5019. Nebukadnetstsar or Nebbukadnetstsar
Lexical Summary
Nebukadnetstsar or Nebbukadnetstsar: Nebuchadnezzar

Original Word: נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Nbuwkadne'tstsar
Pronunciation: neh-boo-kad-nets-tsar
Phonetic Spelling: (neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar')
KJV: Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar
NASB: Nebuchadnezzar
Word Origin: [of foreign derivation]

1. Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar

Or Nbukadneotstsar (2 Kings 24:1, 2 Kings 24:10) {neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar'}; or Nbuwkadnetstsar (Esther 2:6; Daniel 1:18) {neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar'}; or Nbuwkadreotstsar {neb-oo-kad-rets-tsar'}; or Nbuwkadreltstsowr (Ezra 2:1; Jeremiah 49:28) {neb-oo-kad-rets-tsore'}; or foreign derivation; Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon -- Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar.

see HEBREW 'abaddoh

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
of foreign origin
Definition
"Nebo, protect the boundary," a Bab. king
NASB Translation
Nebuchadnezzar (60).

Brown-Driver-Briggs
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר and (incorrectly) נְבוּכַדְּנֶאצַּר (see also below) proper name, masculine Nebuchadrezzar, Nebuchadnezzar (Babylonian Nabû-kudurri-uƒur = (probably) Nebo, protect the boundary ! DlCalwer BL BudgeNebuchadn. (on kudurru, boundary, see DlHWB 319); possibly is also crown, and so SchrCOT 2 Kings 24:1; JägerBAS i. 471 proposes (thy) servant); — ᵐ5 Ναβουχοδονος(ς)ορ; Canon of Ptol Ναβοκολασσαρου SchrCOT 490, Abydenos etc. Ναβουκοδρόσορος, see Schrib. 2 Kings 24:1; — the great king of Babylon (reigned B.C. 605-562), who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive: most often נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל (׳נ often omitted in ᵐ5) Jeremiah 21:2,7 (but omitted by ᵐ5 Gie), Jeremiah 22:25; Jeremiah 25:1,9; Jeremiah 29:21; Jeremiah 32:28; Jeremiah 34:1 (see Baer's note; van d. H ׳נבוכדנ), Jeremiah 35:11; Jeremiah 37:1; Jeremiah 39:1,5 (see on Jeremiah 34:1), Jeremiah 34:11; Jeremiah 43:10; Jeremiah 44:30; Jeremiah 46:2,13,26; Jeremiah 49:30; Jeremiah 50:17; Jeremiah 51:34; Jeremiah 52:4,12; Ezekiel 26:7; Ezekiel 29:18; Ezekiel 29:19; Ezekiel 29:30; so Qr Jeremiah 49:28 (Kt ׳ב ׳נבוכדראצור מ); נְבוּבַדְרֶאצַּר֑ (מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל omitted) Jeremiah 32:1; Jeremiah 52:28,29,30. Spelt corruptly with n, ׳ב ׳נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר מ (compare SchrCOT 2 Kings 24:1 n.) 2 Chronicles 36:6; Daniel 1:1; Jeremiah 27:6,8,20; Jeremiah 28:3; Jeremiah 29:3; Ezra 2:1 Qr (Kt ׳ב ׳נבוכדבצור מ, compare Jeremiah 49:8 above); נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר alone 2 Chronicles 36:7,10,13 (׳הַמֶּלֶךְ נ), Jeremiah 29:1; נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּר ׳ב ׳מ 2 Kings 24:1,10,11; 2 Kings 25:1,8,22; Jeremiah 28:11,14; נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּר֑ 1 Chronicles 5:41; ׳ב ׳נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר מ Nehemiah 7:6; Esther 2:6; נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר Ezra 1:7 (׳ב ׳מ omitted), נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּר Daniel 2:1 (twice in verse), נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּ֑ר Daniel 1:18 (see also Tobit 14:5, Judges 1:1 #NAME?ᵐ5 above) — On Nebuchadnezzar see further TieleBabylonian-Assyrian Gesch., 421 ff., 454 ff.

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר31 proper name, masculine (= Biblical Hebrew רֶאצַּר-, etc.); — Daniel 2:28 23t. Daniel; Ezra 5:12,14; Ezra 6:5; ׳נְבֻכ Daniel 3:3 3t. Daniel.

Topical Lexicon
Name and Identity

Nebuchadnezzar (Hebrew נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר) is the title borne by the Neo-Babylonian monarch who reigned circa 605–562 BC and dominates the political horizon of Judah’s final decades. Scripture consistently designates him “king of Babylon,” presenting him as the leading instrument of God’s chastening of Judah and other nations.

