitive root H8313, meaning "to be (causatively, set) on fire; (cause to, make a) burn((-ing), up) kindle, [idiom] utterly." This word conveys a deliberate and thorough act of destruction by fire. It is not an accidental conflagration but a purposeful incineration, signifying the complete consumption and obliteration of the structures. The repetition of this verb in the verse ("burned... burned he with fire") emphasizes the intensity and totality of the devastation.
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, this term is remarkably versatile, meaning "a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.); court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out)." In Jeremiah 52:13, its application to "the house of the LORD," "the king's house," and "all the houses of Jerusalem" underscores the destruction of every facet of Judah's societal structure—its religious center, its political authority, and the private dwellings of its citizens, from the common to the elite.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the self-Existent or Eternal God, Jehovah, the Jewish national name of God. The phrase "house of the LORD" explicitly refers to Solomon's Temple, the sacred sanctuary where God's presence was believed to dwell. The burning of *His* house is a profound theological statement, indicating not a defeat of God, but His allowing the desecration of His earthly dwelling as a form of judgment against His people's unfaithfulness, demonstrating His sovereignty even over the symbols of His presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And burned the house of the LORD":** This clause immediately highlights the most devastating act—the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This was not merely an architectural loss but a profound theological trauma for Israel, as the Temple symbolized God's dwelling among His people and the locus of their worship and covenant relationship. Its burning signified the apparent withdrawal of God's visible presence and the breaking of the old covenant, a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and rebellion.
* **"and the king's house":** The destruction of the royal palace signifies the end of the Davidic monarchy and the political sovereignty of Judah. This act dismantled the earthly seat of power, the symbol of national independence, and the lineage that God had promised would endure. It marked the complete collapse of Judah's governmental structure and its status as an independent kingdom.
* **"and all the houses of Jerusalem":** This phrase broadens the scope of destruction to include the entire city's residential areas. It emphasizes the indiscriminate and total nature of the Babylonian assault, affecting the common populace and their daily lives. This was not a surgical strike but a widespread devastation, leaving the city uninhabitable and desolate.
* **"and all the houses of the great [men]":** This specifies that the homes of the city's elite, its leaders, wealthy citizens, and influential figures, were also consumed by fire. This detail underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment, affecting not only the religious and political centers but also the very pillars of Jerusalem's society. No one, regardless of status, was spared from the devastation, highlighting the universality of the judgment.
* **"burned he with fire":** This concluding phrase reiterates the method of destruction, "fire," and reinforces the active agent ("he," referring to Nebuzaradan, Nebuchadnezzar's captain). The use of "fire" emphasizes the consuming, purifying, and utterly destructive nature of the act. It is a powerful image of complete annihilation, leaving nothing but ashes and ruin in its wake, a stark visual representation of divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:13 employs several potent literary devices to convey the gravity of Jerusalem's destruction. **Repetition** is prominently used with the word "burned" ("burned... burned he with fire") and "house" ("house of the LORD," "king's house," "all the houses of Jerusalem," "all the houses of the great [men]"). This repetition serves to emphasize the thoroughness and overwhelming nature of the devastation, creating a sense of inescapable ruin. **Symbolism** is central, as the "house of the LORD" (the Temple) symbolizes God's presence and the spiritual heart of the nation, while the "king's house" represents political power and the Davidic dynasty. Their destruction, along with the homes of the "great men," symbolizes the complete collapse of Judah's religious, political, and social order. The use of "all the houses" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Synecdoche**, emphasizing the sweeping and total nature of the destruction, implying that virtually every significant structure was targeted, leaving nothing intact. The vivid imagery of **fire** itself is a powerful symbol of divine judgment, purification, and utter destruction, leaving no doubt about the finality of Jerusalem's fall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:13 stands as a stark testament to the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the unwavering nature of God's justice. The destruction of the Temple, the very dwelling place of the LORD, was a profound theological shock, yet it was a direct fulfillment of prophetic warnings, demonstrating that God's presence is not bound to a physical structure and that His covenant promises include both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. This event underscored God's sovereignty over nations and history, even using pagan empires as instruments of His divine purpose. It challenged Israel's false security in the Temple and called them to a deeper understanding of true worship and obedience, paving the way for a more spiritualized understanding of God's presence during the exile and beyond.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 2:1-9](/lamentations/2-1 "Lamentations 2:1-9 - God's Anger Against Zion")
* [Ezekiel 10:18-19](/ezekiel/10-18 "Ezekiel 10:18-19 - The Glory of the LORD Departs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 52:13 serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of God's warnings and the inevitable consequences of persistent disobedience, whether on a national or individual level. It challenges us to examine areas in our lives where we might be taking God's grace for granted or presuming upon His patience. The destruction of the Temple, once the symbol of God's presence, underscores that true worship is not tied to physical structures but to a heart of obedience and reverence. While we no longer have a physical temple, believers are now called to be the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit"), emphasizing the profound responsibility we have to maintain personal and communal purity. This passage also speaks to the nature of judgment, reminding us that God is just and righteous, and that His holiness demands a response from His creation. Even in scenes of immense destruction, we can discern God's sovereign hand, working through suffering to bring about His ultimate purposes, preparing the way for future restoration and a deeper, more spiritual relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be presuming upon God's grace or ignoring His warnings?**
* **How does the destruction of the physical Temple redefine my understanding of God's presence and true worship?**
* **What "idols" or false securities in my life might need to be "burned away" for me to fully trust in God's sovereignty?**

