Lexical Summary
Nebukadnetstsar or Nebbukadnetstsar: Nebuchadnezzar
Original Word:נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר
Part of Speech:Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration:Nbuwkadne'tstsar
Pronunciation:neh-boo-kad-nets-tsar
Phonetic Spelling:(neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar')
KJV: Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar
NASB:Nebuchadnezzar
Word Origin:[of foreign derivation]
1. Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar
Or Nbukadneotstsar (2 Kings 24:1, 2 Kings 24:10) {neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar'}; or Nbuwkadnetstsar (Esther 2:6; Daniel 1:18) {neb-oo-kad-nets-tsar'}; or Nbuwkadreotstsar {neb-oo-kad-rets-tsar'}; or Nbuwkadreltstsowr (Ezra 2:1; Jeremiah 49:28) {neb-oo-kad-rets-tsore'}; or foreign derivation; Nebukadnetstsar (or -retstsar, or -retstsor), king of Babylon -- Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadrezzar.
see HEBREW'abaddoh
NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Originof foreign origin
Definition"Nebo, protect the boundary," a Bab. king
NASB TranslationNebuchadnezzar (60).
Brown-Driver-Briggs
and (incorrectly) (see also below) (Babylonian
Nabû-kudurri-uƒur = (probably)
Nebo, protect the boundary ! Dl
Calwer BL Budge
Nebuchadn. (on
kudurru, boundary, see Dl
HWB 319); possibly is also
crown, and so Schr
COT2 Kings 24:1; Jäger
BAS i. 471 proposes (
thy)
servant); — (); Canon of Ptol Schr
COT 490, Abydenos etc. , see Schr
ib.2 Kings 24:1; — the great king of Babylon (reigned B.C. 605-562), who captured Jerusalem and carried Judah captive: most often ( often omitted in )
Jeremiah 21:2,7 (but omitted by Gie),
Jeremiah 22:25;
Jeremiah 25:1,9;
Jeremiah 29:21;
Jeremiah 32:28;
Jeremiah 34:1 (see Baer's note; van d. H ),
Jeremiah 35:11;
Jeremiah 37:1;
Jeremiah 39:1,5 (see on
Jeremiah 34:1),
Jeremiah 34:11;
Jeremiah 43:10;
Jeremiah 44:30;
Jeremiah 46:2,13,26;
Jeremiah 49:30;
Jeremiah 50:17;
Jeremiah 51:34;
Jeremiah 52:4,12;
Ezekiel 26:7;
Ezekiel 29:18;
Ezekiel 29:19;
Ezekiel 29:30; so Qr
Jeremiah 49:28 (Kt ); ( omitted)
Jeremiah 32:1;
Jeremiah 52:28,29,30. Spelt corruptly with
n, (compare Schr
COT2 Kings 24:1 n.) 2 Chronicles 36:6;
Daniel 1:1;
Jeremiah 27:6,8,20;
Jeremiah 28:3;
Jeremiah 29:3;
Ezra 2:1 Qr (Kt , compare
Jeremiah 49:8 above); alone 2 Chronicles 36:7,10,13 (),
Jeremiah 29:1;
2 Kings 24:1,10,11;
2 Kings 25:1,8,22;
Jeremiah 28:11,14;
1 Chronicles 5:41;
Nehemiah 7:6;
Esther 2:6;
Ezra 1:7 ( omitted),
Daniel 2:1 (twice in verse),
Daniel 1:18 (see also Tobit 14:5,
Judges 1:1 #NAME? above) — On Nebuchadnezzar see further Tiele
Babylonian-Assyrian Gesch., 421 ff., 454 ff.31 (= Biblical Hebrew -, etc.); —Daniel 2:28 23t. Daniel;Ezra 5:12,14;Ezra 6:5;Daniel 3:3 3t. Daniel.
Topical Lexicon
Name and IdentityNebuchadnezzar (Hebrew נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר) is the title borne by the Neo-Babylonian monarch who reigned circa 605–562 BC and dominates the political horizon of Judah’s final decades. Scripture consistently designates him “king of Babylon,” presenting him as the leading instrument of God’s chastening of Judah and other nations.
Historical Background
Nebuchadnezzar succeeded his father Nabopolassar shortly after defeating Egypt at Carchemish (Jeremiah 46:2). Babylon’s ascendancy under his rule reshaped the ancient Near East, toppling Assyrian remnants, subduing Tyre, and exacting tribute from surrounding kingdoms. Archaeology (the Ishtar Gate, royal inscriptions, the Hanging Gardens tradition) confirms expansive building projects that parallel the biblical portrait of an ambitious empire-builder (Daniel 4:30).
Biblical Narratives and Key Events
1. First Siege and Subjugation of Judah
•2 Kings 24:1 records Nebuchadnezzar’s initial invasion: “During Jehoiakim’s reign, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon invaded the land, and Jehoiakim became his vassal for three years”. The first deportation (Daniel and companions) follows in 605 BC (Daniel 1:1-4).
