But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.
But Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left some of the poorest people in the land to take care of the vineyards and work the farms.
Even in conquest, someone had to keep the land running, and it was the people who had the least to lose.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of the historical account in Jeremiah 52, which describes the aftermath of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Nebuzaradan, as the captain of the Babylonian guard, oversaw the deportation of Judah's elite and skilled workers, but he intentionally left behind some of the poor to serve as vinedressers and farmers, ensuring the land remained productive for the conquerors. This practice was typical in ancient Near Eastern warfare, where victors maintained economic stability by preserving a labor force.
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