What number verse is Jeremiah 52:23 in the Bible?

Jeremiah 52:23 is the 20,300th verse of the Bible. Counting straight through the King James canon — all 31,102 verses from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 — Jeremiah 52:23 sits at position 20,300.

Translation

King James Version

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

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KJV (with Strong's)

And there were ninety ^H8673 and six ^H8337 pomegranates ^H7416 on a side ^H7307; and all the pomegranates ^H7416 upon the network ^H7639 were an hundred ^H3967 round about ^H5439.

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Complete Jewish Bible

There were ninety-six pomegranates on the outside; while the total number of pomegranates in the netting was one hundred.

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Berean Standard Bible

Each capital had ninety-six pomegranates on the sides, and a total of a hundred pomegranates were above the surrounding network.

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American Standard Version

And there were ninety and six pomegranates on the sides; all the pomegranates were a hundred upon the network round about.

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World English Bible Messianic

There were ninety-six pomegranates on the sides; all the pomegranates were one hundred on the network all around.

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Geneva Bible (1599)

And there were ninetie and sixe pomegranates on a side: and all the pomegranates vpon the net worke were an hundreth round about.

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Young's Literal Translation

And the pomegranates are ninety and six on a side, all the pomegranates are a hundred on the net-work round about.

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Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 52:23 meticulously describes the decorative bronze pomegranates adorning the capitals of the two monumental pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. This verse, embedded within a comprehensive inventory of items plundered by the Babylonians, specifies the precise count and arrangement of these elements: ninety-six pomegranates visible on each "side" or face of the chapiter, with a grand total of one hundred pomegranates encircling the intricate bronze network that ornamented the capitals. This exacting enumeration underscores the thoroughness of the Babylonian destruction and the profound loss of sacred objects, symbolizing the complete desecration of God's dwelling place in Jerusalem.

CONTEXT

Literary Context: Jeremiah 52 functions as a crucial historical appendix to the prophetic book, providing a detailed, almost forensic, account of Jerusalem's final fall and the subsequent Babylonian exile. This chapter largely parallels the historical narrative found in 2 Kings 24-25, serving to validate Jeremiah's long-standing prophecies of judgment against Judah. Verses 17-23 specifically enumerate the valuable bronze items confiscated by the Babylonians, including the massive bronze pillars themselves, the great bronze Sea, the movable stands, and various sacred utensils. Verse 23 narrows the focus to the intricate decorative pomegranates on the capitals of the two main pillars, Jachin and Boaz. This detailed description, even of such small architectural elements, emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the Babylonian plunder and the profound extent of the Temple's desecration, reinforcing the fulfillment of Jeremiah's dire warnings.
Historical & Cultural Context: The events documented in Jeremiah 52 reached their tragic climax in 586 BC, marking the culmination of decades of Judah's spiritual apostasy and political instability. Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, succumbed after a prolonged and brutal siege by Nebuchadnezzar's formidable Babylonian army. The Temple, constructed by King Solomon centuries earlier, was far more than a mere edifice; it was the spiritual, national, and theological heart of Judah, symbolizing God's covenant presence among His chosen people. Its destruction and the systematic plundering of its sacred contents, including the ornate pomegranates, represented a catastrophic blow to the national identity, religious life, and very existence of the Israelite people. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, pomegranates were widely revered symbols of fertility, abundance, prosperity, and divine blessing, frequently incorporated into sacred art, royal regalia, and architectural ornamentation. Their prominent presence on the Temple pillars, and their subsequent violent removal, would have been universally understood as an undeniable sign of the withdrawal of God's favor and the devastating consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.
Key Themes: Though seemingly a minor architectural detail, Jeremiah 52:23 contributes significantly to several overarching themes pervasive throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of Divine Judgment and Covenant Consequences. The meticulous destruction and plundering of the Temple, down to its most intricate decorative elements, vividly portrays the severity of God's righteous judgment upon Judah for its persistent idolatry, social injustice, and covenant disobedience, as consistently prophesied by Jeremiah (e.g., in the powerful Temple Sermon). Secondly, this verse underscores the profound theme of the Loss of Sacred Space and National Identity. The Temple was the tangible manifestation of God's dwelling among His people; its desecration signified the catastrophic disruption of that unique relationship and the dismantling of Judah's religious and national center. Finally, the precise enumeration, even amidst such chaos and destruction, subtly highlights the Reliability and Meticulousness of God's Word. The Bible's attention to such minute details, even in a historical appendix, affirms its accuracy and the divine oversight of its record-keeping, reinforcing the truth of God's warnings and the certainty of His fulfillment of both promises and judgments.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

