17 Also the pillars H5982 of brass H5178 that were in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 and the bases, H4350 and the brasen H5178 sea H3220 that was in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 the Chaldeans H3778 brake, H7665 and carried H5375 all the brass H5178 of them to Babylon. H894
For thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts H6635 concerning the pillars, H5982 and concerning the sea, H3220 and concerning the bases, H4350 and concerning the residue H3499 of the vessels H3627 that remain H3498 in this city, H5892 Which Nebuchadnezzar H5019 king H4428 of Babylon H894 took H3947 not, when he carried away captive H1540 Jeconiah H3204 the son H1121 of Jehoiakim H3079 king H4428 of Judah H3063 from Jerusalem H3389 to Babylon, H894 and all the nobles H2715 of Judah H3063 and Jerusalem; H3389 Yea, thus saith H559 the LORD H3068 of hosts, H6635 the God H430 of Israel, H3478 concerning the vessels H3627 that remain H3498 in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 and in the house H1004 of the king H4428 of Judah H3063 and of Jerusalem; H3389 They shall be carried H935 to Babylon, H894 and there shall they be until the day H3117 that I visit H6485 them, saith H5002 the LORD; H3068 then will I bring H5927 them up, and restore H7725 them to this place. H4725
To wit, the two H8147 pillars, H5982 and the pommels, H1543 and the chapiters H3805 which were on the top H7218 of the two pillars, H5982 and the two H8147 wreaths H7639 to cover H3680 the two H8147 pommels H1543 of the chapiters H3805 which were on the top H7218 of the pillars; H5982 And four H702 hundred H3967 pomegranates H7416 on the two H8147 wreaths; H7639 two H8147 rows H2905 of pomegranates H7416 on each H259 wreath, H7639 to cover H3680 the two H8147 pommels H1543 of the chapiters H3805 which were upon H6440 the pillars. H5982 He made H6213 also bases, H4350 and lavers H3595 made H6213 he upon the bases; H4350 One H259 sea, H3220 and twelve H8147 H6240 oxen H1241 under it.
And concerning the pillars, H5982 the height H6967 of one H259 pillar H5982 was eighteen H8083 H6240 cubits; H520 and a fillet H2339 of twelve H8147 H6240 cubits H520 did compass H5437 it; and the thickness H5672 thereof was four H702 fingers: H676 it was hollow. H5014 And a chapiter H3805 of brass H5178 was upon it; and the height H6967 of one H259 chapiter H3805 was five H2568 cubits, H520 with network H7639 and pomegranates H7416 upon the chapiters H3805 round about, H5439 all of brass. H5178 The second H8145 pillar H5982 also and the pomegranates H7416 were like unto these. 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
For he cast H6696 two H8147 pillars H5982 of brass, H5178 of eighteen H8083 H6240 cubits H520 high H6967 apiece: H5982 H259 and a line H2339 of twelve H8147 H6240 cubits H520 did compass H5437 either H8145 of them about. H5437 And he made H6213 two H8147 chapiters H3805 of molten H3332 brass, H5178 to set H5414 upon the tops H7218 of the pillars: H5982 the height H6967 of the one H259 chapiter H3805 was five H2568 cubits, H520 and the height H6967 of the other H8145 chapiter H3805 was five H2568 cubits: H520 And nets H7638 of checker H7639 work, H4639 and wreaths H1434 of chain H8333 work, H4639 for the chapiters H3805 which were upon the top H7218 of the pillars; H5982 seven H7651 for the one H259 chapiter, H3805 and seven H7651 for the other H8145 chapiter. H3805 And he made H6213 the pillars, H5982 and two H8147 rows H2905 round about H5439 upon the one H259 network, H7639 to cover H3680 the chapiters H3805 that were upon the top, H7218 with pomegranates: H7416 and so did H6213 he for the other H8145 chapiter. H3805 And the chapiters H3805 that were upon the top H7218 of the pillars H5982 were of lily