Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The commander of the guard took as prisoners Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank and the three doorkeepers. New Living Translation Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took with him as prisoners Seraiah the high priest, Zephaniah the priest of the second rank, and the three chief gatekeepers. English Standard Version And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the threshold; Berean Standard Bible The captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers. King James Bible And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: New King James Version And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three doorkeepers. New American Standard Bible Then the captain of the bodyguards took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest, with the three doorkeepers. NASB 1995 Then the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest, with the three officers of the temple. NASB 1977 Then the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest, with the three officers of the temple. Legacy Standard Bible Then the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest, with the three doorkeepers of the temple. Amplified Bible The captain of the bodyguard took [captive] Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three doorkeepers [of the temple]. Christian Standard Bible The captain of the guards also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of the second rank, and the three doorkeepers. Holman Christian Standard Bible The commander of the guards also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of the second rank, and the three doorkeepers. American Standard Version And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold: Contemporary English Version Next, Nebuzaradan arrested Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah his assistant, and three temple officials. English Revised Version And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: GOD'S WORD® Translation The captain of the guard took the chief priest Seraiah, the second priest Zephaniah, and the 3 doorkeepers. Good News Translation In addition, Nebuzaradan, the commanding officer, took away as prisoners Seraiah the High Priest, Zephaniah the priest next in rank, and the three other important Temple officials. International Standard Version The captain of the guard arrested Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, three temple officials, NET Bible The captain of the royal guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah, the priest who was second in rank, and the three doorkeepers. New Heart English Bible The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold: Webster's Bible Translation And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers. World English Bible The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the chief of the executioners takes Seraiah the head priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold; Young's Literal Translation And the chief of the executioners taketh Seraiah the head priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold, Smith's Literal Translation And the chief of the cooks will take Seraiah the head priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three watchers of the threshold: Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the general of the army took Seraias the chief priest, and Sophonias the second priest, and three doorkeepers. Catholic Public Domain Version Also, the leader of the military took away Seraiah, the chief priest, and Zephaniah, the second priest, and three doorkeepers, New American Bible The captain of the guard also took Seraiah, the chief priest, Zephaniah, an assistant priest, and the three doorkeepers. New Revised Standard Version The captain of the guard took the chief priest Seraiah, the second priest Zephaniah, and the three guardians of the threshold; Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the commander of the guard took Sheriah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the door; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And the General of the Guards took Sheriah the Great One of the Priests and Tsephenia the Priest who was after him, and three Keepers of the Gate OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door; Brenton Septuagint Translation And the captain of the guard took Saraias the high-priest, and Sophonias the second in order, and the three doorkeepers. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Captives Carried to Babylon…17Each pillar was eighteen cubits tall. The bronze capital atop one pillar was three cubits high, with a network of bronze pomegranates all around. The second pillar, with its network, was similar. 18The captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers. 19Of those still in the city, he took a court official who had been appointed over the men of war, as well as five royal advisors. He also took the scribe of the captain of the army, who had enlisted the people of the land, and sixty men who were found in the city.… Cross References Jeremiah 52:24 The captain of the guard also took away Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the priest of second rank, and the three doorkeepers. 