Jeremiah 52:23

KJV

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

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:23 provides a meticulous detail of the bronze pomegranates adorning the capitals of the two great pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. This verse, part of a comprehensive inventory of items plundered by the Babylonians, specifies the exact count and arrangement of these decorative elements: ninety-six pomegranates visible on each side of the chapiter and a total of one hundred pomegranates encircling the bronze network that decorated the capitals. This precise 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 serves as a historical appendix to the prophetic book, providing a detailed account of Jerusalem's final fall and the subsequent Babylonian exile, largely paralleling the narrative found in [2 Kings 24-25](/2_kings/24-25 "2 Kings 24-25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"). This chapter meticulously documents the siege, the capture of King Zedekiah, the destruction of the Temple, and the systematic plundering of its sacred vessels and architectural elements. Verses 17-23 specifically enumerate the valuable bronze items taken, including the great bronze pillars, the Sea, the stands, and various utensils. Verse 23 narrows the focus to the intricate decorative pomegranates on the capitals of the two main pillars, Jachin and Boaz, highlighting the thoroughness of the Babylonian inventory and the extent of the desecration. The detailed nature of this description emphasizes the profound loss and the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies regarding judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Jeremiah 52 took place in 586 BC, marking the culmination of decades of Judah's spiritual decline and political instability. Jerusalem, the capital of Judah, fell after a prolonged siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army. The Temple, built by Solomon centuries earlier, was not merely a place of worship but the spiritual and national heart of Judah, symbolizing God's presence among His people. Its destruction and the plundering of its sacred contents, including the ornate pomegranates, represented a catastrophic blow to the national identity and religious life of the Israelites. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, pomegranates were widely recognized symbols of fertility, abundance, and divine blessing, often used in sacred art and architecture. Their presence on the Temple pillars, and their subsequent removal, would have been understood as a clear sign of the withdrawal of God's favor and the devastating consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse, though seemingly a minor architectural detail, contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Covenant Consequences**. The meticulous destruction and plundering of the Temple, even down to its decorative elements, vividly illustrate the severity of God's judgment upon Judah for its persistent idolatry and disobedience, as prophesied throughout Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 7](/jeremiah/7 "Jeremiah 7 - The Temple Sermon")). Secondly, it highlights the **Loss of Sacred Space and National Identity**. The Temple was the tangible representation of God's dwelling among His people; its desecration signified the profound disruption of that relationship and the dismantling of Judah's national and religious center. Finally, the precise enumeration, even amidst chaos and destruction, points to 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 promises and warnings.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pomegranates (Hebrew, _rimmôwn'_):** From the root `ramam` (to be high or exalted), this word refers to the fruit of the pomegranate tree, known for its many seeds and often symbolizing fertility, abundance, and divine blessing in ancient Near Eastern cultures. In the context of the Temple, these were artificial ornaments, likely stylized representations of the fruit, adorning the capitals of the pillars Jachin and Boaz, signifying the prosperity and fruitfulness associated with God's presence.
* **Network (Hebrew, _sᵉbâkâh'_):** This term denotes a net-work or lattice-work, specifically referring to the intricate, reticulated ornamentation that adorned the capitals of the Temple pillars. It describes the decorative bronze mesh or filigree upon which the pomegranates were arranged, indicating the elaborate craftsmanship and beauty of the Temple's design.
* **Round about (Hebrew, _çâbîyb'_):** From the root `sabab` (to turn, go about), this word functions as an adverb meaning "around," "circuit," or "on every side." It precisely describes the circular arrangement of the pomegranates, indicating that they encircled the entire circumference of the network on the pillar capitals, emphasizing the complete and encompassing nature of the decoration.

#### 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 term "side" (Hebrew, _rûwach'_), though often meaning "wind" or "spirit," is used here idiomatically to denote a specific direction, face, or quarter of the architectural element. This indicates a precise, perhaps visible, count from a particular vantage point on the four-sided capital.
* **"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 "side" (perhaps implying a single face or a specific segment), the comprehensive count around the entire circumference of the decorative network was one hundred. This distinction suggests either a different method of counting (visible vs. total) or that some pomegranates were less visible from a single "side" but contributed to the overall circular design.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:23 employs **Meticulous Detail** as a 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 loss experienced by Judah. Furthermore, the **Symbolism** of the pomegranates themselves is significant. As ancient symbols of fertility, abundance, and divine blessing, their presence on the Temple pillars was deeply meaningful. 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.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly minor detail about Temple ornamentation carries significant theological weight. It speaks to the comprehensive nature of God's judgment, where 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. 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.

* [1 Kings 7:18-20](/1_kings/7-18 "1 Kings 7:18-20 - Description of Temple Pillars and Pomegranates")
* [Exodus 28:33-34](/exodus/28-33 "Exodus 28:33-34 - Pomegranates on Priestly Garments")
* [Haggai 2:15-19](/haggai/2-15 "Haggai 2:15-19 - God's Blessing After Temple Rebuilding")

### 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 a 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) and [1 Kings 7:20](/1_kings/7-20 "1 Kings 7:20 - Pomegranates on Temple Pillars") (two hundred in rows round about upon both the chapiters) is a common point of discussion among scholars. Several explanations are offered. 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](/1_kings/7-20 "1 Kings 7:20 - Pomegranates on Temple Pillars"), 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 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 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, the True Temple")", 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 raised again, establishing a new and living way to God. Through Christ, the true source of all blessing and fruitfulness, believers become living stones in a spiritual temple ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")), indwelt by the Holy Spirit ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). The loss of the physical pomegranates, symbols of earthly blessing, gives way to the eternal abundance and spiritual fruit (Galatians 5:22-23) found in Christ, who is the ultimate "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, the meticulous record of loss in Jeremiah ultimately directs our gaze to the comprehensive and perfect provision found in our resurrected Lord.

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

1 Kings 7:20

And the chapiters upon the two pillars [had pomegranates] also above, over against the belly which [was] by the network: and the pomegranates [were] two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.