Jeremiah 27 19

Jeremiah 27:19 kjv

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.

Jeremiah 27:19 nkjv

"For thus says the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, concerning the Sea, concerning the carts, and concerning the remainder of the vessels that remain in this city,

Jeremiah 27:19 niv

For this is what the LORD Almighty says about the pillars, the bronze Sea, the movable stands and the other articles that are left in this city,

Jeremiah 27:19 esv

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,

Jeremiah 27:19 nlt

"For the LORD of Heaven's Armies has spoken about the pillars in front of the Temple, the great bronze basin called the Sea, the water carts, and all the other ceremonial articles.

Jeremiah 27 verses

Jeremiah 27 19 meaning

Jeremiah 27:19 introduces a divine declaration regarding specific sacred items remaining within the Temple in Jerusalem. Through the prophet, the Lord states His intention concerning the bronze pillars, the great bronze laver known as "the Sea," the movable stands, and other remaining cultic vessels. This pronouncement follows earlier deportations when many valuable temple items had already been taken by Babylon. The verse functions as a preamble, setting the stage for the specific fate of these remaining objects, reinforcing the message that divine judgment is imminent and comprehensive, affecting even the symbols of God's presence among His people.

Jeremiah 27 19 Context

Jeremiah 27:19 falls within a significant section (Jeremiah 27-29) addressing Judah and neighboring nations about their impending subjugation to Babylon. This specific chapter (Jeremiah 27) primarily concerns Jeremiah’s prophetic action of wearing a yoke to symbolize that submission to Nebuchadnezzar is God’s decreed will for Judah and the surrounding kingdoms. This message was a direct challenge to false prophets in Jerusalem who were assuring the people of a swift end to Babylonian rule and the imminent return of the sacred temple vessels that had already been taken during earlier raids (e.g., under Jehoiakim in 605 BC, 2 Kgs 24:1-4). The false prophets specifically promised the return of those vessels and the safeguarding of those remaining. Therefore, verse 19, by pinpointing the specific, prominent temple items still present in Jerusalem, sets up a direct refutation of these false prophecies. It underscores that even these remaining sacred objects would not escape Babylonian plunder, signaling a more profound and complete judgment upon Jerusalem than anticipated by many. The nation's idolatry and rebellion had made the symbols of God's presence vulnerable.

Jeremiah 27 19 Word analysis

• For thus says the LORD of hosts: (כִּי־כֹה אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת – Ki koh amar Yahweh Tsva'ot)

  • כִּי (Ki): "For," functions here as an introductory particle, signaling the reason or the direct divine message that follows. It provides authority for the pronouncement.
  • כֹּה (Koh): "Thus," denotes a direct divine quotation.
  • אָמַר (Amar): "Says," or "declared." A standard prophetic verb emphasizing the divine origin of the message.
  • יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת (Yahweh Tsva'ot): "The LORD of hosts," or "LORD of armies/multitudes." This powerful divine title underscores God's omnipotence and universal sovereignty, signifying that His decree cannot be thwarted. He commands all heavenly and earthly forces, including foreign empires like Babylon. Its use here reinforces the ultimate authority behind the judgment against the temple items.

• concerning the pillars: (עַל־הָעַמֻּדִים – al ha-'amudim)

  • עַל (Al): "Concerning" or "regarding." Indicates the subject of the divine message.
  • הָעַמֻּדִים (ha-'amudim): "The pillars." This explicitly refers to Jachin and Boaz (1 Kgs 7:15-22), the two massive bronze columns that stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. These pillars were not structural but symbolic, representing God's establishing (Jachin) and strength (Boaz) for His people and the Temple. Their inclusion in the prophecy signifies that even the most prominent and symbolically charged items were subject to God's judgment and destined for plunder, stripping Jerusalem of its symbols of divine security.

• concerning the Sea: (עַל־הַיָּם – al ha-yam)

  • הַיָּם (ha-yam): "The Sea." This is the large "Molten Sea" or "Bronze Sea" (1 Kgs 7:23-26; 2 Chr 4:2-5), a colossal bronze laver mounted on twelve bronze oxen. It served priests for ritual ablutions, symbolizing purity and the covenant. Its sheer size and artistic craftsmanship made it one of the Temple's most magnificent and sacred pieces. Its mention underscores that no item, however central to worship or impressive, would be spared.

