or נְבֻּכַדְנֶאצַּר; (2 Kings 24:1,10), or נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר; (Esther 2:6; Daniel 1:18), or נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר; or נְבוּכַדְרֶאצּוֹר; (Ezra 2:1; Jeremiah 49:28), or foreign derivation; Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon; Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar.
### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word **Nᵉbûwkadneʼtstsar**, represented by `{{H5019}}`, identifies the powerful **king of Babylon**. It appears 60 times across 59 unique verses, with several spelling variations like Nebuchadrezzar. He is a central figure in the narratives of Judah's downfall and exile.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In the biblical narrative, Nebuchadnezzar `{{H5019}}` is depicted as a dominant military leader and conqueror. He came against Jerusalem `{{H3389}}` and besieged `{{H6696}}` it [[Daniel 1:1]], fighting `{{H3898}}` against Judah `{{H3063}}` and its cities `{{H5892}}` [[Jeremiah 34:1]]. His actions were instrumental in the Babylonian captivity, as he carried away `{{H1540}}` the people of Jerusalem and Judah to Babylon `{{H894}}`, including kings like Jeconiah `{{H3204}}` and the remaining elders `{{H2205}}` ([[Ezra 2:1]], [[Jeremiah 29:1]]). Nebuchadnezzar also plundered the temple, taking the goodly `{{H2532}}` vessels `{{H3627}}` of the house of the LORD `{{H3068}}` to Babylon ([[2 Chronicles 36:10]], [[2 Chronicles 36:7]]). His conquests extended beyond Judah, as he smote `{{H5221}}` the army `{{H2428}}` of Pharaohnecho `{{H6549}}` at Carchemish `{{H3751}}` [[Jeremiah 46:2]] and attacked kingdoms like Kedar `{{H6938}}` and Hazor `{{H2674}}` [[Jeremiah 49:28]]. Israel `{{H3478}}` is described as a scattered `{{H6340}}` sheep `{{H7716}}` whose bones `{{H6105}}` were broken by him [[Jeremiah 50:17]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words are key to understanding Nebuchadnezzar's role:
* `{{H4428}}` **melek** (king): This title is almost always attached to his name, defining his status as the ruler `{{H4428}}` of Babylon `{{H894}}` and a "king of kings" [[Ezekiel 26:7]].
* `{{H894}}` **Bâbel** (Babylon): This is the seat of Nebuchadnezzar's empire and the destination for the exiles `{{H1473}}` he carried away `{{H1540}}` from Jerusalem [[Jeremiah 29:1]].
* `{{H1540}}` **gâlâh** (to exile/carry away): This verb describes his primary action against the people of Judah, carrying them away captive `{{H1540}}` from their land `{{H776}}` [[Esther 2:6]].
* `{{H5650}}` **ʻebed** (servant): The LORD `{{H3068}}` uniquely refers to Nebuchadnezzar as "my **servant**," highlighting his role as an instrument of divine will ([[Jeremiah 25:9]], [[Jeremiah 27:6]], [[Jeremiah 43:10]]).
### Theological Significance
The narrative weight of Nebuchadnezzar `{{H5019}}` is immense, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history.
* **Instrument of Divine Judgment:** The LORD `{{H3068}}` explicitly uses Nebuchadnezzar as an agent of punishment. God declares, "I will send `{{H7971}}` and take `{{H3947}}`... Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land" [[Jeremiah 25:9]]. Nations that refuse to serve `{{H5647}}` him are punished `{{H6485}}` with the sword `{{H2719}}`, famine `{{H7458}}`, and pestilence `{{H1698}}` [[Jeremiah 27:8]].
* **Sovereignty over Nations:** The story of Nebuchadnezzar affirms that God's authority extends over all kingdoms `{{H4467}}`. God gives `{{H5414}}` all lands `{{H776}}` into Nebuchadnezzar's hand `{{H3027}}`, including the beasts `{{H2416}}` of the field `{{H7704}}` [[Jeremiah 27:6]]. God even gives him the land of Egypt `{{H4714}}` as wages `{{H7939}}` for his army [[Ezekiel 29:19]].
* **Fulfillment of Prophecy:** Nebuchadnezzar's actions fulfill the prophetic word `{{H1697}}` of the LORD spoken through prophets like Jeremiah `{{H3414}}` [[Jeremiah 34:1]]. His campaigns and the resulting exile `{{H1473}}` are presented not as random historical events, but as the unfolding of God's declared purpose `{{H4284}}` [[Jeremiah 49:30]].
### Summary
In summary, Nebuchadnezzar `{{H5019}}` is portrayed as far more than a powerful foreign monarch. He is the king `{{H4428}}` of Babylon `{{H894}}` who, often unknowingly, functions as the LORD's "servant" `{{H5650}}`. Through his military campaigns, he becomes the instrument for enacting God's judgment and fulfilling prophecy, most notably in the siege of Jerusalem and the exile of its people. His narrative is a stark illustration of God's sovereignty over all human rulers and nations `{{H1471}}`, using even pagan kings to accomplish His divine will.
TRV