Nebuzaradan, a prominent figure in the Old Testament, is best known as the captain of the guard under King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon. His role is pivotal in the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent Babylonian Exile, as recorded in the books of 2 Kings, Jeremiah, and Lamentations.

Role and Actions:

Nebuzaradan is introduced in the biblical narrative as a high-ranking military officer, often referred to as the "captain of the guard" or "chief executioner." His primary responsibility was to carry out the orders of King Nebuchadnezzar, particularly during military campaigns. Nebuzaradan's most significant biblical appearance occurs during the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 B.C.

In 2 Kings 25:8-10 , it is recorded: "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."

Nebuzaradan's actions were instrumental in the fulfillment of the prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets regarding the judgment upon Judah due to their persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. His destruction of the Temple and the city marked a significant turning point in Jewish history, leading to the Babylonian captivity.

Treatment of the People:

Nebuzaradan's role extended beyond the destruction of physical structures; he was also responsible for the deportation of the Jewish people. In 2 Kings 25:11 , it is noted: "Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile the rest of the people who remained in the city—the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon, along with the rest of the populace."

Despite the harshness of his actions, Nebuzaradan showed a measure of mercy to the prophet Jeremiah. In Jeremiah 39:11-12 , it is recorded: "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.'"

Legacy and Significance:

Nebuzaradan's actions had long-lasting implications for the Jewish people, as the Babylonian Exile became a period of profound theological reflection and transformation. The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple underscored the severity of divine judgment but also set the stage for eventual restoration and return, as prophesied by Jeremiah and later realized under Persian rule.

In the broader biblical narrative, Nebuzaradan serves as an instrument of God's judgment, demonstrating the sovereignty of God over nations and the fulfillment of His prophetic word. His interactions with Jeremiah highlight the theme of divine protection and favor upon God's faithful servants, even amidst national calamity.

Nebuzaradan's presence in the biblical text reminds readers of the historical realities faced by the people of Judah and the enduring hope of redemption and restoration promised by God.Nebuzaradan

(chief whom Nebo favors), the Rab-tabbachim i.e. chief of the slaughterers (Authorized Version "captain of the guard"), a high officer in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. On the capture of Jerusalem he was left by Nebuchadnezzar in charge of the city. Comp. (Jeremiah 39:11) He seems to have quitted Judea when he took down the chief people of Jerusalem to his master at Riblah. (2 Kings 25:18-20) In four years he again appeared. (Jeremiah 52:30) Nebuchadnezzar in his twenty-third year made a descent on the regions east of Jordan, including the Ammonites and Moabites, who escaped when Jerusalem was destroyed. Thence he proceeded to Egypt, and, either on the way thither or on the return, Nebuzaradan again passed through the country and carried off more captives. (Jeremiah 52:30)

Nebuzaradan

A general of king Nebuchadnezzar, and his agent in the sacking and destruction of Jerusalem, 1 Kings 22:53; Jeremiah 39:9; 40:1; 52:12-30.

"the captain of the guard," in rank next to the king, who appears prominent in directing affairs at the capture of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8-20; Jeremiah 39:11; 40:2-5). He showed kindness toward Jeremiah, as commanded by Nebuchadnezzar (40:1). Five years after this he again came to Jerusalem and carried captive seven hundred and forty-five more Jews. NEBUZARADAN

neb-u-zar-a'-dan, -zar'-a-dan (nebhuzar'adhan equals Assyrian Nabu-zara-iddina, "Nebo has given seed"; Nebouzardan): Nebuchadnezzar's general at the siege of Jerusalem (2 Kings 25:8, 11, 20 Jeremiah 52:12, 15, 26; Jeremiah 39:9, 10, 11, 13). Under the title of "captain of the guard," he commanded the army, and, after the fall of the city, carried out his master's policy with regard to the safety of Jeremiah, the transport of the exiles, and the government of those who were left in the land.

