And out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king's presence, which were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city:

2 KINGS 25:19KJV
Know the Bible

2 Kings 25:19 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 25:19 mean?

2 Kings 25:19 lists several specific leaders and important men from Jerusalem whom the Babylonian commander took captive after the city fell. The verse names a military officer, five men close to the king, the chief scribe in charge of organizing the army, and sixty other prominent men found in the city.

This verse is part of the account of Jerusalem’s destruction by Babylon. The Babylonian forces, under Nebuzaradan, are rounding up the last remaining leaders and officials after the city’s defeat. By naming these groups, the verse shows how thoroughly the Babylonians dismantled the leadership and structure of Judah, leaving the nation without its key figures.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 25:19

  • "officer" (סָרִיס, saris): This word often means a court official or eunuch. Here, it refers to a high-ranking officer set over the soldiers, showing the Babylonians targeted those with authority.
  • "principal scribe" (שַׂר, sar + סֹפֵר, sofer): The phrase points to the chief record-keeper or secretary of the army, someone responsible for organizing and mustering troops. His capture highlights the removal of military organization.
  • "mustered" (פָּקַד, paqad): This verb means to count, enroll, or organize. The scribe’s job was to muster the people, so taking him meant the Babylonians were eliminating anyone who could rally or reorganize resistance.
  • "threescore" (שִׁשִּׁים, shishim): This simply means sixty, showing a specific number of notable men from the people of the land, not just random captives but recognized leaders.

Why 2 Kings 25:19 matters

  • The verse makes clear that Babylon’s conquest was not just military but also administrative, targeting every level of leadership to prevent future rebellion.
  • By listing these roles, the passage emphasizes the completeness of Judah’s defeat and the thoroughness of Babylon’s control.
  • This detail connects to the wider story of exile, explaining why Judah was left leaderless and vulnerable, setting the stage for the period of Babylonian captivity.

Where else these words appear

“mustered” Hebrew H6633 · used in 12 verses

  • Exodus 38:8 And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
  • Numbers 31:7 And they warred against the Midianites, as the LORD commanded Moses; and they slew all the males.
  • Isaiah 29:8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

“set” Hebrew H6496 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 41:34 Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint officers over the land, and take up the fifth part of the land of Egypt in the seven plenteous years.
  • Nehemiah 11:9 And Joel the son of Zichri was their overseer: and Judah the son of Senuah was second over the city.
  • Esther 2:3 And let the king appoint officers in all the provinces of his kingdom, that they may gather together all the fair young virgins unto Shushan the palace, to the house of the women, unto the custody of Hege the king's chamberlain, keeper of the women; and let their things for purification be given them:

“officer” Hebrew H5631 · used in 42 verses

  • Genesis 37:36 And the Midianites sold him into Egypt unto Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh's, and captain of the guard.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:8 And the king of Israel called for one of his officers, and said, Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imla.
  • Isaiah 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

“threescore” Hebrew H8346 · used in 56 verses

  • Genesis 5:15 And Mahalaleel lived sixty and five years, and begat Jared:
  • Numbers 31:34 And threescore and one thousand asses,
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.