1 Chronicles 6:14-15 Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak. / Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. Jeremiah 39:6-7 There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. / Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. Jeremiah 29:1-2 This is the text of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem to the surviving elders among the exiles and to the priests, the prophets, and all the others Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / (This was after King Jeconiah, the queen mother, the court officials, the officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen, and the metalsmiths had been exiled from Jerusalem.) 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 11:1-12 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me to the gate of the house of the LORD that faces east. And there at the entrance of the gate were twenty-five men. Among them I saw Jaazaniah son of Azzur and Pelatiah son of Benaiah, who were leaders of the people. / And the LORD said to me, “Son of man, these are the men who plot evil and give wicked counsel in this city. / They are saying, ‘Is not the time near to build houses? The city is the cooking pot, and we are the meat.’ ... Jeremiah 21:1-2 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD when King Zedekiah sent to him Pashhur son of Malchijah and the priest Zephaniah son of Maaseiah. They said, / “Please inquire of the LORD on our behalf, since Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon is waging war against us. Perhaps the LORD will perform for us something like all His past wonders, so that Nebuchadnezzar will withdraw from us.” Jeremiah 24:1-2 After Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had carried away Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, as well as the officials of Judah and the craftsmen and metalsmiths from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon, the LORD showed me two baskets of figs placed in front of the temple of the LORD. / One basket had very good figs, like those that ripen early, but the other basket contained very poor figs, so bad they could not be eaten. Jeremiah 37:13-14 But when he reached the Gate of Benjamin, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, seized him and said, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans!” / “That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials. Jeremiah 38:28 And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. Jeremiah 40:1-6 This 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. / The captain of the guard found Jeremiah and said to him, “The LORD your God decreed this disaster on this place, / and 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. ... Matthew 1:11-12 and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. / After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, Matthew 23:34-36 Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. / And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. / Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. Luke 21:20-24 But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. ... Acts 7:42-43 But God turned away from them and gave them over to the worship of the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the prophets: ‘Did you bring Me sacrifices and offerings forty years in the wilderness, O house of Israel? / You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’ Treasury of Scripture And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: captain. 2 Kings 25:24,25,26 And Gedaliah sware to them, and to their men, and said unto them, Fear not to be the servants of the Chaldees: dwell in the land, and serve the king of Babylon; and it shall be well with you… Seraiah. 1 Chronicles 6:14 And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak, Ezra 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, Jeremiah 52:24 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: Zephaniah. Jeremiah 21:1 The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying, Jeremiah 29:25,29 Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying, … the second priest. door. Jump to Previous Armed Body-Guard Captain Chief Commander Door Doorkeepers Door-Keepers Executioners Guard High Keepers Officers Priest Prisoners Rank Second Seraiah Serai'ah Temple Three Threshold Zephaniah Zephani'ahJump to Next Armed Body-Guard Captain Chief Commander Door Doorkeepers Door-Keepers Executioners Guard High Keepers Officers Priest Prisoners Rank Second Seraiah Serai'ah Temple Three Threshold Zephaniah Zephani'ah2 Kings 25 1. Jerusalem is besieged.4. Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out. 8. Nebuzaradan defaces the city, exiles the remnant, except a few poor laborers; 13. and carries away the treasures. 18. The nobles are slain at Riblah. 