Topical Encyclopedia Nebuzaradan, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is best known as the captain of the guard under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. His role in the biblical narrative is primarily associated with the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. Despite his position as an agent of judgment against Judah, Nebuzaradan's actions also reflect a certain degree of liberality, particularly in his treatment of the prophet Jeremiah and the poor of the land.Role in the Destruction of Jerusalem Nebuzaradan is introduced in the context of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, which culminated in the city's fall in 586 B.C. As the captain of the guard, he was responsible for carrying out Nebuchadnezzar's orders to destroy the city and the temple, as recorded 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." Treatment of Jeremiah Despite the harshness of his mission, Nebuzaradan demonstrated a measure of liberality towards Jeremiah, the prophet who had long warned of Jerusalem's impending doom. After the city's fall, Nebuzaradan received orders from Nebuchadnezzar to ensure Jeremiah's safety. Jeremiah 39:11-12 states: "Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying, 'Take him, look after him, and do not let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says.'" Nebuzaradan's compliance with these orders is further detailed in Jeremiah 40:1-4 , where he releases Jeremiah from his chains and offers him the choice to come to Babylon or remain in Judah: "The word came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had released him at Ramah. He had found Jeremiah bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon. When the captain of the guard found Jeremiah, he 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 sinned against the LORD and did not obey His voice, this thing has happened to you. But now, behold, I am freeing you today from the chains on your wrists. If it seems good to you to come with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you. But if it seems wrong to you to come with me to Babylon, go no farther. Look—the whole land is before you. Go wherever it seems good and right to you.'" Provision for the Poor In addition to his treatment of Jeremiah, Nebuzaradan's actions towards the poor of the land also reflect a degree of liberality. After the deportation of the majority of the population, he left behind some of the poorest people to tend the vineyards and fields. This is noted in 2 Kings 25:12 : "But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields." Conclusion Nebuzaradan's role in the biblical narrative is multifaceted. While he is an instrument of divine judgment against Judah, his actions towards Jeremiah and the poor demonstrate a level of compassion and liberality. His account serves as a reminder of the complexity of human character and the potential for mercy even amidst judgment. Torrey's Topical Textbook Jeremiah 40:4,5And now, behold, I loose you this day from the chains which were on your hand. If it seem good to you to come with me into Babylon, come; and I will look well to you: but if it seem ill to you to come with me into Babylon, forbear: behold, all the land is before you: where it seems good and convenient for you to go, thither go. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources Liberality: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Liberality in Antioch (Of Syria) Liberality: Araunah for Sacrifice Liberality: Barzillai and Others to David Liberality: Blessings Connected With Liberality: Characteristic of Saints Liberality: Christ Set an Example of Liberality: Elisha Toward Elijah Liberality: Exercise of, Provokes Others To Liberality: Extraordinary - Exemplified: Churches of Macedonia Liberality: Extraordinary - Exemplified: Israelites Liberality: Extraordinary - Exemplified: Poor Widow Liberality: General Scriptures Concerning Liberality: Israelites at the Erection of the Tabernacle Liberality: Israelites' offerings for the Temple Liberality: Jews After the Captivity Liberality: Joash and his People Liberality: King of Sodom to Abraham Liberality: Labour to be Enabled to Exercise Liberality: Lack of a Proof of not Having Faith Liberality: Lack of a Proof of not Loving God Liberality: Lack of Brings Many a Curse Liberality: People of Melita (Malta) to Paul Liberality: Pharaoh to Joseph's People Liberality: Queen of Sheba to Solomon Liberality: should be Exercised in Forwarding Missions Liberality: should be Exercised in Giving Alms Liberality: should be Exercised in Leading to Those in Want Liberality: should be Exercised in Relieving the Destitute Liberality: should be Exercised in Rendering Personal Services Liberality: should be Exercised in the Service of God Liberality: should be Exercised with Simplicity Liberality: should be Exercised without Ostentation Liberality: should be Exercised: Abundantly Liberality: should be Exercised: According to Ability Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward all Men Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Enemies Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Saints Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Servants Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward Strangers Liberality: should be Exercised: Toward the Poor Liberality: should be Exercised: Willingly Liberality: The Good Samaritan Liberality: The Magi (Wise Men from the East) Liberality: Unprofitable, Without Love Related Terms Instrumentality (5 Occurrences) |
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