Historical Context of Nebuchadnezzar's Reign in Babylon

Nebuchadnezzar II, whose name in Babylonian orthography was Nabu-kudur-uzur, meaning "Nebo, protect the crown!" or "Nebo is the protector against misfortune," was the most powerful king of Babylon ^{[4, 5]}. He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, who founded the Neo-Babylonian Empire and freed Babylon from Assyrian rule, eventually destroying Nineveh ^{[4, 5]}. Nebuchadnezzar's reign lasted for 43 years ^{[6, 8]}.

His military campaigns significantly impacted the Kingdom of Judah. In the fourth year of Jehoiakim's reign, Nebuchadnezzar led an army against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt, defeating him at Carchemish in 605 BC ^{[5, 7]}. This victory allowed Babylon to recover control over Coele-Syria, Phoenicia, and Palestine ^[5]. Following this, Nebuchadnezzar advanced to Jerusalem, besieging it in the third year of Jehoiakim's reign ^{[2, 9]}. Jehoiakim became Nebuchadnezzar's vassal for three years before rebelling ^[10]. During this initial siege, Nebuchadnezzar carried off some vessels from the Lord's house to Babylon ^[9]. Daniel and his companions were also taken captive at this time ^{[10, 12]}.

Later, Nebuchadnezzar again came against Jerusalem while his servants besieged the city ^{[1, 3]}. Jehoiachin, Jehoiakim's son, surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar, hoping to secure favor, but was taken prisoner and led to Babylon along with his mother, wives, and princes ^[11]. Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah as king in Jerusalem ^[11]. God had granted Nebuchadnezzar authority over the entire region, and resistance to him was considered futile ^[13]. Josephus records that Nebuchadnezzar was an active and fortunate ruler, with his actions also mentioned by Berosus in his Chaldaic History ^[8].

Sources

2 Kings “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city, while his servants were besieging it; -- 2 Kings 24:11”
Daniel “In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah came Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it. -- Daniel 1:1”
2 Kings “At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. -- 2 Kings 24:10”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar — In the Babylonian orthography Nabu-kudur-uzur, which means "Nebo, protect the crown!" or the "frontiers." In an inscription he styles himself "Nebo's favourite." He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, who delivered Babylon from its dependence on Assyria and laid Nineveh in ruins. He was the greatest and most powerful of all the Babylonian kings. He married the daughter of Cyaxares, and thus the Median and Babylonian dynasties were united. Necho II., the king of Egypt, gained a victory over the Assyrians at Carchemish. (See [431]JOSIAH; [432]ME”
Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Nebuchadnezzar, Or Nebuchadrezzar — (may Nebo protect the crown), was the greatest and most powerful of the Babylonian kings. His name is explained to mean "Nebo is the protector against misfortune." He was the son and successor of Nabopolassar, the founder of the Babylonian empire. In the lifetime of his father Nebuchadnezzar led an army against Pharaoh-necho, king of Egypt, defeated him at Carchemish, B.C. 605, in a great battle (Jeremiah 46:2-12) recovered Coele-Syria, Phoenicia and Palestine, took Jerusalem, (Daniel 1:1,2) pressed forward to Egypt, and was engaged”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 16: Old Latin has but three years and ten months: yet were his actions before so remarkable, both in sacred and profane authors, that a vacuity of eight years at the least, at the latter end of his reign, must be allowed to agree very well with Daniel's accounts; that after a seven years' brutal life, he might return to his reason, and to the exercise of his royal authority, for one whole year at least before his death.] 20 (return) [ These forty-three years for the duration of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar are, as I have just now ob”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 6, section 1: . How Nebuchadnezzar, When He Had Conquered The King Of Egypt Made An Expedition Against The Jews, And Slew Jehoiakim, And Made Jehoiachin His Son King. 1. Now in the fourth year of the reign of Jehoiakim, one whose name was Nebuchadnezzar took the government over the Babylonians, who at the same time went up with a great army to the city Carchemish, which was at Euphrates, upon a resolution he had taken to fight with Neco king of Egypt, under whom all Syria then was. And when Neco understood the intention of the king of Babylon,”
Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews, CHAPTER 11, section 1: . Concerning Nebuchadnezzar And His Successors And How Their Government Was Dissolved By The Persians; And What Things Befell Daniel In Media; And What Prophecies He Delivered There. 1. Now when king Nebuchadnezzar had reigned forty-three years, 20 he ended his life. He was an active man, and more fortunate than the kings that were before him. Now Berosus makes mention of his actions in the third book of his Chaldaic History, where he says thus: "When his father Nebuchodonosor [Nabopollassar] heard that the governor whom he had ”
Daniel (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on Daniel 1:1: Of this expedition of Nebuchadnezzar against Jerusalem it is related in the second book of Kings (Kg2 24:1): "In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years; then he turned and rebelled against him;" and in the second book of Chronicles (Ch2 36:6): "Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also carried off the vessels of the house of the Lord to Babylon, and put them in his temple at Babylon." That both of these statements refer to the sa”
2 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Kings 24:1: In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up,.... Against Jerusalem; this was in the latter end of the third, or the beginning of the fourth of Jehoiakim's reign, and the first of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 25:1, when Jehoiakim was taken, but restored upon promise of subjection and obedience, and hostages given, at which time Daniel and his companions were carried captive, with some of the vessels of the temple; See Gill on Dan 1:1, Dan 1:2. and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: which were the fifth, sixth, and seventh years of his reign: then he turned an”
2 Kings (Lutheran) “Keil & Delitzsch on 2 Kings 24:12: Then Jehoiachin went out to the king of Babylon to yield himself up to him, because he perceived the impossibility of holding the city any longer against the besiegers, and probably hoped to secure the favour of Nebuchadnezzar, and perhaps to retain the throne as his vassal by a voluntary submission. Nebuchadnezzar, however, did not show favour any more, as he had done to Jehoiakim at the first taking of Jerusalem, but treated Jehoiachin as a rebel, made him prisoner, and led him away to Babylon, along with his mother, his wives (Kg2 24:15), his princes and h”
Daniel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Daniel 1:1: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah,.... At the close of it, and at the beginning of the fourth, which was the first of Nebuchadnezzar, Jer 25:1. Jerusalem seems to have been taken twice in his time, and two captivities in it: the first was in the third or fourth year of his reign; when humbling himself, he was restored to his kingdom, though he became a tributary to the king of Babylon; Daniel and his companions, who were carried captive with him, were retained as hostages; but after three years he rebelled, but it was not until his eleventh year”
Jeremiah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Jeremiah 27:6: 27:6-8 God had given Nebuchadnezzar authority over the whole region, so resistance to him was futile. All the nations would serve him and his descendants. The fall of Babylon at the hand of Cyrus took place in 539 BC during the reign of Belshazzar, a grandson of Nebuchadnezzar.”

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