Lexical Summary Nebuzaradan: Nebuzaradan Original Word: נְבוּזַרְאֲדָן Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Nebuzaradan Of foreign origin; Nebuzaradan, a Babylonian general -- Nebuzaradan. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition "Nebo has given seed," a Bab. general NASB Translation Nebuzaradan (15). Brown-Driver-Briggs נְבּוּזַרְאֲדָן proper name, masculine (= Nabû-zêr-iddin, Nebo hath given seed, SchrCOT 2Kings 25.. 8); — General of Nebuchadrezzar, always entitled רַבטַֿבָּחִים 2 Kings 25:8,11,20 = Jeremiah 52:12; Jeremiah 52:15; Jeremiah 52:26; Jeremiah 39:9; Jeremiah 39:10; Jeremiah 39:11; Jeremiah 39:13; Jeremiah 40:1; Jeremiah 41:10; Jeremiah 43:6; Jeremiah 52:16; Jeremiah 52:30. Topical Lexicon NebuzaradanScriptural Record Nebuzaradan is mentioned fifteen times, exclusively in the closing narratives of 2 Kings and Jeremiah (2 Kings 25:8, 11, 20; Jeremiah 39:9-13; 40:1; 41:10; 43:6; 52:12, 15-16, 26, 30). Each reference portrays him as “captain of the guard,” the chief military officer and royal representative of King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. Historical Setting The name emerges during Babylon’s final siege and conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Nebuzaradan arrives after the city has fallen, charged with mopping up resistance, deporting captives, destroying defensive and religious structures, and installing a Babylon-loyal administration in Judah. His presence marks the climactic moment when the warnings of the prophets—especially Jeremiah—materialize in full. Instrument of Divine Judgment The sacred writers consistently present Babylon’s triumph as the outworking of the LORD’s righteous judgment on covenant infidelity (2 Kings 24:20; Jeremiah 25:9). Nebuzaradan functions as the immediate human instrument of that judgment: • 2 Kings 25:9 recounts that he “burned the house of the LORD, the king’s palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem.” The deliberate destruction of temple and city fulfills the prophetic warnings of Deuteronomy 28 and Jeremiah 7, underscoring that no sacred structure can shield an unrepentant people from God’s discipline. Administration of Deportations Three distinct deportations are linked to Nebuzaradan: 1. The main exile immediately after Jerusalem’s fall (2 Kings 25:11; Jeremiah 39:9). By documenting the numbers and dates, Scripture verifies the thoroughness of the exile and supplies chronological anchors for post-exilic calculation. Policy toward the Poor Remnant Though executing judgment, Nebuzaradan shows calculated mercy: “But Nebuzaradan … left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing, and he gave them vineyards and fields” (Jeremiah 39:10). His action fulfills prophetic promises that a lowly remnant would survive (Jeremiah 24:5-7) and sets the stage for Gedaliah’s short-lived governorship. Protection and Release of Jeremiah Nebuchadnezzar expressly commands Nebuzaradan to safeguard Jeremiah: “Take him, look after him; do not do him any harm, but deal with him as he requests” (Jeremiah 39:12). Nebuzaradan not only obeys but personally releases the prophet at Ramah, removing his chains and granting him liberty to stay or depart (Jeremiah 40:1-4). The captain thereby becomes an unwitting agent of divine vindication for Jeremiah, whose unpopular prophecies are publicly authenticated. Oversight of Royal Daughters Nebuzaradan entrusts the surviving daughters of King Zedekiah to Gedaliah (Jeremiah 41:10; 43:6). Their mention highlights the complete collapse of the Davidic house while preserving a remnant line through which later restoration hopes could be traced. Theological Significance 1. Sovereignty of God: Nebuzaradan’s every action, though politically motivated, advances God’s predetermined purposes (Jeremiah 25:9-12). Practical Reflections • World powers and their officers, like Nebuzaradan, serve God’s overarching plan, whether knowingly or not. Nebuzaradan, therefore, stands as a vivid reminder that the LORD “does according to His will among the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth” (Daniel 4:35), turning the might of empires to accomplish His redemptive purposes. Forms and Transliterations אֲדָ֥ן אדן נְבֽוּזַרְאֲדָ֣ן נְבֽוּזַרְאֲדָן֙ נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֖ן נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֛ן נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֣ן נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֥ן נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֧ן נבוזראדן ’ă·ḏān ’ăḏān aDan nə·ḇū·zar·’ă·ḏān nəḇūzar’ăḏān nevuzaraDanLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance 2 Kings 25:8 HEB: בָּבֶ֑ל בָּ֞א נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֧ן רַב־ טַבָּחִ֛ים NAS: of Babylon, Nebuzaradan the captain KJV: came Nebuzaradan, captain INT: of Babylon came Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard 2 Kings 25:11 2 Kings 25:20 Jeremiah 39:9 Jeremiah 39:10 Jeremiah 39:11 Jeremiah 39:13 Jeremiah 40:1 Jeremiah 41:10 Jeremiah 43:6 Jeremiah 52:12 Jeremiah 52:15 Jeremiah 52:16 Jeremiah 52:26 Jeremiah 52:30 15 Occurrences |
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