Daniel 1:1

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

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.

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;

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

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

Commentary

Daniel 1:1 KJV serves as the dramatic opening to the prophetic book of Daniel, immediately plunging the reader into a moment of profound historical and theological significance for the nation of Judah.

Context and Historical Setting

This verse precisely dates the beginning of the Babylonian threat to Jerusalem: "In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah," which corresponds to approximately 605 BC. This was a critical juncture, marking the first of several deportations of Jewish people to Babylon, and the effective end of Judah's independence. King Jehoiakim, a puppet king initially installed by Egypt, had a turbulent reign marked by spiritual decline and political instability. His father, King Josiah, had led a great revival, but Jehoiakim reversed many of his reforms.

The formidable "Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon" is introduced as the instrument of this historical upheaval. At this time, Babylon was rapidly ascending as the dominant world power, having recently defeated Egypt at the Battle of Carchemish. Nebuchadnezzar's campaign against Jerusalem was part of his broader effort to consolidate his empire's control over the Levant. The "besieged it" mentioned here refers to an early, significant assault that led to the capture of some of the royal family, nobles, and valuable articles from the temple, including Daniel himself and his companions. This was not the final, devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its Temple (which occurred in 586 BC, as recorded in 2 Kings 25:1), but a crucial precursor.

Key Themes and Significance

  • Divine Sovereignty Amidst Human Conflict: This verse immediately establishes a key theme of Daniel: God's ultimate control over human history and the rise and fall of empires. Despite the apparent triumph of a pagan king like Nebuchadnezzar, the events unfold within God's sovereign plan. The siege was not merely a political maneuver but a fulfillment of God's warnings to His disobedient people, foreshadowing the 70-year Babylonian captivity prophesied by Jeremiah.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The dire situation in Jerusalem serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of Judah's persistent idolatry and rejection of God's covenant. The exile was a form of divine judgment, intended to chasten and refine the nation.
  • Setting the Stage for Faithfulness: While the verse describes a moment of national crisis, it implicitly sets the stage for the personal faithfulness of Daniel and his friends, who would soon be tested in the heart of the very empire that besieged their homeland. Their story, beginning in the next verses, highlights how individuals can remain steadfast even in the most challenging and foreign environments.

Linguistic Nuances

The Hebrew text accurately reflects the historical details, providing precise temporal and geographical markers. The term "besieged" (צָרַר, tsarar) implies a hostile encirclement with the intent to capture or subdue, accurately depicting the military action taken by Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem.

Practical Application

Daniel 1:1 reminds us that even in times of national crisis, political upheaval, or personal adversity, God remains on His throne. The historical accuracy and fulfillment of prophecy underscore God's faithfulness to His Word, whether in warning or promise. For believers today, this verse offers a foundational truth: though circumstances may seem chaotic or overwhelming, God is ultimately in control, working His purposes through history. It encourages us to seek His will and remain faithful, even when our world feels besieged.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 24:1 (24 votes)

    ¶ 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 (24 votes)

    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 (23 votes)

    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 (23 votes)

    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 (12 votes)

    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.