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

ne.vu.khad.nets.tsar

Nebuchadnezzar

H5020 · Hebrew · Old Testament · 21 verses

N:N-M-P

Language: Biblical Hebrew
Testament: Old Testament
Occurrences: 21 verses
Root: —
Part of speech: N:N-M-P

Word Overview

The name Nebuchadnezzar identifies the powerful Babylonian king who conquered Jerusalem and exiled the people of Judah. It appears most frequently in the book of Daniel, where it records his interactions with God’s prophets, but also surfaces in Kings, Ezra, Jeremiah, and Ezekiah to mark the historical reality of that captivity.

Linguistically, the name likely means "Nebo protect the crown," referencing the Babylonian god Nebo. The sources note a slight variation in spelling between Hebrew and Aramaic texts, reflecting the different languages used in the biblical narrative. This distinction mirrors the political shift from the Kingdom of Judah to the imperial administration of Babylon.

As a proper noun, it carries significant theological weight as the instrument of divine judgment. The king’s rise and fall illustrate the sovereignty of God over pagan empires, particularly in Daniel 4 where he acknowledges the Most High. The name serves as a historical anchor for the exile period, reminding readers of the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and the eventual restoration promised by God.

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

What This Word Means for Your Faith

The name Nebuchadnezzar stands as a heavy reminder of history’s most painful chapters. It marks the moment when Jerusalem fell and God’s people were taken into exile. This was not merely a political defeat but a divine judgment against covenant unfaithfulness. The word anchors us in the reality that sin has consequences, yet it also points to a God who remains sovereign even when His people suffer.

Yet the story does not end with destruction. In the book of Daniel, this same king encounters the living God. He sees visions he cannot understand and witnesses miracles that shake his pride. Eventually, he acknowledges that the Most High rules over human kingdoms. This progression shows us that God’s sovereignty extends over even the most powerful pagan rulers.

For your faith today, this name offers a profound comfort. It reminds you that no empire, no matter how strong, stands above God’s control. When life feels chaotic or when you face circumstances beyond your power to change, remember that God is still on His throne. He uses even difficult seasons to refine His people and reveal His glory.

How it's translated

How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.

Nebuchadnezzar20×
to/ Nebuchadnezzar2×
and/ Nebuchadnezzar1×

Forms in the text

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

נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֥ר4×
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֣ר4×
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר2×
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֔ר2×
נְבֻֽכַדְנֶצַּר֙2×
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙1×
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּֽר\׃1×
נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֜ר1×
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּר֙1×
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֜ר1×
נְבֽוּכַדְנֶצַּ֗ר1×
לִ/נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּ֖ר1×

Key Verses

Daniel 2:28
but there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream and the visions of your head on your bed are these:

This verse establishes Nebuchadnezzar as the recipient of divine revelation, showing that God reveals future secrets to pagan kings just as He does to His prophets.
Daniel 3:28
Nebuchadnezzar spoke and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and have yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god except their own God.

Here Nebuchadnezzar publicly blesses the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, marking a shift from idolatrous pride to humble recognition of divine power.
Ezra 5:12
But after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this house and carried the people away into Babylon.

This reference connects the name directly to the historical judgment on Judah, identifying Nebuchadnezzar as the instrument God used to punish His people’s wrath against Him.
Daniel 5:18
“To you, king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father the kingdom, and greatness, and glory, and majesty.

Daniel uses this name to remind Belshazzar of his father’s former glory and subsequent humbling, illustrating that God gives and takes away kingdom authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the name Nebuchadnezzar mean?

The name likely means 'Nebo protect the crown,' referencing the Babylonian god Nebo. It reflects the religious and political context of the Babylonian Empire, which God used to judge Judah.

Why is Nebuchadnezzar important in the Bible?

He is a central figure in the exile period, appearing frequently in Daniel, Jeremiah, and Kings. His interactions with God’s prophets demonstrate that God controls even the most powerful pagan rulers.

How does Nebuchadnezzar’s story end?

In Daniel 4, after a period of madness, he regains his sanity and acknowledges the sovereignty of the Most High God. This ending highlights God’s ability to humble the proud and restore those who repent.

Is Nebuchadnezzar mentioned in the New Testament?

The name does not appear directly in the New Testament, but his empire and actions are part of the historical backdrop for the exile, which influences the context of Jesus’ ministry and the early church.

Every Occurrence (21 verses across 2 books)

Ezra 3 verses

Ezra 5:12

But after our fathers had provoked the God of heaven to wrath, he gave them into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of…

Ezra 5:14

The gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple that was in Jerusalem and…

Ezra 6:5

Also let the gold and silver vessels of God’s house, which Nebuchadnezzar took out of the temple which is at Jerusalem…

Daniel 18 verses