2. Second Siege and Deportation
• After Jehoiakim’s rebellion, Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in 597 BC, deposing Jehoiachin and carrying off treasures and captives, including Ezekiel (2 Kings 24:10-17;Ezekiel 1:1-3).
3. Final Destruction of Jerusalem
• In 588–586 BC the Babylonian army returned. “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army” (2 Kings 25:1). The city fell, the temple was burned, and Zedekiah was blinded and exiled (Jeremiah 39:1-9; 52:12-27).
4. Interaction with the Prophet Jeremiah
Jeremiah repeatedly affirms Nebuchadnezzar’s divine appointment: “I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, My servant” (Jeremiah 27:6). The prophet’s call to surrender is vindicated when the Judeans who flee to Egypt still face Babylonian judgment (Jeremiah 43:8-13).
5. Campaigns Against Other Nations
• Tyre:Ezekiel 26:7.
• Egypt:Ezekiel 29:18-20; 30:10-11.
Babylon thus becomes God’s rod for a season, fulfilling earlier warnings (Habakkuk 1:6).
6. The Book of Daniel—Personal Encounters with God
• Dream of the Statue (Daniel 2), unveiling successive Gentile empires.
• The Fiery Furnace decree and recognition of God’s power (Daniel 3:28-29).
• Seven-year humbling (Daniel 4:28-37). “I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored… I blessed the Most High” (Daniel 4:34). His restoration prefigures divine sovereignty over kings.
7. Post-Exilic Mentions
Vessels taken by Nebuchadnezzar are later returned under Cyrus (Ezra 1:7; 6:5), underscoring God’s faithfulness.
Prophetic Role
Nebuchadnezzar embodies the “head of gold” (Daniel 2:38) yet also the “lion with eagle’s wings” soon humbled (Daniel 7:4). His rule fulfills prophecies of judgment (2 Chronicles 36:17-21), inaugurates the “times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24), and sets the stage for messianic expectation during exile.
Theological Themes
• Divine Sovereignty: Kings rise and fall at God’s command (Daniel 2:20-21; 4:17).
• Judgment and Mercy: Judah is disciplined, but promises of restoration stand (Jeremiah 29:10-14).
• Witness to the Nations: Nebuchadnezzar’s proclamations (Daniel 3:29; 4:1-3) foreshadow global acknowledgment of Israel’s God.
• Pride versus Humility: His madness illustrates the peril of self-exaltation (Proverbs 16:18).
Lessons and Ministry Applications
1. Submission to God’s Discipline: Like Judah, believers must heed divine correction.
2. Confidence in Providence: World events serve redemptive purposes even when governed by pagan rulers.
3. Evangelistic Expectation: The transformation of a Gentile monarch encourages prayer for leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
4. Perseverance under Oppression: Daniel’s faithfulness models holy living in hostile cultures.
Foreshadowing of Christ’s Kingdom
Nebuchadnezzar’s golden head is shattered by the stone “cut without hands” (Daniel 2:34-35), directing attention to the everlasting kingdom of the Messiah. His personal testimony anticipates the confession that every tongue will ultimately declare Jesus Christ as Lord (Philippians 2:10-11).
Occurrences Summary
Approximately fifty-eight appearances cluster in: 2 Kings (10), 2 Chronicles (4), Ezra (4), Nehemiah (1), Jeremiah (over thirty), Ezekiel (4), Daniel (about ten). These references trace a coherent narrative—from initial rise, through acts of judgment, to a humbled ruler witnessing to God’s glory—demonstrating Scripture’s unified portrayal of Nebuchadnezzar as both conqueror and conquered under the hand of the Most High.
Forms and Transliterations
וּנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר ונבוכדראצר לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֖ר לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּֽר׃ לִנְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֒ לִנְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר לנבוכדראצר לנבוכדראצר׃ נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֨ר נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּֽר׃ נְבֻכַדְנֶצַּֽר׃ נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֔ר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙ נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙ נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֑ר נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֙ נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֛ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֧ר נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֖ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֤ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֨ר נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֮ נְבוּכַדנֶאצַּ֤ר נבוכדנאצר נבוכדנצר נבוכדראצר נבכדנאצר נבכדנאצר׃ נבכדנצר נבכדנצר׃ lin·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar linḇūḵaḏreṣṣar linvuchadretzTzar nə·ḇū·ḵa·ḏ·neṣ·ṣar nə·ḇu·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·neṣ·ṣar nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar nəḇuḵaḏneṣṣar nəḇūḵaḏneṣṣar nəḇūḵaḏreṣṣar nevuchadnetzTzar nevuchadretzTzar ū·nə·ḇū·ḵaḏ·reṣ·ṣar ūnəḇūḵaḏreṣṣar unevuchadretzTzar
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