Now the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.

2 KINGS 25:11KJV
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2 Kings 25:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 25:11 mean?

2 Kings 25:11 describes how Nebuzaradan, the captain of the Babylonian guard, took away all the remaining people in Jerusalem—those who were left in the city, those who had surrendered to the Babylonians, and the rest of the population. This verse shows the final stage of Jerusalem’s fall, when the last inhabitants were taken into exile.

This event takes place during the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan is acting under the orders of the king of Babylon. The verse emphasizes that no one was spared: survivors, defectors, and the remaining crowd were all deported. This marks the complete end of Judah’s independence and the beginning of the Babylonian exile for its people.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 25:11

  • "rest" (יֶתֶר, yether; H3499) and "remnant" (יֶתֶר, yether; H3499): Both words come from the same Hebrew term, meaning those who remain or are left over. The repetition stresses that absolutely everyone left was taken.
  • "fugitives" and "fell away" (נָפַל, naphal; H5307): This word can mean to fall, but here it refers to people who "fell away" or defected to the Babylonians. It highlights that not only the steadfast but also those who surrendered were exiled.
  • "carry away" (גָּלָה, galah; H1540): This word means to take into exile or captivity. It is used here to show that the people were not just relocated but forcibly removed from their homeland.

Why 2 Kings 25:11 matters

  • This verse clears up that the Babylonian exile included everyone left in Jerusalem, not just the leaders or fighters, but also ordinary people and even those who tried to save themselves by surrendering.
  • The verse highlights the thoroughness of Babylon’s conquest, showing there was no partial destruction—Jerusalem was emptied of its people.
  • Understanding this verse helps explain the deep sense of loss and displacement that shapes much of the later Old Testament, especially in books like Lamentations and the prophetic writings.

Where else these words appear

“Nebuzaradan” Hebrew H5018 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:
  • Jeremiah 39:11 Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
  • Jeremiah 52:12 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,

“guard” Hebrew H2876 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
  • 2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
  • Jeremiah 40:5 Now while he was not yet gone back, he said, Go back also to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon hath made governor over the cities of Judah, and dwell with him among the people: or go wheresoever it seemeth convenient unto thee to go. So the captain of the guard gave him victuals and a reward, and let him go.

“multitude” Hebrew H1995 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 17:4 As for me, behold, my covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be a father of many nations.
  • Psalms 42:4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday.
  • Ezekiel 7:14 They have blown the trumpet, even to make all ready; but none goeth to the battle: for my wrath is upon all the multitude thereof.

“rest” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:39 Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.