Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version When the commander of the guard found Jeremiah, he said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster for this place. New Living Translation The captain of the guard called for Jeremiah and said, “The LORD your God has brought this disaster on this land, English Standard Version The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God pronounced this disaster against this place. Berean Standard Bible The captain of the guard found Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, Berean Literal Bible And the captain of the guards took Jeremiah and said to him, “YHWH your God has spoken this evil against this place, King James Bible And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place. New King James Version And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him: “The LORD your God has pronounced this doom on this place. New American Standard Bible Now the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God promised this disaster against this place; NASB 1995 Now the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God promised this calamity against this place; NASB 1977 Now the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, “ The LORD your God promised this calamity against this place; Legacy Standard Bible And the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, “Yahweh your God promised this calamity against this place; Amplified Bible And the captain of the bodyguard had taken Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God promised this disaster on this place. Berean Annotated Bible The captain of the guard found Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) and said to him, “The LORD your God {YHWH Eloheka} decreed this disaster on this place, Christian Standard Bible The captain of the guards took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, Holman Christian Standard Bible The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, American Standard Version And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, Jehovah thy God pronounced this evil upon this place; Contemporary English Version Nebuzaradan said: Jeremiah, the LORD your God warned your people that he would bring disaster on this land. English Revised Version And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him, the LORD thy God pronounced this evil upon this place: GOD'S WORD® Translation The captain of the guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, "The LORD your God threatened to bring this disaster on this place. Good News Translation The commanding officer took me aside and said, "The LORD your God threatened this land with destruction, International Standard Version The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and told him, "The LORD your God has predicted this disaster on this place. NET Bible The captain of the royal guard took Jeremiah aside and said to him, "The LORD your God threatened this place with this disaster. New Heart English Bible The captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, "The LORD your God pronounced this evil on this place; Webster's Bible Translation And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, The LORD thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe captain of the guard found Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, World English Bible The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “Yahweh your God pronounced this evil on this place; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the chief of the executioners takes Jeremiah and says to him, “Your God YHWH has spoken this calamity concerning this place, Berean Literal Bible And the captain of the guards took Jeremiah and said to him, “YHWH your God has spoken this evil against this place, Young's Literal Translation And the chief of the executioners taketh Jeremiah, and saith unto him, 'Jehovah thy God hath spoken this evil concerning this place, Smith's Literal Translation And the chief of the cooks will take to Jeremiah and say to him, Jehovah thy God spake this evil against this place. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the general of the army taking Jeremias, said to him: The Lord thy God hath pronounced this evil upon this place, Catholic Public Domain Version Therefore, the leader of the military, taking Jeremiah, said to him: “The Lord your God has declared this evil over this place, New American Bible The captain of the bodyguard took charge of Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD, your God, decreed ruin for this place. New Revised Standard Version The captain of the guard took Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God threatened this place with this disaster; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the general of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, The LORD your God has pronounced this evil upon this place. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the High Guard took Jeremiah and said to him: “LORD JEHOVAH your God spoke evil against this place OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said unto him: 'The LORD thy God pronounced this evil upon this place; Brenton Septuagint Translation And the chief captain of the guard took him, and said to him, The Lord thy God has pronounced all these evils upon this place: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah Remains in Judah1This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had released him at Ramah, having found him bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon. 2The captain of the guard found Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, 3and now the LORD has fulfilled it; He has done just as He said. Because you people have sinned against the LORD and have not obeyed His voice, this thing has happened to you.