2 Kings 25:12
2 Kings 25:12 in Multiple Translations
But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.
But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
But the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
But he let the poorest of the land go on living there, to take care of the vines and the fields.
But the commander of the guard allowed the poor people who were left in the country to stay and take care of the vineyards and the fields.
But the chiefe steward left of the poore of the land to dresse the vines, and to till the land.
and of the poor of the land hath the chief of the executioners left for vine-dressers and for husbandmen.
But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields.
But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land to be vine-dressers and husbandmen.
But of the poor of the land he left some dressers of vines and husbandmen.
But Nebuzaradan allowed some of the very poor people to stay in Judah to take care of the vineyards and to plant crops in the fields.
Berean Amplified Bible — 2 Kings 25:12
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
2 Kings 25:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מִ/דַּלַּ֣ת
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
הִשְׁאִ֖יר
רַב
טַבָּחִ֑ים
לְ/כֹֽרְמִ֖ים
וּ/לְ/יֹגְבִֽים
וּ/מִ/דַּלַּ֣ת
dallâh
H1803
hair
Conj | Prep | N-fs
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
land
Art | N-cs
הִשְׁאִ֖יר
shâʼar
H7604
to remain
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
רַב
rab
H7227
many
N-ms
טַבָּחִ֑ים
ṭabbâch
H2876
guard
N-mp
לְ/כֹֽרְמִ֖ים
kôrêm
H3755
to tend vineyards
Prep | N-mp
וּ/לְ/יֹגְבִֽים
gûwb
H1461
to plough
Conj | Prep | V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — 2 Kings 25:12
וּ/מִ/דַּלַּ֣ת
dallâh
H1803
"hair"
Conj | Prep | N-fs
This word describes someone who is poor or helpless, like a loose thread hanging by itself. It is often used to describe people who are struggling or in need.
Definition: hair, threads, thrum (threads of warp hanging in loom)
Usage: Occurs in 8 OT verses. KJV: hair, pining sickness, poor(-est sort). See also: Genesis 41:19; Isaiah 38:12; Jeremiah 40:7.
הָ/אָ֔רֶץ
ʼerets
H776
"land"
Art | N-cs
The land or earth refers to the soil or ground, and can also mean a country, territory, or region. In the Bible, it is used to describe the earth and its inhabitants, and is often translated as 'land' or 'country'.
Definition: : soil 1) land, earth 1a) earth 1a1) whole earth (as opposed to a part) 1a2) earth (as opposed to heaven) 1a3) earth (inhabitants) 1b) land 1b1) country, territory 1b2) district, region 1b3) tribal territory 1b4) piece of ground 1b5) land of Canaan, Israel 1b6) inhabitants of land 1b7) Sheol, land without return, (under) world 1b8) city (-state) 1c) ground, surface of the earth 1c1) ground 1c2) soil 1d) (in phrases) 1d1) people of the land 1d2) space or distance of country (in measurements of distance) 1d3) level or plain country 1d4) land of the living 1d5) end(s) of the earth 1e) (almost wholly late in usage) 1e1) lands, countries 1e1a) often in contrast to Canaan
Usage: Occurs in 2190 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world. See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 18:18; Genesis 42:13.
הִשְׁאִ֖יר
shâʼar
H7604
"to remain"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
To remain or be left over, as in Joshua 10:20. It can also mean to spare or reserve something, like God sparing Noah in Genesis 7:23. This word is used to describe the remnant of Israel.
Definition: 1) to remain, be left over, be left behind 1a) (Qal) to remain 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be left over, be left alive, survive 1b1a) remainder, remnant (participle) 1b2) to be left behind 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to leave over, spare 1c2) to leave or keep over 1c3) to have left 1c4) to leave (as a gift)
Usage: Occurs in 123 OT verses. KJV: leave, (be) left, let, remain, remnant, reserve, the rest. See also: Genesis 7:23; 1 Kings 22:47; Isaiah 4:3.
רַב
rab
H7227
"many"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means a chief or captain, someone in charge. It is used in 2 Samuel 23:19 to describe a great and powerful man. The idea is one of leadership and authority.
Definition: adj 1) much, many, great 1a) much 1b) many 1c) abounding in 1d) more numerous than 1e) abundant, enough 1f) great 1g) strong 1h) greater than adv 1i) much, exceedingly
Usage: Occurs in 443 OT verses. KJV: (in) abound(-undance, -ant, -antly), captain, elder, enough, exceedingly, full, great(-ly, man, one), increase, long (enough, (time)), (do, have) many(-ifold, things, a time), (ship-)master, mighty, more, (too, very) much, multiply(-tude), officer, often(-times), plenteous, populous, prince, process (of time), suffice(-lent). See also: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 11:1; Psalms 3:2.
טַבָּחִ֑ים
ṭabbâch
H2876
"guard"
N-mp
This Hebrew word originally meant a butcher, but came to describe a lifeguardsman or executioner, and even a cook who slaughtered animals for food. It is used to describe various roles in the Bible, including a bodyguard or cook. The word has an Aramaic equivalent.
Definition: 1) executioner, cook, bodyguard, guardsman 1a) cook (who also killed the animal for food) 1b) guardsmen, bodyguard Aramaic equivalent: tab.bach (טַבָּח "guardsman" H2877)
Usage: Occurs in 32 OT verses. KJV: cook, guard. See also: Genesis 37:36; Jeremiah 39:10; Jeremiah 39:9.
לְ/כֹֽרְמִ֖ים
kôrêm
H3755
"to tend vineyards"
Prep | N-mp
A vinedresser tends vineyards, caring for the vines and grapes, as seen in the Bible's descriptions of wine production. This occupation was crucial in ancient Israel. The KJV translates it as 'vine dresser'.
