Many items from the Lord’s temple had been taken to Babylon (see 2 Chronicles 36:7; Daniel 1:2). By placing these items in his pagan temple, Nebuchadnezzar tried to show his god’s power over the Hebrew God. However, God promised the return of all the stolen items (see Jeremiah 27:16–22). The items from the temple were holy utensils, acceptable to God for worship and very valuable to the returning worshipers.