Book of Jeremiah - Chapter 39 - Verse 9

During the time of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Nebuzaradan as the captain of his guard. Nebuzaradan was tasked with carrying away the remaining inhabitants of the city into captivity in Babylon. This event marked the culmination of the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews to Babylon. The phrase "the remnant of the people that remained in the city" refers to those who were not killed in the siege or fled the city prior to its capture. Those "that fell away" are likely individuals who surrendered to Nebuzaradan or were captured during the chaos of the conquest. The Babylonians took these people along with the rest of the population who remained in the city, bringing them to Babylon as captives. This verse demonstrates the brutal reality of war and the consequences of disobedience to God, as the people of Jerusalem faced the consequences of their rebellion against God through their exile and captivity in a foreign land.

In this verse, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, is depicted as carrying away captive the remnant of the people left in the city of Babylon. This act symbolizes the destruction and exile of the Israelites as a form of punishment for their disobedience and rebellion against God. The theological interpretation of this verse emphasizes God's judgment upon His people for their refusal to follow His commandments and worship Him alone. The word "captain of the guard" signifies Nebuzaradan's position as the one responsible for executing the will of the king of Babylon, showing how even earthly rulers can be used by God to fulfill His divine purpose. The term "remnant" highlights the small number of survivors who were spared from the destruction, possibly indicating hope for the future restoration of the nation of Israel. Overall, this verse serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of obedience to His will.