Nebuzaradan

Nebuzaradan was the captain of the guard (Hebrew Rab-Tabbahim, "chief of the executioners/slaughterers") under Nebuchadnezzar II, who was responsible for the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in 586 B.C. He burned the temple, the palace, and the great houses, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem (2 Kgs. 25:8–10). He carried the bulk of the surviving population into Babylonian exile while leaving behind some of the poorest to tend the land. By the king's specific command he treated Jeremiah with consideration, offering him the choice of going to Babylon or remaining in Judah, and released him into Gedaliah's care (Jer. 39:11–14; 40:1–6).