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14 Nebuchadnezzar then gathered up all of Jerusalem—the commanders, warriors, craftsmen, and artisans (10,000 in all)—and forced them into exile. Only the poorest people remained.

Like Assyria, Babylonia exiles the people when they conquer any new territory. There is an important difference, however. When the Assyrians conquered a city, they sent all the people into different parts of their empire and filled that city with foreigners of several other nationalities. This “shook up” the nations, kept them from retaining their prior identities, and lowered the chance of civil war. The Babylonians, on the other hand, leave some people in Judah and allow those who are exiled to continue practicing their religion. Because they are able to retain their religious and national identities, the Judeans (now known as “Jews”) will be able to move back into the land and rebuild one day.

15 Nebuchadnezzar forced Jehoiachin, his mother, his wives, his administrators, and the elders of Judah into exile in Babylon. 16 He also forced 7,000 warriors and 1,000 craftsmen and artisans into exile in Babylon.

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14 He carried all Jerusalem into exile:(A) all the officers and fighting men,(B) and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest(C) people of the land were left.

15 Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin(D) captive to Babylon. He also took from Jerusalem to Babylon the king’s mother,(E) his wives, his officials and the prominent people(F) of the land. 16 The king of Babylon also deported to Babylon the entire force of seven thousand fighting men, strong and fit for war, and a thousand skilled workers and artisans.(G)

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