Jeremiah 52:17, commentary and pictures

When Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its temple, the Chaldeans broke the pillars of brass that were in the house of the LORD, and the bases, and the brasen sea that was in the house of the LORD, and carried all the brass of them to Babylon. The brass was carried away to Babylon rather than destroyed, as part of the destruction and of the sanctuary vessels that were carried away.

The destruction came a few years after the warning that Jerusalem would stand forever if the people kept the Sabbath holy by bearing no burdens on that day, but would be destroyed if they would not listen and obey. The breaking of the pillars of brass and the bases and the brasen sea and the carrying of all the brass to Babylon shows that destruction coming upon Jerusalem and its temple because the Sabbath was profaned, proving condescension in warning the people and judgment in fulfilling the warning.

The verse is part of the account of Babylon's judgment on Jerusalem and serves as a lesson about the fate of places that defy God. It belongs to the account of Babylon's fall and stands as a warning that cities and people who defy God face judgment.

The brass was broken and carried to Babylon with the gold and silver vessels and all the rich treasures as spoil, together with the priests and Levites and singers, the ancients and honorable, and young men and maidens, all in captivity. The vessels and treasures signify the graces of the church — its melting prayers, soul-stirring exhortations, hearty amens and loud shouts of praise — and their removal into the enemy's land signifies that those graces and the fathers and mothers in Israel and the praying, praising young men and maidens are gone from Christendom, leaving spiritual death, desolation and captivity to be mourned with wailing.