Jeremiah 52:16

KJV

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left [certain] of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.

KJV (with Strong's)

But Nebuzaradan {H5018} the captain {H7227} of the guard {H2876} left {H7604} certain of the poor {H1803} of the land {H776} for vinedressers {H3755} and for husbandmen {H3009}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But N'vuzar'adan the commander of the guard left behind some of the poor people of the land to be vineyard-workers and farmers.

Berean Standard Bible

But Nebuzaradan captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.

American Standard Version

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:16 details a specific outcome of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC, revealing that Nebuzaradan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's imperial guard, intentionally left a small segment of the population—specifically "the poor of the land"—behind in Judah. These individuals were designated to serve as vinedressers and husbandmen, ensuring the continued agricultural productivity of the devastated land, even as the majority of the populace, particularly the elite and skilled, were exiled to Babylon.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 52 serves as a historical appendix to the prophetic book, largely recapitulating the events of Jerusalem's final siege and destruction, as also recorded in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). The preceding verses in [Jeremiah 52](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem") describe the intensity of the siege, the famine, the capture of King Zedekiah, the plundering and burning of the Temple, and the mass deportation of the people. Verse 16, therefore, provides a crucial detail about the *exceptions* to this widespread deportation, highlighting the strategic decisions made by the Babylonian conquerors regarding the remnants of the Judean population and land. It immediately follows the account of the general deportation of the people, including the skilled workers and military personnel, emphasizing the deliberate nature of leaving the poor behind.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC marked the end of the Kingdom of Judah and a pivotal moment in Israelite history. The Babylonian Empire, under King Nebuchadnezzar, was the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its ruthless military campaigns and sophisticated administrative strategies. Their policy towards conquered nations often involved deporting the elite, skilled laborers, and military personnel to prevent future rebellions and to enrich the empire, while sometimes leaving the poorest behind to maintain agricultural production. Judah, as an agricultural society, relied heavily on its land for sustenance. Leaving "vinedressers and husbandmen" ensured that the land would not lie fallow and could still yield produce, potentially for Babylonian tribute or to support Babylonian garrisons. Culturally, the concept of a "remnant" was deeply significant in Israelite thought, often carrying theological implications of God's preservation amidst judgment, even if, in this immediate context, the preservation was orchestrated by a foreign power for pragmatic reasons.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Judgment and Exile**, a central message of Jeremiah, demonstrating the devastating consequences of Judah's persistent disobedience and idolatry as foretold by the prophet (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Exile")). Secondly, it introduces the nuanced theme of the **Remnant**, illustrating that even in the midst of comprehensive destruction and deportation, a portion of the people was preserved in the land. While this immediate preservation was for pragmatic Babylonian purposes, it foreshadows God's larger redemptive plan for a future return and restoration, a hope often articulated by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 29:10-14](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10-14 - Hope for Restoration")). Finally, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God** even amidst the actions of pagan empires; though Nebuzaradan acted according to Babylonian policy, his actions ultimately served God's broader purposes for the land and its people, preventing complete desolation and preserving a seed for future rebuilding.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Nebuzaradan (Akkadian, _Nᵉbûwzarʼădân'_):** This name is of foreign, Akkadian origin, meaning "Nebo has given a seed" or "Nebo is the giver of offspring." Nebo was a prominent Babylonian deity, the god of wisdom and writing. The presence of this name underscores the foreign, pagan authority executing God's judgment upon Judah. As "captain of the guard" (H7227 _rab_ "chief" or "great one," and H2876 _ṭabbâch_ "butcher" or "guard"), Nebuzaradan held immense power, being the chief executioner and administrator of the Babylonian king's will in the conquered territories. His specific mention here highlights the direct, authoritative nature of the decree to leave certain people behind.
* **poor (Hebrew, _dallâh'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to dangle" or "be loose," this term figuratively refers to those who are indigent, weak, or of the lowest social stratum. It implies a lack of resources, power, and influence. In the context of deportation, the "poor" were likely those who owned no land, possessed no valuable skills (like craftsmen or scribes), and posed no political or military threat to the Babylonians. Their destitution made them undesirable for exile, as they would not contribute to the wealth or workforce of Babylon in the same way the skilled or elite would.
* **left (Hebrew, _shâʼar'_):** This primitive root means "to swell up," or "to be redundant," and causatively, "to make redundant" or "to leave behind." It signifies that a portion remained after a larger group was removed. The use of this verb emphasizes that the poor were *not* taken, but rather *deliberately allowed to remain*. This was not an oversight but a calculated decision by the Babylonians to ensure the land's continued productivity, even if under foreign dominion. The term carries a sense of residue or remnant, highlighting the selective nature of the deportation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left":** This clause introduces the key agent of the action and the nature of his authority. Nebuzaradan, as the chief military and administrative officer of Nebuchadnezzar in Judah, held the power to decide the fate of the remaining population. His act of "leaving" implies a deliberate, authoritative decision, not an accidental omission.
* **"[certain] of the poor of the land":** This specifies the demographic group chosen to remain. The "poor" (Hebrew: _dallâh_) were the most vulnerable and least influential members of Judean society, likely those without property, significant skills, or political connections. Their selection was pragmatic; they posed no threat and were expendable for exile, yet essential for basic labor.
* **"for vinedressers and for husbandmen":** This final clause explains the *purpose* for which these poor individuals were left behind. "Vinedressers" (Hebrew: _kôrêm_) specialized in viticulture, a vital part of Judah's agricultural economy. "Husbandmen" (Hebrew: _yâgab_) refers to general farmers or agricultural laborers. By leaving these individuals, the Babylonians ensured that the land, though conquered and devastated, would not become completely barren but would continue to produce food and resources, serving the economic interests of the conquering empire.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Contrast** by implicitly setting the fate of the "poor of the land" against the mass deportation of the elite, skilled, and influential members of Judean society described in preceding verses. This highlights the selective nature of Babylonian policy. There is also a subtle **Irony** in the fact that a pagan conqueror's pragmatic decision to leave behind the most marginalized members of society inadvertently serves to preserve a physical presence of God's people in the land, preventing its complete desolation. This act, though driven by imperial self-interest, aligns with the broader biblical theme of God preserving a **Remnant**, even through unexpected means. The very terms "vinedressers" and "husbandmen" function as **Metonymy**, where the roles stand in for the entire class of agricultural laborers, emphasizing their function rather than their individual identities.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:16, though a seemingly minor historical detail, carries profound theological weight. It speaks to the enduring theme of God's sovereign preservation even in the midst of severe judgment. While the Babylonians acted out of pragmatic self-interest, their decision to leave the poor behind prevented the complete depopulation of the land, maintaining a physical link to the covenant promises and setting the stage for future restoration. This "remnant" in the land, however humble, ensured that the land itself, central to Israel's identity and covenant relationship with God, was not entirely abandoned, thus preserving a seed for the future. It demonstrates that even in the darkest hours of national catastrophe, God's ultimate purposes for His people and land cannot be thwarted, and His faithfulness endures beyond human failure.