Definition: 1) to tend vines or vineyards, to dress vines or vineyards 1a) (Qal) vinedressers (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: vine dresser (as one or two words). See also: 2 Kings 25:12; Isaiah 61:5; Jeremiah 52:16.
וּ/לְ/יֹגְבִֽים
gûwb
H1461
"to plough"
Conj | Prep | V-Qal
To plough or dig is the meaning of this Hebrew verb, which describes the work of a husbandman or farmer. It is used to describe digging or cultivating the land.
Definition: 1) to dig 1a) (Qal) diggers, plowman (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 1 OT verses. KJV: husbandman. See also: 2 Kings 25:12.
Study Notes — 2 Kings 25:12
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 2 Kings 25:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 25:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 25:12
- Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:12
- Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:12
- Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 25:12
- Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 25:12
- Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:12
Context — The Temple Destroyed
10And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.
11Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried into exile the people who remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to the king of Babylon and the rest of the population.
12But the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields.
13Moreover, the Chaldeans broke up the bronze pillars and stands and the bronze Sea in the house of the LORD, and they carried the bronze to Babylon. 14They also took away the pots, shovels, wick trimmers, dishes, and all the articles of bronze used in the temple service.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 40:7 | When all the commanders and men of the armies in the field heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam over the land and that he had put him in charge of the men, women, and children who were the poorest of the land and had not been exiled to Babylon, |
| 2 | 2 Kings 24:14 | He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 33:24 | “Son of man, those living in the ruins in the land of Israel are saying, ‘Abraham was only one man, yet he possessed the land. But we are many; surely the land has been given to us as a possession.’ |
| 4 | Jeremiah 52:16 | But Nebuzaradan captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest of the land to tend the vineyards and fields. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 39:10 | But Nebuzaradan left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields. |
2 Kings 25:12 Summary
In 2 Kings 25:12, we see that even in the midst of war and exile, the captain of the guard left some of the poorest people behind to care for the land. This shows that God is concerned about the well-being of all people, especially the poor and vulnerable. As seen in Psalm 140:12, God cares for the poor and will bring justice to those who are oppressed. This verse teaches us to be good stewards of the resources God has given us, just like the poorest people were left to tend the vineyards and fields, and to trust in God's sovereignty over all things, as taught in Romans 11:36.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the captain of the guard leave some of the poorest people behind in 2 Kings 25:12?
The captain of the guard left the poorest people behind to tend to the land, including the vineyards and fields, as they would be the ones most familiar with the land and its needs, much like the Israelites were instructed to care for the land in Leviticus 25:4 and Exodus 23:10-11.
What does this verse reveal about God's sovereignty over the nations?
This verse shows that even in the midst of judgment and exile, God is still sovereign over the nations, and His plans are being fulfilled, as seen in Jeremiah 25:9 and Isaiah 10:5-6.
How does this verse relate to the concept of stewardship in the Bible?
This verse highlights the importance of stewardship, as the poorest people are left behind to care for the land, illustrating that we are all called to be good stewards of the resources God has given us, as taught in Genesis 1:28 and Matthew 25:14-30.
What can we learn about God's heart for the poor from this verse?
This verse demonstrates God's concern for the poor and vulnerable, as the captain of the guard leaves them behind to care for the land, reflecting God's heart for the poor and oppressed, as seen in Psalm 140:12 and Proverbs 19:17.
Reflection Questions
- What does this verse teach me about God's sovereignty over the nations and my life?
- How can I apply the concept of stewardship in my own life, caring for the resources God has given me?
- What does this verse reveal about God's heart for the poor and vulnerable, and how can I reflect that in my own life?
- How can I trust God's plan, even in the midst of difficult circumstances, like the Israelites in exile?
- What does this verse say about the importance of caring for the land and creation?
Gill's Exposition on 2 Kings 25:12
[See comments on 2 Kings 25:8]
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Kings 25:12
And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Trapp's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:12
2 Kings 25:12 But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land [to be] vinedressers and husbandmen.Ver. 12. Left of the poor of the land.] Who would be rather a burden than a benefit to the Chaldees; fruges consmere nati; but in Jewry might do some service. De populo tenuissimos, quibus nihil erat quicquam, reliquit. And yet of these poor ones also; about four or five years after this, were carried away seven hundred and forty-five persons; that so the land might enjoy her Sabbath. And here ended those before prophesied three hundred and ninety years of Israel’ s iniquity; and those forty years of Judah’ s.
Ellicott's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:12
(12) Of the poor of the land.—2 Kings 24:14 (Comp. Jeremiah 39:10.) Husbandmen.—Or, plowmen. The word (Hebrew text, gâbîm) occurs here only. Jeremiah 52:16 has a cognate form (yôg’bîm) also unique.
Cambridge Bible on 2 Kings 25:12
12. left of the poor [R.V. poorest] of the land] The word was so rendered above in 2 Kings 24:14. Now that the great houses and their inhabitants were gone and the craftsmen also, the life became no better than that of the nomads, and the people left behind could only turn to keeping the land in cultivation. Jeremiah (Jeremiah 39:10) calls them ‘the poor of the people, which had nothing’.
Barnes' Notes on 2 Kings 25:12
There was probably an intention of seating colonists into the country from some other part of the Empire, as the Assyrians had done in Samaria 2 Kings 17:24.
Whedon's Commentary on 2 Kings 25:12
12. Vinedressers and husbandmen — From these poor no trouble was apprehended, and it was deemed wise to leave those who would cultivate the land, in order that the country might not become utterly a desert.