Pomegranates (Hebrew, rimmôwn', H7416): From the root ramam (meaning "to be high" or "exalted"), this noun refers to the fruit of the pomegranate tree. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, pomegranates, with their numerous seeds, were potent symbols of fertility, abundance, and divine blessing. In the context of the Temple, these were not actual fruits but artificial, stylized ornaments, likely made of bronze, adorning the capitals of the pillars Jachin and Boaz. Their presence signified the prosperity, fruitfulness, and beauty associated with God's dwelling place.
Network (Hebrew, sᵉbâkâh', H7639): This feminine noun denotes a "net-work" or "lattice-work." In architectural terms, as used here, it refers to the intricate, reticulated ornamentation—a decorative bronze mesh or filigree—that adorned the capitals of the Temple pillars. It describes the elaborate craftsmanship upon which the pomegranates were arranged, highlighting the exquisite detail and beauty of the Temple's design.
Round about (Hebrew, çâbîyb', H5439): From the verb sabab (meaning "to turn" or "go about"), this word functions primarily as an adverb. It precisely describes the circular arrangement of the pomegranates, indicating that they encircled the entire circumference of the network on the pillar capitals. This emphasizes the complete and encompassing nature of the decoration, covering the capital on all sides.

Verse Breakdown

"And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side": This clause provides a specific count of the pomegranates visible or arranged on a particular face or quadrant of the chapiter (the capital of the pillar). The Hebrew term for "side" (rûwach') is used here idiomatically to denote a specific direction, face, or quarter of the architectural element. This suggests a precise, perhaps visible, count from a particular vantage point on the four-sided capital, indicating a remarkable level of detailed observation by the recorders of the plunder.
"and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about": This second clause clarifies the total count of pomegranates that encircled the entire bronze network on each pillar's capital. While ninety-six were visible on a single "side" (implying a specific segment or a prominent face), the comprehensive count around the entire circumference of the decorative network was one hundred. This distinction suggests either a different method of counting (e.g., those fully exposed versus the total, including partially obscured ones) or that the "side" refers to a quadrant where 96 were clearly visible, with the full circumference totaling 100. It underscores the meticulousness of the inventory taken during the Temple's destruction.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 52:23 employs Meticulous Detail as its primary literary device. The precise enumeration of "ninety and six pomegranates on a side" and "an hundred round about" highlights the biblical author's commitment to exactitude, even in the description of plundered architectural elements. This meticulousness serves to underscore the thoroughness of the Babylonian destruction and the profound, quantifiable loss experienced by Judah. Furthermore, the Symbolism of the pomegranates themselves is deeply significant. As ancient symbols of fertility, abundance, and divine blessing, their presence on the Temple pillars conveyed a powerful message of God's provision and favor. Their destruction and removal symbolize the reversal of these blessings due to Israel's unfaithfulness and the complete desecration of God's sacred dwelling. The verse also implicitly uses Irony by detailing the beauty and craftsmanship of what was lost, contrasting the former glory of the Temple with its present state of ruin and plunder, thereby amplifying the tragedy of Jerusalem's fall.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

This seemingly minor detail about Temple ornamentation carries profound theological weight. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, demonstrating that even the most intricate and beautiful elements of His dwelling place are not spared when His covenant people persist in disobedience. The meticulous inventory of the plundered items underscores the reality that God sees and accounts for everything, both in creation and in judgment, leaving no detail overlooked. The destruction of these symbols of abundance and blessing signifies the profound spiritual and physical desolation brought about by national sin, serving as a sobering reminder that divine favor is conditional upon faithfulness to the covenant.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

Jeremiah 52:23, though a historical detail of destruction, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God's attention to detail is not limited to creation or salvation but extends even to the consequences of disobedience. The meticulous record of the Temple's plunder serves as a sobering reminder of the weight of sin and the severity of God's righteous judgment. Just as the physical Temple was desecrated, we are called to consider the sacredness of our own lives, which, as believers, are now temples of the Holy Spirit. This verse prompts us to examine what "ornaments" or aspects of our lives might be hindering our spiritual fruitfulness or inviting spiritual "plunder" through unfaithfulness. It encourages a deep respect for all that is holy and a commitment to living lives that honor God's presence within us, ensuring that our spiritual "temple" remains consecrated and fruitful, rather than becoming a testament to neglect and desecration.

Questions for Reflection

How does the meticulous detail in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of God's character and His engagement with human history?
What "ornaments" or aspects of your spiritual life might be vulnerable to "plunder" if not carefully tended and consecrated to God?
In what ways does the destruction of the physical Temple prompt us to value and protect the spiritual "temple" of our own bodies and the church community?

FAQ

Why is there an apparent discrepancy in the number of pomegranates compared to 1 Kings 7:20?

