2 Kings 25 15

2 Kings 25:15 kjv

And the firepans, and the bowls, and such things as were of gold, in gold, and of silver, in silver, the captain of the guard took away.

2 Kings 25:15 nkjv

The firepans and the basins, the things of solid gold and solid silver, the captain of the guard took away.

2 Kings 25:15 niv

The commander of the imperial guard took away the censers and sprinkling bowls?all that were made of pure gold or silver.

2 Kings 25:15 esv

the fire pans also and the bowls. What was of gold the captain of the guard took away as gold, and what was of silver, as silver.

2 Kings 25:15 nlt

The captain of the guard also took the incense burners and basins, and all the other articles made of pure gold or silver.

2 Kings 25 verses

2 Kings 25 15 Meaning

2 Kings 25:15 states that the Babylonian captain of the guard took away all the firepans and basins from the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, whether they were made of pure gold or pure silver. This verse highlights the systematic plunder and despoilment of the consecrated vessels of the sanctuary by the invading forces, signifying the complete conquest of Judah and the desecration of its holiest site.

2 Kings 25 15 Context

This verse is situated in 2 Kings chapter 25, which recounts the final siege, fall, and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. Following an 18-month siege (v. 1-7) and the execution of King Zedekiah's sons and his own blinding, the Babylonians thoroughly ravaged Jerusalem. Verse 15 specifies the methodical removal of all valuable items from the Temple of the Lord, complementing earlier descriptions of its destruction and the stripping away of its larger bronze fixtures (vv. 13-17). This act completes the despoliation of God's house, symbolizing the utter judgment pronounced upon Judah for its long-standing unfaithfulness and idolatry, leading to the beginning of the seventy-year Babylonian exile.

2 Kings 25 15 Word analysis

• And the firepans (וְאֶת-הַמַּחְתּוֹת֙, ve'et-hammach'tot): "Firepans" (Heb. מַחְתָּה, mach'tah) were small shovels or censers used in Temple rituals for carrying hot coals from the altar of burnt offering to the altar of incense, or for carrying incense. They were integral to daily priestly functions and symbolised purity and divine communion. Their removal signifies the cessation of regular Temple worship.
• and the basins (וְאֶת-הַמִּזְרָקוֹת֙, ve'et-hammizrakoht): "Basins" (Heb. מִזְרָק, mizrak) were bowls used for sprinkling blood from sacrifices onto the altar or for libations (liquid offerings). These were vital instruments in the atonement rituals of the Old Covenant, connecting the worshipper to God through sacrifice. Their confiscation underscores the dismantling of the entire sacrificial system.
• and the things that were of gold, in gold (וְאֶת֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר זָהָ֔ב זָהָ֗ב, ve'et asher zahav zahav): This phrase emphasizes the precious nature of the materials. "Gold, in gold" refers to items made entirely of gold or those composed of very high-quality gold. This indicates a complete plundering not only of the major Temple components but also of the smaller, intricately crafted, and highly valuable objects used in daily sacred service.
• and that which was of silver, in silver (וַאֲשֶׁ֣ר כֶּ֔סֶף כָּֽסֶף, va'asher kesef kasef): Similarly, "silver, in silver" refers to objects made entirely of silver or those of pure, high-quality silver. This reiterates the thoroughness of the plunder, showing that no valuable item, regardless of its size or material (gold or silver), was left untouched by the Babylonian invaders. It speaks to the immense wealth held within the Temple, yet highlights that this wealth could not prevent divine judgment.
• the captain of the guard took away (לָקַ֖ח רַב־טַבָּחִֽים׃, laqah rav-tabakhim): The "captain of the guard" was Nebuzaradan (2 Kgs 25:8), a high-ranking military official in Nebuchadnezzar's army, directly responsible for the systematic demolition and plundering. The verb "took away" (Heb. לָקַח, laqah) denotes a deliberate, organized appropriation rather than casual looting. It implies the final, formal removal of the consecrated articles by the Babylonian authority, underscoring their power and the completion of Judah's subjugation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And the firepans, and the basins": These items, though perhaps not as grand as the pillars or the great bronze sea, were crucial for the everyday sacred rituals. Their explicit mention signifies the termination of liturgical practice and the defiling of the very functions of the priesthood, marking the desolation of Temple worship.
• "and the things that were of gold, in gold, and that which was of silver, in silver": This dual phrase emphasizes both the intrinsic value and the purity of the materials. It indicates that every article of high worth, whether made of solid gold or solid silver, was seized. This speaks to the total stripping of the Temple’s assets, fulfilling prophetic warnings of foreign nations plundering the wealth of the land. It also underscores the meticulous nature of the Babylonian inventory and plunder, leaving nothing valuable behind.

2 Kings 25 15 Bonus section

The plundering of these Temple vessels by Nebuchadnezzar has significant theological weight. Later, Belshazzar's infamous feast in Daniel 5, where he uses these very sacred vessels for revelry and idol worship, leads to immediate divine judgment. This highlights the concept of sacrilege and God's holiness. Even in exile, God holds His people accountable, and His sacred items retain their holiness, demanding reverence even from those who don't recognize Him. The preservation and eventual return of these vessels by Cyrus (Ezra 1:7-11) symbolized hope for Judah, signifying that God's covenant with His people remained active despite their judgment and temporary displacement. It showed God’s ultimate control over empires and His faithfulness to His promises, using a pagan king as an instrument of His restoration, just as he had used them as instruments of judgment.

2 Kings 25 15 Commentary

2 Kings 25:15 encapsulates a profound moment of spiritual and national loss for the people of Judah. The systematic removal of Temple articles, down to the small, sacred implements like firepans and basins, represents the complete breakdown of the established religious system. The purity of the gold and silver used for these objects— consecrated for Yahweh’s worship—was ironically surrendered into the hands of a pagan king and potentially destined for his idolatrous temples. This act vividly illustrates God's severe judgment upon Judah for generations of disobedience and idolatry. It signifies the end of the Mosaic covenant as lived out in the Promised Land, marking the culmination of prophecies concerning the desolation of Jerusalem and its Temple. This event also underscores God's sovereignty; though a pagan army performs the act, it is implicitly understood as the carrying out of divine decree. While a symbol of their present shame and spiritual poverty, the removal of these articles also set the stage for their eventual return under Cyrus, a testament to God's enduring covenant and ultimate restoration.