Jeremiah 27:20
Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
1 of 20
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
2 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙
Which Nebuchadnezzar
H5019
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙
Which Nebuchadnezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
4 of 20
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶ֑לָה
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֑לָה
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
6 of 20
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בַּ֠גְלוֹתוֹ
not when he carried away captive
H1540
בַּ֠גְלוֹתוֹ
not when he carried away captive
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
7 of 20
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 #:
8 of 20
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֶן
the son
H1121
בֶן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
10 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
13 of 20
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
and Jerusalem
H3389
וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃
and Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
14 of 20
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
בָּבֶ֑לָה
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֑לָה
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
15 of 20
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וְאֵ֛ת
H853
וְאֵ֛ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 20
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 #:
17 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֹרֵ֥י
and all the nobles
H2715
חֹרֵ֥י
and all the nobles
Strong's:
H2715
Word #:
18 of 20
properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
Cross References
Jeremiah 24:1The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs were set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.2 Chronicles 36:10And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.Jeremiah 22:28Is this man Coniah a despised broken idol? is he a vessel wherein is no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?2 Chronicles 36:18And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon.
Historical Context
The 597 BC exile marked the first of three Babylonian deportations (597, 586, 582 BC). 2 Kings 24:10-17 describes Nebuchadnezzar's capture of Jerusalem, deportation of King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah), 10,000 captives, and temple treasures. The massive bronze items remained due to size and weight, not divine protection. Their presence encouraged false prophets' claims that God preserved the temple.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you interpret partial judgments—as warnings or as signs that full judgment won't come?
- What opportunities for repentance between escalating consequences have you ignored?
- How does incremental judgment demonstrate God's patience rather than impotence?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־לְקָחָם נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל, asher lo-l'qacham n'vukhadnetsar melekh-bavel)—this verse references the 597 BC deportation when Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) and elites went into exile. Nebuchadnezzar took not (לֹא־לָקַח, lo-laqach) these massive temple furnishings then, but verse 22 predicts their eventual removal.
The historical detail grounds prophecy in specific events. The first deportation was partial judgment; the final destruction (586 BC) would be comprehensive. God's judgments often come in stages, giving opportunities for repentance between increasingly severe consequences. The fact that items remained after 597 BC didn't mean they were permanently protected—it meant God's judgment was incremental, not instantaneous.