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Nebuchadnezzar

Emperor living at the time of Divided Monarchy

Nebuchadnezzar II was the powerful Emperor of Babylon who destroyed Jerusalem and exiled the Jews.

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Also known as Nebuchadrezzar

Nebuchadnezzar II was the Emperor of the Neo-Babylonian Empire from 605-562 BC. He first invaded Judah during the reign of Jehoiakim, making the kingdom a vassal state (2Ki.24.1). When Judah later rebelled, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, deposed King Jehoiachin, and installed Zedekiah as a puppet king (2Ki.24.10-17). He also deported many Jews to Babylon, including the prophet Daniel (Dan.1.1-6).

When Zedekiah rebelled, Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, deporting most of the remaining population (2Ki.25.1-21). He appointed Gedaliah as governor over the remnant (2Ki.25.22-24). The biblical books of Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel contain extensive material about Nebuchadnezzar's reign and conquests. Daniel records Nebuchadnezzar's dreams, his temporary insanity, and his ultimate acknowledgment of God's sovereignty (Daniel 2-4).

Nebuchadnezzar also besieged the Phoenician city of Tyre (Ezk.26.7-14) and invaded Egypt (Jer.46.13-26). He is portrayed as God's instrument of judgment against the nations while also being condemned for his pride and idolatry (Jer.25.9; 50.17-18). His Babylonian name, Nabu-kudurri-usur, means "Nabu, protect my firstborn son.

Family

Children
Belshazzar

Connections

Part of: Last kings of Judah and the prophets of the exile

Jeremiah and Zedekiah

RoleStated in the text

Zedekiah consulted Jeremiah secretly yet yielded to officials who imprisoned him in a cistern. Jeremiah urged surrender to Babylon; Ebed-melech rescued him. Jeremiah remained in the guard court until Jerusalem fell.

JeremiahA prophetZedekiahKing of JudahNebuchadnezzarFather of Belshazzar
Where the text shows it: Jer 37:16-17 — Secret consultationJer 38:4-6 — Jeremiah in the cisternJer 38:17-18 — Advice to surrenderJer 39:11-14 — Nebuchadnezzar's orders about Jeremiah

Sources: Jer 37:16-17 · Jer 38:4-6 · Jer 38:17-18 · Jer 39:11-14

Ezekiel and the exiles of Jehoiachin

RoleStated in the text

Ezekiel, a priest, was deported with Jehoiachin in 597 BC and received his call by the Chebar canal. His dating system counts years from Jehoiachin's exile, showing how the exiles regarded him as the legitimate king.

EzekielA prophetJehoiachinKing of JudahNebuchadnezzarFather of Belshazzar
Where the text shows it: Ezek 1:1-3 — Call by the Chebar canal; priest Ezekiel son of BuziEzek 1:2 — Dated from the fifth year of Jehoiachin's exile2 Kgs 24:14-15 — Deportation of Jehoiachin and leading citizens

Sources: Ezek 1:1-3 · Ezek 1:2 · 2 Kgs 24:14-15

Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar

WorkStated in the text

Taken to Babylon as a youth, Daniel was trained in the king's service, interpreted Nebuchadnezzar's dreams of the statue and the tree, and was promoted. Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4 praises the God of heaven after his humbling.

DanielA prophetNebuchadnezzarFather of Belshazzar
Where the text shows it: Dan 1:3-6 — Daniel chosen and trainedDan 2:46-49 — Nebuchadnezzar honours DanielDan 4:24-27 — The tree dreamDan 4:34-37 — Nebuchadnezzar praises God

Sources: Dan 1:3-6 · Dan 2:46-49 · Dan 4:24-27 · Dan 4:34-37

Belshazzar and Nebuchadnezzar: "father" and "son"

FamilyWidely accepted

Daniel 5 calls Nebuchadnezzar Belshazzar's "father" and Belshazzar his "son". Babylonian records show Belshazzar as the son of Nabonidus and co-ruler, so "father" is usually read as predecessor or ancestor. Nabonidus's wife may have been related to Nebuchadnezzar.

