Jeremiah 52:21

And [concerning] the pillars, the height of one pillar [was] eighteen cubits; and a fillet of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof [was] four fingers: [it was] hollow.

And concerning the pillars {H5982}, the height {H6967} of one {H259} pillar {H5982} was eighteen {H8083}{H6240} cubits {H520}; and a fillet {H2339} of twelve {H8147}{H6240} cubits {H520} did compass {H5437} it; and the thickness {H5672} thereof was four {H702} fingers {H676}: it was hollow {H5014}.

As for the columns, the height of one column was thirty-one-and-a-half feet; it took a twenty-one-foot measuring line to go around it; and its thickness was four fingers - it was hollow.

Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall and twelve cubits in circumference; each was hollow, four fingers thick.

And as for the pillars, the height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits; and a line of twelve cubits did compass it; and the thickness thereof was four fingers: it was hollow.

Commentary

Jeremiah 52:21 provides a precise, almost architectural, detail concerning one of the two magnificent bronze pillars that stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. This verse, part of a historical appendix largely mirroring 2 Kings 25, meticulously records the dimensions of the Temple's sacred artifacts as they were plundered and dismantled by the invading Babylonians. The description of its impressive height, circumference, and hollow construction underscores the thoroughness of the destruction and the immense value of what was lost.

Context

Jeremiah 52 serves as a somber postscript to the prophecies of Jeremiah, detailing the tragic fulfillment of his warnings: the fall of Jerusalem, the destruction of the First Temple, and the subsequent Babylonian exile. This chapter provides a historical summary of the events of 586 BC, focusing on the capture of King Zedekiah, the burning of the Temple, and the deportation of the populace. Verse 21 specifically describes one of the two grand pillars, named Jachin and Boaz (1 Kings 7:21), which were prominent features of the Temple's facade. This detailed inventory of the Temple's treasures highlights the complete dismantling of a sacred structure that represented God's dwelling among His people.

Key Themes

  • Detailed Destruction: The meticulous recording of dimensions emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the Babylonian conquest. The invaders left no stone unturned, thoroughly plundering and dismantling every significant item, symbolizing the complete removal of Israel's national and religious symbols. This detail underscores the prophetic pronouncements of judgment.
  • Loss of Glory and Divine Judgment: These grand pillars, once symbols of God's presence and Israel's strength, were now being measured for plunder. Their destruction represents the profound loss of national glory and the tangible consequences of persistent disobedience to God's covenant (Jeremiah 7:14).
  • Historical Veracity: The precise, verifiable dimensions lend credibility and historical weight to the biblical narrative. Such specific details affirm the reality of these structures and the historical events surrounding their fate.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Cubits": An ancient unit of length, typically measured from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger. While its exact length varied, a common estimate is about 18 inches (approximately 45 cm). Thus, eighteen cubits would be roughly 27 feet (8.2 meters), indicating an impressive height for a pillar.
  • "Fillet": In this context, "fillet" refers to the circumference or perimeter of the pillar. A fillet of twelve cubits would mean a circumference of approximately 18 feet (5.5 meters).
  • "Thickness thereof was four fingers": This detail specifies the wall thickness of the hollow bronze pillar. This indicates a significant but not solid construction, showcasing ancient engineering practices designed to reduce weight and conserve precious material while maintaining structural integrity.
  • "Hollow": The fact that the pillars were hollow, rather than solid bronze, is an important practical detail. This design would have made them lighter, easier to transport, and less resource-intensive to cast, while still providing the necessary visual grandeur and structural support (or symbolic presence) at the Temple entrance.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 52:21 offers several practical insights for believers today:

  • The Transience of Earthly Structures: Even the most magnificent and divinely ordained structures, like Solomon's Temple, are subject to decay, destruction, and the ravages of time and conflict. This reminds us not to place ultimate trust or security in physical buildings, material possessions, or human achievements, but in the eternal God alone.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The meticulous detailing of the Temple's destruction serves as a solemn reminder that God's warnings about sin and disobedience are serious and carry real consequences. God is just, and His judgment is precise and complete when His people persistently turn away from Him.
  • God's Presence Beyond Buildings: While the Temple was a powerful symbol of God's dwelling among His people, its destruction demonstrated that God's presence is not confined to physical structures. In the New Testament, believers are taught that their bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, emphasizing a spiritual, internal dwelling of God that cannot be destroyed by human hands.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 1 Kings 7:21

    And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.

  • 2 Chronicles 3:15

    Also he made before the house two pillars of thirty and five cubits high, and the chapiter that [was] on the top of each of them [was] five cubits.

  • 2 Chronicles 3:17

    And he reared up the pillars before the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin, and the name of that on the left Boaz.
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