And Jehozadak went into captivity, when the LORD carried away Judah and Jerusalem by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar.

1 CHRONICLES 6:15KJV
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1 Chronicles 6:15 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 6:15 mean?

1 Chronicles 6:15 states that Jehozadak was taken into captivity when the LORD allowed Judah and Jerusalem to be exiled by Nebuchadnezzar. This verse marks the moment when the priestly line was interrupted by the Babylonian exile, showing a major turning point in Israel’s history.

The verse is part of a genealogy listing the descendants of Aaron, focusing on the priests. Jehozadak, the son of Seraiah, is singled out because he was carried away during the Babylonian conquest led by Nebuchadnezzar. This event is significant because it shows the disruption of religious leadership and the fulfillment of warnings about exile due to the people’s unfaithfulness.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 6:15

  • LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name of Israel’s God, emphasizing that the exile happened under God’s authority, not just as a political event.
  • away (גָּלָה, galah): This word means to uncover or remove, and here it refers to being exiled or carried away. It highlights the forced nature of the captivity.
  • hand (יָד, yad): In Hebrew, “hand” often means power or agency. The exile happened “by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,” showing Nebuchadnezzar as the instrument God used.

Why 1 Chronicles 6:15 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the exile was not just a political disaster but was seen as God’s action, using Nebuchadnezzar as His agent.
  • It connects the priestly genealogy to a real historical crisis, showing that even the religious leaders were not spared from judgment.
  • This moment sets up the later return from exile, as Jehozadak’s son, Jeshua, would play a key role in restoring worship in Jerusalem.

Where else these words appear

“Jehozadak” Hebrew H3087 · used in 8 verses

  • 1 Chronicles 6:14 And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,
  • Haggai 1:12 Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.
  • Haggai 2:2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,

“Nebuchadnezzar” Hebrew H5019 · used in 59 verses

  • 2 Kings 24:1 In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.
  • Jeremiah 25:9 Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
  • Jeremiah 44:30 Thus saith the LORD; Behold, I will give Pharaohhophra king of Egypt into the hand of his enemies, and into the hand of them that seek his life; as I gave Zedekiah king of Judah into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, his enemy, and that sought his life.