Topical Bible: Homicide: Felonious: Nebuchadnezzar

◄ Homicide: Felonious: Nebuchadnezzar ►

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Nebuchadnezzar II, the king of Babylon, is a prominent figure in the Bible, known for his military conquests and the expansion of the Babylonian Empire. His reign is marked by significant events that impacted the Israelites, including the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile. While Nebuchadnezzar is not directly described as committing homicide in the traditional sense, his actions led to the deaths of many, and his role in the destruction of Jerusalem can be examined under the topic of felonious homicide.

Destruction of Jerusalem

Nebuchadnezzar's most notable act of aggression against the Israelites was the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. This event is recorded in several books of the Bible, including 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and Jeremiah. The siege resulted in the death of many inhabitants of Jerusalem, the destruction of the Temple, and the exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. The Bible describes the severity of this event in 2 Kings 25:8-10 : "On the seventh day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar’s reign over Babylon, Nebuzaradan the 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."

Role in the Deaths of the Israelites

While Nebuchadnezzar himself may not have personally committed acts of murder, his orders and military campaigns led to the deaths of countless individuals. The Bible portrays him as an instrument of God's judgment against the Israelites for their disobedience and idolatry. In Jeremiah 25:9 , God declares, "behold, I will send for 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. I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and scorn, an everlasting desolation."

Nebuchadnezzar's Acknowledgment of God's Sovereignty

Despite his role in the destruction and death of many, Nebuchadnezzar's account in the Bible also includes a significant transformation. After a period of madness, he acknowledges the sovereignty of the God of Israel. In Daniel 4:34-35 , Nebuchadnezzar states, "But at the end of those days, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I blessed the Most High and praised and glorified Him who lives forever: His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom endures from generation to generation. All the peoples of the earth are counted as nothing, and He does as He pleases with the army of heaven and the peoples of the earth. There is no one who can restrain His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’"

Conclusion

Nebuchadnezzar's actions, particularly the destruction of Jerusalem, can be viewed through the lens of felonious homicide due to the resulting loss of life. However, his account also serves as a testament to the sovereignty of God and the possibility of redemption, even for those who have committed great acts of violence.

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Jeremiah 39:6
Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.
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