Jeremiah 52:30

KJV

In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons [were] four thousand and six hundred.

KJV (with Strong's)

In the three {H7969} and twentieth {H6242} year {H8141} of Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} Nebuzaradan {H5018} the captain {H7227} of the guard {H2876} carried away captive {H1540} of the Jews {H3064} seven {H7651} hundred {H3967} forty {H705} and five {H2568} persons {H5315}: all the persons {H5315} were four {H702} thousand {H505} and six {H8337} hundred {H3967}.

Complete Jewish Bible

and in the twenty-third year of N'vukhadretzar, N'vuzar'adan the commander of the guard deported 745 persons from Y'hudah; the total comes to 4,600 persons.

Berean Standard Bible

in Nebuchadnezzar’s twenty-third year, Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away 745 Jews. So in all, 4,600 people were taken away.

American Standard Version

in the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:30 provides a final, precise historical record of a specific, smaller deportation of Jews to Babylon. Occurring in the 23rd year of King Nebuchadrezzar's reign, this verse details Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carrying away 745 persons, bringing the documented total of exiles in this chapter to 4,600. This stark enumeration serves as a concluding testament to the devastating fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment and exile against Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 52 serves as a historical appendix to the prophetic book, providing a factual account of Jerusalem's fall and the subsequent deportations, thereby validating the prophecies of judgment delivered by Jeremiah throughout the preceding chapters. Verses 28-30 specifically enumerate three distinct waves of exile. While [Jeremiah 52:28](/jeremiah/52-28 "Jeremiah 52:28 - First Deportation") details the first deportation in Nebuchadnezzar's seventh year (597 BC), and [Jeremiah 52:29](/jeremiah/52-29 "Jeremiah 52:29 - Second Deportation") describes the second in his eighteenth year (586 BC) following the destruction of Jerusalem, verse 30 records a third, smaller, and later deportation. This chronological and numerical precision underscores the historical veracity of the events that brought Jeremiah's dire warnings to fruition. The chapter concludes with the account of Jehoiachin's release and elevation, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the desolation, but the preceding verses firmly establish the reality of the exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in Jeremiah 52:30 falls within the Babylonian exile, a critical era in Israelite history. Nebuchadrezzar (more commonly known as Nebuchadnezzar II) was the powerful king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, which had conquered Judah. His "23rd year" (c. 582/581 BC) places this event approximately five years after the final destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC. This particular deportation is often linked by scholars to the aftermath of the assassination of Gedaliah, the Babylonian-appointed governor of Judah, as recorded in [Jeremiah 41](/jeremiah/41 "Jeremiah 41 - Assassination of Gedaliah"). The subsequent flight of many remaining Jews to Egypt, against God's explicit command through Jeremiah ([Jeremiah 43](/jeremiah/43 "Jeremiah 43 - Flight to Egypt")), likely prompted this final punitive action by Nebuzaradan, the "captain of the guard" (chief executioner and commander of the imperial bodyguard), to suppress any lingering rebellion or to secure the region further. The meticulous record-keeping of deportees was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern empires, reflecting their administrative control and the systematic nature of their conquests.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Jeremiah and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, serving as a concrete demonstration that God's warnings through Jeremiah regarding Judah's persistent sin and impending judgment were indeed carried out ([Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Exile Prophecy")). Secondly, it reinforces the theme of **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**, showing that even in the midst of national catastrophe orchestrated by a foreign power, God remains in control, using nations like Babylon as instruments of His righteous judgment against His disobedient people ([Jeremiah 27:6-8](/jeremiah/27-6 "Jeremiah 27:6-8 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")). Finally, the detailed enumeration of the exiles, though grim, underscores the **Historical Veracity** of the biblical account, emphasizing that these were real events affecting real people, not mere allegories. This precision lends weight to the theological claims embedded within the narrative.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **carried away captive (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** This primitive root signifies "to denude," "to exile," or "to reveal." In the context of Jeremiah 52:30, it primarily conveys the act of forced removal from one's homeland, emphasizing the stripping away of identity, security, and freedom that accompanies exile. The term also carries a connotation of disgrace, as captives were often stripped or shamed, highlighting the humiliation inherent in Judah's punishment.
* **captain of the guard (Hebrew, _ṭabbâch'_):** Derived from a word meaning "butcher," this title for Nebuzaradan underscores his formidable and often brutal role. He was not merely a military commander but specifically the chief executioner and commander of the imperial bodyguard. This indicates his direct involvement in carrying out the king's most severe orders, including the systematic removal of populations, making him a figure of immense power and fear in the eyes of the conquered.
* **persons (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** This widely used Hebrew term literally means "breathing creature" or "soul," and extends to denote "life," "body," or "self." In this verse, "persons" (plural) refers to individuals, emphasizing the human element of the deportation. It highlights that the numbers represent actual lives, each with their own story and suffering, rather than mere statistics, grounding the historical record in the reality of human experience.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar":** This clause provides a precise chronological marker, dating this specific deportation to approximately 582/581 BC. This level of historical detail is characteristic of the biblical record, anchoring the events firmly within the known timeline of the Neo-Babylonian Empire and the reign of its most famous king. It signifies a distinct historical moment, separate from the previous major deportations.
* **"Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons":** This identifies the specific agent of the deportation, Nebuzaradan, and his high-ranking, authoritative role. It specifies the group being exiled ("of the Jews") and provides the exact number of individuals taken in this particular wave (745). This detail points to a targeted, perhaps punitive, action rather than a general removal, likely in response to specific events such as the assassination of Gedaliah.
* **"all the persons [were] four thousand and six hundred":** This concluding statement provides a cumulative total of all persons deported as recorded in [Jeremiah 52:28-30](/jeremiah/52-28 "Jeremiah 52:28-30 - The Three Deportations"). This sum (3,023 + 832 + 745 = 4,600) suggests that the chapter is presenting a specific, perhaps limited, count of exiles—likely adult males or heads of households—rather than the entire population of Judah, which would have been much larger. It serves as a final, sobering summation of the human cost of the exile described in this historical appendix.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:30 employs **Historical Precision** through its meticulous enumeration of dates, names, and numbers. The specific mention of "the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar," "Nebuzaradan," and the exact figures "seven hundred forty and five persons" and "four thousand and six hundred" lends an undeniable air of factual accuracy and verifiability to the account. This detailed record-keeping serves to authenticate the prophetic message of Jeremiah, demonstrating that the dire warnings he delivered were not abstract pronouncements but concrete realities that unfolded in history. Furthermore, there is an element of **Understatement** in the stark presentation of these numbers. While precise, the cold statistics of "persons" carried away belie the immense suffering, loss, and trauma experienced by individuals and families uprooted from their homes and exiled to a foreign land. The clinical reporting of numbers stands in stark contrast to the profound human tragedy it represents, leaving the reader to contemplate the full weight of the judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:30, as the concluding detail of the deportations, powerfully underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, both in blessing and in judgment. It serves as a final, undeniable witness to the fulfillment of His word concerning Judah's persistent idolatry and rebellion. While the immediate context is one of severe judgment and national catastrophe, it simultaneously highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and historical events, using even a pagan king like Nebuchadrezzar as an instrument of His divine will. This final count of exiles, though small, signifies the completeness of the judgment, leaving no doubt that the promised exile had fully materialized. Yet, within this narrative of judgment, the seeds of future hope and restoration, also promised by Jeremiah, are implicitly preserved for the faithful remnant.

* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Prophecy of Scattering") - Foreshadows the scattering of Israel among the nations as a consequence of disobedience.
* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Prophecy of Exile") - Prophesies that the Lord will scatter the people among all nations from one end of the earth to the other.
* [Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return") - Though judgment is complete, God promises a future return and restoration after seventy years in Babylon.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 52:30 stands as a stark reminder that God's warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His righteous character and His commitment to justice. The meticulous historical detail of this final deportation, even small in number, emphasizes the completeness of Judah's judgment due to their persistent rebellion and refusal to heed prophetic warnings. For believers today, this serves as a powerful call to serious introspection: Are we truly listening to God's Word, or are we, like Judah, allowing our hearts to harden against His truth? The consequences of disobedience, though perhaps not as immediate or national in scope, are nonetheless real in individual lives. This verse challenges us to consider the gravity of sin and the patience of God, who warns repeatedly before bringing judgment. It also reminds us that even in the darkest moments of human history, God remains sovereign, working His purposes through all circumstances, even through the actions of seemingly hostile powers. Our response, therefore, should be one of humility, repentance, and diligent adherence to His revealed will, trusting in His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the historical precision of this verse impact your understanding of the Bible's reliability?**
* **What lessons can be drawn from Judah's repeated failure to heed God's warnings, and how can we apply these lessons to our own lives today?**
* **In what ways does this final act of judgment, though severe, still point to God's ultimate sovereignty and faithfulness?**

### FAQ
**Why is there a discrepancy between the total number of exiles in Jeremiah 52:28-30 (4,600) and other biblical accounts of the exile, such as 2 Kings 24:14 (10,000 exiles in 597 BC)?**

Answer: The numbers in Jeremiah 52:28-30 are generally understood to represent a specific count, likely of adult males or heads of households, rather than the entire population of exiles. The account in [2 Kings 24:14](/2_kings/24-14 "2 Kings 24:14 - Jehoiachin's Exile") refers to the initial, larger deportation in 597 BC, which included "all the princes and all the mighty men of valor, ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths." This larger figure likely encompasses women, children, and a broader demographic. Jeremiah's account, particularly in chapter 52, appears to be a selective, perhaps administrative, record focusing on a specific category of individuals, possibly those registered for forced labor or military service. The discrepancy is not a contradiction but rather a difference in the scope or criteria of the census being reported, with Jeremiah providing a more focused, perhaps punitive, tally of the "Jews" carried away captive in these distinct waves.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 52:30, detailing the finality of Judah's exile, points forward to Christ in profound ways, primarily through the themes of judgment, substitution, and ultimate restoration. The physical exile of Judah was a consequence of their sin and rebellion, a tangible manifestation of God's righteous judgment. This foreshadows the spiritual exile and separation from God that humanity experiences due to sin ([Isaiah 59:2](/isaiah/59-2 "Isaiah 59:2 - Sin Separates from God")). However, Christ, the true Israel, uniquely experienced the ultimate "exile" and separation from God on the cross, bearing the full weight of divine judgment for humanity's sin ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin")). His cry, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Christ's Cry of Dereliction")" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Christ's Cry of Dereliction")), echoes the profound sense of abandonment inherent in the Babylonian captivity, yet it was a voluntary, substitutionary act. Through His suffering and resurrection, Christ provides the means for a spiritual "return" from the exile of sin, bringing believers into a new covenant relationship with God ([Hebrews 8:6-13](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6-13 - The New Covenant")). The promise of a remnant returning from Babylon ([Jeremiah 29:10](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Promise of Return")) finds its ultimate fulfillment in the spiritual remnant, the Church, gathered from all nations into Christ, who is the true and everlasting temple where God dwells with His people ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Apostles and Prophets")). Thus, the historical judgment of Judah anticipates the greater redemption found in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

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

Jeremiah 52:15

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.

Jeremiah 6:9

¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall throughly glean the remnant of Israel as a vine: turn back thine hand as a grapegatherer into the baskets.