2 Kings 24 16

2 Kings 24:16 kjv

And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

2 Kings 24:16 nkjv

All the valiant men, seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths, one thousand, all who were strong and fit for war, these the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

2 Kings 24:16 niv

The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans.

2 Kings 24:16 esv

And the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon all the men of valor, 7,000, and the craftsmen and the metal workers, 1,000, all of them strong and fit for war.

2 Kings 24:16 nlt

He also exiled 7,000 of the best troops and 1,000 craftsmen and artisans, all of whom were strong and fit for war.

2 Kings 24 verses

2 Kings 24 16 Meaning

The verse describes the second wave of deportation by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon from Jerusalem, specifying the number and types of individuals removed from the kingdom of Judah. It highlights the strategic removal of key human resources, particularly military personnel and skilled artisans, indicating a deliberate weakening of Judah's defensive and rebuilding capabilities, leaving behind only the poorest people.

2 Kings 24 16 Context

Verse Context:2 Kings 24:16 follows the detailed account of Jehoiachin's brief reign in Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar's siege, and Jehoiachin's surrender (vv. 8-12). Verse 15 specifies Jehoiachin himself, along with his mother, wives, and prominent officials, being taken captive. Verse 16 then elaborates on the scale of this specific deportation, providing concrete numbers and professions, illustrating the extensive scope of this major wave of exile. It precedes the narrative of Zedekiah being appointed king, further emphasizing Judah's subservient and weakened state.

Chapter Context:Chapter 24 details the beginning of Judah's final downfall. Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, invades Judah, subjugating King Jehoiakim. After three years, Jehoiakim rebels, leading to further attacks by Babylonian, Aramean, Moabite, and Ammonite raiders—all part of God's judgment prophesied through Jeremiah. Jehoiakim dies and is succeeded by his son Jehoiachin. Just three months later, Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem again. Jehoiachin surrenders, preventing the city's destruction for a time. This chapter highlights the strategic plundering of the temple and royal treasures, alongside the forced migration of key population groups. It marks a significant turning point, diminishing Judah's sovereignty and setting the stage for the ultimate destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in the next chapter.

Historical Context:This period (605-586 BC) was one of immense geopolitical upheaval in the ancient Near East. The Babylonian Empire had recently ascended as the dominant power, having defeated Assyria and then Egypt. Judah was caught between these shifting empires. The deportation in 2 Kings 24:16 represents the second major deportation (the first included Daniel in 605 BC, 2 Ki 24:1, and this second one in 597 BC), signifying Judah's transition from a rebellious vassal state to a completely subdued, hollowed-out kingdom. The precise numbers and types of people deported (skilled labor, military might) were not random; they reflect Babylonian imperial strategy to cripple a rebellious nation, preventing future uprisings while simultaneously importing valuable human capital for their own building projects and military. This removal of the best and brightest, coupled with the plundering of sacred vessels, was a profound cultural and religious trauma for Judah, serving as a harsh judgment for generations of disobedience and idolatry. It effectively broke Judah's backbone, leaving it severely weakened both economically and politically.

2 Kings 24 16 Word Analysis

• And all (וְכָל, wə-ḵōl): Conjunction "and" followed by "all, every." Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the removal. It signals that not just a few but an entire class of people were taken.
• the men of valor (אַנְשֵׁי הַחַיִל, ʾanše ha-ḥayil):
  • ʾanše (אַנְשֵׁי): "men of" (construct form of ʾîš, "man").
  • ḥayil (חַיִל): Often translated as "valor," "strength," "might," "ability," "wealth," "army." Here it refers to military strength or fighting men, those capable and courageous in warfare. It also can encompass men of resource and influence, not just soldiers. The Babylonians were crippling Judah's potential to resist.
• seven thousand (שֶׁבַעֶת אֲלָפִים, šeḇaʿaṯ ʾălāfîm): The precise number. "Thousand" (ʾelef) refers to units, often literal, but sometimes indicating a large, organized group (e.g., a military unit). The specificity underlines the meticulous nature of the Babylonian count and deportation.
• and the craftsmen (וְהֶחָרָשׁ וְהַמַּסְגֵּר, wəheḥārāš wəhammaśgēr):
  • ḥārāš (חָרָשׁ): "craftsmen," "artificer," "artisan." This is a broad term for anyone skilled in shaping or working materials—woodworkers, stonemasons, metalworkers. These were essential for building and technology in the ancient world.
  • maśgēr (מַסְגֵּר): "smiths," "metal workers," "locksmiths," specifically those working with metal, especially for fortifications and tools. They were vital for making weapons, armor, and essential implements. Their removal directly impacted Judah's ability to wage war or rebuild infrastructure. The "masger" is often connected with artisans for siege-craft too, reinforcing military application.
• a thousand (אֶלֶף, ʾelef): Again, a precise number. The deliberate selection of such skilled individuals highlights their economic and strategic value to the Babylonian empire, as well as the desire to incapacitate Judah.
• all that were strong (כָּל הֶחָזָק, kol heḥāzāq): "All the strong ones," "all the powerful ones." This is a reinforcing general descriptor for those with strength and capacity, encompassing both the military men and skilled laborers mentioned, emphasizing their vital role.
• and apt for war (וְעֹשֵׂי מִלְחָמָה, wəʿośê milḥāmâ):
  • ʿośê (עֹשֵׂי): "makers of," "doers of."
  • milḥāmâ (מִלְחָמָה): "war," "battle." This phrase explicitly identifies the group as those fit for military service, ready to engage in conflict. Their removal guarantees Judah cannot easily raise an effective fighting force.
• and these the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon (וְאוֹתָם הֵבִיא מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל גּוֹלָה בָּבֶלָה, wəʾôtām hēḇî meleḵ Bāḇel gōlâ Bāḇelâ): This clearly states the outcome: these select people were deported. "Gōlâ" (גּוֹלָה) means "exile," "captivity," "those carried away captive." This phrase reinforces the sovereign act of the Babylonian king and the destiny of these individuals.

