Jeremiah 52:28
This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:
Original Language Analysis
הָעָ֔ם
This is the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
This is the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
2 of 12
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
3 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הֶגְלָ֖ה
carried away captive
H1540
הֶגְלָ֖ה
carried away captive
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
4 of 12
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר
whom Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר
whom Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
5 of 12
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
שֶׁ֕בַע
in the seventh
H7651
שֶׁ֕בַע
in the seventh
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
7 of 12
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
יְהוּדִ֕ים
Jews
H3064
יְהוּדִ֕ים
Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
8 of 12
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
וּשְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃
and three
H7969
וּשְׁלֹשָֽׁה׃
and three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
9 of 12
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
10 of 12
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
These deportations occurred in 597, 586, and 581 BC respectively. The numbering of the remnant echoes God's preservation of a faithful seed throughout Israel's history.
Questions for Reflection
- How do detailed historical records in Scripture strengthen your faith?
- What does God's preservation of a remnant teach about His covenant faithfulness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The precise enumeration of exiles taken in three deportations (in years seven, eighteen, and twenty-three of Nebuchadnezzar) demonstrates the historical accuracy of Scripture and God's sovereign control over details. The relatively small numbers (3,023, 832, and 745) suggest these were counts of family heads, not total populations. God's covenant people were reduced to a remnant, yet preserved.