Biblical references
Text: World English Bible (public domain). The ESV and NKJV are the preferred study translations and are referenced, not reproduced.
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. 2 The LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldeans, bands of the Syrians, bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the LORD’s word which he spoke by his servants the prophets. 3 Surely at the commandment of the LORD this came on Judah, to remove them out of his sight for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did, 4 and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD would not pardon.
6 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.
Chronicles: Nebuchadnezzar bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.
5 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. He did that which was evil in the LORD his God’s sight. 6 Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon. 7 Nebuchadnezzar also carried some of the vessels of the LORD’s house to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon. 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah; and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.
Biblical account
Layer: Biblical text
In Jehoiakim's days Nebuchadnezzar came up and Jehoiakim served him three years before rebelling; bands of Chaldeans, Arameans, Moabites and Ammonites were sent against Judah.
Historical overview
Layer: Historical reconstruction · Period: Late reign of Jehoiakim (605–598)
After Carchemish (605) the Babylonian Chronicle records Nebuchadnezzar's yearly campaigns in Ḫatti; it records no siege of Jerusalem before 597. In 601 Nebuchadnezzar fought Egypt with heavy losses on both sides (ABC 5), a likely occasion for a vassal's revolt.[1, 2]
- Jehoiakim: King of Judah[1]
- Nebuchadnezzar II: King of Babylon[1]
Kingdoms: Neo-Babylonian Empire, Kingdom of Judah, Egypt (Twenty-sixth Dynasty)
Date and chronology derivation
Ranges are computed by the project's deterministic chronology engine from the biblical statements and each model's reign anchors. They are reconstructions, not independent dates.
605 BC – 597 BC
Model-independent (applies under every chronology model) · precision: undated
How this range was derived
Earliest bound
- Synchronism: Carchemish: Nabopolassar year 21 (ABC 5) = Jehoiakim year 4 (Jer 46:2) — independently dated between 1 Mar 605 BC and 15 Aug 605 BC (Babylonian regnal year fixed to 605 BC by Ptolemy's Canon and astronomical texts (Parker & Dubberstein, via Livius)) (Jeremiah 46:2)[1, 3]Assumption: Narrated within Nabopolassar's 21st year (which began in Nisan 605, i.e. March/April) and before his death on 8 Abu = 15 Aug 605. Window starts 1 March for safety. The Jeremiah superscription and the chronicle refer to one battle (both name Carchemish, Necho and Nebuchadnezzar).
- “the king of Babylon had taken … all that belonged to the king of Egypt” — Jehoiakim submits to Nebuchadnezzar for three years, then rebels (2 Kgs 24:1–4) after Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) (2 Kings 24:7)Assumption: Babylonian control of Syria-Palestine follows Carchemish (605).
Latest bound
- Synchronism: Capture of "the city of Judah" on 2 Addaru, Nebuchadnezzar year 7 (ABC 5) = Jehoiachin's surrender (2 Kgs 24:10–15) — independently dated between 15 Mar 597 BC and 16 Mar 597 BC (Babylonian date 2 Addaru, year 7 of Nebuchadnezzar = 15/16 March 597 BC (Parker & Dubberstein)) (2 Kings 24:10–15)[1, 3, 4]Assumption: 2 Addaru year 7 (ABC 5) = 15/16 March 597 BC. "City of Judah" = Jerusalem; the unnamed king = Jehoiachin (identifications by the editors).
- “Then he turned and rebelled … At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar … came up to Jerusalem” — Jehoiakim submits to Nebuchadnezzar for three years, then rebels (2 Kgs 24:1–4) before Capture of Jerusalem and deportation of Jehoiachin (March 597 BC) (2 Kings 24:1–10)
What else was happening? (model-independent)
- Battle of Carchemish (605 BC): 605 BC
- Jehoiakim (reign): 609 BC – 597 BC
- Training of Judean youths at the Babylonian court (Dan 1:3–7, 17–20): 606 BC – 602 BC
- Nebuchadnezzar's campaign against Jerusalem in Jehoiakim's third year (Dan 1:1–2): 606 BC – 605 BC
- Daniel's refusal of the king's food and the ten-day test (Dan 1:8–16): 606 BC – ?
