Bible Strands
Jeremiah 39:9
Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away to Babylon the remnant of the people who had remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to him.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrative records Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, executing a forced deportation immediately after the Chaldeans burn Jerusalem's royal palace and residential houses and breach its walls.
The words — יֶתֶר (Yeter) means the "remnant" or "rest" of the population, while הַנֹּֽפְלִים (han-nofelim) literally translates to "those who fell" or "deserters" who had switched allegiance to the Babylonian commander.
The thread — This forced relocation of the city's remaining inhabitants and defectors matches the parallel record in 2 Kings 25:11, and the official title "captain of the guard" applied to Nebuzaradan echoes the same designation for Potiphar in Genesis 37:36. The administrative aftermath of this deportation is noted in Jeremiah 40:1 when Nebuzaradan later releases Jeremiah at Ramah.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to see how historical judgment operates through specific, documented administrative actions rather than abstract forces. It demands recognition that military conquest systematically dismantles a community by separating the remaining populace from those who defected.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then Nebuzar–adan 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.
Cross-references
- Jeremiah 40:1 This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD after Nebuzaradan captain of the guard had released him at Ramah, having found him bound in chains among all the captives of Jerusalem and Judah who were being exiled to Babylon.
- Genesis 37:36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
- 2 Kings 25:11 Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the population.
- 2 Kings 25:20 Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
- Jeremiah 10:18 For this is what the LORD says: “Behold, at this time I will sling out the inhabitants of the land and bring distress upon them so that they may be captured.”
- Jeremiah 52:26 Nebuzaradan captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
- Leviticus 26:33 But I will scatter you among the nations and will draw out a sword after you as your land becomes desolate and your cities are laid waste.
- Deuteronomy 4:27 Then the LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and only a few of you will survive among the nations to which the LORD will drive you.
- 2 Kings 20:18 And some of your descendants, your own flesh and blood, will be taken away to be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.”
- Isaiah 5:13 Therefore My people will go into exile for their lack of understanding; their dignitaries are starving and their masses are parched with thirst.