Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

2 Kings 24:14

Next

And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, [even] ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

And he carried away {H1540} all Jerusalem {H3389}, and all the princes {H8269}, and all the mighty men {H1368} of valour {H2428}, even ten {H6235} thousand {H505} captives {H1540}, and all the craftsmen {H2796} and smiths {H4525}: none remained {H7604}, save {H2108} the poorest sort {H1803} of the people {H5971} of the land {H776}.

He carried all Yerushalayim away captive - all the princes, all the bravest soldiers- 10,000 captives; also all the craftsmen and metalworkers. No one was left but the poorest people of the land.

He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained.

And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valor, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths; none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

Commentary

Context

2 Kings 24:14 describes a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Judah, specifically the initial major deportation of its people to Babylon. This event occurred during the brief reign of King Jehoiachin (597 BC), following King Jehoiakim's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful king of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had besieged Jerusalem, leading to Jehoiachin's surrender. This verse details the strategic and devastating nature of the Babylonian conquest, marking a significant step towards the complete Babylonian exile that prophets like Jeremiah had long foretold as a divine judgment for Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: The deportation of Jerusalem's elite was not merely a political act but a direct consequence of Judah's prolonged sin and unfaithfulness. It served as a severe punishment, demonstrating God's justice and the inevitable outcomes of rebellion against Him.
  • Strategic Depletion of the Nation: Nebuchadnezzar's capture of "all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, ... and all the craftsmen and smiths" was a calculated move to cripple Judah's ability to resist or rebuild. By removing its leadership, military strength, and economic/technological base, Babylon ensured the nation's subjugation. Only "the poorest sort of the people of the land" were left behind, incapable of mounting a significant challenge.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This event was a stark fulfillment of numerous warnings given to Israel and Judah through the centuries, particularly concerning exile and dispersion if they turned away from God. It underscores the reliability of God's Word, even in its dire predictions.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrase "mighty men of valour" translates the Hebrew gibborê haḥayil (גִּבֹּרֵי הַחַיִל), referring to skilled warriors and capable men, often those with military prowess or wealth. Similarly, "craftsmen and smiths" (Hebrew: heḥārāsh vehahmasgēr - הֶחָרָשׁ וְהַמַּסְגֵּר) indicates those essential for infrastructure, defense, and economic production – metalworkers, carpenters, and artisans. Their removal highlights Nebuchadnezzar's intent to not only conquer but to incapacitate Judah, preventing future uprisings by taking away its most capable and productive citizens.

Practical Application

The account in 2 Kings 24:14 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • Consequences of Disobedience: Just as ancient Judah faced severe consequences for its unfaithfulness, the Bible consistently teaches that there are consequences for sin and rebellion against God, both individually and corporately.
  • God's Sovereignty: Even amidst the seemingly overwhelming power of human empires like Babylon, this event ultimately served God's purposes of judgment and purification, as foretold by His prophets. God remains sovereign over the rise and fall of nations.
  • Hope Amidst Despair: While this verse describes a moment of great loss and despair for Judah, it also sets the stage for future divine intervention and the eventual return from exile, demonstrating God's long-term plan of restoration for His people. It reminds us that even in our darkest moments, God's plan can still unfold, leading to renewal.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 52:28 (7 votes)

    This [is] the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:

  • 2 Kings 25:12 (5 votes)

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

  • 2 Kings 24:16 (4 votes)

    And all the men of might, [even] seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all [that were] strong [and] apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 40:7 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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;

  • 2 Chronicles 36:9 (3 votes)

    Jehoiachin [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did [that which was] evil in the sight of the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:10 (3 votes)

    And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

  • Jeremiah 39:10 (3 votes)

    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.