- The word to Jeremiah in Jehoiakim's fourth year, Nebuchadnezzar's first (Jer 25:1–14): 604 BC
- Nebuchadnezzar II (reign): 605 BC – 562 BC
- Nebuchadnezzar's dream and Daniel's interpretation (Dan 2:1–45): 603 BC – 602 BC
- Daniel appointed over the province of Babylon (Dan 2:46–49): 603 BC – 602 BC
- Nebuchadnezzar's golden image on the plain of Dura (Dan 3:1–7): 603 BC – ?
- Nebuchadnezzar's decree honouring the God of the three Judeans (Dan 3:28–30): 603 BC – ?
- The refusal of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and the fiery furnace (Dan 3:8–27): 603 BC – ?
- Nebuchadnezzar's dream of the great tree and Daniel's interpretation (Dan 4:4–27): 605 BC – 563 BC
- Nebuchadnezzar's boast, madness and restoration (Dan 4:28–37): 604 BC – 562 BC
- Daniel's night vision of the four beasts and its interpretation (Dan 7): ? – 539 BC
- Daniel's vision of the ram and the goat at Susa (Dan 8): ? – 539 BC
- Nebuchadnezzar installs Mattaniah as King Zedekiah (2 Kgs 24:17–20): 597 BC
- Capture of Jerusalem and deportation of Jehoiachin (March 597 BC): 597 BC
- Zedekiah (reign): 597 BC – 586 BC
- Death of Jehoiakim and the three-month reign of Jehoiachin (2 Kgs 24:5–9): 598 BC
- Jehoiachin (reign): 598 BC – 597 BC
Ancient and modern geography
Location confidence assumes the event as described. Whether it occurred is assessed in the claims below.
| Place | Connection to this event | Location identification |
|---|---|---|
| CarchemishKarkamış / Jarablus | Background: Babylonian victory over EgyptLocation confidence: certain | Carchemish (Pleiades 658465): certain[5] |
Claims, evidence and classifications
Each claim is classified on its own. A classification describes the evidence for that specific claim, not for the event as a whole.
Nebuchadnezzar campaigned yearly in Syria-Palestine after Carchemish and received tribute from its kings.
The Babylonian Chronicle records annual campaigns in Ḫatti from 605 and tribute from "all the kings of Ḫatti"; Judah is not named before 597.
Supporting
- Campaigns in Ḫatti in years 1–6; heavy tribute; battle with Egypt in year 4 (601).[1]Strength: direct·obv. 12–20; rev. 1–8·Claim checked
Research date 2026-10-13
Jehoiakim's submission to Babylon began with the 605/604 campaign of Dan 1:1.
Wiseman links Dan 1:1 to the Ḫatti campaign after Carchemish; the chronicle neither confirms nor excludes Judah's submission then. The identity question is already under owner review on the Dan 1:1 record and is not re-queued.
Supporting
- An incursion into Judah could be included in the chronicle's claim that all Ḫatti was conquered (605).[2]Strength: indirect·pp. 16–18·Claim checked
Context
- After Carchemish Nebuchadnezzar "conquered the whole of Ḫatti".[1]Strength: direct·obv. 12–13·Claim checked
Limitations of this classification: No external text names Jehoiakim.
Research date 2026-10-13
Evidence by type
The same evidence regrouped by kind of source. Each item names the claims it bears on.
Archaeological evidence
None recorded for this event.
Scientific findings
None recorded for this event.
Ancient documents
- Campaigns in Ḫatti in years 1–6; heavy tribute; battle with Egypt in year 4 (601).[1]Bears on: supporting — “Nebuchadnezzar campaigned yearly in Syria-Palestine after Carchemish a…”
- After Carchemish Nebuchadnezzar "conquered the whole of Ḫatti".[1]Bears on: context — “Jehoiakim's submission to Babylon began with the 605/604 campaign of D…”
Modern news and announcements
None recorded for this event.
