נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר, נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר (ne.vu.khad.nets.tsar)

ne.vu.khad.nets.tsar

Nebuchadnezzar

H5019 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 54 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 54 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Nebuchadnezzar, appearing as נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר or similar variants in Hebrew, identifies the powerful king of Babylon who conquered Jerusalem and exiled the people of Judah. This proper noun occurs frequently in historical books like 2 Kings and Chronicles, as well as in the prophetic writings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, where it marks the era of divine judgment on Israel.

Etymologically, the name reflects its Babylonian origins, likely meaning "Nebo protect the crown" or "Nebo protect the boundary," invoking the deity Nebo. The Hebrew text preserves several spelling variations across different biblical books, yet all point to the same historical figure who served as the instrument of God’s will against the rebellious kingdom.

Its theological significance lies in its association with a pivotal turning point in biblical history. By naming this foreign ruler so prominently, the biblical authors highlight that even the most dominant earthly powers are subject to the sovereignty of God, as seen when Nebuchadnezzar is described as God’s servant in Jeremiah 25:9.

Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Nebuchadnezzar appears frequently in Scripture, not merely as a historical figure but as a reminder of God’s sovereignty over earthly powers. This Babylonian king served as the instrument of judgment against Judah, yet even his authority was subject to the Lord’s will. When we read about his campaigns and decrees, we see that no human ruler operates outside of God’s ultimate plan.

For believers today, this word offers comfort in times of uncertainty. Just as Nebuchadnezzar was called God’s servant in Jeremiah 25:9 to accomplish a specific purpose, we can trust that God remains in control even when circumstances seem overwhelming. His power does not diminish our faith; instead, it highlights the reliability of God’s promises despite the rise and fall of empires.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 54 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Nebuchadnezzar50×
of/ Nebuchadnezzar4×
and/ Nebuchadnezzar1×

Forms in the text

The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.

נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר5×
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר3×
נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר3×
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֣ר3×
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֨ר2×
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר2×
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֤ר2×
נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר2×
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּר֙2×
נְבֽוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֥ר2×
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶאצַּר֙2×
נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר2×

Key Verses

Jeremiah 25:9
behold, I will send and take all the families of the north,” says Yahweh, “and I will send to Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against its inhabitants, and against all these nations around. I will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and a hissing, and perpetual desolations.

This verse uniquely identifies Nebuchadnezzar as 'my servant,' showing that even a pagan king could be used by God to accomplish divine judgment.
II Kings 24:1
In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him.

This occurrence marks the beginning of Jehoiakim’s submission to Babylon, illustrating how political shifts in Israel were tied to obedience or rebellion against God.
Jeremiah 27:6
Now I have given all these lands into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon, my servant. I have also given the animals of the field to him to serve him.

Here God explicitly states He has given all lands into Nebuchadnezzar’s hand, emphasizing that earthly authority is delegated by the Lord.
II Chronicles 36:13
He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God; but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart against turning to Yahweh, the God of Israel.

This verse highlights Zedekiah’s rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar as a spiritual failure to submit to God’s ordained instrument of correction.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nebuchadnezzar mean?

The Hebrew name likely derives from a Babylonian phrase meaning 'Nebo protect the crown' or 'Nebo protect the boundary.' Nebo was a deity in the Babylonian pantheon, and the name reflects the religious context of the king who conquered Jerusalem.

Why is Nebuchadnezzar called God's servant?

In Jeremiah 25:9 and 27:6, God refers to him as 'my servant' because He used this foreign ruler to execute judgment on Judah for its rebellion. This title does not imply spiritual salvation but acknowledges Nebuchadnezzar’s role in fulfilling God’s sovereign plan.

How many times is Nebuchadnezzar mentioned in the Bible?

The name appears 54 times across various books, including Kings, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. His prominence underscores his central role in the history of Judah’s exile.

Every Occurrence (54 verses across 7 books)

II Kings 6 verses

II Kings 24:1

In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. Then he turned…

II Kings 24:10

At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.

II Kings 24:11

Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it,

II Kings 25:1

In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came,…

II Kings 25:8

Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of…

II Kings 25:22

As for the people who were left in the land of Judah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he…

II Chronicles 4 verses

Ezra 2 verses

Nehemiah 1 verse

Esther 1 verse

Jeremiah 37 verses

Daniel 3 verses