Jeremiah 52:15

KJV

Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive [certain] of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then Nebuzaradan {H5018} the captain {H7227} of the guard {H2876} carried away captive {H1540} certain of the poor {H1803} of the people {H5971}, and the residue {H3499} of the people {H5971} that remained {H7604} in the city {H5892}, and those that fell away {H5307}, that fell {H5307} to the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894}, and the rest {H3499} of the multitude {H527}.

Complete Jewish Bible

N'vuzar'adan the commander of the guard then deported some of the poor people, the remaining population of the city, the deserters who had defected to the king of Bavel and the rest of the common people.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile some of the poorest people and those who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the craftsmen.

American Standard Version

Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the poorest of the people, and the residue of the people that were left in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the residue of the multitude.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:15 meticulously records the final, comprehensive deportation of the remaining inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah by Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian captain of the guard, following the city's devastating destruction. This systematic removal encompassed not only the most vulnerable and those who had survived the siege but also the defectors who had previously surrendered to Babylon, underscoring the thoroughness of God's judgment and the catastrophic culmination of Judah's persistent rebellion against Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 52 functions as a crucial historical appendix to the prophetic book of Jeremiah, serving to validate and concretize the numerous prophecies of judgment and exile proclaimed throughout the preceding chapters. This chapter largely parallels the account found in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile"), confirming the historical accuracy and devastating severity of the events Jeremiah had foretold. By placing this detailed historical record at the very end of the book, the author provides a somber, undeniable conclusion, demonstrating the irrefutable fulfillment of God's warnings regarding the consequences of Judah's persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rejection of His prophets. It leaves the reader with no doubt that the prophetic words of Jeremiah were indeed from the Lord, brought to fruition through the actions of a foreign power.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Jeremiah 52:15 occurred in 586 BC, marking the third and final major deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon. This followed the complete destruction of Jerusalem and its sacred Temple, a catastrophic blow that effectively ended the Judean kingdom. Nebuzaradan, identified as the "captain of the guard," was a highly significant and fearsome Babylonian official, likely the commander of Nebuchadnezzar's elite bodyguard and chief executioner. He was entrusted with the grim and strategic task of overseeing the systematic removal of the remaining population. This deportation was not merely punitive; it was a calculated policy designed to dismantle Judah's national identity, prevent future rebellions, and integrate skilled or useful populations into the vast Babylonian empire, thereby solidifying Babylon's dominion over the conquered territories and neutralizing any potential for resurgence.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several foundational themes prevalent throughout the Book of Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it vividly illustrates the **Thoroughness of Divine Judgment**, demonstrating that God's justice is comprehensive and inescapable, encompassing all segments of society—the impoverished, the surviving citizens, and even those who sought to escape judgment by defecting. Secondly, it serves as a stark and undeniable testament to the **Consequences of Covenant Disobedience**, acting as a direct fulfillment of the curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant, particularly those concerning exile and dispersion (e.g., [Deuteronomy 28:49-57](/deuteronomy/28-49-57 "Deuteronomy 28:49-57 - Curses for Disobedience and Exile")). The exile was the ultimate disciplinary action for Judah's persistent rebellion and rejection of God's repeated warnings through His prophets. Lastly, despite the profound devastation, the verse implicitly points to **God's Sovereign Control** over history. Even through the actions of a pagan king and his general, God was meticulously working out His redemptive purposes, disciplining His people to bring them to repentance and preserve a remnant for future restoration, as promised in passages like [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10-14 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Promise of Restoration After Exile").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nebuzaradan (Hebrew, _Nᵉbûwzarʼădân'_):** This proper noun refers to the Babylonian general, whose name is often interpreted as "Nabu has given a seed" or "Nabu has given an heir." His presence in this verse signifies the direct and authoritative hand of the conquering Babylonian empire in executing the divine judgment upon Judah. As "captain of the guard" (H2876, _ṭabbâch'_), he was a high-ranking military official, often associated with the king's personal security and the execution of royal decrees, underscoring the strategic and systematic nature of the population's removal.
* **carried away captive (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** This primitive root (H1540) means "to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal." In this context, it powerfully conveys the act of forced removal and displacement from one's homeland. The implication of being "stripped" or "denuded" suggests the profound loss of dignity, identity, and national existence that accompanied the exile, a deeply humiliating and traumatic experience for the Judeans.
* **fell away (Hebrew, _nâphal'_):** This verb (H5307), meaning "to fall," "to cease," or "to die," is used twice in the phrase "those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon." It specifically describes those who defected or surrendered to the Babylonians during the siege, perhaps hoping for clemency or a better fate by aligning themselves with the conquering power. The repetition emphasizes their deliberate choice to abandon their people and king, yet ultimately, even their defection did not spare them from the general decree of exile, highlighting the thoroughness of the Babylonian policy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive":** This opening clause introduces the primary agent of the deportation, Nebuzaradan, a high-ranking Babylonian official. His title, "captain of the guard," is a translation of a Hebrew term that can also mean "chief of the slaughterers" or "executioners," emphasizing his authority and the grim, decisive nature of his mission to dismantle the Judean state and its population. The phrase "carried away captive" denotes the forced removal and displacement of people from their homeland, a common and brutal practice of ancient Near Eastern empires to subjugate conquered territories.
* **"[certain] of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city":** This part specifies two distinct groups subjected to exile. "The poor of the people" refers to the economically disadvantaged, often those left behind after earlier deportations of the elite and skilled workers. "The residue of the people that remained in the city" refers to the general populace who had survived the prolonged siege, famine, and destruction of Jerusalem. This highlights the comprehensive nature of the deportation, affecting various social strata, not just the wealthy or the rebellious leadership.
* **"and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.":** This final segment identifies two more categories of exiles. "Those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon" refers to defectors or deserters who had surrendered to the Babylonians during the siege, perhaps in response to Jeremiah's prophecies urging surrender (e.g., [Jeremiah 21:9](/jeremiah/21-9 "Jeremiah 21:9 - Choose Life by Surrendering")). Even these individuals, who had seemingly chosen the path of least resistance or sought to preserve their lives by cooperating with the enemy, were not exempt from exile, demonstrating the conqueror's absolute control and the universality of the judgment. "And the rest of the multitude" serves as a comprehensive catch-all phrase, emphasizing that virtually all remaining inhabitants were subjected to deportation, leaving Judah largely desolate and depopulated.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:15 masterfully employs several literary devices to underscore the severity, comprehensiveness, and finality of the Babylonian conquest and the resulting judgment. **Enumeration** is prominently featured, as the verse meticulously lists the various categories of people deported: "the poor of the people," "the residue of the people that remained in the city," "those that fell away," and "the rest of the multitude." This detailed cataloging emphasizes the exhaustive nature of the judgment, leaving no segment of society untouched. The powerful **Repetition** of the verb "fell" in "those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon" serves to highlight the specific action of defection and subtly reinforces the broader idea of Judah's ultimate "fall" as a nation. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a profound example of **Fulfillment**, serving as the historical culmination of the numerous prophecies of judgment, destruction, and exile that permeate the Book of Jeremiah, thereby validating the divine origin and authoritative nature of Jeremiah's prophetic message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:15 stands as a stark and undeniable testament to the consequences of persistent national sin and covenant unfaithfulness. It illustrates divine judgment as a thorough, inescapable, and comprehensive reality when God's warnings are ignored and His covenant repeatedly violated. The deportation of diverse segments of society—from the most vulnerable poor to the defectors who sought to save themselves—underscores that no one was exempt from the collective consequences of Judah's rebellion. This devastating event, while seemingly a triumph of a pagan empire, was not arbitrary but rather a meticulously executed fulfillment of God's declared will, a disciplinary act intended to purify His people and prepare them for future restoration. It powerfully highlights God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history, demonstrating His ability to use even pagan empires as instruments to achieve His righteous purposes and bring about His ultimate plan for His people.

* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Prophecy of Dispersion Among All Peoples")
* [Lamentations 1:3](/lamentations/1-3 "Lamentations 1:3 - Judah's Desolation and Exile")
* [Ezekiel 12:3](/ezekiel/12-3 "Ezekiel 12:3 - Preparing for Exile as a Sign")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 52:15 offers a profoundly sobering reflection on the gravity of sin and the unwavering nature of God's justice. For contemporary believers, this historical account serves as a powerful reminder that while we live under the new covenant of grace, the spiritual principles of sowing and reaping, and the seriousness of rebellion against God, remain eternally true. It calls us to consider the thoroughness of God's judgment, not only in a national sense but also in our individual lives when we persistently disregard His Word or seek to compromise our faith. Just as the exile was a refining fire for Judah, God may allow difficult circumstances to enter our lives, not as punishment, but as loving discipline designed to draw us back to Him, to purify our hearts, and to deepen our dependence. This verse encourages a posture of profound humility, unwavering obedience, and a deep reverence for God's commands, recognizing that true security, lasting peace, and genuine blessing are found not in human strategies, political alliances, or self-preservation, but in faithful adherence to the Lord. It also reminds us that even in the midst of profound loss, brokenness, and seemingly chaotic circumstances, God remains absolutely sovereign, working out His ultimate purposes for redemption and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the thoroughness of the Babylonian deportation in this verse challenge my understanding of God's justice and discipline in both historical and personal contexts?**
* **In what ways might I be "falling away" or compromising my faith, hoping to avoid consequences, and what profound lessons can I glean from the fate of those defectors in Judah?**
* **How does understanding God's unwavering sovereignty in this historical judgment encourage me to trust Him more deeply, even in difficult or seemingly chaotic circumstances in my own life and in the world today?**

