2 Chronicles 36:7

Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} also carried {H935} of the vessels {H3627} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068} to Babylon {H894}, and put {H5414} them in his temple {H1964} at Babylon {H894}.

N'vukhadnetzar also carried the articles in the house of ADONAI away to Bavel and put them in his temple in Bavel.

Nebuchadnezzar also took to Babylon some of the articles from the house of the LORD, and he put them in his temple in Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of Jehovah to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 36:7 describes a pivotal moment in Judah's history, marking the beginning of the Babylonian captivity and the desecration of the sacred Temple in Jerusalem. This verse highlights the might of King Nebuchadnezzar and the immediate consequences of Judah's persistent disobedience to God.

Context

This verse recounts the first major deportation of Judahites to Babylon, which occurred during the reign of King Jehoiakim, though the Chronicler here focuses on the treasures taken. 2 Kings 24:13 offers a parallel account, detailing Nebuchadnezzar's initial siege of Jerusalem. The "vessels of the house of the LORD" were sacred implements used in Temple worship, consecrated for divine service. Their removal by Nebuchadnezzar and placement in his pagan templeโ€”likely dedicated to Marduk, the chief god of Babylonโ€”was a profound act of conquest, symbolizing the subjugation of Judah and the apparent defeat of their God.

This event also sets the stage for the book of Daniel, as Daniel and his companions were among those taken captive during this initial phase, along with some of these very temple articles (see Daniel 1:2).

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The removal of the temple vessels was not a sign of God's weakness, but rather a direct consequence of Judah's idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. God, in His sovereignty, used Nebuchadnezzar as an instrument of His judgment, as foretold by prophets like Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:9).
  • Desecration of the Sacred: The holy vessels, set apart for Yahweh's worship, were defiled by being placed in a pagan temple. This act underscores the humiliation of God's people and the affront to His holiness, though it ultimately served God's larger purposes.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse is a stark reminder that persistent rebellion against God's commands leads to severe consequences, including loss of sacred privilege and national humiliation.

Linguistic Insights

The term "vessels" (Hebrew: ื›ึผึฐืœึตื™, keli) refers to various instruments, utensils, or articles, specifically the sacred implements used in the Temple's sacrificial and worship rituals. "House of the LORD" (ื‘ึตึผื™ืช ื™ึฐื”ื•ึธื”, beit Yahweh) emphasizes the consecrated dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The act of placing these in "his temple" highlights the pagan king's attempt to assert the supremacy of his gods over the God of Israel.

Practical Application

This historical account offers several enduring lessons. Firstly, it reminds us of God's unwavering sovereignty, even over the actions of powerful earthly rulers and in times of apparent defeat for His people. Secondly, it serves as a powerful cautionary tale about the serious repercussions of spiritual complacency and disobedience. Finally, while the physical temple and its vessels were desecrated, God's true presence and covenant promises were not ultimately destroyed. The story of these vessels continues with their eventual return under Cyrus (see Ezra 1:7), symbolizing God's faithfulness and the promise of restoration for His people.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 24:13

    And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.

  • Daniel 5:2

    Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out of the temple which [was] in Jerusalem; that the king, and his princes, his wives, and his concubines, might drink therein.

  • Daniel 5:4

    They drank wine, and praised the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone.

  • Ezra 1:7

    Also Cyrus the king brought forth the vessels of the house of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods;

  • Ezra 1:11

    All the vessels of gold and of silver [were] five thousand and four hundred. All [these] did Sheshbazzar bring up with [them of] the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem.

  • Daniel 1:2

    And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

  • Jeremiah 28:3

    Within two full years will I bring again into this place all the vessels of the LORD'S house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place, and carried them to Babylon:
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