Jeremiah 39:1-7

The Fall of Jerusalem

1 ¹In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it.

2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.

3 Then all ²the officials of the king of Babylon came ³and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sar-ezer, Samgar-nebu, Sar-sekim ⁴the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, with all the rest of the officers of the king of Babylon.

4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out of the city at night by way of the king's garden through the gate between the two walls; and they went toward ⁵the Arabah.

5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in ⁶the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, at ⁷Riblah, in the land of Hamath; ⁸and he passed sentence on him.

6 The king of Babylon ⁹slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah at ¹⁰Riblah before his eyes, and the king of Babylon ¹¹slaughtered all the nobles of Judah.

7 ¹²He put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains to take him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:1-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JEREMIAH 39

This chapter gives an account of the taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldeans, according to the several prophecies of Jeremiah concerning it. The time of taking it, and by whom, after a siege of eighteen months, Jer 39:1-3; several things relating to King Zedekiah; his flight; the taking of him; the bringing him to the king of Babylon, and his sentence on him; the execution of that sentence, slaying his sons and nobles, putting out his eyes, and carrying him in chains to Babylon, Jer 39:4-7; the destruction of the city is described, by burning the houses in it, breaking down its walls, carrying the people captive, all, except a few poor persons left in the land, Jer 39:8-10; the preservation of Jeremiah, according to the king of Babylon's orders by his princes; and the committing him to the care of Gedaliah, the governor of the poor Jews, Jer 39:11-14; and the chapter is concluded with a promise of the protection of Ebedmelech, made by the Lord before the taking of the city, while the prophet was in prison; and which, no doubt, had its accomplishment, Jer 39:15-18.

Cross References

• 1. For ver. 1-10, see Jeremiah 52:4-16; 2 Kings 25:1-12
• 2. Jeremiah 38:17, 18, 22
• 3. [Jeremiah 1:15]
• 4. ver. 13; 2 Kings 18:17
• 5. See Deuteronomy 1:1
• 6. Joshua 5:10
• 7. See 2 Kings 23:33
• 8. [Ezekiel 17:15]
• 9. Jeremiah 52:10
• 10. [See ver. 5 above]
• 11. Jeremiah 52:10
• 12. [Jeremiah 32:4; Ezekiel 12:13]