22. Gedaliah, who was over those who remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt. 27. Evil-Merodach advances Jehoiachin in his court. The captain of the guard also took away This phrase refers to Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who was a high-ranking Babylonian official under King Nebuchadnezzar. His role was to oversee the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its people. This event marks the fulfillment of prophecies regarding the fall of Jerusalem due to the people's disobedience (Jeremiah 25:8-11). The taking away of key religious figures signifies the dismantling of the religious structure of Judah, emphasizing the severity of God's judgment. Seraiah the chief priest Zephaniah the priest of second rank and the three doorkeepers Persons / Places / Events 1. Seraiah the Chief PriestSeraiah was the high priest during the final days of the Kingdom of Judah. His role was significant in the religious life of the nation, serving as a spiritual leader and mediator between God and the people. 2. Zephaniah the Priest of the Second Rank Zephaniah held a position of authority just below the chief priest. His role was crucial in assisting the chief priest and maintaining the temple's daily operations. 3. The Three Doorkeepers These individuals were responsible for guarding the entrances to the temple, ensuring that only those who were ceremonially clean could enter. 4. Captain of the Guard This was Nebuzaradan, a Babylonian officer under King Nebuchadnezzar, tasked with overseeing the destruction of Jerusalem and the capture of its leaders. 5. The Event of Captivity This verse is part of the account describing the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, leading to the exile of many of its leaders and inhabitants. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceThe capture of the religious leaders signifies the severe consequences of Judah's persistent disobedience to God. It serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and obedience to God's commands. The Role of Spiritual Leadership The removal of key religious figures underscores the critical role of spiritual leaders in guiding and maintaining the faith of a community. It challenges us to pray for and support our spiritual leaders today. God's Sovereignty in Judgment The events leading to the exile demonstrate God's sovereignty and justice. Even in judgment, God's purposes are fulfilled, reminding us of His ultimate control over history. Hope Beyond Judgment While this passage depicts a moment of despair, it also sets the stage for eventual restoration. It encourages believers to trust in God's redemptive plan, even in times of trial. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 2 Kings 25:18?2. How does 2 Kings 25:18 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God’s commands? 3. What role did the priests play in the events of 2 Kings 25:18? 4. How can we apply the lessons from 2 Kings 25:18 in our lives today? 5. What other biblical events show consequences of failing to follow God’s instructions? 6. How does 2 Kings 25:18 encourage us to uphold our spiritual responsibilities? 7. What is the significance of the priests mentioned in 2 Kings 25:18 in biblical history? 8. How does 2 Kings 25:18 reflect the fall of Jerusalem's religious leadership? 9. Why were Seraiah and Zephaniah specifically named in 2 Kings 25:18? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 2 Kings 25? 11. Considering the detailed post-exilic context, is there historical or archaeological data confirming that a high priest named Joshua actually led the Jewish community at this time? 12. Deuteronomy 26:3 mentions going to the priest; who fulfilled this role before the Tabernacle or after the Temple’s destruction, and does history support a continuous priestly lineage? 13. How does this account align with or contradict the parallel narrative in 2 Kings 25:22-26 regarding Gedaliah's murder? 14. 2 Kings 18:25 - Is the claim that the Assyrian king was acting by God's command consistent with other biblical accounts of divine judgment? What Does 2 Kings 25:18 Mean The captain of the guard“The captain of the guard” is Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian officer who entered Jerusalem after its fall (2 Kings 25:8; Jeremiah 39:9–10). He represents both Babylonian military power and the instrument of God’s determined judgment. Just as God had warned through the prophets (Jeremiah 25:8–9; 2 Chronicles 36:15–17), the Lord literally used this foreign commander to carry out the covenant curses that followed Judah’s persistent rebellion. also took away Nebuzaradan did not merely conquer; he “also took away” people (2 Kings 25:11) in a systematic deportation that stripped the city of its leadership. This action completes a process begun in earlier waves of exile (2 Kings 24:14; Jeremiah 52:15). The phrase underlines the total removal of stability—military, civil, and spiritual—just as God had foretold (Jeremiah 27:19–22). The verse teaches that divine judgment is thorough; nothing essential to daily worship life was left untouched. Seraiah the chief priest Seraiah, descended from the line of Aaron (1 Chronicles 6:14), was the highest spiritual officer in Judah. By seizing him (Jeremiah 52:24), Babylon symbolically closed the Temple’s ministry. His capture shows that when a nation rejects God, even its most sacred offices cannot shield it from consequences. Yet his very name—“Yahweh has prevailed”—subtly reminds us that God remains sovereign even in judgment (compare Isaiah 6:13). Zephaniah the priest