Jeremiah 52:28-30
This is the number of the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year, 3,023 Judeans; in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem 832 persons; in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Judeans 745 persons; all the persons were 4,600.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The striking precision of "three thousand Jews and three and twenty" hints at a detailed record being referenced, almost like an official manifest of captured individuals. This level of specific detail, even for a smaller deportation, underscores the meticulous way God's Word often preserves even seemingly minor events, drawing our attention to the significance in what might otherwise be overlooked.
This passage begins a detailed list of Nebuchadnezzar's deportations from Judah, focusing on specific numbers and years. Unlike the previous accounts of Jerusalem's final destruction, this section presents what appear to be earlier, less catastrophic exiles, with one number differing significantly from the parallel account in 2 Kings. The context suggests these are distinct, possibly smaller-scale deportations that precede the final devastation and the larger exiles detailed elsewhere.
Why would the Bible give such specific numbers for captives? It might seem like dry history, but these details reveal something profound about God's character and His plan, even in judgment.
This verse, Jeremiah 52:28, provides a precise count: 3,023 Judeans were taken captive in Nebuchadnezzar's seventh year. While commentators debate the exact timing and comparison with other accounts (like 2 Kings 24), the very specificity of the number—3,023—points to a God who meticulously records even the painful details of human history.
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You might notice that this number doesn't quite match other biblical accounts. Does that mean the Bible is wrong? Not at all! It's a chance to see how God's Word works.
The numbers in Jeremiah 52:28 (3,023) differ from those in 2 Kings 24:14 (10,000). This isn't a contradiction, but an invitation to deeper understanding.
Understand the original words
galah · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
One who is seized or held against their will, often used in scripture to denote the loss of freedom as a consequence of warfare or divine discipline for national sin.
Yehudim · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the inhabitants or descendants of the tribe of Judah; theologically, it represents the remnant of the covenant people living under the promises given to David and the history of the divided kingdom.
Yerushalayim · Hebrew Noun
The holy city chosen by God as the place of His name and the location of the Temple, symbolizing the center of worship and the focal point of God's earthly dealings with His people.
nephesh · Hebrew Noun
A term for a human being, emphasizing their individual existence and their accountability before God, often used in census or judgment records to denote the total tally of those affected by divine or royal decree.
The precise numbering in Jeremiah 52:28 highlights that Scripture sometimes preserves details from different administrative records, even if they seem to differ from other biblical accounts. These smaller, specific deportations, distinct from the major exiles, underscore a consistent, gradual draining of Judea's population under Babylonian authority.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation under Nebuchadnezzar
Nebuchadnezzar's first major deportation of Judeans, including notable figures like Daniel, occurred early in his reign, establishing a pattern of Babylonian control.
c. 598/597 BC
Deporation of Jehoiachin and Nobles
Nebuchadnezzar deports King Jehoiachin, his mother, officials, and skilled workers, potentially including the 10,000 mentioned in 2 Kings, marking a significant reduction of Jerusalem's leadership.
c. 597 BC (Seventh/Eighth Year)— this verse
A Specific Deportation Recorded
This passage records a distinct deportation in Nebuchadnezzar's seventh or eighth regnal year, with a specific count of 3,023 Judeans, likely a smaller group noted in separate records.
c. 587/586 BC
Fall and Destruction of Jerusalem
Nebuchadnezzar's forces capture and destroy Jerusalem and its temple, leading to a massive third deportation and the end of the southern kingdom of Judah.
c. 582 BC (23rd Year)
Final Deportation from Judah
Nebuchadnezzar conducts a final, smaller-scale deportation, gathering the remaining Judeans scattered throughout the land and those who had fled to surrounding regions.
This passage describes a similar deportation of captives under Nebuchadnezzar, offering a different number and year, which highlights the complexities and potential discrepancies in historical records of these events.
Jeremiah 39:1-3This passage details the fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent carrying away of people, providing context for the different stages and numbers of exiles mentioned in chapter 52.
Ezra 2:64-65This passage records the return of exiles from Babylon, giving a much larger number of those who eventually came back, contrasting with the specific, smaller numbers deported in Jeremiah 52.
Ezekiel 1:1-3Ezekiel was among those exiled in an earlier deportation (around the same time as Jehoiachin's), showing that the captives mentioned in Jeremiah 52 were part of a larger, ongoing process of exile.
barnesJeremiah 52:28: "This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:"
Seventh year - The suggestion is now generally received, that the word ten has dropped out before seven, and that the deportations mentioned here are all connected with the final war against Zedekiah. The calculation of Nebuchadnezzars reign is different from that used elsewhere, showing that the writer had access to a document not known to the compiler of…
pooleJeremiah 52:28: "This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:"
That is, in the time of Jehoiachin, 2 Kings 24:12-14 ; here it is said to be in the seventh year, there in the eighth year, it might be in part of both. But there is a difference in the number of the captives, which are here said to be three thousand and twenty-three, and 2 Kings 24:14,16 , seven thousand, or eight. It is thought by some that the number he…
The striking precision of "three thousand Jews and three and twenty" hints at a detailed record being referenced, almost like an official manifest of captured individuals. This level of specific detail, even for a smaller deportation, underscores the meticulous way God's Word often preserves even seemingly minor events, drawing our attention to the significance in what might otherwise be overlooked.
This passage begins a detailed list of Nebuchadnezzar's deportations from Judah, focusing on specific numbers and years. Unlike the previous accounts of Jerusalem's final destruction, this section presents what appear to be earlier, less catastrophic exiles, with one number differing significantly from the parallel account in 2 Kings. The context suggests these are distinct, possibly smaller-scale deportations that precede the final devastation and the larger exiles detailed elsewhere.
This passage begins a detailed list of Nebuchadnezzar's deportations from Judah, focusing on specific numbers and years. Unlike the previous accounts of Jerusalem's final destruction, this section presents what appear to be earlier, less catastrophic exiles, with one number differing significantly from the parallel account in 2 Kings. The context suggests these are distinct, possibly smaller-scale deportations that precede the final devastation and the larger exiles detailed elsewhere.
"This is the number of the people whom Nebuchadnezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year, 3,023 Judeans; in the eighteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem 832 persons; in the twenty-third year of Nebucha…" — The striking precision of "three thousand Jews and three and twenty" hints at a detailed record being referenced, almost like an official manifest of captured individuals. This level of specific deta…
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