* [Isaiah 6:13](/isaiah/6-13 "Isaiah 6:13 - The Holy Seed")
* [Romans 9:27](/romans/9-27 "Romans 9:27 - A Remnant Will Be Saved")
* [Ezra 9:8](/ezra/9-8 "Ezra 9:8 - A Small Remnant")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, nestled within the bleak narrative of Jerusalem's destruction, offers a subtle yet powerful message of resilience and divine preservation. It reminds us that even when our lives or communities experience profound loss, devastation, or exile—whether literal or metaphorical—God often preserves a "remnant" or a "seed" of hope. Just as the land of Judah, though ravaged, was not left entirely desolate, so too in our personal trials, there is often a core that endures, a foundation upon which new growth can eventually occur. This calls us to recognize God's hand at work even in the most unlikely circumstances, finding purpose in the fragments that remain. It encourages us to be "vinedressers and husbandmen" of whatever God has left us with, diligently tending to the small beginnings, trusting that He can bring forth life and fruit even from barren ground.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or community have you experienced a "devastation" that seemed complete, yet God preserved a "remnant" or a small beginning?**
* **How does the concept of God's sovereignty, even over the actions of foreign powers, impact your understanding of suffering and divine purpose?**
* **What "poor" or seemingly insignificant aspects of your life or circumstances might God be calling you to "tend" with diligence and hope, trusting for future fruitfulness?**

### FAQ
**Who was Nebuzaradan and what was his role in the fall of Jerusalem?**

Answer: Nebuzaradan was the "captain of the guard" (or chief executioner/commander of the imperial guard) under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. He was a high-ranking military official entrusted with executing the king's orders during the conquest of Judah. His role was crucial in the final destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, as he oversaw the plundering and burning of the Temple, the royal palace, and the city's houses, as well as the dismantling of its walls. He was also responsible for the mass deportation of the Judean population to Babylon, as detailed in [Jeremiah 52:12-15](/jeremiah/52-12 "Jeremiah 52:12-15 - Nebuzaradan's Actions"). His actions in [Jeremiah 52:16](/jeremiah/52-16 "Jeremiah 52:16 - The Remnant Left Behind") to leave certain poor individuals behind were part of a calculated Babylonian strategy to maintain agricultural productivity in the conquered territory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 52:16, with its focus on a preserved "remnant" amidst overwhelming judgment, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. While the poor of the land were left to tend the physical soil of Judah, Christ Himself is the ultimate "seed" and "remnant" through whom God's promises are truly preserved and fulfilled. The Old Testament's recurring theme of a remnant, whether those preserved from judgment (as here) or those faithful to God, ultimately points to Jesus. He is the faithful Israelite, the true Israel, who perfectly embodies God's covenant. In His life, death, and resurrection, He became the "firstfruits" (e.g., [1 Corinthians 15:20](/1_corinthians/15-20 "1 Corinthians 15:20 - Christ, the Firstfruits")) of a new creation, providing a way for a spiritual remnant—the church—to be preserved from the ultimate judgment of sin. Just as the land was not entirely abandoned, so humanity, though fallen, is not utterly forsaken, for God, through Christ, has cultivated a new people. The work of the vinedressers and husbandmen foreshadows Christ's own work as the true vine (e.g., [John 15:1](/john/15-1 "John 15:1 - Jesus, the True Vine")), tending His people and bringing forth spiritual fruit. The preservation of the physical land and a people on it, however humble, ultimately points to the spiritual preservation and restoration offered through the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world (e.g., [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), establishing a new and eternal kingdom where the true "poor in spirit" inherit the earth (e.g., [Matthew 5:3](/matthew/5-3 "Matthew 5:3 - Blessed are the Poor in Spirit")).

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 25:12

But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land [to be] vinedressers and husbandmen.

Ezekiel 33:24

Son of man, they that inhabit those wastes of the land of Israel speak, saying, Abraham was one, and he inherited the land: but we [are] many; the land is given us for inheritance.

Jeremiah 40:5

Now while he was not yet gone back, [he said], Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.

Jeremiah 40:7

¶ Now when all the captains of the forces which [were] in the fields, [even] they and their men, heard that the king of Babylon had made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam governor in the land, and had committed unto him men, and women, and children, and of the poor of the land, of them that were not carried away captive to Babylon;

Jeremiah 39:9

Then Nebuzaradan 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.

Jeremiah 39:10

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.