• concerning the stands: (וְעַל־הַמְּכֹנוֹת – ve'al ha-mekhonot)

  • וְעַל (Ve'al): "And concerning."
  • הַמְּכֹנוֹת (ha-mekhonot): "The stands" or "basins." These were ten ornate bronze stands, each carrying a smaller laver, used by priests for washing sacrifices (1 Kgs 7:27-39; 2 Chr 4:6-10). These items were functionally crucial for Temple rituals. Their specified mention shows the prophecy's detailed knowledge and the thoroughness of the impending plundering, extending to less monumental but equally sacred furnishings.

• and concerning the rest of the vessels that are left in this city: (וְעַל יֶתֶר כְּלֵי הַבַּיִת הַנִּשְׁאָרִים בָּעִיר הַזֹּאת – ve'al yeter keley ha-bayit ha-nish'arim ba'ir ha-zo't)

  • יֶתֶר (Yeter): "The rest" or "remainder." This word implies that many temple vessels had already been taken in previous campaigns by Babylon (2 Kgs 24:13). It highlights the already depleted state of the Temple treasures.
  • כְּלֵי הַבַּיִת (keley ha-bayit): "The vessels of the house," meaning the vessels of the Temple. This refers to all the numerous sacred implements used in worship—everything from shovels and snuffers to plates and bowls (e.g., 2 Kgs 25:14-15).
  • הַנִּשְׁאָרִים (ha-nish'arim): "That are left" or "that remain." This passive participle explicitly confirms that not all vessels were present. This directly counters the false prophets who promised the return of taken items (Jer 28:3) and a guaranteed safety for what remained. The statement stresses that what is left will also soon be taken.
  • בָּעִיר הַזֹּאת (ba'ir ha-zo't): "In this city," referring to Jerusalem. Pinpointing the location reinforces the immediate and direct relevance of the prophecy to its audience. The presence of these vessels in Jerusalem was often viewed as a guarantee of God's presence and protection. The prophecy shatters this false assurance.

Jeremiah 27 19 Bonus section

• Prophetic Foretelling: This verse is a direct foreshadowing of events explicitly recorded in 2 Kings 25:13-17 and Jeremiah 52:17-23, which detail the actual dismantling and carrying off of these very items to Babylon. The precision of Jeremiah's prophecy enhances his credibility and reinforces the divine origin of his message.
• Symbolic Significance of the Items: Beyond their literal functions, the pillars Jachin and Boaz represented establishment and strength; the Sea and stands, purification and holy service. Their removal symbolically declared that Jerusalem’s "establishment" was to be dismantled, its "strength" carried away, and its claim to "purification" proven superficial due to its moral decay.
• Polemics against "Temple Theology": During this period, there was a prevalent "Temple theology" that believed Jerusalem and the Temple were inviolable because God resided there (Jer 7:4). Jeremiah's message here, alongside other Temple sermons, directly challenged this misconception, asserting that the physical presence of sacred objects or a grand sanctuary did not grant automatic immunity from divine judgment, especially when accompanied by widespread apostasy and injustice.
• Context within Jeremiah's Ministry: Jeremiah was often ridiculed and persecuted for prophecies like this because they ran contrary to the popular, nationalistic hopes stirred by false prophets. This verse, therefore, represents a hard truth that Judah was unwilling to accept but desperately needed to hear, preparing them for the shock of profound loss.

Jeremiah 27 19 Commentary

Jeremiah 27:19 is a concise, yet deeply impactful declaration from the LORD, delivered through Jeremiah. It meticulously identifies specific, foundational Temple objects—the grand bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the colossal bronze Sea, the intricate stands for lavers, and the remaining general vessels—that still resided within Jerusalem. The precision in naming these items serves a dual purpose: first, it establishes the divine, authoritative knowledge of God over every detail, no matter how seemingly secure; second, it directly counters the prevalent false prophecies promising immunity for these sacred artifacts and the return of those already plundered.

The verse highlights God's sovereignty over the material symbols of His covenant, demonstrating that His presence and protection are not tied to physical objects if His people are disobedient. The impending removal of these items signifies the removal of Judah's false security, forcing them to confront the reality of their sin and God's unwavering judgment. This comprehensive loss of the Temple's glory foreshadows the spiritual desolation resulting from the people's rebellion, emphasizing that outward forms of religion cannot substitute for true repentance and faithful obedience.