Who was Nebuchadnezzar?

Babylonian king who conquered Judah

The story of Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar - King of Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar - King of Babylon
67 yearsBorn: -626Died: -559From: Pella, GreeceKing of Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar II was a king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire who ruled from 605 BC to 562 BC. He is one of the most well-known figures in the Bible, particularly in the books of Jeremiah and Daniel. Nebuchadnezzar is famous for his conquests and his role in the destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. He was known for his military prowess and his building projects, including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Nebuchadnezzar was the son of Nabonidus and the father of Evil-Merodach. He was born in Babylon, which was the capital of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and died there as well. In the Bible, Nebuchadnezzar is also famous for his encounter with the prophet Daniel. According to the book of Daniel, Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that he could not understand, and Daniel was able to interpret it for him. This event helped to establish Daniel's reputation as a wise man and a prophet of God. Nebuchadnezzar is considered an important figure in both biblical history and ancient Near Eastern history, and his reign and accomplishments continue to be studied and remembered today.

Name meaning

The name "Nebuchadnezzar" is derived from the Akkadian language, in which it is spelled "Nabû-kudurri-uṣur." The name translates to "Nabu, protect my heir" or "Nabu, protect the boundary." Nabu was a Babylonian deity associated with wisdom and writing. Nebuchadnezzar is most famously known as the name of two kings of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, especially Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 605 to 562 BC and was notable for his military conquests and grand building projects, including the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

Name origin

Akkadian

Role

King of Babylon

First mention

2 Kings 24:1

Appearances in the Bible

57 mentions

Nebuchadnezzar in the Bible

Explore all 20 chapters where Nebuchadnezzar appears

2 Kings

Chapter 24

Babylonian Captivity of Judah

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, conquers Judah and exiles many of its citizens to Babylon.

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2 Kings

Chapter 25

Fall of Jerusalem and End of the Kingdom

Jerusalem is destroyed and the kingdom of Judah comes to an end, with the remaining citizens taken into exile in Babylon...

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1 Chronicles

Chapter 6

Levi's Genealogy and Roles

A genealogy of each of the twelve tribes of Israel, detailing their family lineages and populations.

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2 Chronicles

Chapter 36

Judah's Final Years and Exile

The chapter narrates the tragic decline of Judah, marked by idolatry, disobedience, and the Babylonian conquest, leading...

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Ezra

Chapter 1

Commissioning of Ezra

Ezra is commissioned by King Artaxerxes to lead the return of the exiles to Jerusalem and to enforce the law.

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Ezra

Chapter 2

Return of the Exiles to Jerusalem

The list of the exiles who returned to Jerusalem under the leadership of Ezra.

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Ezra

Chapter 5

The Rebuilding Continues

The rebuilding of the temple continues under the leadership of Ezra and the support of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah...

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Ezra

Chapter 6

Dedication of the Temple

The dedication of the temple and the celebration of the feast of Tabernacles.

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Nehemiah

Chapter 7

The Completion of the Wall

The completion of the wall of Jerusalem and the celebration of the dedication.

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Esther

Chapter 2

Esther Becomes Queen

Esther, a Jew, is chosen to be the new queen.

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Daniel

Chapter 1

Daniel's Exile to Babylon

Daniel and other Jewish young nobles are taken into exile in Babylon and are trained in the ways of the Babylonians.

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Daniel

Chapter 2

Nebuchadnezzar's Dream

King Nebuchadnezzar has a dream that troubles him, and Daniel interprets it as a vision of the future kingdoms of the wo...

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Daniel

Chapter 3

The Fiery Furnace

King Nebuchadnezzar orders all people to worship a golden statue, but three Jewish youths refuse and are thrown into a f...

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Daniel

Chapter 4

Nebuchadnezzar's Humiliation

King Nebuchadnezzar becomes proud and is punished by God, who causes him to live like an animal for seven years.

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Daniel

Chapter 5

The Writing on the Wall

The chapter unfolds the enigmatic writing on the wall during Belshazzar's feast, signaling impending judgment and the sw...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 27

Submitting to the Babylonian Empire

In Jeremiah 27, God instructs Jeremiah to make a yoke and put it on his neck as a symbol of submission to the Babylonian...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 28

The False Prophet and the True Message

In Jeremiah chapter 28, a false prophet named Hananiah challenges Jeremiah's prophecies by predicting that the Babylonia...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 29

God's Plan for His People

In chapter 29 of the book of Jeremiah, God sends a message to the exiles in Babylon through the prophet Jeremiah. He tel...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 34

The Broken Covenant

In Jeremiah chapter 34, the Lord commands Jeremiah to speak to the leaders of Judah regarding their broken covenant with...

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Jeremiah

Chapter 39

Judah's Fall and the Capture of Jerusalem

In Jeremiah chapter 39, Babylonian forces capture Jerusalem and burn down the temple. King Zedekiah attempts to flee but...

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Showing all 20 chapter appearances