2 Kings 24:14
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
Original Language Analysis
וְהִגְלָ֣ה
And he carried away
H1540
וְהִגְלָ֣ה
And he carried away
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
1 of 23
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְ֠רֽוּשָׁלִַם
all Jerusalem
H3389
יְ֠רֽוּשָׁלִַם
all Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
4 of 23
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וְֽאֶת
H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
5 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
6 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַשָּׂרִ֞ים
and all the princes
H8269
הַשָּׂרִ֞ים
and all the princes
Strong's:
H8269
Word #:
7 of 23
a head person (of any rank or class)
וְאֵ֣ת׀
H853
וְאֵ֣ת׀
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 23
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
9 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י
and all the mighty men
H1368
גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י
and all the mighty men
Strong's:
H1368
Word #:
10 of 23
powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant
הַחַ֗יִל
of valour
H2428
הַחַ֗יִל
of valour
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
11 of 23
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
עֲשֶׂ֤רֶה
even ten
H6235
עֲשֶׂ֤רֶה
even ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
12 of 23
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִים֙
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
13 of 23
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 23
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וְהַמַּסְגֵּ֑ר
and smiths
H4525
וְהַמַּסְגֵּ֑ר
and smiths
Strong's:
H4525
Word #:
17 of 23
a fastener, i.e., (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
18 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִשְׁאַ֔ר
none remained
H7604
נִשְׁאַ֔ר
none remained
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
19 of 23
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
זוּלַ֖ת
save
H2108
זוּלַ֖ת
save
Strong's:
H2108
Word #:
20 of 23
probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except
דַּלַּ֥ת
the poorest sort
H1803
דַּלַּ֥ת
the poorest sort
Strong's:
H1803
Word #:
21 of 23
properly, something dangling, i.e., a loose thread or hair; figuratively, indigent
Cross References
Jeremiah 52:28This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:2 Kings 25:12But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.2 Kings 24:16And 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.Jeremiah 40:7Now when all the captains of the forces which were in the fields, even they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;Jeremiah 39:10But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.Jeremiah 52:16But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.
Historical Context
Historical Setting: 2 Kings 24 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Beginning of Babylonian Captivity) reflects the historical reality of the final collapse of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and exile to Babylon as covenant curses are fully realized. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 24 regarding judgment unfolds progressively?
- What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
- In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.
This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 24: Judgment unfolds progressively. As Judah approaches exile, these events fulfill prophetic warnings and demonstrate that God's patience with covenant violation is not infinite.
The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.