Keraia
Jeremiah 52

Jeremiah 52:21

The Temple Destroyed · Jeremiah 52:12–23
Read Jeremiah 52

Translations

Modern
Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall and twelve cubits in circumference; each was hollow, four fingers thick.
Traditional
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.
Literal
As to the pillars, eighteen cubits was the height of the one pillar, and a measuring line of twelve cubits could turn around it; its thickness was four fingers; it was hollow.
Latin
De columnis autem decem et octo cubiti altitudinis erant in columna una, et funiculus duodecim cubitorum circuibat eam: porro grossitudo ejus quatuor digitorum, et intrinsecus cava erat.

Original

Hebrew
English
Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall and twelve cubits in circumference; each was hollow, four fingers thick.

Notes

Jeremiah 52:21

Jeremiah included the phrase and twelve cubits in circumference in the last sentence (see 2 Kings 25:17).

Jeremiah 52:17–23

This section provides a more detailed list of Temple furnishings than 1 Kings 6:1–38.

Jeremiah 52:12–21

  • This section provides details not in 2 Kings 25. The Babylonians took great wealth by stealing all the precious metals from the Temple before burning it.

  • The Babylonian looters broke large metal items into pieces to load them onto wagons and transport them.

  • Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall and twelve cubits in circumference; each was hollow, four fingers thick: These words are added to the 2 Kings 25 text.

Jeremiah 52:1–34

This chapter retells the story from 2 Kings 24:18–25:30, describing Jerusalem's last month, with some added details and changes. Repeating this passage highlights Jeremiah's honesty as a true prophet of God. Everything Jeremiah predicted about the city's destruction and the end of Judah's kingdom happened. Similarly, his predictions about the Exile, the hardships of the survivors in Babylon, and their return also came true.

Events

Measurements

  • twelve cubits in circumference: About 27 ft high x 18 ft around (8.2 m x 5.5 m around)
  • four fingers thick: About 2.9 in (7.4 cm)

Parallels

2 Kings 25:8–17

Glossary

Book of Jeremiah Diblah Diblath Finger (Measure) Handbreadth Kings, Books of First and Second Nebuzaradan Temple

Topics

Fingerbreadth: A Unit of Measurement Handbreadth: A Measure (About Four Inches) Jerusalem: Captured and Pillaged by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon Measure: A Finger Month: (Number Only Mentioned): Temple Destroyed In Nebuzaradan : Commands the Assyrian Army Which Besieged Jerusalem and Carried the Inhabitants to Babylon Pillar: Broken and Carried to Babylon Temple: Solomon's: Destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, and the Valuable Contents Carried to Babylon Zedekiah: Nebuchadnezzar Destroys the City and Temple