Historical Background

Nebuchadnezzar succeeded his father Nabopolassar shortly after defeating Egypt at Carchemish (Jeremiah 46:2). Babylon’s ascendancy under his rule reshaped the ancient Near East, toppling Assyrian remnants, subduing Tyre, and exacting tribute from surrounding kingdoms. Archaeology (the Ishtar Gate, royal inscriptions, the Hanging Gardens tradition) confirms expansive building projects that parallel the biblical portrait of an ambitious empire-builder (Daniel 4:30).

Biblical Narratives and Key Events

1. First Siege and Subjugation of Judah
2 Kings 24:1 records Nebuchadnezzar’s initial invasion: “During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years”. The first deportation (Daniel and companions) follows in 605 BC (Daniel 1:1-4).

2. Second Siege and Deportation
• After Jehoiakim’s rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in 597 BC, deposing Jehoiachin and carrying off treasures and captives, including Ezekiel (2 Kings 24:10-17; Ezekiel 1:1-3).

3. Final Destruction of Jerusalem
• In 588–586 BC the Babylonian army returned. “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army” (2 Kings 25:1). The city fell, the temple was burned, and Zedekiah was blinded and exiled (Jeremiah 39:1-9; 52:12-27).

4. Interaction with the Prophet Jeremiah

Jeremiah repeatedly affirms Nebuchadnezzar’s divine appointment: “I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant” (Jeremiah 27:6). The prophet’s call to surrender is vindicated when the Judeans who flee to Egypt still face Babylonian judgment (Jeremiah 43:8-13).

5. Campaigns Against Other Nations
• Tyre: Ezekiel 26:7.
• Egypt: Ezekiel 29:18-20; 30:10-11.

Babylon thus becomes God’s rod for a season, fulfilling earlier warnings (Habakkuk 1:6).

6. The Book of Daniel—Personal Encounters with God
• Dream of the Statue (Daniel 2), unveiling successive Gentile empires.
• The Fiery Furnace decree and recognition of God’s power (Daniel 3:28-29).
• Seven-year humbling (Daniel 4:28-37). “I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored… I blessed the Most High” (Daniel 4:34). His restoration prefigures divine sovereignty over kings.

7. Post-Exilic Mentions

Vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar are later returned under Cyrus (Ezra 1:7; 6:5), underscoring God’s faithfulness.

Prophetic Role

Nebuchadnezzar embodies the “head of gold” (Daniel 2:38) yet also the “lion with eagle’s wings” soon humbled (Daniel 7:4). His rule fulfills prophecies of judgment (2 Chronicles 36:17-21), inaugurates the “times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24), and sets the stage for messianic expectation during exile.

Theological Themes

• Divine Sovereignty: Kings rise and fall at God’s command (Daniel 2:20-21; 4:17).
• Judgment and Mercy: Judah is disciplined, but promises of restoration stand (Jeremiah 29:10-14).
• Witness to the Nations: Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamations (Daniel 3:29; 4:1-3) foreshadow global acknowledgment of Israel’s God.
• Pride versus Humility: His madness illustrates the peril of self-exaltation (Proverbs 16:18).

Lessons and Ministry Applications

1. Submission to God’s Discipline: Like Judah, believers must heed divine correction.
2. Confidence in Providence: World events serve redemptive purposes even when governed by pagan rulers.
3. Evangelistic Expectation: The transformation of a Gentile monarch encourages prayer for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
4. Perseverance under Oppression: Daniel’s faithfulness models holy living in hostile cultures.

Foreshadowing of Christ’s Kingdom

Nebuchadnezzar’s golden head is shattered by the stone “cut without hands” (Daniel 2:34-35), directing attention to the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah. His personal testimony anticipates the confession that every tongue will ultimately declare Jesus Christ as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).

Occurrences Summary

Approximately fifty-eight appearances cluster in: 2 Kings (10), 2 Chronicles (4), Ezra (4), Nehemiah (1), Jeremiah (over thirty), Ezekiel (4), Daniel (about ten). These references trace a coherent narrative—from initial rise, through acts of judgment, to a humbled ruler witnessing to God’s glory—demonstrating Scripture’s unified portrayal of Nebuchadnezzar as both conqueror and conquered under the hand of the Most High.

Forms and Transliterations
וּנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר ונבוכדראצר לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֖ר לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּֽר׃ לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֒ לִנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר לנבוכדראצר לנבוכדראצר׃ נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֨ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּֽר׃ נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּֽר׃ נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֔ר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙ נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙ נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֙ נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֧ר נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֖ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֤ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֨ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֮ נְבוּכַדנֶאצַּ֤ר נבוכדנאצר נבוכדנצר נבוכדראצר נבכדנאצר נבכדנאצר׃ נבכדנצר נבכדנצר׃ lin·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar linḇūḵaḏreṣṣar linvuchadretzTzar nə·ḇū·ḵa·ḏ·neṣ·ṣar nə·ḇu·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar nəḇuḵaḏneṣṣar nəḇūḵaḏneṣṣar nəḇūḵaḏreṣṣar nevuchadnetzTzar nevuchadretzTzar ū·nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar ūnəḇūḵaḏreṣṣar unevuchadretzTzar
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
2 Kings 24:1
HEB: בְּיָמָ֣יו עָלָ֔ה נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל
NAS: In his days Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: In his days Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: his days came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