Words-group Analysis:

• "seven thousand men of valor" and "a thousand craftsmen and smiths": These specific numbers, 7,000 and 1,000, combined for a total of 8,000 men (not counting King Jehoiachin, his family, officials and other elite members as per vv. 14-15), suggest a methodical, highly organized deportation. Babylon sought to strip Judah of its military backbone (the 7,000) and its industrial/technological capacity (the 1,000). This was not random plundering, but a deliberate incapacitation of the remaining Judean kingdom, ensuring no effective future resistance or self-sufficiency. This selective removal targeted human capital essential for national resilience.
• "all that were strong and apt for war": This general phrase encapsulates the rationale behind the specific numbers of military men, and also applies to the skilled laborers. Craftspeople and smiths were also essential for war efforts, constructing weapons, siege engines, and fortifications. This highlights the strategic military dimension of the deportation. It was about neutralizing any future threat from Judah.

2 Kings 24 16 Bonus section

The specific numbers and types of deportees mentioned in 2 Kings 24:16 contrast slightly with some other biblical accounts. Jeremiah 52:28 records a slightly lower number of "3,023 Jews" taken in Nebuchadnezzar's seventh year, which aligns with the same year as Jehoiachin's exile (597 BC). This discrepancy is often reconciled by understanding that Jeremiah's number might refer specifically to men, or perhaps just heads of households, or certain categories, whereas 2 Kings 24:16 includes a broader category (women and children implicit in the household of Jehoiachin, officials, and general population alongside the specified 8,000 men). The crucial point across all accounts remains the significant and targeted depopulation of Judah's vital resources.

Furthermore, this particular exile was highly significant because it was the one that swept up much of Judah's religious, intellectual, and administrative elite, not just its fighting force. This specific group included many who had been educated or possessed valuable knowledge that could contribute to the Babylonian empire, showcasing an aspect of imperial "brain drain." The subsequent leadership installed by Nebuchadnezzar in Judah (Zedekiah) was intentionally weakened, largely incapable of rallying significant national resistance. This deportation created the "Exile Community" where figures like Ezekiel prophesied, shaping Jewish identity and belief during a period without a Temple or independent monarchy. The focus shifted from territorial sovereignty to spiritual adherence, fundamentally impacting the development of Judaism.

2 Kings 24 16 Commentary

2 Kings 24:16 presents a chilling snapshot of the meticulously executed judgment against Judah. This second major deportation, specifically targeting eight thousand able-bodied and highly skilled individuals, served multiple strategic purposes for Babylon and marked a devastating phase of divine punishment for Judah.

Firstly, the detailed enumeration of "seven thousand men of valor" and "a thousand craftsmen and smiths" reveals the cold, calculated efficiency of the Babylonian conquest. This was not a random act of violence but a sophisticated imperial policy. By removing military strongmen, Babylon neutralized Judah's capacity for organized rebellion. Simultaneously, by extracting the master craftsmen and smiths, Babylon drained Judah's potential for economic recovery, infrastructure development, and most critically, its ability to manufacture weapons and defensive tools. These skilled workers would then be utilized for the burgeoning building projects and industrial needs of Babylon, transforming the captured talent into resources for the empire's growth.

Secondly, theologically, this event profoundly demonstrated God's justice and sovereignty. For generations, the prophets had warned Judah of the consequences of their persistent idolatry, social injustice, and covenant disobedience (e.g., Lev 26; Deut 28; Jer 25). The removal of the best and brightest, leaving behind "the poorest sort of the people of the land" (2 Ki 24:14), was a direct fulfillment of these warnings, illustrating the severe degradation and humbling of a once proud nation. It symbolized Judah being stripped bare, signifying the loss of her strength, glory, and self-reliance, forcing a reckoning with their unfaithfulness.

Thirdly, this deportation was critical for the later prophetic work and the shaping of the returning community. Figures like Ezekiel, a prophet and priest, were among this very group of exiles. Their presence among the captives meant that the divine word continued to reach the people even in foreign lands, providing comfort, challenging despair, and offering a promise of future restoration and renewal, yet without the immediate expectation of an early return. It was within this desolate reality that the foundation for a renewed, more monotheistic identity began to form among the exiled.

Examples:

• Divine Sovereignty: This demonstrates God's sovereignty working through pagan kings and empires to accomplish His purposes of judgment and purification, as foretold by Jeremiah, who even called Nebuchadnezzar "my servant" (Jer 25:9).
• Consequences of Disobedience: It illustrates that continued national disobedience to God's covenant results in the severe loss of national strength, skilled workforce, and independence, becoming a vassal to oppressive powers.
• Strategic Targeting: Like a chess master removing key pieces, Babylon systematically targeted those essential for Judah's national and military vitality, an earthly echo of how sin incapacitates spiritual life.