But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields. But the captain of the guardThis phrase refers to Nebuzaradan, the commander of the Babylonian imperial guard. In Hebrew, "captain of the guard" is "רַב־טַבָּחִים" (rav tabbachim), which can also mean "chief executioner." Historically, this title indicates a high-ranking official in the Babylonian army, responsible for carrying out the orders of King Nebuchadnezzar. His role in the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people is significant, as he was the one who executed the king's commands, demonstrating the fulfillment of God's judgment upon Judah for their disobedience. left behind
The Hebrew word used here is "וַיּוֹתֵר" (vayyoter), meaning "to leave" or "to spare." This action of leaving behind some of the people indicates a deliberate choice. In the context of divine providence, it suggests that even in judgment, God preserves a remnant. This remnant theology is a recurring theme in the Bible, where God always maintains a group of people through whom He will fulfill His promises. some of the poorest of the land
The Hebrew term "דַּלַּת הָאָרֶץ" (dallat ha'aretz) refers to the poorest or the weakest members of society. These individuals were not considered a threat to the Babylonian empire and were thus left to maintain the land. This highlights a biblical principle where God often uses the humble and lowly to accomplish His purposes, as seen throughout Scripture. The poor in spirit are often those who are most open to God's work and grace. to tend the vineyards and fields
The phrase "לְכֹרְמִים וּלְיֹגְבִים" (lekhormim uleyogvim) refers to agricultural work, specifically tending vineyards and fields. This indicates that despite the devastation, life and sustenance were to continue in the land. Vineyards and fields are symbolic of God's provision and blessing. In a broader biblical context, this can be seen as a metaphor for spiritual fruitfulness and the restoration that God promises to His people. The land, though ravaged, still held the potential for renewal and growth, pointing to the hope of future restoration for Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. Captain of the GuardThis refers to Nebuzaradan, the commander of the Babylonian guard, who was responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its people. 2. The Poorest of the LandThese were the individuals left behind in Judah after the Babylonian exile. They were considered insignificant by the Babylonians and were tasked with agricultural work. 3. Vineyards and FieldsThese represent the agricultural resources of the land, which were crucial for sustenance and economic stability. 4. Babylonian ExileThe event where the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and took many Israelites into captivity. 5. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which was conquered by Babylon in 586 BC. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty in Judgment and MercyEven in judgment, God shows mercy by leaving a remnant. This demonstrates His sovereignty and His plan for restoration. The Value of the Humble and LowlyGod often uses those considered insignificant by the world to fulfill His purposes. The poorest were left to tend the land, showing that God values all people. Stewardship of ResourcesThe remnant was tasked with caring for the land, highlighting the importance of stewardship. We are called to be faithful stewards of what God has entrusted to us. Hope Amidst DesolationEven in times of destruction and loss, God provides hope and a future. The presence of the remnant signifies that God is not finished with His people. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of the "poorest of the land" in 2 Kings 25:12 reflect God's view of humility and service? 2. In what ways can we see God's mercy in the midst of judgment in this passage, and how does this apply to our lives today? 3. How does the concept of stewardship in this verse challenge us to manage our resources and responsibilities? 4. What parallels can we draw between the remnant left in Judah and the concept of a faithful remnant in the New Testament? 5. How can we find hope and purpose in situations that seem desolate or challenging, as seen in the lives of those left behind in Judah? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 39:10This verse parallels 2 Kings 25:12, describing the same event where the poorest were left to tend the land. Leviticus 25:23-24These verses discuss the land belonging to God and the Israelites being stewards, which can be related to the remnant left to care for the land. Isaiah 61:1-3This passage speaks of bringing good news to the poor and the restoration of the land, offering hope and future restoration. People Ahikam, Babylonians, Careah, Elishama, Evilmerodach, Gedaliah, Ishmael, Jaazaniah, Jehoiachin, Johanan, Kareah, Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan, Nethaniah, Seraiah, Shaphan, Solomon, Tanhumeth, Zedekiah, ZephaniahPlaces Arabah, Babylon, Egypt, Hamath, Jericho, Jerusalem, Mizpah, RiblahTopics Behind, Body-guard, Captain, Care, Chief, Door, Executioners, Fields, Guard, Husbandmen, Plowmen, Poor, Poorest, Vinedressers, Vine-dressers, Vines, VineyardsDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 25:1-12 7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 25:1-21 4215 Babylon
7217 exile, in Babylon 2 Kings 25:8-12 1035 God, faithfulness
7135 Israel, people of God 2 Kings 25:8-15 5508 ruins 2 Kings 25:11-12 4538 vineyard
7145 remnant Library The End
'1. And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about. 2. And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah. 3. And on the ninth day of the fourth month the famine prevailed in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land. 4. And the city was broken up, and all the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Last Agony
'In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it. 2. And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. 3. And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture 'As Sodom'
'Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 2. And he did that which was evil in the eyes of the Lord, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 3. For through the anger of the Lord it came to pass in Jerusalem and Judah, till he had cast them out from his presence, that Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon. 4. And it came to pass, in the ninth year of his reign, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Country of Jericho, and the Situation of the City.
Here we will borrow Josephus' pencil, "Jericho is seated in a plain, yet a certain barren mountain hangs over it, narrow, indeed, but long; for it runs out northward to the country of Scythopolis,--and southward, to the country of Sodom, and the utmost coast of the Asphaltites." Of this mountain mention is made, Joshua 2:22, where the two spies, sent by Joshua, and received by Rahab, are said to "conceal themselves." "Opposite against this, lies a mountain on the other side Jordan, beginning from …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica How those who Use Food Intemperately and those who Use it Sparingly are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 20.) Differently to be admonished are the gluttonous and the abstinent. For superfluity of speech, levity of conduct, and lechery accompany the former; but the latter often the sin of impatience, and often that of pride. For were it not the case that immoderate loquacity carries away the gluttonous, that rich man who is said to have fared sumptuously every day would not burn more sorely than elsewhere in his tongue, saying, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Backsliding.
"I will heal their backsliding; I will love them freely: for Mine anger is turned away."--Hosea xiv. 4. There are two kinds of backsliders. Some have never been converted: they have gone through the form of joining a Christian community and claim to be backsliders; but they never have, if I may use the expression, "slid forward." They may talk of backsliding; but they have never really been born again. They need to be treated differently from real back-sliders--those who have been born of the incorruptible …
Dwight L. Moody—The Way to God and How to Find It The Iranian Conquest
Drawn by Boudier, from the engraving in Coste and Flandin. The vignette, drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a statuette in terra-cotta, found in Southern Russia, represents a young Scythian. The Iranian religions--Cyrus in Lydia and at Babylon: Cambyses in Egypt --Darius and the organisation of the empire. The Median empire is the least known of all those which held sway for a time over the destinies of a portion of Western Asia. The reason of this is not to be ascribed to the shortness of its duration: …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9 Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 25:12 NIV2 Kings 25:12 NLT2 Kings 25:12 ESV2 Kings 25:12 NASB2 Kings 25:12 KJV
2 Kings 25:12 Commentaries
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