H7799 work H4639 in the porch, H197 four H702 cubits. H520 And the chapiters H3805 upon the two H8147 pillars H5982 had pomegranates also above, H4605 over against H5980 the belly H990 which was by H5676 the network: H7639 and the pomegranates H7416 were two hundred H3967 in rows H2905 round about H5439 upon the other H8145 chapiter. H3805 And he set up H6965 the pillars H5982 in the porch H197 of the temple: H1964 and he set up H6965 the right H3233 pillar, H5982 and called H7121 the name H8034 thereof Jachin: H3199 and he set up H6965 the left H8042 pillar, H5982 and called H7121 the name H8034 thereof Boaz. H1162 And upon the top H7218 of the pillars H5982 was lily H7799 work: H4639 so was the work H4399 of the pillars H5982 finished. H8552 And he made H6213 a molten H3332 sea, H3220 ten H6235 cubits H520 from the one brim H8193 to the other: H8193 it was round H5696 all about, H5439 and his height H6967 was five H2568 cubits: H520 and a line H6957 H6961 of thirty H7970 cubits H520 did compass H5437 it round about. H5439 And under the brim H8193 of it round about H5439 there were knops H6497 compassing H5437 it, ten H6235 in a cubit, H520 compassing H5362 the sea H3220 round about: H5439 the knops H6497 were cast H3333 in two H8147 rows, H2905 when it was cast. H3332 It stood H5975 upon twelve H8147 H6240 oxen, H1241 three H7969 looking H6437 toward the north, H6828 and three H7969 looking H6437 toward the west, H3220 and three H7969 looking H6437 toward the south, H5045 and three H7969 looking H6437 toward the east: H4217 and the sea H3220 was set above H4605 upon them, and all their hinder parts H268 were inward. H1004 And it was an hand breadth H2947 thick, H5672 and the brim H8193 thereof was wrought H4639 like the brim H8193 of a cup, H3563 with flowers H6525 of lilies: H7799 it contained H3557 two thousand H505 baths. H1324 And he made H6213 ten H6235 bases H4350 of brass; H5178 four H702 cubits H520 was the length H753 of one H259 base, H4350 and four H702 cubits H520 the breadth H7341 thereof, and three H7969 cubits H520 the height H6967 of it. And the work H4639 of the bases H4350 was on this manner: they had borders, H4526 and the borders H4526 were between the ledges: H7948 And on the borders H4526 that were between the ledges H7948 were lions, H738 oxen, H1241 and cherubims: H3742 and upon the ledges H7948 there was a base H3653 above: H4605 and beneath the lions H738 and oxen H1241 were certain additions H3914 made of thin H4174 work. H4639 And every H259 base H4350 had four H702 brasen H5178 wheels, H212 and plates H5633 of brass: H5178 and the four H702 corners H6471 thereof had undersetters: H3802 under the laver H3595 were undersetters H3802 molten, H3332 at the side H5676 of every H376 addition. H3914 And the mouth H6310 of it within H1004 the chapiter H3805 and above H4605 was a cubit: H520 but the mouth H6310 thereof was round H5696 after the work H4639 of the base, H3653 a cubit H520 and an half: H2677 and also upon the mouth H6310 of it were gravings H4734 with their borders, H4526 foursquare, H7251 not round. H5696 And under H8478 the borders H4526 were four H702 wheels; H212 and the axletrees H3027 of the wheels H212 were joined to the base: H4350 and the height H6967 of a H259 wheel H212 was a cubit H520 and half H2677 a cubit. H520 And the work H4639 of the wheels H212 was like the work H4639 of a chariot H4818 wheel: H212 their axletrees, H3027 and their naves, H1354 and their felloes, H2839 and their spokes, H2840 were all molten. H3332 And there were four H702 undersetters H3802 to the four H702 corners H6438 of one H259 base: H4350 and the undersetters H3802 were of the very base H4350 itself. And in the top H7218 of the base H4350 was there a round H5696 compass H5439 of half H2677 a cubit H520 high: H6967 and on the top H7218 of the base H4350 the ledges H3027 thereof and the borders H4526 thereof were of the same. For on the plates H3871 of the ledges H3027 thereof, and on the borders H4526 thereof, he graved H6605 cherubims, H3742 lions, H738 and palm trees, H8561 according to the proportion H4626 of every one, H376 and additions H3914 round about. H5439 After this manner he made H6213 the ten H6235 bases: H4350 all of them had one H259 casting, H4165 one H259 measure, H4060 and one H259 size. H7095