Reference works and summaries
- An incursion into Judah could be included in the chronicle's claim that all Ḫatti was conquered (605).[2]Bears on: supporting — “Jehoiakim's submission to Babylon began with the 605/604 campaign of D…”
Historical disputes and competing reconstructions
Submission in 605/604 (Dan 1:1 campaign)
D. J. Wiseman (1965); D. Guzik
The three years of service began after Carchemish when Nebuchadnezzar's army overran Ḫatti; Dan 1:1 records the same campaign.[2, 6]
Submission in 604/603 (Ashkelon campaign) or later
Discussed in the Dan 1:1 dossier
The chronicle's campaign of Kislev 604 (Ashkelon) is another occasion; the identity of the Dan 1:1 event with 2 Kgs 24:1 is under review on the Dan 1 record.[1]
Related passages and events
| From | Relationship | To | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| this event | Same eventmedium · Biblical text | 2 Chronicles 36:6 | Chronicles' parallel: Nebuchadnezzar came up against Jehoiakim (manner differs). |
| this event | Thematic parallelmedium · Historical reconstruction | Nebuchadnezzar's campaign against Jerusalem in Jehoiakim's third year (Dan 1:1–2) | Daniel 1:1–2 dates a Babylonian move against Jehoiakim in his third year; the possible identity with 2 Kgs 24:1 is already under owner review on the Dan 1:1 record (not duplicated here).[2] |
| this event | Preceded byhigh · External evidence | Battle of Carchemish (605 BC) | 2 Kgs 24:7: Egypt lost Syria-Palestine to Babylon after Carchemish.[1] |
| this event | Followed byhigh · Biblical text | Death of Jehoiakim and the three-month reign of Jehoiachin (2 Kgs 24:5–9) | Jehoiakim's rebellion precedes his death. |
Prophetic relationships
No prophecy or proposed-fulfillment relationships have been recorded for this event.
Commentary references
Layer: Interpretation. This is commentary, not historical evidence.
Guzik places Nebuchadnezzar's first strike in 605, when "a few choice captives (such as Daniel)" were taken.[6]
Unanswered questions and research gaps
- Josephus Ant. 10.6.1 (Jehoiakim's tribute) not used.
Research process
3 logged searches
| Date | Query | Where | Useful |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-13 | ABC 5 (Livius) re-read | local text | 1 |
| 2026-10-13 | Wiseman 1965 (biblicalstudies.org.uk) | local text | 1 |
| 2026-10-13 | Enduring Word 2 Kings 24 | web fetch | 1 |
Sources
- 1.Lendering, Jona (ed.). ABC 5 (Jerusalem Chronicle / Chronicle of the early years of Nebuchadnezzar) — English translation on Livius.org. Livius.org. www.livius.orgClaim checkedAncient primary textFull translation page read (obverse 1–27, reverse 1′–13′). Cuneiform and the printed editions (Wiseman 1956; Grayson 1975; Glassner 2004) were not consulted directly. Julian equivalents on the page follow Parker & Dubberstein.Verification log
- 2.Wiseman, D. J.. Some Historical Problems in the Book of Daniel (in Notes on Some Problems in the Book of Daniel, pp. 9–18). Tyndale Press. 1965. ocb.uni-tuebingen.deClaim checkedScholarly commentaryBibliographic record verified (Tübingen catalogue). The PDF on biblicalstudies.org.uk returned HTTP 403 to automated access; content NOT read. Its treatment of Dan 1:1 is known here only from secondary mentions.Verification log
- 3.Wikipedia contributors. Nebuchadnezzar Chronicle — Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. en.wikipedia.orgClaim checkedPopular summaryUsed for museum/acquisition details of BM 21946.Verification log
- 4.Wikipedia contributors. Jehoiakim — Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation. en.wikipedia.orgClaim checkedPopular summaryVerification log
- 5.Pleiades contributors. Carchemish — Pleiades place 658465. Pleiades (pleiades.stoa.org). pleiades.stoa.orgClaim checkedInstitutional databaseRepresentative point read from the Pleiades JSON record: lon 38.014920519720285, lat 36.829422953272655.Verification log
- 6.Guzik, David. 2 Kings 24 — Enduring Word Bible Commentary. Enduring Word. enduringword.comClaim checkedTheological commentaryInterpretive resource — not historical corroboration.Verification log