2 kings 24:16 - All the men of might, even seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths one thousand, all of them strong and fit for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "2 kings 24:16" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 24:16 describes a specific event during the Babylonian siege and capture of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"All the men of might, even seven thousand": This refers to the strongest and most capable warriors and soldiers within Jerusalem. The number 7,000 is given as a specific estimate of the number of these elite fighting men.
"and the craftsmen and the smiths one thousand": Craftsmen and smiths were highly valuable members of society, particularly for military purposes. Craftsmen could be skilled in making armor, building fortifications, and producing other essential goods. Smiths were crucial for forging and maintaining weapons and tools. The number 1,000 gives an estimate of the number of skilled tradesmen taken.
"all of them strong and fit for war": This emphasizes that the people taken weren't just any civilians; they were the physically robust and strategically important individuals who could contribute to either defense or offense.
"even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon": This is the main point. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, after conquering Jerusalem, deported these individuals to Babylon.
Significance and Interpretation:
Weakening Jerusalem: By removing these men, the king of Babylon strategically weakened Jerusalem's military and economic capabilities. The loss of skilled warriors and craftsmen would have made it far more difficult for Jerusalem to resist future attacks or rebuild its infrastructure.
Strategic Deportation: Deporting these people wasn't just about punishment. It was also about acquiring skilled labor for Babylon. The Babylonians would have utilized the craftsmen and smiths to strengthen their own kingdom, potentially in constructing military or building projects.
Control and Suppression: Deportation was a common tactic used by conquering empires to control subjugated populations. It reduced the potential for rebellion and ensured the loyalty of the remaining populace through fear and oppression.
In short, the verse describes a key aspect of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem: the deportation of a significant portion of the city's elite and skilled population, weakening Jerusalem and strengthening Babylon. It highlights the strategic and ruthless tactics employed by ancient empires.
2 kings 24:16 - All the men of might, even seven thousand, and the craftsmen and the smiths one thousand, all of them strong and fit for war, even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon.
What does "2 kings 24:16" mean?
This verse from 2 Kings 24:16 describes a specific event during the Babylonian siege and capture of Jerusalem. Let's break it down:
"All the men of might, even seven thousand": This refers to the strongest and most capable warriors and soldiers within Jerusalem. The number 7,000 is given as a specific estimate of the number of these elite fighting men.
"and the craftsmen and the smiths one thousand": Craftsmen and smiths were highly valuable members of society, particularly for military purposes. Craftsmen could be skilled in making armor, building fortifications, and producing other essential goods. Smiths were crucial for forging and maintaining weapons and tools. The number 1,000 gives an estimate of the number of skilled tradesmen taken.
"all of them strong and fit for war": This emphasizes that the people taken weren't just any civilians; they were the physically robust and strategically important individuals who could contribute to either defense or offense.
"even them the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon": This is the main point. King Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, after conquering Jerusalem, deported these individuals to Babylon.
Significance and Interpretation:
Weakening Jerusalem: By removing these men, the king of Babylon strategically weakened Jerusalem's military and economic capabilities. The loss of skilled warriors and craftsmen would have made it far more difficult for Jerusalem to resist future attacks or rebuild its infrastructure.
Strategic Deportation: Deporting these people wasn't just about punishment. It was also about acquiring skilled labor for Babylon. The Babylonians would have utilized the craftsmen and smiths to strengthen their own kingdom, potentially in constructing military or building projects.
Control and Suppression: Deportation was a common tactic used by conquering empires to control subjugated populations. It reduced the potential for rebellion and ensured the loyalty of the remaining populace through fear and oppression.
In short, the verse describes a key aspect of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem: the deportation of a significant portion of the city's elite and skilled population, weakening Jerusalem and strengthening Babylon. It highlights the strategic and ruthless tactics employed by ancient empires.