Jeremiah 39:1-7

The Fall of Jerusalem

1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. ¹

2 And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached.

3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim ^[a] the Rabsaris, ^[b] Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, ^[c] and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.

4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah. ^[d]

5 But the army of the Chaldeans ^[e] pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.

6 There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah.

7 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze 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. (2 Kings 25:1–12; 2 Chronicles 36:15–21)

Footnotes

• [a]. Or Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsekim
• [b]. Hebrew Rabsaris is the title of the chief eunuch in the Assyrian military; also in verse 13.
• [c]. Hebrew Rabmag is the title of the chief soothsayer or chief of princes in the Assyrian military; also in verse 13.
• [d]. Or the Jordan Valley
• [e]. That is, the Babylonians; also in verse 8