2 Kings 25:8-21
25:8 a Nebuzaradan is known from one of Nebuchadnezzar’s inscriptions as an important official.Summary for 2Kgs 25:9-10: 25:9-10 b destroyed all the important buildings: The Babylonians destroyed key religious and civic buildings to discourage further resistance or insurrection, and they demolished the city’s walls, leaving Jerusalem defenseless.
Summary for 2Kgs 25:11-12: 25:11-12 c The Babylonians took the majority of the population into exile, even some who willingly defected (Jer 39:9 d; 52:15 e).
• Because the poorest people were unlikely to cause trouble, they were left behind to work the vineyards and fields.
Summary for 2Kgs 25:13-16: 25:13-16 f The Babylonians broke up the Temple furnishings that had been crafted by Huram of Tyre and all the other bronze articles (see 1 Kgs 7:13-50 g) for their own use. The transport of these valuable furnishings to Babylon was a major undertaking; everything of value was carried away (see also Jer 52:17-23 h).
25:17 i 7½ feet is 5 cubits, a reading taken from parallel texts (see NLT note). The Hebrew text reads 3 cubits (4.5 feet), which might reflect the height of the decorative work adorning the upper part of the capital (cp. 1 Kgs 7:17-18 j).
Summary for 2Kgs 25:18-20: 25:18-20 k Instead of deporting key citizens and officials as in the Babylonian invasion of 597 BC (24:14 l), Nebuchadnezzar had these leaders put to death. Even religious leaders were executed.
• Although Seraiah the high priest was slain, his son Jehozadak was sent into exile (1 Chr 6:15 m). Thus the priestly line continued even in captivity and later returned to Jerusalem beginning in 538 BC (Ezra 1:1–2:20 n).
25:21 o So the people of Judah were sent into exile from their land: Like the northern kingdom before it (17:5-17 p), Judah was exiled as punishment for their covenant infidelity. A remnant later returned to the Promised Land in 538 BC (2 Chr 36:22-23 q; Ezra 1:1–2:20 r; see also 2 Chr 36:15-21 s; Jer 25:11 t; 29:10 u; Dan 9:2 v).
Copyright information for
TNotes