Jeremiah 39:2-12

2 Forsooth in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month (on the fifth day of the mouth), the city was opened;
3 and all the princes of the king of Babylon entered, and sat in the middle gate, Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, (another) Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all [the] other princes of the king of Babylon. (and all the leaders, or all the officers, of the king of Babylon entered, and sat at the Middle Gate, yea, Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, another Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon.)
4 And when Zedekiah, the king of Judah, and all the men warriors had seen them, they fled, and went out by night from the city, by the way of the garden of the king, and by the gate that was betwixt (the) two walls; and they went out to the way of (the) desert.
5 Forsooth the host of Chaldees pursued them, and they took Zedekiah in the field of wilderness of Jericho; and they took him, and brought to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, in Riblah, which is in the land of Hamath; and Nebuchadnezzar spake dooms to him. (And the Chaldean army pursued them, and they took hold of Zedekiah in the field of the Jericho wilderness; and they took him, and brought him to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, in Riblah, which is in the land of Hamath; and Nebuchadnezzar passed judgement upon him/and Nebuchadnezzar spoke out his sentence, or his fate.)
6 And the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah, before his eyes; and the king of Babylon (also) killed all the noble men of Judah.
7 Also he putted out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him in fetters, that he should be led into Babylon. (And he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with fetters, so that he could be led to Babylon.)
8 And [the] Chaldees burnt with fire the house of the king (And the Chaldeans burned down the palace), and the house(s) of the common people, and destroyed the wall of Jerusalem.
9 And Nebuzaradan, the master of knights, translated into Babylon the residues of the people, that dwelled in the city, and the fleers-away, that had fled over to him, and the superfluous men of the common people, that were left. (And Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, carried away captive to Babylon the rest of the people, who lived in the city, and the fleers-away, who had fled over to him, and the rest of the common people, who were left there.)
10 And Nebuzaradan, the master of knights, left in the land of Judah, of the people of poor men, and gave to them vineries and cisterns in that day. (But Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, left some of the poor people in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and cisterns on that day.)
11 Forsooth Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, had commanded of Jeremy to Nebuzaradan, master of the chivalry, and said, (And Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, gave custody of Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, and said,)
12 Take thou him, and set thine eyes on him, and do thou nothing of evil to him; but as he will, so do thou to him (but whatever he desireth, do thou for him).

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.

Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.