Jeremiah 52:18

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.

The caldrons {H5518} also, and the shovels {H3257}, and the snuffers {H4212}, and the bowls {H4219}, and the spoons {H3709}, and all the vessels {H3627} of brass {H5178} wherewith they ministered {H8334}, took they away {H3947}.

They also took away the pots, shovels, snuffers, basins, pans, and all the bronze articles they had used in worship.

They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, dishes, and all the articles of bronze used in the temple service.

The pots also, and the shovels, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and all the vessels of brass wherewith they ministered, took they away.

Commentary

Jeremiah 52:18 KJV vividly recounts a significant moment during the final destruction of Jerusalem, detailing the systematic plundering of the sacred Temple by the invading Babylonian army. This verse lists specific brass implements, integral to the Temple's daily sacrificial and worship services, that were taken away by the conquerors, signifying the complete desolation of the holy site.

Context

This verse is found in the concluding chapter of the Book of Jeremiah, which serves as a historical summary and confirmation of the prophecies of judgment delivered throughout the book. It parallels the account given in 2 Kings 25, describing the tragic fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC. After a prolonged siege, the city was breached, King Zedekiah captured, and the glorious Temple built by Solomon was systematically stripped of its treasures, then burned by Nebuzaradan, captain of King Nebuchadnezzar's guard. The removal of these vessels underscored the complete subjugation of Judah and the profound desecration of its spiritual heart.

Key Themes

  • Desecration and Plunder: The detailed list of "caldrons," "shovels," "snuffers," "bowls," and "spoons" highlights the thoroughness of the plunder. These were not just ordinary items but sacred "vessels of brass wherewith they ministered," meaning they were dedicated to the holy service of God. Their removal symbolized the cessation of formal Temple worship and the spiritual violation of God's dwelling place in Jerusalem.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The destruction of the Temple and the city, including the plunder of its sacred vessels, was a direct and severe consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness to God's covenant. This event served as a stark fulfillment of divine judgment, repeatedly warned about by prophets like Jeremiah.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jeremiah had prophesied the seventy-year Babylonian exile and the destruction of Jerusalem with remarkable precision. This detailed account, including the inventory of plundered items, emphasizes the exact fulfillment of God's word, even in judgment, as seen in prophecies like Jeremiah 25:11.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wherewith they ministered" uses the Hebrew term sharath (שָׁרַΧͺ), which specifically refers to serving or ministering, often in a religious or priestly capacity. This emphasizes that these brass vessels were not for common use but were consecrated for the solemn rituals and operations of the Temple. Their confiscation by a foreign, pagan power was therefore an act of profound sacrilege, not merely theft.

Practical Application

While a historical account of judgment, Jeremiah 52:18 offers enduring spiritual lessons:

  • The Gravity of Sin: It serves as a powerful reminder that persistent disobedience to God's commands carries significant consequences, both for individuals and nations.
  • God's Sovereignty in Judgment: Even amidst such devastation, God's sovereignty is evident as His prophecies are fulfilled precisely. He remains in control, working His purposes through historical events.
  • Reverence for the Sacred: The desecration of the Temple underscores the importance of maintaining reverence for what is holy and dedicated to God. For believers today, our bodies are considered a temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19), urging us to live lives of purity and devotion.
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Cross-References

  • Exodus 27:3

    And thou shalt make his pans to receive his ashes, and his shovels, and his basons, and his fleshhooks, and his firepans: all the vessels thereof thou shalt make [of] brass.

  • Numbers 4:14

    And they shall put upon it all the vessels thereof, wherewith they minister about it, [even] the censers, the fleshhooks, and the shovels, and the basons, all the vessels of the altar; and they shall spread upon it a covering of badgers' skins, and put to the staves of it.

  • 1 Kings 7:45

    And the pots, and the shovels, and the basons: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, [were of] bright brass.

  • 1 Kings 7:40

    And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:

  • 2 Chronicles 4:8

    He made also ten tables, and placed [them] in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.

  • Numbers 4:7

    And upon the table of shewbread they shall spread a cloth of blue, and put thereon the dishes, and the spoons, and the bowls, and covers to cover withal: and the continual bread shall be thereon:

  • 2 Chronicles 4:22

    And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, [of] pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy [place], and the doors of the house of the temple, [were of] gold.
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