Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. Nebuzaradan the captain of the guardThe name "Nebuzaradan" is of Babylonian origin, meaning "Nebo has given offspring." Nebo was a Babylonian deity associated with wisdom and writing. Nebuzaradan held a significant position as the "captain of the guard," indicating his role as a high-ranking military officer, likely the chief executioner or commander of the king's bodyguard. His presence in the narrative underscores the might and organization of the Babylonian empire, which God used as an instrument of judgment against Judah. Historically, this reflects the period of Babylonian dominance in the ancient Near East, a time when God's people faced the consequences of their disobedience. took them
This phrase signifies the act of capturing or seizing, indicating the power and authority exercised by Nebuzaradan. The "them" refers to the remaining leaders and officials of Judah who were taken into exile. This act of taking is not just a physical relocation but also symbolizes the loss of freedom and the beginning of a period of suffering and reflection for the people of Judah. It serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. and brought them to the king of Babylon
The act of bringing these captives to the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar, highlights the complete subjugation of Judah under Babylonian rule. Nebuchadnezzar, as the king, represents the earthly power and authority that God allowed to rise for His purposes. This transfer of captives is a fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah, who foretold the exile as a result of the nation's persistent idolatry and injustice. at Riblah
Riblah was a strategic location in the land of Hamath, situated in modern-day Syria. It served as a military headquarters for Nebuchadnezzar during his campaigns in the region. The mention of Riblah is significant as it was the site where many decisions regarding the fate of Judah were made. Historically, Riblah's role as a military and administrative center underscores the thoroughness with which Babylon controlled its territories. Spiritually, it represents a place of judgment and decision, where the fate of the captured leaders was sealed. Persons / Places / Events 1. NebuzaradanHe was the captain of the guard under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Nebuzaradan played a significant role in the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, overseeing the destruction of the city and the deportation of its people. 2. The King of BabylonThis refers to King Nebuchadnezzar II, who was the ruler of the Babylonian Empire during the time of the conquest of Jerusalem. He is known for his military conquests and the expansion of the Babylonian Empire. 3. RiblahA city located in the land of Hamath, which served as a military headquarters for Nebuchadnezzar during his campaigns in the region. It was here that many of the decisions regarding the fate of the captured Judeans were made. 4. The DeportationThis event marks the forced relocation of the Judean people to Babylon, a significant moment in Jewish history known as the Babylonian Exile. It was a time of great suffering and loss for the people of Judah. 5. The CaptivesThese were the remaining leaders and people of Judah who were taken into exile. Their deportation marked the end of the kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe fall of Jerusalem and the exile of its people serve as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. The people of Judah had repeatedly ignored the warnings of the prophets, leading to their downfall. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentDespite the tragic events, God's sovereignty is evident. He used the Babylonian Empire as an instrument of judgment against Judah, fulfilling the prophecies spoken by His prophets. Hope in ExileEven in the midst of judgment and exile, God did not abandon His people. The exile was a period of refinement and preparation for their eventual return and restoration. Faithfulness in AdversityThe account of the captives, including figures like Daniel, demonstrates the importance of remaining faithful to God even in difficult circumstances. Their faithfulness became a testimony to God's power and faithfulness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the role of Nebuzaradan in 2 Kings 25:20 illustrate the fulfillment of God's warnings through the prophets? 2. In what ways does the Babylonian Exile serve as both a judgment and a means of refining God's people? 3. How can the experiences of the captives in Babylon, as seen in Daniel 1, inspire us to remain faithful in our own challenging situations? 4. What lessons can we learn from the fall of Jerusalem about the importance of heeding God's warnings and commands? 5. How does the hope of restoration, as seen in the promises of the prophets, encourage us in times of personal or communal exile? Connections to Other Scriptures Jeremiah 39This chapter provides a parallel account of the fall of Jerusalem and the actions of Nebuzaradan, offering additional details about the events described in 2 Kings 25. Lamentations 1The book of Lamentations reflects on the sorrow and devastation experienced by the people of Judah following the destruction of Jerusalem and their exile. Daniel 1This passage describes the experiences of some of the young men taken into Babylonian captivity, including Daniel, highlighting the challenges and opportunities they faced in a foreign land. 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 Armed, Babylon, Body-guard, Captain, Causeth, Chief, Commander, Executioners, Guard, Libnah, Nebuzaradan, Nebu'zarad'an, Nebuzar-adan, Riblah, TakethDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 25:1-21 4215 Babylon
7217 exile, in Babylon 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 25:20 NIV2 Kings 25:20 NLT2 Kings 25:20 ESV2 Kings 25:20 NASB2 Kings 25:20 KJV
2 Kings 25:20 Commentaries
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