Jeremiah 39:2-12

2 On the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah's eleventh year as king, the city walls were broken through.

3 (When Jerusalem was captured, all the high officials of the king of Babylonia came and took their places at the Middle Gate, including Nergal Sharezer, Samgar Nebo, Sarsechim, and another Nergal Sharezer. )

4 When King Zedekiah and all his soldiers saw what was happening, they tried to escape from the city during the night. They left by way of the royal garden, went through the gateway connecting the two walls, and escaped in the direction of the Jordan Valley.

5 But the Babylonian army pursued them and captured Zedekiah in the plains near Jericho. Then they took him to King Nebuchadnezzar, who was in the city of Riblah in the territory of Hamath, and there Nebuchadnezzar passed sentence on him.

6 At Riblah he put Zedekiah's sons to death while Zedekiah was looking on, and he also had the officials of Judah executed.

7 After that, he had Zedekiah's eyes put out and had him placed in chains to be taken to Babylonia.

8 Meanwhile, the Babylonians burned down the royal palace and the houses of the people and tore down the walls of Jerusalem.

9 Finally Nebuzaradan, the commanding officer, took away as prisoners to Babylonia the people who were left in the city, together with those who had deserted to him.

10 He left in the land of Judah some of the poorest people, who owned no property, and he gave them vineyards and fields.

11 But King Nebuchadnezzar commanded Nebuzaradan, the commanding officer, to give the following order:

12 "Go and find Jeremiah and take good care of him. Do not harm him, but do for him whatever he wants."

Jeremiah 39:2-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. When Jerusalem was captured; [these words are moved here from the end of chapter 38.]
• [b]. [The names and titles of these men are unclear.]