King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 52:30 Mean?

Jeremiah 52:30 in the King James Version says “In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.”

Jeremiah 52:30 · KJV

Context

28

This is the people whom Nebuchadrezzar carried away captive: in the seventh year three thousand Jews and three and twenty:

29

In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons: persons: Heb. souls

30

In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.

31

And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison ,

32

And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, kindly: Heb. good things with him

Read Jeremiah 52 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the three and twentieth year—582 BC, a third deportation not mentioned in Kings, five years after Jerusalem's destruction. Seven hundred forty and five persons—possibly prompted by Gedaliah's assassination (chapter 41) and remaining Jews' flight to Egypt.

All the persons were four thousand and six hundred—the total of three deportations (vv. 28-30): 3,023 + 832 + 745 = 4,600. This smaller total (compared to Kings' tens of thousands) counts adult males only, showing Jeremiah's precision as eyewitness. The detailed accounting preserves historical memory for future generations.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This third deportation, unique to Jeremiah, explains the continuing exile presence despite Jerusalem's earlier destruction. It demonstrates Babylon's systematic policy of removing potential rebels over decades, not just one catastrophic event.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the third deportation (often overlooked) teach about judgment's ongoing consequences, not just one-time catastrophe?
  2. How does Jeremiah's careful enumeration preserve testimony for exiles to remember God's justice and plan restoration?
  3. In what ways do spiritual consequences often unfold in stages rather than single dramatic moments?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 20 words
בִּשְׁנַ֨ת1 of 20

“year”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

שָׁלֹ֣שׁ2 of 20

“In the three”

H7969

three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice

וְעֶשְׂרִים֮3 of 20

“and twentieth”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֒4 of 20

“of Nebuchadrezzar”

H5019

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

הֶגְלָ֗ה5 of 20

“carried away captive”

H1540

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

נְבֽוּזַרְאֲדָן֙6 of 20

“Nebuzaradan”

H5018

nebuzaradan, a babylonian general

רַב7 of 20

“the captain”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

טַבָּחִ֔ים8 of 20

“of the guard”

H2876

properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)

יְהוּדִ֕ים9 of 20

“of the Jews”

H3064

a jehudite (i.e., judaite or jew), or descendant of jehudah (i.e., judah)

נֶ֕פֶשׁ10 of 20

“all the persons”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

שְׁבַ֥ע11 of 20

“seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

מֵאֽוֹת׃12 of 20

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

אַרְבָּעִ֣ים13 of 20

“forty”

H705

forty

וַחֲמִשָּׁ֑ה14 of 20

“and five”

H2568

five

כָּל15 of 20
H3605

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

נֶ֕פֶשׁ16 of 20

“all the persons”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

אַרְבַּ֥עַת17 of 20

“were four”

H702

four

אֲלָפִ֖ים18 of 20

“thousand”

H505

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

וְשֵׁ֥שׁ19 of 20

“and six”

H8337

six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ordinal, sixth

מֵאֽוֹת׃20 of 20

“hundred”

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

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 52:30 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 52:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 52:15Jeremiah 6:9

Test Your Knowledge

Jeremiah 52 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterJeremiah Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Jeremiah 52 with CommentaryAll Jeremiah ChaptersComplete Jeremiah QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes