Jeremiah 17:12
A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary.
Original Language Analysis
כָב֔וֹד
A glorious
H3519
כָב֔וֹד
A glorious
Strong's:
H3519
Word #:
2 of 6
properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness
מָר֖וֹם
high
H4791
מָר֖וֹם
high
Strong's:
H4791
Word #:
3 of 6
altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)
מֵֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
from the beginning
H7223
מֵֽרִאשׁ֑וֹן
from the beginning
Strong's:
H7223
Word #:
4 of 6
first, in place, time or rank (as adjective or noun)
Cross References
Psalms 96:6Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.Ezekiel 43:7And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel for ever, and my holy name, shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcases of their kings in their high places.Jeremiah 14:21Do not abhor us, for thy name's sake, do not disgrace the throne of thy glory: remember, break not thy covenant with us.Ezekiel 1:26And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it.Revelation 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.Hebrews 12:2Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.Hebrews 4:16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.Isaiah 6:1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
Historical Context
The Jerusalem temple, built by Solomon (1 Kgs 6-8), stood as the central symbol of God's presence with Israel. The Holy of Holies housed the ark of the covenant, above which God was enthroned between the cherubim (Ex 25:22, Ps 80:1). Despite the temple's significance, the prophets consistently warned that it could not protect an unfaithful nation (Jer 7:4, 26:6, Ezek 10-11). The temple's destruction in 586 BC fulfilled these warnings, yet God's throne remained secure.
Questions for Reflection
- How does recognizing God's eternal throne provide stability and hope amid earthly upheaval and judgment?
- In what ways might we wrongly trust in religious institutions or places while neglecting heart devotion to God?
- How does Christ as both temple and enthroned King fulfill and surpass the Old Testament sanctuary?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
This verse shifts abruptly from the condemnation of false trust to a declaration of God's sovereignty and the temple's sanctity. The "glorious high throne" refers to God's heavenly throne, eternally established "from the beginning" (merishon, מֵרִאשׁוֹן). The throne represents divine sovereignty, judgment, and kingship—God's rule is not derived from earthly powers but exists eternally.
"The place of our sanctuary" connects heaven and earth, indicating that the Jerusalem temple reflects God's heavenly throne room (cf. Isa 6:1, Ezek 1:26-28). Despite Judah's corruption, God's throne remains glorious and His sanctuary remains His appointed meeting place with His people. This provides hope—though judgment is coming, God's purposes and presence endure.
From a Reformed perspective, this verse points forward to Christ, who is both the ultimate temple (John 2:19-21) and the one seated on the glorious throne (Rev 5:6-14). The earthly sanctuary was always meant to anticipate the greater reality of God dwelling with His people through the incarnation and ultimately in the new creation (Rev 21:3, 22-23). No human sin can dethrone God or nullify His covenant purposes.