Jeremiah 52:29
In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons:
Original Language Analysis
שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה
In the eighteenth
H8083
שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה
In the eighteenth
Strong's:
H8083
Word #:
2 of 10
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
H6240
עֶשְׂרֵ֖ה
Strong's:
H6240
Word #:
3 of 10
ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth
לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר
of Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר
of Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
4 of 10
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
from Jerusalem
H3389
מִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם
from Jerusalem
Strong's:
H3389
Word #:
5 of 10
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
H5315
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
persons
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
6 of 10
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה
In the eighteenth
H8083
שְׁמֹנֶ֥ה
In the eighteenth
Strong's:
H8083
Word #:
7 of 10
a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
Cross References
Jeremiah 52:12Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzar-adan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,Genesis 12:5And Abram took Sarai his wife, and Lot his brother's son, and all their substance that they had gathered, and the souls that they had gotten in Haran; and they went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.
Historical Context
This deportation followed King Jehoiachin's surrender in 597 BC, eleven years before Jerusalem's final destruction. It included Daniel, Ezekiel, and the royal family. The smaller number here suggests these were specifically Jerusalem's civic leaders.
Questions for Reflection
- What comfort does God's individual accounting ('832 persons') offer—that He knows each person even in massive historical upheavals?
- How do the different numbers in Kings and Jeremiah (not contradictions but different counting methods) reflect the complexity of historical testimony?
- In what ways does God's detailed record-keeping in judgment assure you of His detailed care in blessing?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar—597 BC, the second deportation. Eight hundred thirty and two persons—this number conflicts with 2 Kings 24:14 ('ten thousand') and 24:16 ('seven thousand'). The resolution: this counts adult males only; Kings includes families, soldiers, and craftsmen.
The precision—832 exact—emphasizes God's knowledge of every individual in judgment. Not masses but persons, each known by name to God. This echoes Jesus's teaching that God numbers our hairs (Matthew 10:30). Even in wrath, He remembers mercy (Habakkuk 3:2).