Jeremiah 27:20
which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away, when he took into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem—
English Standard Version (ESV)
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This verse highlights a subtle but significant detail: Nebuchadnezzar didn't take everything. He left some precious things behind, hinting that not all hope was lost, even amidst the exile of their king and leaders. The specific word used for "nobles" might even suggest this part was added later, perhaps to emphasize the completeness of the other exiles, not the total plunder.
Jeremiah is prophesying about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. The preceding verses spoke of how even the precious vessels would be taken to Babylon, and this verse clarifies that Nebuchadnezzar didn't take certain bronze items in the first major exile of King Jehoiakim's son, Jeconiah, along with the elite. This sets up the idea that what remains will also be taken, as the full judgment unfolds.
This verse pinpoints a specific detail about Nebuchadnezzar's plunder. It's not just about what was taken, but also about what was left.
Jeremiah 27:20 highlights that Nebuchadnezzar, the mighty conqueror, did not take everything when he exiled King Jeconiah and the Judean nobles to Babylon. The context of Jeremiah 27 (and referencing 2 Kings 24) suggests a distinction between the valuable gold vessels and the less precious bronze vessels that were left behind in Jerusalem. This wasn't an oversight; it was a deliberate part of God's judgment, signaling that a complete destruction had not yet occurred, but a severe consequence for their sin.
The verse names specific individuals who were taken into exile. Their removal speaks volumes about the state of Judah's leadership and its consequences.
The deportation mentioned in Jeremiah 27:20 wasn't a minor event. It included King Jeconiah (also known as Coniah) and 'all the nobles' of Judah and Jerusalem. This signifies a profound loss of leadership and national identity. Jeconiah's reign was brief and marked by wickedness, and his exile, along with the elite, represented a significant divine judgment on the corrupt ruling class and a fulfillment of warnings given by prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel.
Understand the original words
golah · Hebrew Noun
The state of being removed from one's homeland, often as a judgment from God for covenant unfaithfulness, serving as a period of discipline and preservation.
This verse directly references the first major deportation of Judeans to Babylon in 597 BC, highlighting that Nebuchadnezzar left some temple treasures behind on that occasion, a detail crucial for understanding the fuller prophecy in Jeremiah about future exiles and eventual restoration.
597 BC— this verse
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon lays siege to Jerusalem and deports King Jehoiachin, his family, officials, and skilled workers to Babylon.
c. 597 BC
Nebuchadnezzar leaves temple treasures
Nebuchadnezzar seizes the golden temple vessels but leaves behind the bronze vessels, which are mentioned in Jeremiah 27:20.
597 BC
Zedekiah appointed king
After deposing Jehoiachin, Nebuchadnezzar installs Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as the new king of Judah.
588-586 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar returns to Jerusalem, leading to a prolonged siege and the eventual destruction of the city and the First Temple.
This passage directly corroborates Jeremiah 27:20 by detailing the specific items Nebuchadnezzar took during the exile of King Jehoiachin, highlighting the parallel historical account of this significant event.
2 Kings 24:14-16These verses expand on the consequences of the exile mentioned in Jeremiah 27:20, explaining that Nebuchadnezzar didn't just take treasures but also carried away skilled workers and all the important people, further emphasizing the severity of the judgment.
Jeremiah 24:1This verse presents a vision that parallels the exile described in Jeremiah 27:20, using the metaphor of good and bad figs to illustrate God's judgment and mercy upon those taken captive to Babylon versus those left behind.
2 Chronicles 36:10This passage provides another historical perspective on the exile of King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah), reinforcing the context of Jeremiah 27:20 by mentioning his deportation to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar.
pooleJeremiah 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;"
Concerning the persons and things which the king of Babylon then carried away, see 2 Kings 24:13-15 .
henryJeremiah 27:19-22: "For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,"
27:19-22 Jeremiah assures them that the brazen vessels should go after the golden ones. All shall be carried to Babylon. But he concludes with a gracious promise, that the time would come when they should be brought back. Though the return of the prosperity of the church does not come in our time, we m…
This verse highlights a subtle but significant detail: Nebuchadnezzar didn't take everything. He left some precious things behind, hinting that not all hope was lost, even amidst the exile of their king and leaders. The specific word used for "nobles" might even suggest this part was added later, perhaps to emphasize the completeness of the other exiles, not the total plunder.
Jeremiah is prophesying about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. The preceding verses spoke of how even the precious vessels would be taken to Babylon, and this verse clarifies that Nebuchadnezzar didn't take certain bronze items in the first major exile of King Jehoiakim's son, Jeconiah, along with the elite. This sets up the idea that what remains will also be taken, as the full judgment unfolds.
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586 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
Following the destruction of Jerusalem, a final wave of exiles is deported to Babylon.
Jeremiah is prophesying about the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the temple by Nebuchadnezzar. The preceding verses spoke of how even the precious vessels would be taken to Babylon, and this verse clarifies that Nebuchadnezzar didn't take certain bronze items in the first major exile of King Jehoiakim's son, Jeconiah, along with the elite. This sets up the idea that what remains will also be taken, as the full judgment unfolds.
"which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take away, when he took into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem—" — This verse highlights a subtle but significant detail: Nebuchadnezzar didn't take everything. He left some precious things behind, hinting that not all hope was lost, even amidst the exile of their…
