In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The verse simply states Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and besieged it, not that he conquered it outright in that third year. This subtle distinction is crucial: the initial advance was a demonstration of power and the beginning of subjugation, not necessarily the end of the story for Jehoiakim's rule.
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The stage is set for Daniel's story as the mighty Babylonian empire, led by Nebuchadnezzar, marches on Jerusalem. This isn't the final destruction of the city, but an early stage of subjugation where the young king Jehoiakim becomes a vassal, and significant temple treasures, along with select young nobles like Daniel, are carried off to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of judgment and purification for Judah, setting the scene for Daniel's life and prophetic ministry in a foreign land.
Nebuchadnezzar’s arrival isn't just a date on a timeline; it’s the sound of a world changing. What did this invasion mean for Judah?
This opening verse sets a scene of dramatic political upheaval.
A Shifting Global Power
The Siege of Jerusalem
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It's easy to see this as just a clash of kings and armies. But the Bible shows us a deeper reality. Who is really in control?
While Nebuchadnezzar is the one marching armies, the text subtly points to a divine orchestration behind these historical events.
The Lord Gave Them Into His Hand
Discipline and Judgment
This invasion wasn't just about taking a city; it was the beginning of a profound shift for God's people. What exactly was taken, and why does it matter?
Daniel 1:1 is the prelude to the Babylonian Exile, a pivotal moment in Israel's history that shaped their identity and theology for generations.
More Than Just Territory
The Dawn of Seventy Years
This initial siege wasn't the final destruction of Jerusalem, but the beginning of Babylonian dominance and the first wave of exiles, including Daniel, setting the stage for his prophetic ministry in a foreign land.
c. 611 BC
Jehoiakim becomes King of Judah
After Josiah's death and a brief reign of Jehoahaz, Pharaoh Necho of Egypt installs Jehoiakim, Josiah's son, as king. Jehoiakim initially becomes a vassal to Egypt.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar (then crown prince) decisively defeats the Egyptian army under Pharaoh Necho, ending Egypt's influence in the region.
c. 605 BC (Third year of Jehoiakim)— this verse
Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar, now king of Babylon, marches on Jerusalem following his victory at Carchemish. He besieges the city, leading to Jehoiakim's submission and Judah becoming a Babylonian vassal.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Exiles
As part of the subjugation, Nebuchadnezzar takes some of the royal family and nobility, including Daniel and his friends, captive to Babylon.
c. 601 BC
Jehoiakim Rebels
After three years of vassalage, Jehoiakim rebels against Nebuchadnezzar, likely encouraged by Egypt's resurgence.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation and Siege
Nebuchadnezzar returns and besieges Jerusalem again, capturing King Jehoiachin and a larger group of exiles, marking a more severe phase of the Babylonian Captivity.
This passage describes the same historical event, the initial subjugation of Judah by Nebuchadnezzar, providing a parallel account of the same historical context.
Jeremiah 25:1Jeremiah, prophesying around the same time, references the fourth year of Jehoiakim and Nebuchadnezzar's rise, adding another layer to the historical and prophetic backdrop of this invasion.
Jeremiah 46:2This verse speaks of Pharaoh's defeat by Nebuchadnezzar at Carchemish, the very event that established Babylon's dominance over the region and set the stage for the siege of Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 36:6This passage also recounts Jehoiakim becoming a vassal to Nebuchadnezzar after the Babylonian king came against him, reinforcing the immediate political reality described in Daniel.
barnesDaniel 1:1: "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it."
In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem - This event occurred, according to Jahn ("History of the Hebrew Commonwealth"), in the year 607 b.c., and in the 368th year after the revolt of the ten tribes. According to Usher, it was in the 369th year of the revolt, and 606 b.c. The computation…
bensonDaniel 1:1: "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it."
Daniel 1:1-2 . In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim came Nebuchadnezzar, &c. — See notes on 2 Kings 24:1-4 . And the Lord gave Jehoiakim into his hand — He took Jehoiakim prisoner, and put him in chains, with a design to carry him to Babylon; but he having humbled himself, and submitted to become tributary, he was restored to his kingdom. “At this t…
The verse simply states Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and besieged it, not that he conquered it outright in that third year. This subtle distinction is crucial: the initial advance was a demonstration of power and the beginning of subjugation, not necessarily the end of the story for Jehoiakim's rule.
The stage is set for Daniel's story as the mighty Babylonian empire, led by Nebuchadnezzar, marches on Jerusalem. This isn't the final destruction of the city, but an early stage of subjugation where the young king Jehoiakim becomes a vassal, and significant temple treasures, along with select young nobles like Daniel, are carried off to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of judgment and purification for Judah, setting the scene for Daniel's life and prophetic ministry in a foreign land.
The stage is set for Daniel's story as the mighty Babylonian empire, led by Nebuchadnezzar, marches on Jerusalem. This isn't the final destruction of the city, but an early stage of subjugation where the young king Jehoiakim becomes a vassal, and significant temple treasures, along with select young nobles like Daniel, are carried off to Babylon. This event marks the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of judgment and purification for Judah, setting the scene for Daniel's life and prophetic ministry in a foreign land.
"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it." — The verse simply states Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem and besieged it, not that he conquered it outright in that third year. This subtle distinction is crucial: the initial advance was a demonst…
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Last reviewed October 2026