Jeremiah 39:9-10
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It's easy to read this verse as simply listing who was exiled. But notice that it specifies both "those who had deserted to him" and "the rest of the people that remained." This highlights a stark reality: even those who tried to save themselves by switching sides ended up sharing the same fate as everyone else left behind.
Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried into exile to Babylon the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the people who remained. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left in the land of Judah some of the poor people who owned nothing, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Jerusalem's fall and King Zedekiah's capture, Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian commander, carried off the remaining population. This included not only those who had held out within the besieged city but also those who had deserted to the Babylonians earlier, and any others found throughout the land. This systematic deportation was a common imperial policy designed to consolidate power and prevent future rebellions.
Who was this Nebuzaradan, and what was his role in the fall of Jerusalem? His title alone tells a chilling story.
Nebuzaradan is identified as the "captain of the guard." However, the original Hebrew title, bab-tab-bachim, is more vividly translated as "chief of the slaughterers" or "chief of the executioners." This wasn't just a military rank; it suggests he was in charge of capital punishment within the army or perhaps even oversaw the destruction and looting.
He arrived a month after the city fell, not with the initial siege force, but to carry out the king's orders for demolition and deportation. His presence signifies the systematic and thorough nature of Babylon's conquest.
The verse lists several groups of people exiled. Do you see yourself in any of them?
Jeremiah 39:9 specifies three main groups taken into exile:
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This comprehensive deportation policy aimed to depopulate the land and consolidate control, ensuring no significant resistance could form.
Why did the Babylonians round up so many people? It wasn't random violence, but a calculated strategy.
The wholesale deportation of populations was a common and effective strategy for ancient Near Eastern empires like Babylon.
Key Goals:
This wasn't just about punishment; it was about reshaping the political and social landscape to serve the interests of the conquering power, ensuring stability and tribute flow back to Babylon.
Understand the original words
galah · Hebrew Noun
A state of forced removal from one’s homeland to a foreign land, often as a judgment from God for covenant disobedience. It represents alienation, loss, and the discipline of God’s people.
dal · Hebrew Adjective
The socioeconomic status of having little to no material possessions. In Scripture, God often shows special concern for the poor, and they are frequently the ones left behind when the wealthy or influential are removed by judgment.
This verse highlights the systematic policy of deportation used by Babylonian rulers. By removing the remaining population—both those who surrendered and those who held out—Babylon aimed to dismantle Judean society and prevent future resistance.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation of Jerusalemites
Nebuchadnezzar deports thousands of Judean nobles and skilled workers, including Daniel, to Babylon after a victory. This marks the beginning of Judah's subjugation to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation of Jerusalemites
Following a revolt, Nebuchadnezzar deports more of Jerusalem's elite, including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon.
589 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem after King Zedekiah rebels against Babylonian rule, plunging Judah into a brutal, prolonged conflict.
July 587 BC
Jerusalem Falls to Babylon
After a devastating siege, Babylonian forces breach Jerusalem's walls, ending the kingdom of Judah.
August 587 BC— this verse
Nebuzaradan Executes His Mission
Nebuzaradan, captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, arrives a month after the city's fall. He oversees the final destruction of Jerusalem, including the Temple, and carries the remaining population into exile.
This passage describes the same event, highlighting Nebuzaradan's role in carrying the remaining population into exile, reinforcing the totality of the Babylonian conquest.
Jeremiah 52:15This verse from Jeremiah's account of the fall of Jerusalem also details Nebuzaradan's actions, specifically mentioning that he carried away 'some of the poorest of the people' and 'the rest of the people,' paralleling the diverse groups exiled in Jeremiah 39:9.
Deuteronomy 28:64-65This passage speaks prophetically of the consequences of disobedience, foretelling that the Israelites would be scattered among the nations and serve foreign gods, a fate fulfilled by the Babylonian exile described in Jeremiah 39:9.
Psalm 137:1This psalm vividly captures the sorrow of the exiles in Babylon, directly referencing the experience of those carried away captive, as described in Jeremiah 39:9.
calvinJeremiah 39:9: "Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained."
Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.
Residuum vero populi qui superstites erant…
pooleJeremiah 39:9: "Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained."
This Nebuzar-adan was in that place which we call the provost-marshal , with them it was called the captain of the guard; and here are two sorts of prisoners reckoned up whom he carried away: 1. Such as, after the armies were come into Judea, had yielded themselves.…
It's easy to read this verse as simply listing who was exiled. But notice that it specifies both "those who had deserted to him" and "the rest of the people that remained." This highlights a stark reality: even those who tried to save themselves by switching sides ended up sharing the same fate as everyone else left behind.
Following Jerusalem's fall and King Zedekiah's capture, Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian commander, carried off the remaining population. This included not only those who had held out within the besieged city but also those who had deserted to the Babylonians earlier, and any others found throughout the land. This systematic deportation was a common imperial policy designed to consolidate power and prevent future rebellions.
Following Jerusalem's fall and King Zedekiah's capture, Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian commander, carried off the remaining population. This included not only those who had held out within the besieged city but also those who had deserted to the Babylonians earlier, and any others found throughout the land. This systematic deportation was a common imperial policy designed to consolidate power and prevent future rebellions.
"Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried into exile to Babylon the rest of the people who were left in the city, those who had deserted to him, and the people who remained. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left in the land…" — It's easy to read this verse as simply listing who was exiled. But notice that it specifies both "those who had deserted to him" and "the rest of the people that remained." This highlights a stark re…
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Last reviewed October 2026