5018. Nebuzaradan -- "Nebo has given seed," a Bab. general
... 5017, 5018. Nebuzaradan. 5019 . ... general. Transliteration: Nebuzaradan Phonetic
Spelling: (neb-oo-zar-ad-awn') Short Definition: Nebuzaradan. ...
/hebrew/5018.htm - 6k

How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over the Jews that were Left in Judea ...
... CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That Were Left In Judea Which
Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How Johanan After ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 9 how nebuzaradan set.htm

The Sad Fate of a Guilty Nation
... In the nineteenth year of the reign of Nebuchadrezzar, king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan,
the commander of the body-guard, an officer of the king of Babylon, came ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the sad fate of a.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... He therefore sent Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, with a sufficient
force to complete the desolation of Judah and Jerusalem. ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

Against the Arians, and Concerning Himself.
... What liturgical vessels which the multitude may not touch have I given over to the
hands of the wicked, of a Nebuzaradan, [3760] chief of the cooks, or of a ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxxiii against the arians.htm

On Daniel. I. Preface by the Most Holy Hippolytus, (Bishop) of ...
... the Chaldeans seized all the treasure that was found in the house of the Lord, and
all the vessels of gold and silver; and all the brass, Nebuzaradan, chief of ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel i preface by.htm

How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ...
... 5. And now it was that the king of Babylon sent Nebuzaradan, the general of his
army, to Jerusalem, to pillage the temple, who had it also in command to burn ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how the king.htm

The Captivity.
... His self-will met its deserts; he was taken by Nebuzaradan, the captain who had
been left to carry on the siege, and brought a prisoner to Babylon, after his ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Appendix xii. The Baptism of Proselytes
... on Ruth 1:10, 15). and to Nebuzaradan, who is also described as a proselyte
(Sanh.96 b, line 19 form the bottom). But is is said ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xii the baptism of.htm

Basil as Archbishop.
... this interview that Theodoret places the incident of Basil's humorous retort to
Demosthenes, [179] the chief of the imperial kitchen, the Nebuzaradan, as the ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/vi basil as archbishop.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... CHAPTER 9. How Nebuzaradan Set Gedaliah Over The Jews That Were Left In Judea Which
Gedaliah Was A Little Afterward Slain By Ishmael; And How Johanan After ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Nebuzaradan (16 Occurrences)
... more Jews. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. NEBUZARADAN. neb-u ... the land.
Multi-Version Concordance Nebuzaradan (16 Occurrences). 2 Kings ...
/n/nebuzaradan.htm - 13k

Imperial (14 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/i/imperial.htm - 11k

Bodyguard (23 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/b/bodyguard.htm - 14k

Nebu'zarad'an (14 Occurrences)
Nebu'zarad'an. Nebuzaradan, Nebu'zarad'an. Nebuzar-adan . Multi-Version
Concordance Nebu'zarad'an (14 Occurrences). 2 Kings 25:8 ...
/n/nebu'zarad'an.htm - 10k

Executioners (32 Occurrences)
... Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh of the month (it 'is' the nineteenth
year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), hath Nebuzaradan chief of ...
/e/executioners.htm - 16k

Poorest (9 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 39:10 But Nebuzaradan, the captain of the armed men, let the poorest of
the people, who had nothing whatever, go on living in the land of Judah, and ...
/p/poorest.htm - 9k

Residue (47 Occurrences)
... the people who were left in the city, and those who fell away, who fell to the king
of Babylon, and the residue of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain ...
/r/residue.htm - 24k

Commander (111 Occurrences)
... Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh of the month (it 'is' the nineteenth
year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), hath Nebuzaradan chief of ...
/c/commander.htm - 37k

Nineteenth (4 Occurrences)
... 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 ...
/n/nineteenth.htm - 8k

Rabmag (2 Occurrences)
... middle gate, to wit, Nergal-sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, (the) Rab-saris,
Nergal-sharezer, (the) Rab-mag" (Jeremiah 39:3); and "so Nebuzaradan the captain ...
/r/rabmag.htm - 9k

Who was Nebuchadnezzar? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Judah conquered by the Babylonians? | GotQuestions.org

Summary of the Book of Jeremiah - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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