And the bowls, H5592 and the snuffers, H4212 and the basons, H4219 and the spoons, H3709 and the censers H4289 of pure H5462 gold; H2091 and the hinges H6596 of gold, H2091 both for the doors H1817 of the inner H6442 house, H1004 the most H6944 holy H6944 place, and for the doors H1817 of the house, H1004 to wit, of the temple. H1964
And the pillars H5982 of brass H5178 that were in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 and the bases, H4350 and the brasen H5178 sea H3220 that was in the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 did the Chaldees H3778 break in pieces, H7665 and carried H5375 the brass H5178 of them to Babylon. H894 And the pots, H5518 and the shovels, H3257 and the snuffers, H4212 and the spoons, H3709 and all the vessels H3627 of brass H5178 wherewith they ministered, H8334 took they away. H3947 And the firepans, H4289 and the bowls, H4219 and such things as were of gold, H2091 in gold, H2091 and of silver, H3701 in silver, H3701 the captain H7227 of the guard H2876 took away. H3947 The two H8147 pillars, H5982 one H259 sea, H3220 and the bases H4350 which Solomon H8010 had made H6213 for the house H1004 of the LORD; H3068 the brass H5178 of all these vessels H3627 was without H3808 weight. H4948 The height H6967 of the one H259 pillar H5982 was eighteen H8083 H6240 cubits, H520 and the chapiter H3805 upon it was brass: H5178 and the height H6967 of the chapiter H3805 three H7969 cubits; H520 and the wreathen work, H7639 and pomegranates H7416 upon the chapiter H3805 round about, H5439 all of brass: H5178 and like unto these had the second H8145 pillar H5982 with wreathen work. H7639
And all the vessels H3627 of the house H1004 of God, H430 great H1419 and small, H6996 and the treasures H214 of the house H1004 of the LORD, H3068 and the treasures H214 of the king, H4428 and of his princes; H8269 all these he brought H935 to Babylon. H894
The adversary H6862 hath spread out H6566 his hand H3027 upon all her pleasant things: H4261 for she hath seen H7200 that the heathen H1471 entered H935 into her sanctuary, H4720 whom thou didst command H6680 that they should not enter H935 into thy congregation. H6951
And the Lord H136 gave H5414 Jehoiakim H3079 king H4428 of Judah H3063 into his hand, H3027 with part H7117 of the vessels H3627 of the house H1004 of God: H430 which he carried H935 into the land H776 of Shinar H8152 to the house H1004 of his god; H430 and he brought H935 the vessels H3627 into the treasure H214 house H1004 of his god. H430
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Jeremiah 52
Commentary on Jeremiah 52 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 52
Jer 52:1-34. Written by Some Other than Jeremiah (Probably Ezra) AS AN Historical Supplement to the Previous Prophecies
(See on Jer 51:64). Jeremiah, having already (thirty-ninth and fortieth chapters) given the history in the proper place, was not likely to repeat it here. Its canonical authority as inspired is shown by its being in the Septuagint version. It contains the capture and burning of Jerusalem, &c., Zedekiah's punishment, and the better treatment of Jehoiachin under Evil-merodach, down to his death. These last events were probably subsequent to Jeremiah's time.
