Jeremiah 52 25

Jeremiah 52:25 kjv

He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city.

Jeremiah 52:25 nkjv

He also took out of the city an officer who had charge of the men of war, seven men of the king's close associates who were found in the city, the principal scribe of the army who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the midst of the city.

Jeremiah 52:25 niv

Of those still in the city, he took the officer in charge of the fighting men, and seven royal advisers. He also took the secretary who was chief officer in charge of conscripting the people of the land, sixty of whom were found in the city.

Jeremiah 52:25 esv

and from the city he took an officer who had been in command of the men of war, and seven men of the king's council, who were found in the city; and the secretary of the commander of the army, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land, who were found in the midst of the city.

Jeremiah 52:25 nlt

And from among the people still hiding in the city, he took an officer who had been in charge of the Judean army; seven of the king's personal advisers; the army commander's chief secretary, who was in charge of recruitment; and sixty other citizens.

Jeremiah 52 verses

Jeremiah 52 25 meaning

Jeremiah 52:25 describes a key moment during the aftermath of Jerusalem's destruction by the Babylonians. It specifies a diverse group of captured Judahite officials: a military commander, seven close royal advisors, the principal scribe responsible for the people's registration or conscription, and sixty leading citizens from the city. These individuals, representing various levels of civil, military, and administrative leadership, were apprehended and taken as captives by Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian captain of the guard, ultimately destined for execution at Riblah. This verse underscores the complete dismantling of Judah's political and military structure and the full extent of the Babylonian conquest and judgment foretold by God through Jeremiah.

Jeremiah 52 25 Context

Jeremiah 52 serves as an appendix to the Book of Jeremiah, largely paralleling 2 Kings 24:18-25:30. It describes the final events leading to the Babylonian exile, beginning with Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon, the subsequent siege and fall of Jerusalem (587/586 BCE), and the destruction of the Temple and city. The preceding verses detail Zedekiah's capture, his sons' execution, his own blinding and imprisonment, and the systematic looting and demolition carried out by Nebuzaradan. Jeremiah 52:25 directly follows the account of the city's destruction and the burning of the Temple, specifically focusing on the elite citizens rounded up by the Babylonians, illustrating the complete dismantling of Judah's civic and military structure and reinforcing the devastating fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment against an unfaithful Judah. This account stands as a historical validation of the prophet's divine warnings.

Jeremiah 52 25 Word analysis

• And out of the city he took: "He" refers to Nebuzaradan (Hebrew: נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֣ן Nevuzar'adan), the captain of the Babylonian guard. This highlights his role as the executor of Babylon's decree and God's judgment. The action of taking them "out of the city" symbolizes Jerusalem's defeat and the complete loss of control by Judah.
• an officer (פְקִיד֙, paqid): Signifies a commander, overseer, or appointed official. This individual represented the higher echelons of military command.
  • who was set over the men of war (אִ֤ישׁ מִלְחָמָה֙, ish milchama): Literally "man of war" or military chief. This term highlights his expertise and leadership in combat, now rendered utterly useless. His capture symbolized the utter defeat of Judah's army.
• and seven men (שִׁבְעָה֙ אֲנָשִׁ֜ים, shiv'ah anashim): The number seven can denote completeness or importance in biblical contexts, suggesting these were particularly significant figures. It points to a thorough targeting of key personnel.
  • of them who were in the king's presence (פְּנֵ֤י הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙, penei hammelek): Literally "faces of the king." These were top royal advisors, confidantes, or ministers who had direct access to the monarch. Their capture demonstrated the fall of the monarchy and its entire apparatus. Their proximity to the king signifies their political and strategic importance.
• who had been found in the city: Emphasizes that these influential people, unlike others who may have fled, were present during the final phase of Jerusalem's destruction, caught by the conquerors.
• and the scribe (סֹפֵר֩, sofer): This position denotes a highly educated and literate individual, typically an administrator, secretary, or record-keeper. Scribes were crucial in ancient bureaucracies for documentation, administration, and legal matters.
  • of the captain of the host (שַׂר־צָבָא֩, sar-tzava): The commander of the army. This scribe likely managed the army's administrative functions, not just general royal affairs, linking him directly to military infrastructure.
  • who mustered the people of the land (אֲשֶׁר־כָּנַ֥ס אֶת־עַם־הָאָ֖רֶץ, asher kanas et-ʿam-hāʾāreṣ): This phrase means "who gathered/assembled the people of the land," implying responsibilities such as census-taking, conscription, or organizing civil defense. His role in organizing the populace made him a significant figure.
• and sixty men (וְשִׁשִּׁ֨ים אִ֜ישׁ, ve'shishim ish): A significant number of prominent individuals. The choice of 60 could symbolize a wider group of leading citizens.
  • of the people of the land (מֵעַ֤ם הָאָ֙רֶץ֙, meʿam ha'aretz): Refers to the landed gentry, respected elders, or prominent citizens—not necessarily common laborers. These were community leaders, representing civil authority and social influence.
  • who were found in the midst of the city: Again, highlights their capture within the fallen capital, demonstrating Babylon's complete control and the thoroughness of the roundup of key figures.

Jeremiah 52 25 Bonus section

The specific enumeration of different types of officials (military, royal court, administrative, and civic) underscores the comprehensive nature of the judgment. It's not just a general fall, but a targeted dismantling of Judah's entire governance system. The fact that they were "found in the city" implies either a futile stand, a belief they would be spared, or simply that escape was impossible. Their presence at the bitter end stands as a stark testament to the kingdom's utter defeat. This selective capture of elites contrasts with the earlier, broader deportations, suggesting a final phase of leadership elimination intended to leave Judah utterly incapacitated and prevent any immediate organized resurgence.

Jeremiah 52 25 Commentary

Jeremiah 52:25 meticulously details the final phase of God's judgment against Judah through Babylon. It paints a stark picture of desolation by systematically listing the capture of crucial leaders—military commanders, royal advisors, key administrators, and respected civic elders. These individuals collectively embodied the spiritual, military, and administrative backbone of Judah. Their apprehension and subsequent execution at Riblah (mentioned in the following verses, Jer 52:26-27) symbolize not just the collapse of a kingdom but the complete eradication of Judah's self-governance and earthly power. This specific enumeration reinforces the idea that God's judgment was precise and thorough, dismantling every layer of leadership that had strayed from Him. It highlights the futility of human wisdom, military strength, or administrative prowess when pitted against divine decree. For the original audience, it served as a vivid and tragic confirmation of Jeremiah's long-standing prophecies, urging introspection on the consequences of their unfaithfulness and demonstrating God's sovereign control over nations and their leaders.