Jeremiah 39:5-15

5 But the army of the Kasdim pursued after them, and overtook Tzidkiyahu in the plains of Yericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nevukhadretztzar king of Bavel to Rivlah in the land of Hamat; and he gave judgment on him.

6 Then the king of Bavel killed the sons of Tzidkiyahu in Rivlah before his eyes: also the king of Bavel killed all the nobles of Yehudah.

7 Moreover he put out Tzidkiyahu's eyes, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Bavel.

8 The Kasdim burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and broke down the walls of Yerushalayim.

9 Then Nevuzar'adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Bavel the residue of the people who remained in the city, the deserters also who fell away to him, and the residue of the people who remained.

10 But Nevuzar'adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Yehudah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

11 Now Nevukhadretztzar king of Bavel gave charge concerning Yirmeyahu to Nevuzar'adan the captain of the guard, saying,

12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do to him even as he shall tell you.

13 So Nevuzar'adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nevushazban, Rav-Saris, and Nergal-Sar'etzer, Rav-Mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Bavel;

14 they sent, and took Yirmeyahu out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedalyahu the son of Achikam, the son of Shafan, that he should carry him home: so he lived among the people.

15 Now the word of the LORD came to Yirmeyahu, while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,

Jeremiah 39:5-15 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.