of second rank Zephaniah served directly under Seraiah (Jeremiah 21:1; 37:3). Removing both first and second priests signals the dismantling of any succession plan for Temple service. God’s word had promised that the entire priesthood would be humbled because they “rejected knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). The exile fulfills that warning literally, confirming the reliability of every divine promise, whether blessing or discipline. and the three doorkeepers Doorkeepers, or gatekeepers, were Levites charged with guarding the Temple entrances (1 Chronicles 9:19; 26:1–19). Their removal shows that no layer of service was overlooked: from the high priest down to the gate attendants, all were led away. Psalm 84:10 values the lowliest gatekeeper’s role; its absence here illustrates how sin robs a nation of even humble privileges in God’s house. The complete evacuation underscores that corporate worship in Jerusalem had come to an end—just as Jeremiah 52:13 records the Temple’s burning. summary 2 Kings 25:18 paints a stark, literal picture of Judah’s collapse: Babylon’s captain confiscates every tier of Temple leadership, fulfilling prophetic warnings to the letter. By listing the chief priest, his deputy, and the gatekeepers, the verse highlights the comprehensive nature of God’s judgment and the loss of spiritual oversight in Jerusalem. Yet even in this sobering scene, Scripture quietly affirms that the Lord remains in control, working out His righteous purposes with absolute accuracy. (18, 19) List of the chief personages taken by Nebu-zaradan in the Temple and the city of David. This notice may be regarded as an indirect proof that the upper city was not captured before.(18) Seraiah the chief (high) priest.--And grandfather or great-grandfather of Ezra (1Chronicles 6:14; Ezra 7:1). Zephaniah the second priest.--See 2Kings 23:4, Note; and Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 29:25; Jeremiah 29:29; Jeremiah 37:3. From the last three passages it is clear that Zephaniah was a priest of high rank, being probably the high priest's deputy. . . . Verse 18. - And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest. The "chief priest" is a new expression; but it can only mean the "high priest." Seraiah seems to have been the grandson of Hilkiah (1 Chronicles 6:18, 14), and an ancestor (grandfather or great-grandfather) of Ezra (Ezra 7:1). He had stayed at his post till the city was taken, and was now seized by Nebuzar-adan as one of the most important personages whom he found in the city. And Zephaniah the second priest. Keil and Bahr translate "a priest of the second order;' i.e. a mere Ordinary priest; but something more than this must be intended by Jeremiah, who calls him (Jeremiah 52:34), כֹּהֵן הַמִּשְׁנֶה i.e. distinctly "the second priest." It is conjectured that he was the high priest's substitute, empowered to act for him on occasions. Possibly he was the Zephaniah, son of Maaseiah, of whom we hear a good deal in Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 21:1; Jeremiah 29:25-29: 37:3). And the three keepers of the door; rather, and three keepers of the threshold. There were twenty-five "gatekeepers" of the temple (1 Chronicles 26:17, 18), all of them Levites. On what principle Nebuzar-adan selected three out of the twenty-four is uncertain, since we have no evidence that the temple had. as Bahr says it had, "three main entrances." Jeremiah 38:14 certainly does not prove this.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew The captainרַב־ (raḇ-) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 7227: Much, many, great of the guard טַבָּחִ֗ים (ṭab·bā·ḥîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2876: A butcher, a lifeguardsman, a cook also took away וַיִּקַּ֣ח (way·yiq·qaḥ) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3947: To take Seraiah שְׂרָיָה֙ (śə·rā·yāh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 8304: Seraiah -- 'Yah persists', the name of a number of Israelites the chief הָרֹ֔אשׁ (hā·rōš) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7218: The head priest, כֹּהֵ֣ן (kō·hên) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3548: Priest Zephaniah צְפַנְיָ֖הוּ (ṣə·p̄an·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 6846: Zephaniah -- 'Yah has treasured', four Israelites the priest כֹּהֵ֣ן (kō·hên) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3548: Priest of the second rank, מִשְׁנֶ֑ה (miš·neh) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4932: A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a second and the three שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת (šə·lō·šeṯ) Number - masculine singular construct Strong's 7969: Three, third, thrice doorkeepers. שֹׁמְרֵ֥י (šō·mə·rê) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to Links 2 Kings 25:18 NIV2 Kings 25:18 NLT 2 Kings 25:18 ESV 2 Kings 25:18 NASB 2 Kings 25:18 KJV 2 Kings 25:18 BibleApps.com 2 Kings 25:18 Biblia Paralela 2 Kings 25:18 Chinese Bible 2 Kings 25:18 French Bible 2 Kings 25:18 Catholic Bible OT History: 2 Kings 25:18 The captain of the guard took Seraiah (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg) |
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