Daniel 1:1

KJV

¶ In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the third {H7969} year {H8141} of the reign {H4438} of Jehoiakim {H3079} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} came {H935} Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} unto Jerusalem {H3389}, and besieged {H6696} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

In the third year of the reign of Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah, N'vukhadnetzar king of Bavel came to Yerushalayim and laid siege to it;

Berean Standard Bible

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it.

American Standard Version

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem, and besieged it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Daniel 1:1 serves as the dramatic and historically precise opening to the book of Daniel, immediately immersing the reader in a pivotal moment for the nation of Judah. It meticulously records the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, detailing the specific year of King Jehoiakim's reign when Nebuchadnezzar, the formidable king of Babylon, launched his initial, decisive siege against Jerusalem. This verse not only grounds the subsequent prophetic visions and narratives of faithfulness in a concrete historical event but also subtly introduces the overarching theme of divine sovereignty amidst geopolitical upheaval and human disobedience.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Daniel 1:1 functions as the crucial historical anchor for the entire book. It immediately follows the historical books of the Old Testament (like 2 Kings and Jeremiah), providing the specific setting for the events and prophecies that unfold. The verse sets the stage for Daniel's personal narrative, explaining how he and his companions came to be in Babylon. The subsequent verses (Daniel 1:2-7) describe the initial deportation of choice young men, including Daniel, and the plundering of temple articles, directly flowing from the siege mentioned in this opening verse. This immediate transition from national crisis to personal testing establishes the dual focus of the book: God's sovereign plan for nations and His faithfulness to individuals within those plans.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The "third year of the reign of Jehoiakim" corresponds to approximately 605 BC, a highly volatile period in the Ancient Near East. The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, was rapidly asserting its dominance, having recently defeated Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish (circa 605 BC). Judah, caught between these two superpowers, had become a vassal state, initially to Egypt, and now facing the rising power of Babylon. King Jehoiakim, installed by Pharaoh Neco II, had a reign marked by spiritual apostasy and political instability, reversing the reforms of his righteous father, Josiah. The siege described here was not the final destruction of Jerusalem (which occurred in 586 BC, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:1-10](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1-10 - The Final Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem")), but the first of three major deportations, signifying the end of Judah's independence and the beginning of the prophesied [70-year Babylonian captivity](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of the Seventy-Year Captivity").
* **Key Themes:** This opening verse immediately introduces several foundational themes that permeate the book of Daniel. Firstly, it highlights **Divine Sovereignty**, demonstrating that even the rise of powerful pagan empires and the fall of God's chosen nation occur under God's ultimate control. Nebuchadnezzar's actions, though seemingly driven by imperial ambition, are implicitly part of God's disciplinary plan for Judah's persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Secondly, it underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, as the siege and subsequent exile are direct judgments for Judah's spiritual decline under kings like Jehoiakim, contrasting sharply with the earlier revival under Josiah (see [2 Kings 23:1-25](/2_kings/23-1 "2 Kings 23:1-25 - Josiah's Reforms")). Finally, by setting the stage for the exile, the verse implicitly introduces the theme of **Faithfulness in Exile**, as it paves the way for the stories of Daniel and his friends who would demonstrate unwavering devotion to God in a foreign land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Jehoiakim (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôwyâqîym'_):** From "Jehovah abbreviated" and "to raise," meaning "Jehovah will raise." This name, ironically, belongs to a king who largely opposed the will of Jehovah. Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 BC) was characterized by spiritual apostasy, political maneuvering, and oppression, leading Judah further away from God's covenant. His reign marks a period of decline that directly precipitated the Babylonian invasions and subsequent exile.
* **Nebuchadnezzar (Hebrew, _Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar'_):** A name of foreign derivation, identifying the powerful king of Babylon (605-562 BC). He was the instrument of God's judgment against Judah, though he himself was a pagan ruler. His name becomes synonymous with imperial power and divine judgment throughout the book of Daniel, setting up the dramatic confrontations between earthly kingdoms and God's eternal kingdom.
* **besieged (Hebrew, _tsûwr'_):** A primitive root meaning "to cramp, i.e., confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile)." In this context, it specifically means to "lay siege" or "assault." This word vividly portrays the military action taken by Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem, indicating a hostile encirclement with the intent to capture and subdue the city, marking the beginning of its subjugation to foreign power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah":** This clause provides precise historical dating, anchoring the narrative firmly in time. The "third year" (605 BC) signifies not the final destruction, but the initial, pivotal phase of Babylonian dominance over Judah, during the rule of a king known for his unrighteousness and defiance of God. This specific temporal marker lends credibility and historical weight to the events described.
* **"came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon unto Jerusalem":** This segment introduces the primary antagonist and the direct action. Nebuchadnezzar, the rising power in the Ancient Near East, is depicted as actively moving against Jerusalem, the capital of Judah and the spiritual center of God's people. His arrival signals an imminent confrontation and the beginning of a new, challenging era for Judah.
* **"and besieged it.":** This final, concise phrase describes the military action taken by Nebuchadnezzar. The act of besieging implies a hostile encirclement with the intent to conquer. This was the first of several sieges that would ultimately lead to the city's destruction and the temple's desecration, marking a profound moment of national crisis and divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Daniel 1:1 employs several key literary devices to establish its narrative and thematic foundations. The most prominent is **Historical Narrative**, as the verse functions as a precise, factual record, grounding the subsequent prophetic and visionary content in verifiable historical events. This historical precision is further emphasized by the use of a **Chronological Marker** ("In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim"), which immediately situates the reader within a specific, critical period of Judah's history. The verse also serves as a **Dramatic Opening**, immediately plunging the reader into a moment of national crisis and impending judgment, creating a sense of tension and foreboding. Furthermore, there is an implicit **Juxtaposition** between the "king of Judah" and the "king of Babylon," highlighting the power shift and the impending clash between God's covenant people and a formidable pagan empire, setting the stage for the overarching theme of divine sovereignty over earthly kingdoms.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Daniel 1:1 profoundly establishes the theological premise that God is sovereign over all nations and history, even when His people face judgment from pagan powers. The siege of Jerusalem, while a devastating human event, is presented as part of God's unfolding plan, a consequence of Judah's persistent unfaithfulness. This divine orchestration underscores that no earthly power, however mighty, operates outside the purview of the Almighty. The verse thus sets the stage for the book's central message: God's kingdom is supreme, enduring, and ultimately triumphant over all human empires, offering hope and a call to faithfulness even in the darkest of times.

