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Daniel 1:2

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And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God: which he carried into the land of Shinar to the house of his god; and he brought the vessels into the treasure house of his god.

And the Lord {H136} gave {H5414} Jehoiakim {H3079} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} into his hand {H3027}, with part {H7117} of the vessels {H3627} of the house {H1004} of God {H430}: which he carried {H935} into the land {H776} of Shinar {H8152} to the house {H1004} of his god {H430}; and he brought {H935} the vessels {H3627} into the treasure {H214} house {H1004} of his god {H430}.

and Adonai handed Y'hoyakim king of Y'hudah over to him, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He took them to the land of Shin'ar, to the house of his god and placed the articles in the storehouse of his god.

And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.

And the Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, with part of the vessels of the house of God; and he carried them into the land of Shinar to the house of his god: and he brought the vessels into the treasure-house of his god.

Commentary

Context of Daniel 1:2

Daniel 1:2 immediately follows the opening verse, setting the stage for the book of Daniel and the pivotal event of the Babylonian exile. It details the initial conquest of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon during the reign of King Jehoiakim of Judah. This verse specifically highlights that the Lord Himself "gave" Jehoiakim into Nebuchadnezzar's hand, emphasizing divine permission and sovereignty over the unfolding historical events, even those seemingly disastrous for God's people. This was not merely a military victory for Babylon, but an act orchestrated by God as a consequence of Judah's unfaithfulness and idolatry, as prophesied by earlier prophets (2 Kings 24:1, 2 Chronicles 36:5).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty Amidst Adversity: The most striking aspect of this verse is the declaration that "the Lord gave Jehoiakim... into his hand." This asserts God's ultimate control over kings and nations, even when His people face defeat and exile. It underscores that seemingly human conquests are ultimately under God's sovereign will, often serving as instruments of His judgment or purposes.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While not explicitly stated in this verse, the taking of the king and sacred temple vessels into captivity was a direct fulfillment of warnings given to Israel regarding covenant disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:49-50). This event marked a dark period for Judah, yet it was part of God's redemptive plan to purify His people.
  • Defilement of Sacred Things: The removal of "part of the vessels of the house of God" and their placement in the "treasure house of his god" (likely Marduk, the chief god of Babylon) was a profound act of humiliation and apparent defilement. These were sacred items used in worship, now serving to glorify a pagan deity. This act symbolized the perceived triumph of Babylon's gods over Judah's God in the eyes of the world, though the narrative of Daniel will quickly challenge this perception.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "land of Shinar" refers to ancient Babylonia, the region where the city of Babylon was located. This name holds historical significance, as it is also mentioned in Genesis 11:2 as the place where the Tower of Babel was built. Its reappearance here connects the Babylonian exile to ancient acts of human rebellion against God, suggesting a cyclical pattern of pride and divine judgment. The term "his god" refers to the principal deity worshipped by the Babylonians, primarily Marduk, to whom Nebuchadnezzar attributed his victories.

Practical Application

Daniel 1:2 reminds us that even in the midst of overwhelming human conflict, political upheaval, or personal trials, God remains utterly sovereign. What may appear as random misfortune or the triumph of evil forces is ultimately under His watchful eye and within His overarching plan. This verse encourages believers to look beyond immediate circumstances and trust in God's ultimate control, even when His methods are mysterious or painful. It also serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences of disobedience, both for individuals and nations.

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

  • 2 Chronicles 36:7 (10 votes)

    Nebuchadnezzar also carried of the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon.

  • Zechariah 5:11 (7 votes)

    And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base.

  • Jeremiah 27:19 (7 votes)

    For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,

  • Jeremiah 27:20 (7 votes)

    Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;

  • Deuteronomy 32:30 (4 votes)

    How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

  • Genesis 11:2 (4 votes)

    And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.

  • Judges 2:14 (4 votes)

    And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers that spoiled them, and he sold them into the hands of their enemies round about, so that they could not any longer stand before their enemies.