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.

JEREMIAH 52:21KJV
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Jeremiah 52:21 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 52:21 mean?

Jeremiah 52:21 describes the size and construction of a bronze pillar from the temple in Jerusalem. Its measurements show that the pillar was a large metal structure with a hollow center, not a solid column.

The “fillet” was a measuring line that could be wrapped around the pillar. The “four fingers” describe the thickness of its metal wall. The account gives these details after describing the breaking up and removal of temple bronze in verse 17.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 52:21

  • “fillet” — חוּט (ḥut): This word means a cord or thread. Here it pictures a line wrapped around the pillar to measure the distance around it.
  • “fingers” — אֶצְבַּע (ʾetsbaʿ): This word means a finger and can also describe a small unit of length. Four fingerbreadths give the thickness of the pillar’s wall.

Why Jeremiah 52:21 matters

  • The twelve-cubit measurement is the distance around the pillar, not its width across. The verse says the line did “compass it,” meaning it went around the outside.
  • The pillars were substantial works of metal. One was eighteen cubits high—roughly 27 feet, or 8 meters, using an estimated cubit of 18 inches.
  • The measurements help the reader understand the scale of what was taken from the temple. Verse 17 says the Babylonians broke up the bronze pillars and carried their bronze to Babylon.

Where else these words appear

“thickness” Hebrew H5672 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Kings 7:26 And it was an hand breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths.
  • 2 Chronicles 4:5 And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
  • Job 15:26 He runneth upon him, even on his neck, upon the thick bosses of his bucklers:

“hollow” Hebrew H5014 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 27:8 Hollow with boards shalt thou make it: as it was shewed thee in the mount, so shall they make it.
  • Exodus 38:7 And he put the staves into the rings on the sides of the altar, to bear it withal; he made the altar hollow with boards.
  • Job 11:12 For vain man would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.

“fillet” Hebrew H2339 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 14:23 That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:
  • Judges 16:12 Delilah therefore took new ropes, and bound him therewith, and said unto him, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And there were liers in wait abiding in the chamber. And he brake them from off his arms like a thread.
  • Ecclesiastes 4:12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

“fingers” Hebrew H676 · used in 28 verses

  • Exodus 8:19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh's heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
  • Leviticus 9:9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar:
  • Psalms 8:3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;