### FAQ
**Why did God allow His own Temple to be destroyed?**

Answer: God allowed His Temple to be destroyed not because He was powerless, but as a severe act of judgment against the persistent idolatry, unfaithfulness, and moral corruption of His people, Judah. The Temple had become a source of false security, where the people believed its mere presence would protect them regardless of their actions (as seen in [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - Trusting in the Temple")). God's allowance of its destruction demonstrated that His presence is not bound to a building and that He prioritizes righteousness and obedience over ritual. It was a painful but necessary purification, fulfilling the curses of the covenant for disobedience (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")) and preparing the way for a deeper, more spiritual understanding of His relationship with His people.

**What is the significance of "the houses of the great men" being burned along with the Temple and king's house?**

Answer: The burning of "the houses of the great men" signifies the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of God's judgment and the Babylonian conquest. It highlights that the destruction was not limited to the religious and political centers but extended to the very fabric of Jerusalem's society, including its elite and influential citizens. This detail underscores that no one, regardless of their status or wealth, was exempt from the consequences of the nation's sin. It symbolized the utter collapse of Judah's social structure, leadership, and economic stability, leaving no aspect of the nation untouched by the devastating judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 52:13, though a scene of devastating judgment, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in several ways. The destruction of the physical Temple, "the house of the LORD," foreshadows the end of the Old Covenant system and the coming of a new, spiritual reality in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" ([John 2:19](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")), speaking of the temple of His body. Just as the physical temple was destroyed due to the sins of the people, Christ, the ultimate Temple, was "destroyed" on the cross, taking upon Himself the full judgment for the sins of humanity. His resurrection three days later established a new, living Temple—His resurrected body and, by extension, the church, which is now the [temple of the Holy Spirit](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Believers as Temples of the Holy Spirit"). The judgment poured out on Jerusalem for its unfaithfulness ultimately points to the ultimate judgment that Christ bore on the cross, providing a way for humanity to escape eternal destruction. Through His sacrifice, the need for a physical, localized temple is superseded, as believers, united with Christ, become the dwelling place of God, fulfilling the promise of a new covenant where God's law is written on hearts, not on stone tablets ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant")). Thus, the ashes of Jerusalem's Temple give way to the glorious reality of Christ as the true and eternal sanctuary, where access to God is no longer mediated by a building but by faith in the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God").

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

Micah 3:12

Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed [as] a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.

Psalms 79:1

¶ A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance; thy holy temple have they defiled; they have laid Jerusalem on heaps.

2 Chronicles 36:19

And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof.

Amos 3:10

For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.

Amos 3:11

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; An adversary [there shall be] even round about the land; and he shall bring down thy strength from thee, and thy palaces shall be spoiled.

Isaiah 64:10

Thy holy cities are a wilderness, Zion is a wilderness, Jerusalem a desolation.

Isaiah 64:11

Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.