BelshazzarSon of NebuchadnezzarNebuchadnezzarFather of Belshazzar
Where the text shows it: Dan 5:2 — Vessels taken by "his father Nebuchadnezzar"Dan 5:18 — "The Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father kingship"Dan 5:30 — Belshazzar killed that night
Ways people read this (3)
  • The Nabonidus Chronicle and the Verse Account name Belshazzar as Nabonidus's son and regent.
  • Hebrew and Aramaic use of "father" and "son" for ancestors and successors is well attested.
  • Some conservative readings hold he was a literal grandson through his mother.

Sources: Dan 5:2 · Dan 5:18 · Dan 5:30

More background: search Wikipedia ↗

Bible dictionary

Nebuchadnezzar Easton Easton’s Bible Dictionary (1897)

In the Babylonian orthography Nabu-kudur-uzur, which means “Nebo, protect the crown!” or the “frontiers.” In an inscription he styles himself “Nebo’s favourite.” He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, who delivered Babylon from its dependence on Assyria and laid Nineveh in ruins. He was the greatest and most powerful of all the Babylonian kings. He married the daughter of Cyaxares, and thus the Median and Babylonian dynasties were united. Necho II., the king of Egypt, gained a victory over the Assyrians at Carchemish. (See JOSIAH; MEGIDDO.) This secured to Egypt the possession of the Syrian provinces of Assyria, including Palestine. The remaining provinces of the Assyrian empire were divided between Babylonia and Media. But Nabopolassar was ambitious of reconquering from Necho the western provinces of Syria, and for this purpose he sent his son with a powerful army westward (Dan. 1:1). The Egyptians met him at Carchemish, where a furious battle was fought, resulting in the complete rout of the Egyptians, who were driven back (Jer. 46:2-12), and Syria and Phoenicia brought under the sway of Babylon (B.C. 606). From that time “the king of Egypt came not again any more out of his land” (2 Kings 24:7). Nebuchadnezzar also subdued the whole of Palestine, and took Jerusalem, carrying away captive a great multitude of the Jews, among whom were Daniel and his companions (Dan. 1:1, 2; Jer. 27:19; 40:1). Three years after this, Jehoiakim, who had reigned in Jerusalem as a Babylonian vassal, rebelled against the oppressor, trusting to help from Egypt (2 Kings 24:1). This led Nebuchadnezzar to march an army again to the conquest of Jerusalem, which at once yielded to him (B.C. 598). A third time he came against it, and deposed Jehoiachin, whom he carried into Babylon, with…

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Nebuchadnezzar, Or Nebuchadrezzar Smith Smith’s Bible Dictionary (1863)

(may Nebo protect the crown), was the greatest and most powerful of the Babylonian kings. His name is explained to mean “Nebo is the protector against misfortune.” He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Babylonian empire. In the lifetime of his father Nebuchadnezzar led an army against Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt, defeated him at Carchemish, B.C. 605, in a great battle (Jeremiah 46:2-12) recovered Coele-Syria, Phoenicia and Palestine, took Jerusalem, (Daniel 1:1,2) pressed forward to Egypt, and was engaged in that country or upon its borders when intelligence arrived which recalled him hastily to Babylon. Nabopolassar, after reigning twenty-one years, had died and the throne was vacant. In alarm about the succession Nebuchadnezzar returned to the capital, accompanied only by his light troops; and crossing the desert, probably by way of Tadmor or Palmyra, reached Babylon before any disturbance had arisen and entered peaceably on his kingdom, B.C. 604. Within three years of Nebuchadnezzar’s first expedition into Syria and Palestine, disaffection again showed itself in those countries. Jehoiakim, who, although threatened at first with captivity, (2 Chronicles 36:6) had been finally maintained on the throne as a Babylonian vassal, after three years of service “turned and rebelled” against his suzerain, probably trusting, to be supported by Egypt. (2 Kings 24:1) Not long afterward Phoenicia seems to have broken into revolt, and the Chaldean monarch once more took the field in person, and marched first of all against Tyre. Having invested that city and left a portion of his army there to continue the siege, he proceeded against Jerusalem, which submitted without a struggle. According to Josephus, who is here our chief authority, Nebuchadnezzar…

