Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.

JEREMIAH 39:9KJV
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Jeremiah 39:9 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 39:9 mean?

Jeremiah 39:9 describes how Nebuzaradan, the captain of the Babylonian guard, took captive the remaining people in Jerusalem—those who were left in the city, those who had surrendered to the Babylonians, and the rest of the survivors—and carried them away to Babylon. This verse shows the aftermath of Jerusalem’s fall, with the people being exiled from their homeland.

The verse is set during the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. Nebuzaradan, a high-ranking Babylonian official, is carrying out orders after the city has been captured. The “remnant” refers to those who survived the siege, whether they stayed in the city or surrendered. This moment marks a turning point, as the people of Judah are forcibly removed from their land, fulfilling the warnings given by Jeremiah throughout the book.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 39:9

  • נְבוּזַרְאֲדָן (Nebuzaradan): This is the name of the Babylonian commander responsible for overseeing the deportation. His presence underscores that this was an official, organized action by Babylon.
  • שָׂר (sar, “captain”): This word means a chief or leader, highlighting Nebuzaradan’s authority in the operation.
  • שָׁבָה (galah, “carried away captive”): This verb means to take into exile or remove from one’s homeland, emphasizing the forced nature of the people’s relocation.
  • שְׁאֵרִית (she’erit, “remnant”): This term refers to those who survived the destruction, not the whole population, but what was left after war and hardship.

Why Jeremiah 39:9 matters

  • Jeremiah 39:9 clarifies that not everyone was killed or left behind; a specific group—the survivors—were taken to Babylon, which helps explain the later stories of the Jewish people in exile.
  • The verse highlights the thoroughness of the Babylonian conquest, showing that even those who surrendered (“fell to him”) were not spared from exile.
  • This event fulfills earlier warnings in Jeremiah and connects to the larger biblical theme of exile and return, which shapes much of Israel’s later history and identity.

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 25:11 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.
  • 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.

“remnant” 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 27:7 Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars, and his ways, lo, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

“remained” Hebrew H7604 · used in 123 verses

  • Genesis 7:23 And every living substance was destroyed which was upon the face of the ground, both man, and cattle, and the creeping things, and the fowl of the heaven; and they were destroyed from the earth: and Noah only remained alive, and they that were with him in the ark.
  • Joshua 13:1 Now Joshua was old and stricken in years; and the LORD said unto him, Thou art old and stricken in years, and there remaineth yet very much land to be possessed.
  • Ezra 9:15 O LORD God of Israel, thou art righteous: for we remain yet escaped, as it is this day: behold, we are before thee in our trespasses: for we cannot stand before thee because of this.