* [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity")
* [2 Kings 24:1-2](/2_kings/24-1 "2 Kings 24:1-2 - Jehoiakim Becomes Nebuchadnezzar's Vassal")
* [Lamentations 1:1-3](/lamentations/1-1 "Lamentations 1:1-3 - Jerusalem's Desolation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Daniel 1:1, though a historical account of national defeat, offers profound spiritual lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that even when circumstances appear chaotic, unjust, or overwhelming, God remains on His throne, actively working His purposes through human history. The fall of Jerusalem was not a sign of God's weakness, but a demonstration of His justice and sovereignty, fulfilling His warnings to a disobedient people. For us, this means that personal and global crises are not outside God's control; rather, they can be instruments of His discipline, refinement, or the advancement of His kingdom. It calls us to trust in His ultimate plan, even when we cannot discern its immediate contours, and to maintain faithfulness in the face of adversity, knowing that our God is sovereign over all earthly powers and circumstances.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty in a moment of national defeat (like Daniel 1:1) impact your perspective on personal or global challenges today?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Judah's disobedience under Jehoiakim, and how might we apply them to our own lives and communities?**
* **In what ways does this verse challenge the notion that human power or political strength is the ultimate determinant of destiny?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "third year of the reign of Jehoiakim"?**

Answer: The "third year of the reign of Jehoiakim" corresponds to approximately 605 BC. This date is highly significant because it marks the first of three major deportations of the Jewish people to Babylon. While not the final, devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple (which occurred in 586 BC under Nebuchadnezzar, as recorded in [2 Kings 25:1-10](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1-10 - The Final Siege and Destruction of Jerusalem")), this initial siege was a crucial turning point. It signaled the effective end of Judah's independence, the beginning of the prophesied [70-year Babylonian captivity](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of the Seventy-Year Captivity"), and the moment when Daniel and his companions were taken into exile, setting the stage for the entire book of Daniel.

**Who was Jehoiakim and why is his reign important here?**

Answer: Jehoiakim was king of Judah from 609-598 BC, placed on the throne by Pharaoh Neco II of Egypt after the death of his righteous father, Josiah. His reign was marked by spiritual apostasy, political instability, and a reversal of Josiah's reforms. He was a disobedient king who "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" ([2 Kings 23:37](/2_kings/23-37 "2 Kings 23:37 - Jehoiakim's Evil Reign")). His unfaithfulness and defiance of God's prophets (like Jeremiah) directly contributed to Judah's weakened state and made them vulnerable to the rising power of Babylon, ultimately bringing about the judgment described in Daniel 1:1. His reign serves as a stark example of the consequences of national disobedience.

**What was the nature of Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem at this time?**

Answer: The siege mentioned in Daniel 1:1 was Nebuchadnezzar's first significant military campaign against Jerusalem, occurring shortly after his decisive victory over Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish (also in 605 BC). This was not a siege aimed at total destruction, but rather at asserting Babylonian dominance and securing tribute. As a result of this siege, Jehoiakim became a vassal to Babylon, and Nebuchadnezzar carried off some of the temple treasures and a selection of the brightest and noblest young men from Jerusalem, including Daniel and his three friends ([Daniel 1:2-7](/daniel/1-2 "Daniel 1:2-7 - Daniel and His Friends Taken to Babylon")). This event established Babylon's control over Judah and initiated the long period of exile.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Daniel 1:1, though depicting a moment of national defeat and exile, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom through Christ. The temporary victory of Nebuchadnezzar, a pagan king, over Jerusalem, the city of God, highlights the transient nature of all earthly kingdoms. Yet, even in this judgment, God's sovereign hand is evident, orchestrating events to fulfill His prophetic word. This divine control over history finds its ultimate expression in Jesus Christ, who is declared to have "all authority in heaven and on earth" ([Matthew 28:18](/matthew/28-18 "Matthew 28:18 - All Authority Given to Jesus")). Just as Daniel and his friends were taken into exile, humanity, through sin, finds itself in a spiritual exile from God. Christ, however, came to deliver us from "the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son" ([Colossians 1:13](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13 - Delivered from Darkness")). The earthly siege of Jerusalem points to the spiritual siege laid against humanity by sin and death, from which only Christ, the true King, can deliver. His kingdom is not of this world, yet it is the eternal kingdom that will ultimately consume and supersede all earthly powers, as prophesied throughout Daniel and fulfilled in the New Testament ([Revelation 11:15](/revelation/11-15 "Revelation 11:15 - The Kingdom of the World Becomes the Kingdom of Our Lord")). Thus, even in the desolation of Daniel 1:1, we glimpse the steadfastness of God's purpose, culminating in the reign of the Messiah who "upholds the universe by the word of his power" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ Upholds All Things")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 24:1

¶ In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

2 Kings 24:2

And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

2 Chronicles 36:5

Jehoiakim [was] twenty and five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD his God.

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.

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.