King James Version

What Does 2 Kings 24:14 Mean?

2 Kings 24:14 in the King James Version says “And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, an...” — study this verse from 2 Kings chapter 24 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.”

2 Kings 24:14 · KJV

Salvation

Context

12

And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign. officers: or, eunuchs his reign: Nebuchadnezzar's eighth year

13

And he carried out thence all the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon king of Israel had made in the temple of the LORD, as the LORD had said.

14

And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

15

And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. officers: or, eunuchs

16

And all the men of might, even seven thousand, and craftsmen and smiths a thousand, all that were strong and apt for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.

Read 2 Kings 24 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, even ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 24: Judgment unfolds progressively. As Judah approaches exile, these events fulfill prophetic warnings and demonstrate that God's patience with covenant violation is not infinite.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 24 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Beginning of Babylonian Captivity) reflects the historical reality of the final collapse of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and exile to Babylon as covenant curses are fully realized. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse contribute to understanding the theological message of 2 Kings 24 regarding judgment unfolds progressively?
  2. What does this passage reveal about God's character, particularly His justice, mercy, and faithfulness to covenant promises?
  3. In what practical ways should this text shape contemporary Christian thinking about faithfulness, worship, and obedience to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהִגְלָ֣ה1 of 23

“And he carried away”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

אֶת2 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל3 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְ֠רֽוּשָׁלִַם4 of 23

“all Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְֽאֶת5 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל6 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַשָּׂרִ֞ים7 of 23

“and all the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

וְאֵ֣ת׀8 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל9 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

גִּבּוֹרֵ֣י10 of 23

“and all the mighty men”

H1368

powerful; by implication, warrior, tyrant

הַחַ֗יִל11 of 23

“of valour”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

עֲשֶׂ֤רֶה12 of 23

“even ten”

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

אֲלָפִים֙13 of 23

“thousand”

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

גּוֹלֶ֔ה14 of 23
H1473

exile; concretely and collectively exiles

וְכָל15 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הֶֽחָרָ֖שׁ16 of 23

“and all the craftsmen”

H2796

a fabricator or any material

וְהַמַּסְגֵּ֑ר17 of 23

“and smiths”

H4525

a fastener, i.e., (of a person) a smith, (of a thing) a prison

לֹ֣א18 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נִשְׁאַ֔ר19 of 23

“none remained”

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

זוּלַ֖ת20 of 23

“save”

H2108

probably scattering, i.e., removal; used adverbially, except

דַּלַּ֥ת21 of 23

“the poorest sort”

H1803

properly, something dangling, i.e., a loose thread or hair; figuratively, indigent

עַם22 of 23

“of the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָֽרֶץ׃23 of 23

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 2 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

2 Kings 24:14 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 2 Kings 24:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 52:282 Kings 25:122 Kings 24:16Jeremiah 39:10Jeremiah 40:7Ezekiel 1:1-2

Places in This Verse

JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in 2 Kings 24 →

Test Your Knowledge

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