Jeremiah 52:21
As for the pillars, the height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, its circumference was twelve cubits, and its thickness was four fingers, and it was hollow.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The incredible detail that the pillars were hollow, with a wall only four fingers thick, is striking. It highlights how these massive, ornate structures were designed not just for impressive appearance, but also for a surprising internal emptiness, a testament to the craftsmanship and resources dedicated to the Temple, which would soon be destroyed.
This passage details the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred treasures by the Babylonians, focusing on the spoils taken from the Temple. Following the account of Nebuzaradan looting the Temple, Jeremiah meticulously lists the dimensions and craftsmanship of the two great bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, that once stood before the sanctuary. These verses offer a stark inventory of what was lost, emphasizing the hollow yet imposing grandeur of these symbolic structures before their ultimate fate.
These aren't just any pillars; they are described with precise measurements. What does this level of detail tell us about their significance?
Jeremiah 52 meticulously details the destruction of Jerusalem, and the removal of the temple's treasures. The pillars of Jachin and Boaz, standing at the temple entrance, were monumental. Each was 18 cubits high (about 27 feet) and had a circumference of 12 cubits. This circumference implies a diameter of nearly 4 cubits, making them substantial columns.
Their impressive size and the specific measurements recorded in Scripture highlight their importance as symbols of strength and stability for the temple. They were not merely structural supports but ornate, symbolic features meant to inspire awe. The exact details recorded show the significance of what was lost in the temple's destruction.
The pillars were strong and tall, yet the text reveals a surprising detail about their construction. What does this hidden feature signify?
While the pillars were imposing from the outside, the text states they were 'hollow.' This detail is crucial. The immense bronze casing, though thick enough to be impressive, enclosed an empty space. This hollowness, coupled with their eventual destruction and removal, serves as a powerful symbol.
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It speaks to a potential outward appearance of strength and stability that belied an inner lack of true substance or divine presence. For a nation whose hope was placed in its magnificent temple rather than the God it represented, this hollowness was a prophetic warning. True strength and permanence are not found in magnificent structures but in the living God.
Understand the original words
ammud · Hebrew Noun
A structural component of a building, often metaphorically used in Scripture to denote stability, support, or individuals who hold positions of prominence and leadership within the community of God.
ammah · Hebrew Noun
A unit of length used in the ancient Near East, generally defined as the distance from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger, approximately 18 inches.
Jeremiah's detailed description of the bronze pillars' measurements in chapter 52 serves as a stark reminder of what was lost when the First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians. It highlights the grandeur of God's house and the devastating extent of the plunder.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
King Solomon builds the First Temple in Jerusalem, a magnificent structure featuring two large bronze pillars, named Jachin and Boaz, at its entrance. These pillars were renowned for their artistry and symbolism.
c. 960 BC
Crafting of Jachin and Boaz Pillars
The pillars Jachin and Boaz are cast and erected, likely serving as symbolic gateways and architectural features for the First Temple. Their intricate details and measurements are recorded in Scripture.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquers Jerusalem and deports thousands of Judeans, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of the Judean exile.
587 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's forces return, destroy Jerusalem, and level the First Temple. The remaining sacred vessels and significant architectural elements, like the bronze pillars, are looted and taken to Babylon.
587 BC
Removal of Temple Artifacts to Babylon
Nebuzaradan, captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, systematically removes all valuable items from the destroyed Temple, including the bronze pillars, which are dismantled and carried away as spoils of war.
This passage provides the parallel account of the construction of the two bronze pillars, named Jachin and Boaz, detailing their height and circumference, offering a direct comparison to Jeremiah's description.
2 Chronicles 3:15This passage also describes the pillars made by Solomon, focusing on their height and the placement of the bronze capitals, which, along with the discussion of their dimensions, helps reconcile potential discrepancies in the measurements presented.
2 Kings 25:17This verse offers a briefer account of the pillars' destruction and removal, highlighting the same key measurements as Jeremiah 52:21, underscoring the significance of these ornate structures within the Temple.
Exodus 26:31-32While describing the Tabernacle's veil, this passage mentions 'four rings of gold' and 'bars of acacia wood overlaid with gold,' showing how elaborate construction and detailed measurements were also vital in the design of sacred furnishings in the Old Testament.
ellicottJeremiah 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."
(21-23) And concerning the pillars . . . —In 2Kings 25:16-17 we have a list abbreviated by the omission of some of the measurements and of the number and arrangement of the pomegranates. “Chapiter” is the old English word for the “capital” of a column. On a side.—The exact meaning of the Hebrew is tow…
barnesJeremiah 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."
The fillet means a measuring line; the pillars were 12 cubits, i. e., 18 feet, in circumference, and thus the diameter would be 5 feet 9 inches. As the brass was four fingers, i. e., scarcely four inches thick, the hollow center would be more than five feet in diameter.
The incredible detail that the pillars were hollow, with a wall only four fingers thick, is striking. It highlights how these massive, ornate structures were designed not just for impressive appearance, but also for a surprising internal emptiness, a testament to the craftsmanship and resources dedicated to the Temple, which would soon be destroyed.
This passage details the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred treasures by the Babylonians, focusing on the spoils taken from the Temple. Following the account of Nebuzaradan looting the Temple, Jeremiah meticulously lists the dimensions and craftsmanship of the two great bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, that once stood before the sanctuary. These verses offer a stark inventory of what was lost, emphasizing the hollow yet imposing grandeur of these symbolic structures before their ultimate fate.
This passage details the destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred treasures by the Babylonians, focusing on the spoils taken from the Temple. Following the account of Nebuzaradan looting the Temple, Jeremiah meticulously lists the dimensions and craftsmanship of the two great bronze pillars, Jachin and Boaz, that once stood before the sanctuary. These verses offer a stark inventory of what was lost, emphasizing the hollow yet imposing grandeur of these symbolic structures before their ultimate fate.
"As for the pillars, the height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, its circumference was twelve cubits, and its thickness was four fingers, and it was hollow." — The incredible detail that the pillars were hollow, with a wall only four fingers thick, is striking. It highlights how these massive, ornate structures were designed not just for impressive appearan…
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