3. through … anger of … Lord … Zedekiah rebelled—His "anger" against Jerusalem, determining Him to "cast out" His people "from His presence" heretofore manifested there, led Him to permit Zedekiah to rebel (2Ki 23:26, 27; compare Ex 9:12; 10:1; Ro 9:18). That rebellion, being in violation of his oath "by God," was sure to bring down God's vengeance (2Ch 36:13; Eze 17:15, 16, 18).
4. forts—rather, towers of wood [Kimchi], for watching the movements of the besieged from the height and annoying them with missiles.
7. (See on Jer 39:4).
9. gave judgment upon him—as guilty of rebellion and perjury (Jer 52:3; compare Eze 23:24).
11. Eze 12:13: "I will bring him to Babylon … yet shall he not see it."
prison—literally, "the house of visitations," or "punishments," that is, where there was penal work enforced on the prisoners, such as grinding. Hence the Septuagint renders it "the house of the mill." So Samson, after his eyes were put out, "ground" in the Philistine prison-house (Jud 16:21).
12. tenth day—But in 2Ki 25:8, it is said "the seventh day." Nebuzara-dan started from Riblah on the "seventh" day and arrived in Jerusalem on the "tenth" day. Seeming discrepancies, when cleared up, confirm the genuineness of Scripture; for they show there was no collusion between the writers; as in all God's works there is latent harmony under outward varieties.
13. all the houses … and all the houses of the great—the "and" defines what houses especially are meant, namely, the houses of the great men.
15. poor of … people—added to the account in 2Ki 25:11. "The poor of the people" are of the city, as distinguished from "the poor of the land," that is, of the country.
17. brake—that they might be more portable. Fulfilling the prophecy (Jer 27:19). See 1Ki 7:15, 23, 27, 50. Nothing is so particularly related here as the carrying away of the articles in the temple. The remembrance of their beauty and preciousness heightens the bitterness of their loss and the evil of sin which caused it.
brass … brazen—rather "copper … of copper."
18. (Ex 27:3).
19. of gold in gold—implying that the articles were of solid gold and silver respectively, not of a different metal inside, or alloyed [Grotius]. Whole: not breaking them as was done to the "brass" (Jer 52:17).
20. bulls … under the bases—But the bulls were not "under the bases," but under the sea (1Ki 7:25, 27, 38); the ten bases were not under the sea, but under the ten lavers. In English Version, "bases," therefore, must mean the lower parts of the sea under which the bulls were. Rather, translate, "the bulls were in the place of (that is, 'by way of'; so the Hebrew, 1Sa 14:9), bases," or supports to the sea [Buxtorf]. So the Septuagint. 2Ki 25:16 omits the "bulls," and has "and the bases"; so Grotius here reads "the bulls (which were) under (the sea) and the bases."
21. eighteen cubits—but in 2Ch 3:15, it is "thirty-five cubits." The discrepancy is thus removed. Each pillar was eighteen common cubits. The two together, deducting the base, were thirty-five, as stated in 2Ch 3:15 [Grotius]. Other ways (for example, by reference to the difference between the common and the sacred cubit) are proposed: though we are not able positively to decide now which is the true way, at least those proposed do show that the discrepancies are not irreconcilable.
22. five cubits—so 1Ki 7:16. But 2Ki 25:17 has "three cubits." There were two parts in the chapiter: the one lower and plain, of two cubits; the other, higher and curiously carved, of three cubits. The former is omitted in 2Ki 25:17, as belonging to the shaft of the pillar; the latter alone is there mentioned. Here the whole chapiter of five cubits is referred to.
