King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 27:20 Mean?

Jeremiah 27:20 in the King James Version says “Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 27 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;”

Jeremiah 27:20 · KJV

Context

18

But if they be prophets, and if the word of the LORD be with them, let them now make intercession to the LORD of hosts, that the vessels which are left in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah, and at Jerusalem, go not to Babylon.

19

For thus saith the LORD of hosts concerning the pillars, and concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and concerning the residue of the vessels that remain in this city,

20

Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem;

21

Yea, thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning the vessels that remain in the house of the LORD, and in the house of the king of Judah and of Jerusalem;

22

They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD; then will I bring them up, and restore them to this place.

Read Jeremiah 27 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Which Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took not, when he carried away captive Jeconiah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem (אֲשֶׁר לֹא־לְקָחָם נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶל, asher lo-l'qacham n'vukhadnetsar melekh-bavel)—this verse references the 597 BC deportation when Jeconiah (Jehoiachin) and elites went into exile. Nebuchadnezzar took not (לֹא־לָקַח, lo-laqach) these massive temple furnishings then, but verse 22 predicts their eventual removal.

The historical detail grounds prophecy in specific events. The first deportation was partial judgment; the final destruction (586 BC) would be comprehensive. God's judgments often come in stages, giving opportunities for repentance between increasingly severe consequences. The fact that items remained after 597 BC didn't mean they were permanently protected—it meant God's judgment was incremental, not instantaneous.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The 597 BC exile marked the first of three Babylonian deportations (597, 586, 582 BC). 2 Kings 24:10-17 describes Nebuchadnezzar's capture of Jerusalem, deportation of King Jehoiachin (Jeconiah), 10,000 captives, and temple treasures. The massive bronze items remained due to size and weight, not divine protection. Their presence encouraged false prophets' claims that God preserved the temple.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you interpret partial judgments—as warnings or as signs that full judgment won't come?
  2. What opportunities for repentance between escalating consequences have you ignored?
  3. How does incremental judgment demonstrate God's patience rather than impotence?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
אֲשֶׁ֣ר1 of 20
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא2 of 20
H3808

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

לְקָחָ֗ם3 of 20

“took”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙4 of 20

“Which Nebuchadnezzar”

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ5 of 20

“king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֑לָה6 of 20

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

בַּ֠גְלוֹתוֹ7 of 20

“not when he carried away captive”

H1540

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

אֶת8 of 20
H853

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

יְכָונְיָ֨ה9 of 20

“Jeconiah”

H3204

jekonjah, a jewish king

בֶן10 of 20

“the son”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוֹיָקִ֧ים11 of 20

“of Jehoiakim”

H3079

jehojakim, a jewish king

מֶֽלֶךְ12 of 20

“king”

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֖ה13 of 20

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃14 of 20

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

בָּבֶ֑לָה15 of 20

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וְאֵ֛ת16 of 20
H853

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

כָּל17 of 20
H3605

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

חֹרֵ֥י18 of 20

“and all the nobles”

H2715

properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)

יְהוּדָ֖ה19 of 20

“of Judah”

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם׃20 of 20

“and Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 27:20 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 Jeremiah 27:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 24:12 Chronicles 36:102 Kings 24:14-162 Chronicles 36:18Jeremiah 22:28

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 27 →

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