Jeremiah 39:13-18

13 So 1Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, 2and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon
14 sent and took Jeremiah from 3the court of the guard. They entrusted him to 4Gedaliah the son of 5Ahikam, son of 6Shaphan, that he should take him home. So 7he lived among the people.
15 The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah 8while he was shut up in the court of the guard:
16 "Go, and say to 9Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, 'Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: 10Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and 11not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day.
17 But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men 12of whom you are afraid.
18 For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your 13life as a prize of war, 14because you have put your trust in me, declares the LORD.'"

Jeremiah 39:13-18 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 14

  • 1. [ver. 3]
  • 2. [ver. 3]
  • 3. Jeremiah 38:28; See Jeremiah 32:2
  • 4. Jeremiah 43:6; See Jeremiah 40:5-9, 11-16; Jeremiah 41:1-4, 6; 2 Kings 25:22-25
  • 5. 2 Kings 22:12
  • 6. 2 Kings 22:3
  • 7. Jeremiah 37:12
  • 8. Jeremiah 36:5; Jeremiah 38:13
  • 9. See Jeremiah 38:7
  • 10. Daniel 9:12
  • 11. Jeremiah 21:10; [Jeremiah 14:11]
  • 12. Jeremiah 22:25
  • 13. Jeremiah 21:9; Jeremiah 45:5
  • 14. Psalms 25:2; Psalms 37:40
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.