Jeremiah 52:29: "in Nebuchadnezzar’s eighteenth year, 832 people from Jerusalem."

Context and Background:

Jeremiah 52:29 is part of the concluding chapter of the Book of Jeremiah, which serves as a historical appendix detailing the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Jewish people to Babylon. This chapter parallels 2 Kings 24:18-25:30 and provides a somber recounting of the events that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation of its inhabitants.

Historical Significance:

The verse specifically mentions the deportation of 832 people from Jerusalem in the eighteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar's reign. This event is part of a series of deportations that occurred during the Babylonian conquest of Judah. The eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar corresponds to 587/586 BC, a pivotal moment in Jewish history marked by the destruction of the First Temple and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile.

Theological Implications:

This verse underscores the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets regarding the consequences of Judah's persistent disobedience and idolatry. The exile serves as a divine judgment, yet it also sets the stage for future restoration and hope, as prophesied in Jeremiah 29:10-14, where God promises to bring His people back after seventy years.

Cultural and Religious Impact:

The deportation and exile had profound effects on Jewish identity and religious practice. It led to the development of the synagogue system, a renewed focus on the Torah, and the emergence of a more defined Jewish community that maintained its distinctiveness even in foreign lands. The experience of exile and return became a central theme in Jewish thought and liturgy, influencing subsequent generations.

Reflection:

Jeremiah 52:29, while brief, encapsulates a moment of deep sorrow and loss for the people of Judah. It serves as a reminder of the seriousness of covenantal faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God. Yet, within this narrative of judgment, there is an underlying message of hope and redemption, as God's plans ultimately aim to restore and renew His people.

Conclusion:

Jeremiah 52:29 is a testament to the historical reality of the Babylonian Exile and its theological significance within the biblical narrative. It calls readers to reflect on the themes of judgment, repentance, and the enduring hope found in God's promises. As part of the larger biblical story, it invites believers to trust in God's sovereign plan and His ability to bring restoration out of desolation.832 (1 Occurrence)

Jeremiah 52:29
in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty-two persons;
(See NAS NIV)

832 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 832 (1 Occurrence). Jeremiah 52:29 in the eighteenth
year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from ...
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840 (1 Occurrence)

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830 (1 Occurrence)

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Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... according to his own request, "a double portion" of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9);
and for the long period of about sixty years (BC 892-832) held the office of ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Exile (101 Occurrences)
... 588, after the revolt of Zedekiah (qv), there was a second general deportation of
Jews by Nebuchadnezzar (Jeremiah 52:29; 2 Kings 25:8), including 832 more of ...
/e/exile.htm - 43k

Repentance (28 Occurrences)
... Various theological works and commentaries Note especially Strong, Systematic Theology,
III, 832-36; Broadus on Matthew 3:2, American Comm.; article "Busse ...
/r/repentance.htm - 31k

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