1 Chronicles 6 15

1 Chronicles 6:15 kjv

And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

1 Chronicles 6:15 nkjv

Jehozadak went into captivity when the LORD carried Judah and Jerusalem into captivity by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

1 Chronicles 6:15 niv

Jozadak was deported when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

1 Chronicles 6:15 esv

and Jehozadak went into exile when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

1 Chronicles 6:15 nlt

who went into exile when the LORD sent the people of Judah and Jerusalem into captivity under Nebuchadnezzar.

1 Chronicles 6 verses

1 Chronicles 6 15 Meaning

1 Chronicles 6:15 recounts a pivotal moment in the lineage of the high priesthood: the forced removal of Jehozadak, the chief priest, along with the people of Judah and Jerusalem, into Babylonian captivity. This verse asserts divine sovereignty over this catastrophic event, clearly stating that it was the LORD who carried them away, using King Nebuchadnezzar as His instrument. It highlights a period of divine judgment due to the nation's persistent sin, while maintaining the chronological integrity of the high priestly line.

1 Chronicles 6 15 Context

1 Chronicles chapter 6 focuses on the elaborate genealogies of the Levites, especially emphasizing the line of the high priests descended from Aaron. The Chronicler meticulously traces this lineage from Aaron down to Jehozadak (vv. 4-15), aiming to establish the legitimate continuity of the high priesthood for the post-exilic community. Within this long genealogical list, verse 15 serves as a crucial historical marker. It denotes the abrupt, devastating disruption caused by the Babylonian Exile. Historically, this event represented the end of the Davidic monarchy and the first temple period. For the Chronicler, whose primary audience were those who returned from exile or their descendants, acknowledging this traumatic event was vital. However, by integrating it into a continuous lineage, he underscores God's faithfulness even amidst judgment, demonstrating that the priestly line survived and would be instrumental in the re-establishment of worship in Jerusalem. This verse not only explains the break but implicitly sets the stage for the high priest Joshua, Jehozadak's son, who played a crucial role in the post-exilic restoration.

1 Chronicles 6 15 Word analysis

• And Jehozadak (וִיהוֹצָדָק - wi-Yehotsadaq): The name Yehotsadaq means "YHWH is righteous" or "YHWH makes righteous." He is listed here as the son of Seraiah (1 Chr 6:14), who was the last high priest killed by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kgs 25:18-21, Jer 52:24-27). Jehozadak's significance lies not in his actions during the exile, but in his lineage, as his son, Joshua, became the first high priest upon the return from exile, signifying the restoration and continuity of the priesthood. The presence of the prefixed 'waw' ("And") continues the genealogical sequence.

• went into captivity (הָלַךְ בַּגֹּּלָה - halakh ba-golāh):

  • halakh (הָלַךְ): "went," a common Hebrew verb indicating movement. Here, it implies forced displacement, a reluctant and grievous journey into exile, not a willing departure.
  • ba-golāh (בַּגֹּּלָה): "into the exile/captivity." The noun golah refers specifically to the state or act of being exiled or the community of exiles. Its inclusion precisely pinpoints the historical trauma experienced by Judah, making it a distinct historical event within the priestly succession. This term evokes the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.

• when the LORD (בַּהֲגָלוֹת יְהוָה - ba-hagalōt YHWH): This phrase is profoundly significant.

  • ba-hagalōt (בַּהֲגָלוֹת): "in causing to go into exile," or "when he exiled." This is a Hiphil infinitive construct of the verb meaning "to remove" or "to exile," emphasizing a causative action.
  • YHWH (יְהוָה): The divine covenant name of God. This attribution is paramount for the Chronicler. It emphasizes that the exile was not merely a consequence of military defeat but a deliberate act of divine judgment. This prevents any misconception that Babylon was stronger than God, affirming His absolute sovereignty over nations and historical events, even catastrophic ones for His people.