Answer: The apparent discrepancy between Jeremiah 52:23 (ninety-six on a side, one hundred total on each capital) and 1 Kings 7:20 (two hundred in rows round about upon both the chapiters) is a common point of discussion among biblical scholars. Several explanations are offered to reconcile these accounts. One common understanding is that Jeremiah's account refers to a specific, visible count on each individual capital, perhaps those easily seen from a particular angle ("on a side"), with "an hundred round about" being the total on one capital. 1 Kings 7:20, by contrast, might be referring to the total number of pomegranates on both capitals (200 total, meaning 100 on each), or it might be a more general, rounded figure. Another possibility is that the accounts refer to slightly different phases of the Temple's existence or different methods of counting (e.g., those fully exposed versus those partially obscured by the network). Jeremiah's account, being an inventory taken during the destruction, might reflect a precise, on-site count of what was actually observed and recorded during the plunder, focusing on the most prominent or easily enumerated elements of the remaining structure.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

While Jeremiah 52:23 details the destruction of a physical structure and its ornaments, its ultimate fulfillment points profoundly to the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Temple, with its intricate beauty and sacred objects like the pomegranates symbolizing fruitfulness and blessing, was a shadow of a greater reality. Jesus Himself declared that He was the true Temple, stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up", referring to His own body. The plundering and destruction of the physical Temple, though a devastating judgment for Israel's sin, foreshadowed the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, whose body was broken and plundered on the cross, yet triumphantly raised again, establishing a new and living way to God. Through Christ, the true source of all blessing and spiritual fruitfulness, believers become living stones in a spiritual temple (1 Peter 2:5), indwelt by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). The loss of the physical pomegranates, symbols of earthly blessing, gives way to the eternal abundance and spiritual fruit (as described in Galatians 5:22-23) found in Christ, who is the ultimate "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!". Thus, the meticulous record of loss in Jeremiah ultimately directs our gaze to the comprehensive and perfect provision found in our resurrected Lord, who rebuilds what sin has destroyed.

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Commentary on Jeremiah 52 verses 12–23

12 ¶ Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,

13 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:

14 And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.

15 Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.

16 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.

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.

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.

19 And the basons, and the firepans, and the bowls, and the caldrons, and the candlesticks, and the spoons, and the cups; that which was of gold in gold, and that which was of silver in silver, took the captain of the guard away.

20 The two pillars, one sea, and twelve brasen bulls that were under the bases, which king Solomon had made in the house of the LORD: the brass of all these vessels was without weight.

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.

22 And a chapiter of brass was upon it; and the height of one chapiter was five cubits, with network and pomegranates upon the chapiters round about, all of brass. The second pillar also and the pomegranates were like unto these.

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

We have here an account of the woeful havoc that was made by the Chaldean army, a month after the city was taken, under the command of Nebuzaradan, who was captain of the guard, or general of the army, in this action. In the margin he is called the chief of the slaughter-men, or executioners; for soldiers are but slaughter-men, and God employs them as executioners of his sentence against a sinful people. Nebuzaradan was chief of those soldiers, but, in the execution he did, we have reason to fear he had no eye to God, but he served the king of Babylon and his own designs, now that he came into Jerusalem, into the very bowels of it, as captain of the slaughter-men there. And, 1. He laid the temple in ashes, having first plundered it of every thing that was valuable: He burnt the house of the Lord, that holy and beautiful house, where their fathers praised him, Isa 64:11. 2. He burnt the royal palace, probably that which Solomon built after he had built the temple, which was, ever since, the king's house. 3. He burnt all the houses of Jerusalem, that is, all the houses of the great men, or those particularly; if any escaped, it was only some sorry cottages for the poor of the land. 4. He broke down all the walls of Jerusalem, to be revenged upon them for standing in the way of his army so long. Thus, of a defenced city, it was made a ruin, Isa 25:2. 5. He carried away many into captivity (Jer 52:15); he took away certain of the poor of the people, that is, of the people in the city, for the poor of the land (the poor of the country) he left for vine-dressers and husbandmen. He also carried off the residue of the people that remained in the city, that had escaped the sword and famine, and the deserters, such as he thought fit, or rather such as God thought fit; for he had already determined some for the pestilence, some for the sword, some for famine, and some for captivity, Jer 15:2. But, 6. Nothing is more particularly and largely related here than the carrying away of the appurtenances of the temple. All that were of great value were carried away before, the vessels of silver and gold, yet some of that sort remained, which were now carried away, Jer 52:19. But most of the temple-prey that was now seized was of brass, which, being of less value, was carried off last. When the gold was gone, the brass soon went after it, because the people repented not, according to Jeremiah's prediction, Jer 27:19, etc. When the walls of the city were demolished, the pillars of the temple were pulled down too, and both in token that God, who was the strength and stay both of their civil and their ecclesiastical government, had departed from them. No walls can protect those, nor pillars sustain those, from whom God withdraws. These pillars of the temple were not for support (for there was nothing built upon them), but for ornament and significancy. They were called Jachin - He will establish; and Boaz - In him is strength; so that the breaking of these signified that God would no longer establish his house nor be the strength of it. These pillars are here very particularly described (Jer 52:21-23, from Kg1 7:15), that the extraordinary beauty and stateliness of them may affect us the more with the demolishing of them. All the vessels that belonged to the brazen altar were carried away; for the iniquity of Jerusalem, like that of Eli's house, was not to be purged by sacrifice or offering, Sa1 3:14. It is said (Jer 52:20), The brass of all these vessels was without weight; so it was in the making of them (Kg1 7:47), the weight of the brass was not then found out (Ch2 4:18), and so it was in the destroying of them. Those that made great spoil of them did not stand to weigh them, as purchasers do, for, whatever they weighted, it was all their own.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 12–23. Public domain.

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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.

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