Jeremiah 27:20

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;

Which Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} took {H3947} not, when he carried away captive {H1540} Jeconiah {H3204} the son {H1121} of Jehoiakim {H3079} king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} from Jerusalem {H3389} to Babylon {H894}, and all the nobles {H2715} of Judah {H3063} and Jerusalem {H3389};

that N'vukhadnetzar, king of Bavel did not seize when he carried off captive Y'khanyahu the son of Y'hoyakim, king of Y'hudah, from Yerushalayim to Bavel, along with all the leading men of Y'hudah and Yerushalayim-

which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon did not take when he carried Jeconiah son of Jehoiakim king of Judah into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon, along with all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem.

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;

Commentary

Jeremiah 27:20 is a specific historical detail within a larger prophecy concerning Judah's submission to Babylon. The prophet Jeremiah, often known for his warnings of impending judgment and calls to repentance, records God's message to Judah and surrounding nations. This verse recounts a particular phase of the Babylonian conquest, highlighting what King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon did *not* take during the second major deportation of Judah's people and treasures.

Context

This verse is part of Jeremiah's message (Jeremiah 27) where he instructs Judah and other nations to submit to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, symbolized by Jeremiah wearing a yoke. The prophecy asserts that resisting Babylon means resisting God's divine plan. Jeremiah 27:20 specifically refers to the second of three major deportations of the people of Judah to Babylon, which occurred around 597 BC. During this event, King Jeconiah (also known as Jehoiachin or Coniah), the son of Jehoiakim, was taken captive along with many of Jerusalem's nobles and skilled workers. This particular deportation is detailed in 2 Kings 24:15 and 2 Chronicles 36:10. The significance here is that while many precious items and people were taken, some temple vessels and treasures were left behind, only to be taken in the final destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC), as prophesied in later verses of this chapter (Jeremiah 27:21-22).

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty in Judgment: The verse underscores God's absolute control over history and nations. Even the actions of a powerful pagan king like Nebuchadnezzar were instruments in God's hand to bring about His judgment on Judah for their persistent idolatry and disobedience. This demonstrates God's sovereignty over all events, even those seemingly destructive.
  • Prophetic Accuracy: Jeremiah's prophecies, though unpopular and often resisted, proved accurate. The specific details of who was taken and what was left behind served as tangible proof of God's word being fulfilled.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The Babylonian exile, marked by successive deportations, was a direct consequence of Judah's covenant breaking and refusal to heed God's warnings through His prophets. It illustrates the solemn truth that sin has serious repercussions.
  • Partial Fulfillment and Future Judgment: By noting what Nebuchadnezzar "took not," the verse implicitly points to a future, more complete despoiling of Jerusalem and the temple, which would occur with the final destruction of the city. This highlights a pattern of God's judgment unfolding in stages.

Linguistic Insights

The names mentioned, Nebuchadnezzar, Jeconiah, and Jehoiakim, are historically significant figures. Jeconiah is also referred to as Jehoiachin (e.g., in 2 Kings) and Coniah (Jeremiah 22:24). These variations refer to the same individual, emphasizing the specific historical figure involved in this pivotal moment of the Babylonian exile. The precision of these names roots the prophecy firmly in the historical reality of the time, making it verifiable to its original audience.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 27:20 reminds us that God is at work in the world, even through challenging and seemingly chaotic events. It encourages us to:

  • Trust God's Sovereignty: Even when circumstances are difficult or nations are in turmoil, God remains in control, working out His purposes.
  • Heed Divine Warnings: The repeated warnings to Judah, and their eventual judgment, serve as a timeless reminder of the importance of listening to God's word and living in obedience to Him.
  • Recognize God's Justice: While God is merciful, He is also just. This verse is a stark reminder that disobedience to God's commands has consequences, both for individuals and nations.

Ultimately, this verse, though historical in nature, points to the steadfastness of God's word and His unwavering commitment to His plans, whether in judgment or in restoration, as seen in the later promise of return after 70 years of captivity.

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 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 24:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ The LORD shewed me, and, behold, two baskets of figs [were] set before the temple of the LORD, after that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon had carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah, and the princes of Judah, with the carpenters and smiths, from Jerusalem, and had brought them to Babylon.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:10 (4 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.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:18 (3 votes)

    And all the vessels of the house of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all [these] he brought to Babylon.

  • Jeremiah 22:28 (3 votes)

    [Is] this man Coniah a despised broken idol? [is he] a vessel wherein [is] no pleasure? wherefore are they cast out, he and his seed, and are cast into a land which they know not?

  • 2 Kings 24:14 (3 votes)

    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.

  • 2 Kings 24:16 (3 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.