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Nebuchadnezzar Hitchcock Hitchcock’s Bible Names Dictionary (1869)

Nebuchadrezzar, tears and groans of judgment

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Nebuchadnezzar Hastings Hastings’ Dictionary of the Bible (1898)

NEBUCHADNEZ'ZAR (may Nebo protect the crown!). or, more correctly, NEBUCHADREZ'ZAR, the son and successor of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Babylonish monarchy, was the most illustrious of these kings, and one of the greatest rulers of history. 2 Kgs 24:1; Dan 1-4. We know most of him through the book of Daniel; but we read of him also in Cameo of Nebuchadnezzar. Berosus and upon numerous monuments. In the Berlin Museum there is a black cameo with his head upon it, cut by his order, with the inscription, "In honor of Merodach, his lord, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in his life-time had this made." From these various sources the following details have been derived. Nebuchadnezzar was entrusted by his father with the important task of repelling Pharaoh-necho, and succeeded in defeating him at Carchemish, on the Euphrates (b.c. 605), Jer 46:2, and brought under subjection all the territory Necho had occupied, including Syria and Palestine, overrunning these countries, taking Jerusalem, and carrying off a portion of the inhabitants as prisoners, including Daniel and his companions. Dan 1:1-4. Having learned that his father had died, Nebuchadnezzar hastened back to Babylon and planted himself firmly on the throne, giving to his generals instructions to bring the Jewish, Phoenician, Syrian, and Egyptian captives to Babylon. Thus the remark, "In his days Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years," 2 Kgs 24:1, is easily explained. The title is given by anticipation, and the "three years" are to be reckoned from 605 to 603 inclusive. The rebellion of Jehoiakim, entered upon, probably, because Nebuchadnezzar was carrying on wars in other parts of Asia, took place b.c. 602, and was punished by the irruption of Chaldaeans…

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Nebuchadnezzar Schaff Schaff’s Dictionary of the Bible

NEBUCHADNEZ'ZAR (may Nebo protect the crown!). or, more correctly, NEBUCHADREZ'ZAR, the son and successor of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Babylonish monarchy, was the most illustrious of these kings, and one of the greatest rulers of history. 2 Kgs 24:1; Dan 1-4. We know most of him through the book of Daniel; but we read of him also in Cameo of Nebuchadnezzar. Berosus and upon numerous monuments. In the Berlin Museum there is a black

cameo with his head upon it, cut by his order, with the inscription, "In honor of Merodach, his lord, Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in his life-time had this made." From these various sources the following details have been derived. Nebuchadnezzar was entrusted by his father with the important task of repelling Pharaoh-necho, and succeeded in defeating him at Carchemish, on the Euphrates (b.c. 605), Jer 46:2, and brought under subjection all the territory Necho had occupied, including Syria and Palestine, overrunning these countries, taking Jerusalem, and carrying off a portion of the inhabitants as prisoners, including Daniel and his companions. Dan 1:1-4. Having learned that his father had died, Nebuchadnezzar hastened back to Babylon and planted himself firmly on the throne, giving to his generals instructions to bring the Jewish, Phoenician, Syrian, and Egyptian captives to Babylon. Thus the remark, "In his days Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years," 2 Kgs 24:1, is easily explained. The title is given by anticipation, and the "three years" are to be reckoned from 605 to 603 inclusive. The rebellion of Jehoiakim, entered upon, probably, because Nebuchadnezzar was carrying on wars in other parts of Asia, took place b.c. 602, and was punished by the irruption of Chaldaeans…

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Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.

Where Nebuchadnezzar appears

88 verses in 9 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H5019

2 Kings6
1 Chronicles1
2 Chronicles4
Ezra5
Nehemiah1
Esther1
Jeremiah37
Ezekiel4
Daniel29

Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.