… Cross References The captain of the guard found Jeremiah Jeremiah 39:13-14 So Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the captains of the king of Babylon / had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guard, and they turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So Jeremiah remained among his own people. Jeremiah 38:13 and they pulled him up with the ropes and lifted him out of the cistern. And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard. 2 Kings 25:8-12 On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, entered Jerusalem. / He burned down the house of the LORD, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem—every significant building. / And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem. … and said to him, Jeremiah 37:17 Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” Jeremiah 38:14-17 Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and received him at the third entrance to the house of the LORD. “I am going to ask you something,” said the king to Jeremiah. “Do not hide anything from me.” / “If I tell you,” Jeremiah replied, “you will surely put me to death. And even if I give you advice, you will not listen to me.” / But King Zedekiah swore secretly to Jeremiah, “As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us this life, I will not kill you, nor will I deliver you into the hands of these men who are seeking your life.” … Jeremiah 42:1-6 Then all the commanders of the forces, along with Johanan son of Kareah, Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest, approached / Jeremiah the prophet and said, “May our petition come before you; pray to the LORD your God on behalf of this entire remnant. For few of us remain of the many, as you can see with your own eyes. / Pray that the LORD your God will tell us the way we should walk and the thing we should do.” … “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, 2 Kings 22:18-20 But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard, / because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD. / ‘Therefore I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place.’” So they brought her answer back to the king. 2 Kings 21:12-15 this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah that the news will reverberate in the ears of all who hear it. / I will stretch out over Jerusalem the measuring line used against Samaria and the plumb line used against the house of Ahab, and I will wipe out Jerusalem as one wipes out a bowl—wiping it and turning it upside down. / So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hands of their enemies. And they will become plunder and spoil to all their enemies, … Jeremiah 25:8-11 Therefore this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Because you have not obeyed My words, / behold, I will summon all the families of the north, declares the LORD, and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land, against its residents, and against all the surrounding nations. So I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and contempt, an everlasting desolation. / Moreover, I will banish from them the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of the bride and bridegroom, the sound of the millstones, and the light of the lamp. … Jeremiah 39:11-14 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, saying, / “Take him, look after him, and do not let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says.” / So Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the captains of the king of Babylon … Lamentations 4:12 The kings of the earth did not believe, nor any people of the world, that an enemy or a foe could enter the gates of Jerusalem. Isaiah 39:6-7 The time will surely come when everything in your palace and all that your fathers have stored up until this day will be carried off to Babylon. Nothing will be left, says the LORD. / And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.” 2 Chronicles 36:17-20 So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, / who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. / Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. … Ezekiel 12:13 But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die. Daniel 1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. / And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god. 2 Kings 24:10-14 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. / And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. / Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive. … Treasury of Scripture And the captain of the guard took Jeremiah, and said to him, The LORD your God has pronounced this evil on this place. The Lord. Jeremiah 22:8,9 And many nations shall pass by this city, and they shall say every man to his neighbour, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this great city? … Deuteronomy 29:24-28 Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger? … 1 Kings 9:8,9 And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and to this house? … Jump to Previous Armed Bodyguard Calamity Captain Chief Commander Decreed Disaster Evil Executioners Found Guard Jeremiah Promised Pronounced WordJump to Next Armed Bodyguard Calamity Captain Chief Commander Decreed Disaster Evil Executioners Found Guard Jeremiah Promised Pronounced WordJeremiah 40 1. Jeremiah, being set free by Nebuzaradan, goes to Gedaliah.7. The dispersed Jews repair unto him. 13. Johanan revealing Ishmael's conspiracy is not believed. The captain of the guard found Jeremiah The captain of the guard refers to Nebuzaradan, a high-ranking Babylonian official. His role was significant in the Babylonian military hierarchy, responsible for overseeing the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its inhabitants. Jeremiah, a prophet of God, had been imprisoned by the Judean authorities for his prophecies against Jerusalem. The fact that Nebuzaradan found Jeremiah indicates divine providence and protection over the prophet, as God ensured his safety amidst the chaos. This encounter highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to protect Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:8). and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA prophet called by God to deliver His messages to the people of Judah. Known for his perseverance and faithfulness amidst persecution and rejection. 2. Captain of the Guard Likely Nebuzaradan, a Babylonian official responsible for overseeing the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its people. He acknowledges God's role in the events that transpired. 3. The LORD (Yahweh) The covenant God of Israel, who decreed judgment upon Judah due to their persistent disobedience and idolatry. 