Original Word: כַּסְדַּי
Part of Speech: Adjective
Transliteration: Kacday
Pronunciation: kas-DEEM
Phonetic Spelling: (kas-dah'-ee)
Word Origin: [for H3778 (כַּשׂדִּי כַּשׂדִּימָה - Chaldeans)]

1. Chaldean

Chaldean

For Kasdiy -- Chaldean.

see HEBREW Kasdiy

Word Origin
the same as Kasdi, q.v.

כַּשְׂדִּים proper name, of a people and territory Kasdim = Chaldeans, Chaldea, ᵐ5 Ξαλδαῖοι and (Jeremiah 50:10) ἡ Ξαλδαία (Assyrian (mat) Kaldu, Kaldû from earlier (Babylonian) form [* Kašdu] — š before dental becoming l, Dl^{Par 128 f.}200f.; Assyrian Gr. § 51, 3; Schr^{KGF 94ff.}; COT on Genesis 11:28); —

1 Chaldeans:

a. people dwelling on lower Euphrates and Tigris; in proper name, of a location ׳אוּר כ Genesis 11:28 (J), Genesis 11:31 (P), Genesis 15:7 (J), Nehemiah 9:7.

b. especially the people ruled by Nebuchadrezzar; — ׳כ Jeremiah 37:10; Jeremiah 39:5; Ezekiel 23:23; 2 Kings 24:2; 2 Kings 25:4,5,10,13 = Jeremiah 52:7,8,14,17 (2 Ki 24:5; 24:10 #NAME? Jeremiah 39:5,8), 2 Kings 25:26; Isaiah 13:19; Isaiah 43:14; Isaiah 48:14,20; Job 1:17; Kt. כַּשְׂדִּיִּים Ezekiel 23:14; 2Chronicles 36:17; ׳הַכּ Jeremiah 21:4,9; Jeremiah 22:25; Jeremiah 32:4,5,24,25,28,29,43; Jeremiah 33:5; Jeremiah 35:11; Jeremiah 37:5,8,9,11,13,14; Jeremiah 38:2,18,19,23; Jeremiah 39:8; Jeremiah 40:9,10; Jeremiah 41:3,18; Jeremiah 43:3; Jeremiah 50:35; Habakkuk 1:6; 2 Kings 25:24,25; ׳בַּתכֿ Isaiah 47:1; Isaiah 47:5 = Babylon (in dirge); ׳אֶרֶץ כ ἡ γῆ Ξαλδαίων on locality see Schr Dl^l.c.) Jeremiah 24:5; Jeremiah 25:12; Jeremiah 50:1,8,25,45; Jeremiah 51:4,54; Ezekiel 1:3; Ezekiel 12:3, also Isaiah 23:13 (inauthentic, Di Che; read כְּנַעֲנִים Ew Schr, or כִּתִּים Du); סֵפֶר ׳וּלְשׂוֺן כ Daniel 1:4; ׳מַלְכוּת כ Daniel 9:1.

c. Chaldeans, as learned class, skilled in interpretations Daniel 2:2 (+ חַרְטֻמִּים אַשָּׁפִים מְכַשְּׁפִים), Daniel 2:4.

2 Chaldea, וְהָֽיְתָה כַּשְׂדִּים לְשָׁלָל Jeremiah 50:10 and Chaldea shall be despoiled; ׳יוֺשְׁבֵי כ Jeremiah 51:24,35; כַּשְׂדִּים אֶרֶץ מוֺלַדְתָּם Ezekiel 23:15; with ה locative: כַּשְׂדִּ֫ימָה Ezekiel 11:24; Ezekiel 16:29; Ezekiel 23:16.

Historical Setting and Identity

The single use of כַּסְדַּי in Ezra 5:12 identifies King Nebuchadnezzar as “the Chaldean,” linking him to the Aramean-speaking elites from southern Mesopotamia who rose to power in Babylon during the late eighth and seventh centuries BC. The Chaldeans were originally a tribal confederation dwelling in the marshlands of the lower Euphrates; by Nebuchadnezzar’s day they had become synonymous with the ruling house of the Neo-Babylonian Empire.

Political and Military Role

Under Chaldean leadership Babylon conquered Assyrian remnants, subjugated Judah, and destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC (2 Kings 25:1-21). Ezra 5:12 recalls these events: “He handed them over to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, the Chaldean, who destroyed this temple and exiled the people to Babylon”. Ezra’s contemporaries, who were rebuilding the temple, knew that the very stones they were laying replaced what Chaldean forces had razed two generations earlier.

Religious Character and Worldview

Ancient writers frequently associate Chaldeans with astrology and divination (Isaiah 47:13; Daniel 2:2). Their famed wisdom schools in Babylon trained specialists in interpreting celestial omens, dreams, and rituals—skills respected yet sharply contrasted with the prophetic revelation granted to Daniel and his companions (Daniel 1:17-21; 2:27-28). Scripture thus portrays Chaldean wisdom as impressive but ultimately impotent before the living God.

Prophetic Evaluations

Prophets treated the Chaldeans both as instruments of divine judgment and as objects of future retribution. Habakkuk 1:6 calls them “a ruthless and impetuous nation,” yet Habakkuk 2:8 foretells their downfall. Jeremiah 25:12 likewise promises that Babylon would “become a desolation.” Ezra 5:12 echoes this established prophetic interpretation: Judah’s exile came through Chaldean hands because “our fathers angered the God of heaven,” not because the Chaldeans possessed inherent superiority.

Post-Exilic Reflection

For the returned exiles, the mention of כַּסְדַּי served as both a sober reminder of past covenant infidelity and a testament to God’s faithfulness in restoring His people. The same power that once destroyed the temple could not prevent its rebuilding once the Lord’s wrath had been satisfied (Ezra 5:13-17; 6:14-15). The title “the Chaldean” therefore became shorthand for God’s disciplinary agent rather than an enduring threat.

Theological Themes

1. Sovereignty of God: The rise and fall of Chaldean power illustrates that “He removes kings and establishes them” (Daniel 2:21).
2. Covenant Discipline and Restoration: Destruction by a Chaldean king underscores Leviticus 26 warnings; restoration affirms Deuteronomy 30 promises.
3. True Wisdom: Chaldean astrology contrasts with divine revelation, highlighting that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10).

Ministry Applications

• Historical memory matters. Ezra’s audience was strengthened by remembering both the severity and the mercy of God demonstrated through Chaldean agency. Churches today can likewise learn from past chastisements to cherish present grace.
• Cultural engagement. Daniel models how believers can serve within secular systems dominated by alternative worldviews, bearing witness to a higher wisdom.
• Hope amid opposition. Just as rebuilding progressed despite memories of Chaldean devastation, believers can labor confidently, knowing that no former enemy outweighs God’s redemptive purposes.

Thus, כַּסְדַּי in Ezra 5:12 is more than an ethnic label; it encapsulates a pivotal chapter in salvation history—warning against covenant unfaithfulness, exalting divine sovereignty, and encouraging steadfast hope in the God who both disciplines and restores His people.

כַּסְדָּאָ֑ה כסדאה kas·dā·’āh kasdā’āh kasdaAhInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts