Nebuchadnezzar II, often referred to simply as Nebuchadnezzar, was the king of Babylon from 605 to 562 BC. He is one of the most prominent figures in the Bible, particularly in the books of Daniel, Jeremiah, and 2 Kings. Nebuchadnezzar is best known for his military conquests, his role in the Babylonian exile of the Jews, and his interactions with the prophet Daniel.

Historical Context and Reign

Nebuchadnezzar ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Nabopolassar, the founder of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. His reign marked the height of Babylon's power and influence in the ancient Near East. Nebuchadnezzar is credited with the construction of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the magnificent Ishtar Gate, showcasing his dedication to the grandeur of his empire.

Military Conquests

Nebuchadnezzar's military campaigns were extensive and successful. He is most noted for his conquest of Jerusalem, which he besieged and captured in 597 BC. This event led to the first deportation of Jews to Babylon, as recorded in 2 Kings 24:14: "He carried into exile all Jerusalem: all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained."

In 586 BC, after a rebellion by Zedekiah, the puppet king he had installed, Nebuchadnezzar returned to Jerusalem, destroyed the city, and razed Solomon's Temple. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal event in Jewish history.

Nebuchadnezzar in the Book of Daniel

The Book of Daniel provides a detailed account of Nebuchadnezzar's interactions with Daniel and his companions. In Daniel 2, Nebuchadnezzar has a troubling dream of a great statue made of various metals, which Daniel interprets as a prophecy of successive kingdoms, with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon as the head of gold. Daniel 2:37-38 states, "You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given sovereignty, power, strength, and glory. Wherever the sons of men or beasts of the field or birds of the air dwell, He has given them into your hand and has made you ruler over them all. You are that head of gold."

In Daniel 3, Nebuchadnezzar erects a massive golden image and demands that all people worship it. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse, resulting in their miraculous deliverance from the fiery furnace, which leads Nebuchadnezzar to acknowledge the power of their God.

Daniel 4 recounts Nebuchadnezzar's second dream, which Daniel interprets as a warning of the king's impending madness due to his pride. The prophecy is fulfilled, and Nebuchadnezzar is driven from his throne to live like an animal until he acknowledges God's sovereignty. Upon his restoration, Nebuchadnezzar praises the Most High, as recorded in Daniel 4:34-35: "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."

Nebuchadnezzar in the Prophets

The prophet Jeremiah frequently mentions Nebuchadnezzar, portraying him as an instrument of God's judgment against Judah and other nations. Jeremiah 25:9 refers to Nebuchadnezzar as "My servant," indicating that God used him to accomplish divine purposes, despite his pagan background.

Ezekiel also references Nebuchadnezzar, particularly in the context of the siege of Tyre and the judgment against Egypt. Ezekiel 29:18-20 describes how Nebuchadnezzar's efforts against Tyre were rewarded by God with the land of Egypt as compensation.

Legacy

Nebuchadnezzar's legacy is complex, as he is remembered both as a powerful monarch and as a tool of divine judgment. His interactions with the Jewish people and the prophet Daniel highlight themes of pride, repentance, and the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms. His account serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power and the enduring dominion of the Almighty.Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences)

2 Kings 24:1
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years; then he turned and rebelled against him.
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2 Kings 24:10
At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.
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2 Kings 24:11
And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came unto the city, while his servants were besieging it.
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2 Kings 25:1
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 army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it round about.
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2 Kings 25:8
Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem.
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2 Kings 25:22
And as for the people that were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, governor.
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1 Chronicles 6:15
and Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.
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2 Chronicles 36:6
Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
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2 Chronicles 36:7
Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.
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2 Chronicles 36:10
And at the return of the year king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.
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2 Chronicles 36:13
And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD, the God of Israel.
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Ezra 1:7
Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;
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Ezra 2:1
Now these are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and that returned unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one unto his city;
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Ezra 5:12
But because that our fathers had provoked the God of heaven, He gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house, and carried the people away into Babylon.
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Ezra 5:14
And the gold and silver vessels also of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem, and brought them into the temple of Babylon, those did Cyrus the king take out of the temple of Babylon, and they were delivered unto one whose name was Sheshbazzar, whom he had made governor;
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Ezra 6:5
and also let the gold and silver vessels of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought back unto the temple which is at Jerusalem, every one to its place, and thou shalt put them in the house of God.'
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Nehemiah 7:6
These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away, and that returned unto Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city;
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Esther 2:6
who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captives that had been carried away with Jeconiah king of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had carried away.
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Jeremiah 27:6
And now, I -- I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant, and also the beast of the field I have given to him to serve him;
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Jeremiah 27:8
And it hath come to pass, the nation and the kingdom that do not serve him -- Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon -- and that which putteth not its neck into the yoke of the king of Babylon, with sword, and with famine, and with pestilence, I lay a charge on that nation -- an affirmation of Jehovah -- till I consume them by his hand.
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Jeremiah 27:20
That Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath not taken, in his removing Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon with all the freemen of Judah and Jerusalem,
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Jeremiah 28:3
Within two years of days I am bringing back unto this place all the vessels of the house of Jehovah that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon hath taken from this place, and doth carry to Babylon,
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Jeremiah 28:11
And Hananiah speaketh before the eyes of all the people, saying, 'Thus said Jehovah, Thus I break the yoke of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, within two years of days, from off the neck of all the nations;' and Jeremiah the prophet goeth on his way.
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Jeremiah 28:14
For thus said Jehovah of Hosts, God of Israel, A yoke of iron I have put on the neck of all these nations to serve Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and they have served him, and also the beast of the field I have given to him.'
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Jeremiah 29:1
And these 'are' words of the letter that Jeremiah the prophet sent from Jerusalem unto the remnant of the elders of the removal, and unto the priests, and unto the prophets, and unto all the people -- whom Nebuchadnezzar removed from Jerusalem to Babylon,
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Jeremiah 29:3
By the hand of Eleasah son of Shaphan, and Gemariah son of Hilkijah, whom Zedekiah king of Judah sent unto Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon -- to Babylon, saying,
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Daniel 1:1
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, come hath Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and layeth siege against it;
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Daniel 1:18
And at the end of the days that the king had said to bring them in, bring them in doth the chief of the eunuchs before Nebuchadnezzar.
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Daniel 2:1
And in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, dreamed hath Nebuchadnezzar dreams, and his spirit doth move itself, and his sleep hath been against him;
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Daniel 2:28
but there is a God in the heavens, a revealer of secrets, and He hath made known to king Nebuchadnezzar that which 'is' to be in the latter end of the days. 'Thy dream and the visions of thy head on thy bed are these:
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Daniel 2:46
Then hath king Nebuchadnezzar fallen on his face, and to Daniel he hath done obeisance, and present, and sweet things, he hath said to pour out to him.
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Daniel 3:1
Nebuchadnezzar the king hath made an image of gold, its height sixty cubits, its breadth six cubits; he hath raised it up in the valley of Dura, in the province of Babylon;
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Daniel 3:2
and Nebuchadnezzar the king hath sent to gather the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the honourable judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the province, to come to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath raised up.
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Daniel 3:3
Then are gathered the satraps, the prefects, and the governors, the honourable judges, the treasurers, the counsellors, the sheriffs, and all the rulers of the province, to the dedication of the image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath raised up: and they are standing before the image that Nebuchadnezzar hath raised up.
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Daniel 3:5
at the time that ye hear the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp, the sackbut, the psaltery, the symphony, and all kinds of music, ye fall down and do obeisance to the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath raised up:
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Daniel 3:7
Therefore at that time, when all the peoples are hearing the voice of the cornet, the flute, the harp, the sackbut, the psaltery, and all kinds of music, falling down are all the peoples, nations and languages, doing obeisance to the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath raised up.
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Daniel 3:9
they have answered, yea, they are saying to Nebuchadnezzar the king, 'O king, to the ages live!
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Daniel 3:13
Then Nebuchadnezzar, in anger and fury, hath said to bring in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. Then these men have been brought in before the king.
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Daniel 3:14
Nebuchadnezzar hath answered and said to them, 'Is 'it' a laid plan, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego -- my gods ye are not serving, and to the golden image that I have raised up ye are not doing obeisance?
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Daniel 3:16
Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego have answered, yea, they are saying to the king Nebuchadnezzar, 'We have no need concerning this matter to answer thee.
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Daniel 3:19
Then Nebuchadnezzar hath been full of fury, and the expression of his face hath been changed concerning Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego; he answered and said to heat the furnace seven times above that which it is seen to be heated;
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Daniel 3:24
Then Nebuchadnezzar the king hath been astonished, and hath risen in haste; he hath answered and said to his counsellors, 'Have we not cast three men into the midst of the fire -- bound?' They have answered and are saying to the king, 'Certainly, O king.'
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Daniel 3:26
Then Nebuchadnezzar hath drawn near to the gate of the burning fiery furnace; he hath answered and said, 'Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, servants of God Most High come forth, yea, come;' then come forth do Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, from the midst of the fire;
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Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar hath answered and hath said, 'Blessed 'is' the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who hath sent His messenger, and hath delivered His servants who trusted on Him, and the word of the king changed, and gave up their bodies that they might not serve nor do obeisance to any god except to their own God.
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Daniel 4:1
Nebuchadnezzar the king to all peoples, nations, and languages, who are dwelling in all the earth: Your peace be great!
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Daniel 4:4
I, Nebuchadnezzar, have been at rest in my house, and flourishing in my palace:
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Daniel 4:18
This dream I have seen, I king Nebuchadnezzar; and thou, O Belteshazzar, the interpretation tell, because that all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to cause me to know the interpretation, and thou 'art' able, for the spirit of the holy gods 'is' in thee.
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Daniel 4:28
All -- hath come on Nebuchadnezzar the king.
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Daniel 4:31
While the word is 'in' the king's mouth a voice from the heavens hath fallen: To thee they are saying: O Nebuchadnezzar the king, the kingdom hath passed from thee,
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Daniel 4:33
In that hour the thing hath been fulfilled on Nebuchadnezzar, and from men he is driven, and the herb as oxen he eateth, and by the dew of the heavens his body is wet, till that his hair as eagles' hath become great, and his nails as birds.'
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Daniel 4:34
And at the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, mine eyes to the heavens have lifted up, and mine understanding unto me returneth, and the Most High I have blessed, and the Age-during Living One I have praised and honoured, whose dominion 'is' a dominion age-during, and His kingdom with generation and generation;
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Daniel 4:37
Now, I, Nebuchadnezzar, am praising and exalting and honouring the King of the heavens, for all His works 'are' truth, and His paths judgment, and those walking in pride He is able to humble.'
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Daniel 5:2
Belshazzar hath said -- while tasting the wine -- to bring in the vessels of gold and of silver that Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken from the temple that 'is' in Jerusalem, that drink with them may the king, and his great men, his wives, and his concubines.
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Daniel 5:11
there is a man in thy kingdom in whom 'is' the spirit of the holy gods: and, in the days of thy father, light, and understanding, and wisdom -- as the wisdom of the gods -- was found in him; and king Nebuchadnezzar thy father, chief of the scribes, enchanters, Chaldeans, soothsayers, established him -- thy father, O king --
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Daniel 5:18
thou, O king, God Most High, a kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and honour, gave to Nebuchadnezzar thy father:
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Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences)
Nebuchadnez'zar. Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnez'zar. Nebuchadrezzar .
Multi-Version Concordance Nebuchadnez'zar (55 Occurrences). 2 ...
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Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences)

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Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences)

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