Jeremiah 52:30
In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.
Original Language Analysis
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ
In the three
H7969
שָׁלֹ֣שׁ
In the three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
2 of 20
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֒
of Nebuchadrezzar
H5019
לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֒
of Nebuchadrezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
4 of 20
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
הֶגְלָ֗ה
carried away captive
H1540
הֶגְלָ֗ה
carried away captive
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
5 of 20
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
רַב
the captain
H7227
רַב
the captain
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
7 of 20
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
טַבָּחִ֔ים
of the guard
H2876
טַבָּחִ֔ים
of the guard
Strong's:
H2876
Word #:
8 of 20
properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)
יְהוּדִ֕ים
of the Jews
H3064
יְהוּדִ֕ים
of the Jews
Strong's:
H3064
Word #:
9 of 20
a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
all the persons
H5315
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
all the persons
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
10 of 20
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
שְׁבַ֥ע
seven
H7651
שְׁבַ֥ע
seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
11 of 20
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
מֵאֽוֹת׃
hundred
H3967
מֵאֽוֹת׃
hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
12 of 20
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
15 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
all the persons
H5315
נֶ֕פֶשׁ
all the persons
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
H505
אֲלָפִ֖ים
thousand
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
18 of 20
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
Historical Context
This third deportation, unique to Jeremiah, explains the continuing exile presence despite Jerusalem's earlier destruction. It demonstrates Babylon's systematic policy of removing potential rebels over decades, not just one catastrophic event.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the third deportation (often overlooked) teach about judgment's ongoing consequences, not just one-time catastrophe?
- How does Jeremiah's careful enumeration preserve testimony for exiles to remember God's justice and plan restoration?
- In what ways do spiritual consequences often unfold in stages rather than single dramatic moments?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In the three and twentieth year—582 BC, a third deportation not mentioned in Kings, five years after Jerusalem's destruction. Seven hundred forty and five persons—possibly prompted by Gedaliah's assassination (chapter 41) and remaining Jews' flight to Egypt.
All the persons were four thousand and six hundred—the total of three deportations (vv. 28-30): 3,023 + 832 + 745 = 4,600. This smaller total (compared to Kings' tens of thousands) counts adult males only, showing Jeremiah's precision as eyewitness. The detailed accounting preserves historical memory for future generations.