### FAQ
**Who was Nebuzaradan and what was his significance in the Babylonian conquest?**

Answer: Nebuzaradan (Hebrew: *Nᵉbûwzarʼădân*) was a high-ranking and highly significant general in the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. His title, "captain of the guard" (or "chief of the executioners/butchers"), indicates his authority over the royal bodyguard and his crucial role in carrying out the king's most sensitive and often brutal commands. In the context of the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuzaradan was the primary executor of Nebuchadnezzar's will and God's judgment. He was personally responsible for overseeing the systematic destruction of the Temple and the city walls, the plundering of Jerusalem's treasures, and the comprehensive deportation of the remaining Judean population to Babylon, as vividly described in [Jeremiah 39:9-10](/jeremiah/39-9-10 "Jeremiah 39:9-10 - Nebuzaradan's Role in Jerusalem's Fall") and [Jeremiah 52:12-16](/jeremiah/52-12-16 "Jeremiah 52:12-16 - Nebuzaradan's Actions in Destruction and Exile"). His actions marked the definitive and irreversible end of the Kingdom of Judah as an independent entity.

**Why were different groups of people, including "the poor" and "those that fell away," taken into captivity?**

Answer: The Babylonian strategy of deportation was comprehensive and meticulously planned, aiming to completely dismantle the conquered nation's identity, eliminate any potential for future rebellion, and integrate useful populations into their vast empire. By taking various segments of the population, including "the poor of the people," "the residue of the people that remained in the city," and "those that fell away," Nebuchadnezzar ensured that no significant group was left behind to form a resistance movement or rebuild the nation. The "poor" might have been considered less useful for the empire, yet their removal contributed to the utter desolation of the land, preventing any semblance of organized life. "Those that fell away" refers to defectors or deserters who had surrendered to the Babylonians during the siege, perhaps hoping for leniency or a better fate by cooperating with the conquerors. Their inclusion in the general deportation demonstrates that Babylonian policy was absolute and uncompromising; even those who cooperated were subject to the conqueror's will, underscoring the finality and thoroughness of the judgment upon Judah. This comprehensive approach ensured that Judah's capacity for self-governance, military threat, and national identity was utterly neutralized, as prophesied by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 27:6-8](/jeremiah/27-6-8 "Jeremiah 27:6-8 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 52:15, with its grim depiction of a people carried away into physical captivity due to their persistent sin and rebellion, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. The literal exile of Judah serves as a powerful foreshadowing of humanity's universal spiritual captivity to sin, death, and the dominion of darkness—a bondage from which no one, whether "poor" (those without spiritual resources) or "defector" (those attempting to escape judgment on their own terms or through human strategies), can truly escape by their own efforts. Just as Nebuzaradan led the people into a literal, inescapable exile, sin leads all humanity into a spiritual one, separated from God's holy presence and under the condemnation of His righteous law. However, Jesus Christ is the ultimate deliverer from this spiritual bondage. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), bearing the full weight of God's judgment and the curse of the law on the cross (cf. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). Through His atoning sacrifice and victorious resurrection, He inaugurated a new covenant (cf. [Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6-13 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")), not of physical exile, but of spiritual liberation, reconciliation with God, and eternal life. Those who "fall away" from their own futile efforts to save themselves and "fall to" Christ in faith are not carried into further captivity but are miraculously brought into God's glorious kingdom, becoming citizens of a heavenly Jerusalem (cf. [Hebrews 12:22-24](/hebrews/12-22-24 "Hebrews 12:22-24 - The Heavenly Jerusalem, Mount Zion")), freed from the ultimate judgment that sin demands. Thus, the devastating exile in Jeremiah points forward to the glorious freedom, spiritual restoration, and new life offered exclusively through Jesus Christ, the one who delivers us from the domain of darkness and transfers us into His beloved kingdom (cf. [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Delivered from Darkness into His Kingdom")).

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

Zechariah 14:2

For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; and the city shall be taken, and the houses rifled, and the women ravished; and half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

Jeremiah 15:1

¶ Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, [yet] my mind [could] not [be] toward this people: cast [them] out of my sight, and let them go forth.

Jeremiah 15:2

And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.