4. Disaster on this place Refers to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile, a fulfillment of God's warnings through His prophets. 5. Babylonian Exile A significant event in Jewish history where the people of Judah were taken captive to Babylon as a result of their unfaithfulness to God. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in JudgmentRecognize that God is sovereign over nations and history. His decrees are fulfilled, and His justice is perfect. The Role of Prophets Understand the importance of listening to God's messengers. Prophets like Jeremiah were sent to warn and guide, and their messages are relevant for us today. Consequences of Disobedience Reflect on the serious consequences of turning away from God. Disobedience leads to judgment, but repentance can restore. Acknowledgment of God's Hand by Outsiders Note that even those outside the covenant community, like Nebuzaradan, can recognize God's actions. This challenges us to see God's work in the world around us. Hope in Exile Despite judgment, God’s plans include restoration and hope. Trust in His promises even in difficult times. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 40:2?2. How does Jeremiah 40:2 demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations and individuals? 3. What lessons can we learn from God's use of Nebuzaradan in Jeremiah 40:2? 4. How does Jeremiah 40:2 connect with God's promises in Jeremiah 29:11? 5. How can we apply the acknowledgment of God's judgment in Jeremiah 40:2 today? 6. In what ways does Jeremiah 40:2 encourage trust in God's ultimate plan? 7. How does Jeremiah 40:2 reflect God's sovereignty over nations and individuals? 8. What historical context surrounds Jeremiah 40:2 and its message? 9. How does Jeremiah 40:2 challenge our understanding of divine justice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 40? 11. Jeremiah 40:2–4 – What reasons, if any, do extra-biblical records provide for a Babylonian official treating Jeremiah favorably while others were exiled or killed? 12. Who was Nebuzaradan in the Bible? 13. Jeremiah 40:1 - Is there any historical or archaeological evidence to confirm or dispute Nebuzaradan's release of Jeremiah? 14. Why does Jeremiah 52:12-14 seem to conflict with 2 Kings 25:8-10 regarding the exact timing of Jerusalem's destruction? What Does Jeremiah 40:2 Mean The captain of the guard found Jeremiah• Nebuzaradan, Babylon’s commander (Jeremiah 39:11), locates the prophet among the captives at Ramah (Jeremiah 40:1). • Though Jerusalem has fallen (2 Kings 25:8-10), God preserves His messenger exactly as promised in Jeremiah 39:18. • The scene underlines divine faithfulness: while the city lies in ruins, the one who spoke God’s word stands unharmed (Jeremiah 1:18-19). • God often raises unexpected voices—even foreign officers—to acknowledge His servants (cf. Daniel 6:26-27; Acts 27:42-43). and said to him • A pagan military leader initiates respectful dialogue with the prophet of Israel—evidence that God’s truth reaches beyond covenant borders (Jeremiah 39:11-12). • The conversation fulfills God’s promise that Jeremiah would “speak whatever I command you” and be heard (Jeremiah 1:7). • Contrast the silence of Judah’s leaders (Jeremiah 38:19) with the attention Jeremiah now receives. God vindicates His Word when human power structures collapse (Psalm 138:4-5). • The exchange also demonstrates personal care; even in judgment, God singles out His faithful servant for compassionate treatment (Jeremiah 40:4-5). "The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place" • A Babylonian acknowledges that the fall of Jerusalem is not Babylon’s triumph but the LORD’s decree (Jeremiah 25:8-11; 27:6). • “Your God” reminds Judah that the covenant LORD remains theirs, even in chastisement (Deuteronomy 29:25-28). • The word “disaster” points back to centuries of ignored warnings (2 Chronicles 36:15-17). Prophecy meets fulfillment in real history. • God’s sovereignty shines: He controls nations (Isaiah 10:5-7) and uses them as instruments of discipline (Habakkuk 1:6-12). • Mercy is implicit. If the LORD ordained the calamity, He can also ordain restoration (Jeremiah 29:10-14; 31:31-34). summary Jeremiah 40:2 captures a dramatic reversal: a foreign commander recognizes the LORD’s hand where Judah’s own leaders would not. God’s faithful prophet is preserved, God’s warnings are verified, and even enemy voices testify that Jerusalem’s fall was the LORD’s purposeful judgment—underscoring His absolute sovereignty, covenant faithfulness, and the reliability of His Word. Hebrew The captainרַב־ (raḇ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7227: Much, many, great of the guard טַבָּחִ֖ים (ṭab·bā·ḥîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2876: A butcher, a lifeguardsman, a cook found וַיִּקַּ֥ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take Jeremiah לְיִרְמְיָ֑הוּ (lə·yir·mə·yā·hū) Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites and said וַיֹּ֣אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say to him, אֵלָ֔יו (’ê·lāw) Preposition | third person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to “The LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel your God אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā) Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular Strong's 430: gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative decreed דִּבֶּר֙ (dib·ber) Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue this הַזֹּ֔את (haz·zōṯ) Article | Pronoun - feminine singular Strong's 2063: Hereby in it, likewise, the one other, same, she, so much, such deed, that, disaster הָרָעָ֣ה (hā·rā·‘āh) Article | Adjective - feminine singular Strong's 7451: Bad, evil on אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to this הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that place, הַמָּק֖וֹם (ham·mā·qō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4725: A standing, a spot, a condition Links Jeremiah 40:2 NIVJeremiah 40:2 NLT Jeremiah 40:2 ESV Jeremiah 40:2 NASB Jeremiah 40:2 KJV Jeremiah 40:2 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 40:2 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 40:2 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 40:2 French Bible Jeremiah 40:2 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 40:2 The captain of the guard took Jeremiah (Jer.) |