23. on a side—literally, (on the side) towards the air or wind, that is, the outside of the capitals of the pillars conspicuous to the eye, opposed to the four remaining pomegranates which were not seen from the outside. The pomegranates here are ninety-six; but in 1Ki 7:20 they are two hundred on each chapiter, and four hundred on the two (2Ch 4:13). It seems there were two rows of them, one above the other, and in each row a hundred. They are here said to be ninety-six, but immediately following one hundred, and so in 1Ki 7:20. Four seem to have been unseen to one looking from one point; and the ninety-six are only those that could be seen [Vatablus]; or, the four omitted here are those separating the four sides, one pomegranate at each point of separation (or at the four corners) between the four sides [Grotius].
24. Seraiah—different from the Seraiah (Jer 51:59), son of Neriah; probably son of Azariah (1Ch 6:14).
Zephaniah—son of Maaseiah (see on Jer 21:1; Jer 29:25).
25. seven men—but in 2Ki 25:19 it is "five." Perhaps two were less illustrious persons and are therefore omitted.
principal scribe of the host—(Isa 33:18). His office was to preside over the levy and enroll recruits. Rawlinson observes that the Assyrian records are free from the exaggerated expressions found in the Egyptian. A minute account was taken of the spoil. Two "scribes of the host" are seen in every bas-relief, writing down the various objects brought to them: the heads of the slain, the prisoners, cattle, sheep, &c.
28. seventh year—in 2Ki 24:12, 14, 16, it is said "the eighth year" of Nebuchadnezzar. No doubt it was in part about the end of the seventh year, in part about the beginning of the eighth. Also in 2Ki 24:1-20, ten thousand (Jer 52:14), and seven thousand men of might, and a thousand craftsmen (Jer 52:16), are said to have been carried away, But here three thousand twenty-three. Probably the latter three thousand twenty-three were of the tribe of Judah, the remaining seven thousand out of the ten thousand were of the other tribes, out of which many Israelites still had been left in the land. The thousand "craftsmen" were exclusive of the ten thousand, as appears, by comparing 2Ki 24:14 with Jer 52:16. Probably the three thousand twenty-three of Judah were first removed in the end of "the seventh year"; the seven thousand and a thousand craftsmen in the "eighth year." This was at the first captivity under Jehoiachin.
29. eighteenth year—when Jerusalem was taken. But in Jer 52:15, and 2Ki 25:8, "the nineteenth year." Probably it was at the end of the eighteenth and the beginning of the nineteenth [Lyra].
eight hundred and thirty and two—The most illustrious persons are meant, who no doubt were carried away first, at the end of the eighteenth year.
30. Not recorded in Kings or Chronicles. Probably it took place during the commotions that followed the death of Gedaliah (Jer 41:18; 2Ki 25:26).
four thousand and six hundred—The exact sum-total of the numbers specified here, namely, three thousand twenty-three, eight hundred thirty-two, seven hundred forty-five, not including the general multitude and the women and children (Jer 52:15; Jer 39:9; 2Ki 25:11).
31. (2Ki 25:27-30).
five and twentieth day—but in 2Ki 25:27, it is "the twenty-seventh day." Probably on the twenty-fifth the decree for his elevation was given, and the preparations for it made by releasing him from prison; and on the twenty-seventh day it was carried into effect.
Evil-merodach—son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar [Lyra]; and the Hebrew writers say that during Nebuchadnezzar's exclusion from men among beasts, Evil-merodach administered the government. When Nebuchadnezzar at the end of seven years was restored, hearing of his son's misconduct and that he had exulted in his father's calamity, he threw him into prison, where the latter met Jeconiah and contracted a friendship with him, whence arose the favor which subsequently he showed him. God, in his elevation, rewarded his having surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar (compare Jer 38:17 with 2Ki 24:12).
lifted up … head—(Compare Ge 40:13, 20; Ps 3:3; 27:6).
32. set his throne above—a mark of respect.
the kings—The Hebrew text reads (the other) "kings." "The kings" is a Masoretic correction.
33. changed … garments—gave him garments suitable to a king.
did … eat bread before him—(2Sa 9:13).
34. every day a portion—rather, "its portion," (compare 1Ki 8:59, Margin).