2 Kings 24:10
HEB: ק) עַבְדֵ֛י נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֖ל
NAS: the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: arise the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

2 Kings 24:11
HEB: וַיָּבֹ֛א נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֖ל
NAS: And Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon
KJV: And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
INT: came and Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon

2 Kings 25:1
HEB: לַחֹדֶשׁ֒ בָּ֠א נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֨ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֜ל
NAS: month, Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: month came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

2 Kings 25:8
HEB: שָׁנָ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֑ל
NAS: of King Nebuchadnezzar, king
KJV: of king Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

2 Kings 25:22
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִשְׁאִ֔יר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל
NAS: whom Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: whom had left Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

1 Chronicles 6:15
HEB: וִירוּשָׁלִָ֑ם בְּיַ֖ד נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּֽר׃ ס
NAS: away into exile by Nebuchadnezzar.
KJV: by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
INT: and Jerusalem the hand Nebuchadnezzar

2 Chronicles 36:6
HEB: עָלָ֣יו עָלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל
NAS: Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
KJV: Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: against came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

2 Chronicles 36:7
HEB: יְהוָ֔ה הֵבִ֥יא נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר לְבָבֶ֑ל וַיִּתְּנֵ֥ם
NAS: Nebuchadnezzar also brought
KJV: Nebuchadnezzar also carried
INT: of the LORD brought Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon and put

2 Chronicles 36:10
HEB: שָׁלַח֙ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֔ר וַיְבִאֵ֣הוּ בָבֶ֔לָה
NAS: King Nebuchadnezzar sent
KJV: king Nebuchadnezzar sent,
INT: sent King Nebuchadnezzar and brought to Babylon

2 Chronicles 36:13
HEB: וְ֠גַם בַּמֶּ֤לֶךְ נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙ מָרָ֔ד אֲשֶׁ֥ר
NAS: against King Nebuchadnezzar who
KJV: against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear
INT: also King Nebuchadnezzar rebelled who

Ezra 1:7
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֨ר הוֹצִ֤יא נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙ מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם
NAS: which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away
KJV: of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth
INT: which had carried Nebuchadnezzar Jerusalem and put

Nehemiah 7:6
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל
NAS: whom Nebuchadnezzar the king
KJV: of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king
INT: whom had carried Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon

Esther 2:6
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֣ר הֶגְלָ֔ה נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל׃
NAS: whom Nebuchadnezzar the king
KJV: of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king
INT: whom had been exiled Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon

Jeremiah 21:2
HEB: יְהוָ֔ה כִּ֛י נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֖ל
NAS: on our behalf, for Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: for us; for Nebuchadrezzar king
INT: of the LORD for Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 21:7
HEB: הָרָעָ֗ב בְּיַד֙ נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֔ל
NAS: into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king
INT: and the famine the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 22:25
HEB: מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם וּבְיַ֛ד נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֖ל
NAS: even into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: even into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king
INT: face the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 24:1
HEB: אַחֲרֵ֣י הַגְל֣וֹת נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֡ל
NAS: After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
KJV: after that Nebuchadrezzar king
INT: After had carried Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 25:1
HEB: הַשָּׁנָה֙ הָרִ֣אשֹׁנִ֔ית לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל׃
NAS: year of Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: year of Nebuchadrezzar king
INT: year was the first of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 25:9
HEB: יְהוָ֗ה וְאֶל־ נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶל֮
NAS: the LORD, 'and [I will send] to Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king
INT: the LORD to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 27:6
HEB: הָאֵ֔לֶּה בְּיַ֛ד נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֖ל
NAS: into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king
INT: these the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 27:8
HEB: אֹתוֹ֙ אֶת־ נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֔ל
NAS: will not serve him, Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: which will not serve the same Nebuchadnezzar the king
INT: will not serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 27:20
HEB: לֹֽא־ לְקָחָ֗ם נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֔ל
NAS: which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
KJV: Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon
INT: did not take Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 28:3
HEB: אֲשֶׁ֨ר לָקַ֜ח נְבוּכַדנֶאצַּ֤ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶל֙
NAS: which Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: house, that Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: which took Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

Jeremiah 28:11
HEB: אֶת־ עֹ֣ל ׀ נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־ בָּבֶ֗ל
NAS: the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king
KJV: the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king
INT: break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon

58 Occurrences

Strong's Hebrew 5019
58 Occurrences


lin·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar — 5 Occ.
nə·ḇu·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar — 26 Occ.
nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar — 26 Occ.
ū·nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar — 1 Occ.

5018
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