Jeremiah 27:19
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It's easy to skim past this verse, but Jeremiah specifically names the grandest, most ornate pieces of the Temple – the pillars, the great Sea basin, and their supporting stands. This isn't just about any leftover items; it highlights that even the most sacred, symbolically significant artifacts of Israel's worship would be plundered, demonstrating the complete devastation of God's dwelling place.
For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, the sea, the stands, and the rest of the vessels that are left in this city,
English Standard Version (ESV)
In the midst of Jeremiah's prophecies against nations and his pronouncements of judgment on Judah for disobedience, he specifically addresses the remaining precious items of the Jerusalem Temple. These aren't just random objects; they are the grand pillars, the massive molten sea, and the stands—symbols of God's presence and glory, some of which had already been taken in earlier invasions. This message directly follows warnings about false prophets and false kings, clarifying that even the remnants of Jerusalem's splendor, those not yet plundered, are also subject to divine judgment and destined for Babylon.
Jeremiah lists specific, grand items from the Temple. But these weren't just any objects; they were symbols of God's presence and glory.
Jeremiah singles out the temple's most magnificent, monumental pieces: the two bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the great molten Sea, and the ten bases that held the lavers (1 Kings 7:21-37). These weren't everyday items. They were the pinnacle of Israel's craftsmanship, divinely ordained for worship, and visible symbols of God's dwelling place among His people. Their detailed description in Kings highlights their importance. By naming them specifically, God shows that even these sacred, impressive objects are not exempt from His judgment.
Why does God's message focus on these specific, magnificent items? It's a powerful statement about judgment reaching even the most sacred places.
This verse is the beginning of a devastating prophecy. God, the Lord of hosts (the commander of all heavenly armies), declares judgment not just on the people, but on their most cherished possessions. The pillars, the Sea, the bases – these were not merely valuable; they represented the heart of Israel's worship and God's covenant presence. By decreeing their removal to Babylon, God demonstrates that no earthly glory, no matter how divinely appointed or splendid, can withstand His judgment when a nation turns away from Him. This is a sobering reminder that our ultimate security is not in physical or material things, but in our relationship with God.
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This prophecy addresses the magnificent bronze furnishings of Solomon's Temple, specifically the pillars Jachin and Boaz, the great molten sea, and their supporting bases. These were not carried off in earlier deportations but were among the final treasures plundered by the Babylonians when Jerusalem fell in 587/586 BC. Jeremiah's message highlights that even these substantial temple furnishings were destined for Babylon, underscoring the totality of the impending judgment.
c. 960 BC
Temple Construction Completed
King Solomon completes the First Temple in Jerusalem, a magnificent structure adorned with ornate bronze vessels, including two large pillars named Jachin and Boaz, a great molten sea basin, and ten smaller bases.
587/586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple
Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian army conquer Jerusalem, destroy the First Temple, and carry off much of its precious metalwork, including the bronze pillars, sea, and bases, to Babylon.
c. 587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Captivity
King Zedekiah's rebellion culminates in the fall of Jerusalem, the blinding and exile of Zedekiah, and the deportation of many remaining citizens and treasures to Babylon, marking a significant period of hardship for Judah.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great's Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers the Neo-Babylonian Empire, paving the way for the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.
538 BC
Edict of Cyrus and Return of Vessels
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, also returning the sacred vessels that had been taken from the First Temple.
This passage describes the very pillars, the molten sea, and the bases that Jeremiah is speaking of, detailing their magnificent construction in Solomon's Temple. It highlights the value and sacredness of these items, making their eventual destruction and removal a profound loss.
2 Kings 25:13-17This historical account directly details the Chaldeans carrying off the pillars, the sea, the stands, and the vessels of the temple to Babylon, fulfilling Jeremiah's prophecy. It shows the tangible consequence of God's judgment on Jerusalem.
Ezra 1:7-11This passage presents the fulfillment of the promise that these vessels would be returned to Jerusalem. Cyrus the Persian king returns the temple treasures previously taken by the Babylonians, demonstrating God's faithfulness to restore His people and His house.
Daniel 5:1-4This narrative shows the very vessels mentioned in Jeremiah being desecrated during Belshazzar's feast in Babylon. It illustrates that even when scattered and misused, these objects remained under God's sovereign purpose, waiting for their return.
pooleJeremiah 27:19: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,"
These were all parts of the temple, or vessels used in it. See 1 Kings 7 .
pulpitJeremiah 27:19: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,"
Verse 19. - This and the two following verses are thus given in the Septuagint: "For thus saith the Lord... and the rest of the vessels which the king of Babylon took not, when he carried Jeconiah captive from Jerusalem; they shall come to Babylon, saith the Lord." This shortened form throws a light on th…
It's easy to skim past this verse, but Jeremiah specifically names the grandest, most ornate pieces of the Temple – the pillars, the great Sea basin, and their supporting stands. This isn't just about any leftover items; it highlights that even the most sacred, symbolically significant artifacts of Israel's worship would be plundered, demonstrating the complete devastation of God's dwelling place.
In the midst of Jeremiah's prophecies against nations and his pronouncements of judgment on Judah for disobedience, he specifically addresses the remaining precious items of the Jerusalem Temple. These aren't just random objects; they are the grand pillars, the massive molten sea, and the stands—symbols of God's presence and glory, some of which had already been taken in earlier invasions. This message directly follows warnings about false prophets and false kings, clarifying that even the remnants of Jerusalem's splendor, those not yet plundered, are also subject to divine judgment and destined for Babylon.
In the midst of Jeremiah's prophecies against nations and his pronouncements of judgment on Judah for disobedience, he specifically addresses the remaining precious items of the Jerusalem Temple. These aren't just random objects; they are the grand pillars, the massive molten sea, and the stands—symbols of God's presence and glory, some of which had already been taken in earlier invasions. This message directly follows warnings about false prophets and false kings, clarifying that even the remnants of Jerusalem's splendor, those not yet plundered, are also subject to divine judgment and destined for Babylon.
"For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, the sea, the stands, and the rest of the vessels that are left in this city," — It's easy to skim past this verse, but Jeremiah specifically names the grandest, most ornate pieces of the Temple – the pillars, the great Sea basin, and their supporting stands. This isn't just abou…
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Last reviewed October 2026