• carried away Judah and Jerusalem (אֶת־יְהוּדָה וִירוּשָׁלַיִם - ʾet-Yehudah wî-Yĕrūšālayim):

  • ʾet: Marks the definite direct object.
  • Yehudah (יְהוּדָה): "Judah," referring to the Southern Kingdom, the political and religious remnant of Israel.
  • Yerūšālayim (וִירוּשָׁלַיִם): "and Jerusalem," the capital city, the political, spiritual, and religious heart of the kingdom, containing the Temple. Mentioning both underscores the totality of the judgment upon the kingdom and its sacred center.

• by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar (בְּיַד נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר - bə-yad Nəvūḵadněʾṣṣar):

  • bə-yad (בְּיַד): Literally "in the hand of," an idiomatic expression meaning "by means of," "through the agency of," or "by."
  • Nəvūḵadněʾṣṣar (נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר): The infamous king of Babylon (reigned c. 605–562 BC). He was the instrument used by YHWH. This phrase affirms that Nebuchadnezzar was not acting on his own ultimate authority but as a divinely appointed agent to execute God's purpose of judgment.

• Words-group Analysis:

  • "Jehozadak went into captivity": This phrase highlights the personal experience of a key high priestly figure within the collective suffering of the nation. It bridges the genealogical record with a significant historical event.
  • "when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem": This central theological statement defines the exile. It asserts that the ultimate responsibility and causation of the captivity rested with God. This divine initiative transforms a human disaster into a divinely ordained consequence of disobedience. It counteracts any perception of divine impotence or Babylonian supremacy, framing the events within God's covenant relationship with Israel.
  • "by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar": This part clarifies the instrumentality. Nebuchadnezzar, despite his immense power, was merely the chosen means for God's divine will to be carried out. This aligns with other prophetic books (like Jeremiah) where Nebuchadnezzar is even called God's "servant" (Jer 25:9). It distinguishes between the agent and the ultimate actor.

1 Chronicles 6 15 Bonus section

The Chronicler's intense focus on genealogies, especially for the Levites and priests, highlights his purpose: to reassure the returned exiles of their true identity and continuity with their heritage. This verse, showing the exile of the high priest, serves as a dark valley in this otherwise triumphant tracing of lineage. Its inclusion confirms that despite the catastrophe, the foundational elements of Israel's covenant identity – particularly the priesthood – were preserved. This genealogical endurance offered comfort and a basis for hope and reconstruction. The Chronicler implicitly bridges the gap between the end of the monarchy and the new beginnings, showing how God's plan persisted through the dark night of the exile.

1 Chronicles 6 15 Commentary

1 Chronicles 6:15 marks a critical historical pivot point within the meticulous genealogical record of the Levitical high priests. Placed immediately after listing Seraiah, Jehozadak's father, who was the last high priest executed at Riblah by the Babylonians, this verse confirms the dramatic cessation of the public high priestly office in Jerusalem. However, by naming Jehozadak as "going into captivity," the Chronicler ensures the continuation of the priestly line through him, implying that while the function in Jerusalem ceased, the lineage itself endured.

The verse's profound theological statement, "when the LORD carried away," is crucial. The Chronicler consistently attributes major historical events, particularly national judgment, to Yahweh's sovereign hand, countering any belief that the exile was simply a random act of fate or the triumph of foreign gods. The devastation was a righteous, covenantal judgment for Judah's persistent sin and apostasy. Nebuchadnezzar is explicitly named as the "hand," or instrument, thereby subordinating even the most powerful human ruler to God's ultimate authority.

This perspective provided deep meaning and historical stability to the post-exilic community. It explained their painful past, confirmed God's justice, and simultaneously affirmed the divine faithfulness in preserving the lineage of the high priesthood for the restoration that followed. It validated the legitimacy of Joshua, Jehozadak's son, who would serve as High Priest during the return, signifying unbroken divine intent despite national brokenness.