Jeremiah 39:8-18

8 The Babylonians[a] set fire to the royal palace and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9 Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard carried into exile to Babylon the people who remained in the city, along with those who had gone over to him, and the rest of the people.
10 But Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.
11 Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given these orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard:
12 “Take him and look after him; don’t harm him but do for him whatever he asks.”
13 So Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, Nebushazban a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officers of the king of Babylon
14 sent and had Jeremiah taken out of the courtyard of the guard. They turned him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, to take him back to his home. So he remained among his own people.
15 While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him:
16 “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes.
17 But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear.
18 I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the LORD.’ ”

Jeremiah 39:8-18 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 19

  • 1. S Jeremiah 34:22; Jeremiah 38:18
  • 2. S Nehemiah 1:3; S Psalms 80:12; S Isaiah 22:5; Lamentations 2:8
  • 3. Jeremiah 21:9
  • 4. Jeremiah 40:1; Lamentations 1:5
  • 5. S Proverbs 16:7; Jeremiah 15:20-21; 1 Peter 3:13
  • 6. S ver 3
  • 7. S Nehemiah 3:25; Jeremiah 37:21; Jeremiah 38:28
  • 8. S 2 Kings 25:22
  • 9. S 2 Kings 22:12
  • 10. S 2 Kings 22:3
  • 11. Jeremiah 40:5
  • 12. Jeremiah 38:7
  • 13. Psalms 33:11; Isaiah 14:27; Isaiah 40:8; Jeremiah 44:28; Lamentations 2:17; S Matthew 1:22
  • 14. S Joshua 23:15; Jeremiah 21:10; Daniel 9:12
  • 15. Psalms 34:22; Psalms 41:1-2
  • 16. S 1 Samuel 17:47; Acts 16:31
  • 17. S Job 5:20; Jeremiah 45:5
  • 18. S Jeremiah 21:9; S Jeremiah 38:2
  • 19. S Jeremiah 17:7; Romans 10:11

Footnotes 1

Scripture quoted by permission.  Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.  NIV®.  Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica.  All rights reserved worldwide.