Zedekiah's final moments reverse his royal authority—he who ignored Jeremiah's warnings now experiences literal blindness while witnessing his dynasty's violent end.
Jeremiah 39
The Fall of Jerusalem
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.
3All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer the Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4When Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled and went out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.
5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. When they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he pronounced judgment on him.
6Then the king of Babylon killed Zedekiah’s sons in Riblah before his eyes. The king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah.
7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
8The Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the people’s houses with fire and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, the deserters also who fell away to him, and the rest of the people who remained.
10But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Jeremiah Freed
11Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying,
12“Take him and take care of him. Do him no harm; but do to him even as he tells you.”
13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon
14sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard, and committed him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, that he should bring him home. So he lived among the people.
15Now the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,
16“Go, and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘The LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I will bring my words on this city for evil, and not for good; and they will be accomplished before you in that day.
17But I will deliver you in that day,” says the LORD; “and you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
18For I will surely save you. You won’t fall by the sword, but you will escape with your life, because you have put your trust in me,” says the LORD.’”
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Theme
Jeremiah 39 records the fulfillment of God's prophetic warnings as Jerusalem falls to Babylon after an 18-month siege. King Zedekiah attempts to flee but is captured, witnesses the execution of his sons, is blinded, and taken into exile while the city is burned and its people deported. Despite this devastating judgment, God demonstrates His faithfulness by protecting Jeremiah and promising deliverance to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, who had previously shown kindness to the prophet.
Context
This chapter fulfills the prophecies of Jerusalem's destruction that Jeremiah has proclaimed throughout his ministry, marking the climactic judgment that validates his prophetic warnings.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-3 Jerusalem's Siege and Breach Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem for over a year until Babylonian forces break through the city walls.
- 4-7 Zedekiah's Capture and Punishment The king flees but is captured, forced to watch his sons' execution, then blinded and taken to Babylon.
- 8-10 Jerusalem's Destruction and Deportation The Babylonians burn the city, demolish its walls, and exile most inhabitants while leaving the poorest behind.
- 11-14 Jeremiah's Release and Protection On Nebuchadnezzar's orders, Jeremiah is freed from prison and placed under Gedaliah's care.
- 15-18 Promise to Ebed-melech God assures the Ethiopian who helped Jeremiah that he will be spared from the coming judgment.
The Fall of Jerusalem
39:1–39:10 narrative narration solemn
Jerusalem falls to Nebuchadnezzar after a siege, Zedekiah flees but is captured, his sons are killed before his eyes, and he is blinded and taken to Babylon. The city is burned and most people are exiled, though some poor are left behind.
person_contrast
Zedekiah's final moments reverse his royal authority—he who ignored Jeremiah's warnings now experiences literal blindness while witnessing his dynasty's violent end.
Jeremiah Freed
39:11–39:18 narrative narration hopeful
Nebuchadnezzar orders Jeremiah's protection and release to Gedaliah's care, while God promises to deliver Ebed-melech the Ethiopian for his trust. This shows God's faithfulness to protect those who serve Him even amid judgment.
person_contrast
Nebuchadnezzar, typically portrayed as God's instrument of judgment, here becomes an unwitting agent of divine protection, ordering Jeremiah's safety while Jerusalem burns.
Insights
Nebuchadnezzar, typically portrayed as God's instrument of judgment, here becomes an unwitting agent of divine protection, ordering Jeremiah's safety while Jerusalem burns.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
Jeremiah 39:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 25:1 Lexical
In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came,…
Jeremiah 52:4 Lexical
In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came,…
Jeremiah 32:1 Lexical
This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD in the tenth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, which was the eighteen…
Ezekiel 24:1 Lexical
Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, the LORD’s word came to me, saying,
2 Kings 24:11 Lexical
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it,
Jeremiah 39:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 1:3 Lexical
It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the…
2 Kings 25:2 Lexical
So the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
Jeremiah 52:5 Lexical
So the city was besieged to the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
Jeremiah 52:6 Lexical
In the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was severe in the city, so that there was no bread for th…
Jeremiah 28:1 Lexical
That same year, in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year, in the fifth month, Hanania…
Jeremiah 39:4 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 52:7 Lexical
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled, and went out of the city by night by the way of the gat…
2 Kings 25:4 Lexical
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, w…
Nehemiah 3:15 Lexical
Shallun the son of Colhozeh, the ruler of the district of Mizpah, repaired the spring gate. He built it, covered it, and…
Nehemiah 2:13 Lexical
I went out by night by the valley gate toward the jackal’s well, then to the dung gate; and I inspected the walls of Jer…
Nehemiah 2:15 Lexical
Then I went up in the night by the brook and inspected the wall; and I turned back, and entered by the valley gate, and…
Jeremiah 39:5 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 52:8 Lexical
but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was sca…
2 Kings 25:5 Lexical
But the Chaldean army pursued the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from h…
Jeremiah 52:9 Lexical
Then they took the king, and carried him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he pronounced ju…
Jeremiah 35:11 Lexical
But when Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up into the land, we said, ‘Come! Let’s go to Jerusalem for fear of the arm…
2 Kings 25:21 Lexical
The king of Babylon attacked them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was carried away capti…
Jeremiah 39:6 2 references
Jeremiah 39:7 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 52:11 Lexical
He put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon, and put him i…
2 Kings 25:7 Lexical
They killed Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes, then put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him in fetters, and carried him to Baby…
2 Chronicles 36:6 Lexical
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against him, and bound him in fetters to carry him to Babylon.
2 Chronicles 33:11 Lexical
Therefore the LORD brought on them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, bound h…
Jeremiah 39:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 36:19 Lexical
They burned God’s house, broke down the wall of Jerusalem, burned all its palaces with fire, and destroyed all of its va…
Jeremiah 52:14 Lexical
All the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down all the walls of Jerusalem all around.
2 Kings 25:10 Lexical
All the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem.
Deuteronomy 7:5 Lexical
But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their…
Deuteronomy 12:3 Lexical
You shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, and burn their Asherah poles with fire. You shall cut d…
Jeremiah 39:9 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 52:15 Lexical
Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the poorest of the people, and the rest of the people…
2 Kings 25:11 Lexical
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive the rest of the people who were left in the city and those who…
Jeremiah 40:1 Lexical
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, whe…
Jeremiah 41:10 Lexical
Then Ishmael carried away captive all of the people who were left in Mizpah, even the king’s daughters, and all the peop…
Jeremiah 52:16 Lexical
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vineyard keepers and farmers.
Jeremiah 39:10 4 references
Lexicals 4
Jeremiah 52:15 Lexical
Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the poorest of the people, and the rest of the people…
Jeremiah 41:10 Lexical
Then Ishmael carried away captive all of the people who were left in Mizpah, even the king’s daughters, and all the peop…
Jeremiah 52:16 Lexical
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poorest of the land to be vineyard keepers and farmers.
2 Kings 25:11 Lexical
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive the rest of the people who were left in the city and those who…
Jeremiah 39:11 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 25:8 Lexical
Now in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar king of Ba…
Jeremiah 52:12 Lexical
Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Bab…
Jeremiah 40:1 Lexical
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, whe…
Jeremiah 52:30 Lexical
in the twenty-third year of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven…
Jeremiah 43:6 Lexical
the men, the women, the children, the king’s daughters, and every person who Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had le…
Jeremiah 39:13 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 25:20 Lexical
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.
Jeremiah 52:15 Lexical
Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the poorest of the people, and the rest of the people…
Jeremiah 52:12 Lexical
Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Bab…
Jeremiah 40:1 Lexical
The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, whe…
Jeremiah 52:26 Lexical
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.
Jeremiah 39:14 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 43:6 Lexical
the men, the women, the children, the king’s daughters, and every person who Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had le…
Jeremiah 40:5 Lexical
Now while he had not yet gone back, “Go back then,” he said, “to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, whom th…
Jeremiah 40:6 Lexical
Then Jeremiah went to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah, and lived with him among the people who were left in the lan…
2 Kings 25:22 Lexical
As for the people who were left in the land of Judah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he mad…
Jeremiah 40:9 Lexical
Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan swore to them and to their men, saying, “Don’t be afraid to serve the Chal…
Jeremiah 39:15 5 references
Lexicals 5
Jeremiah 33:1 Lexical
Moreover the LORD’s word came to Jeremiah the second time, while he was still locked up in the court of the guard, sayin…
Jeremiah 38:13 Lexical
So they lifted Jeremiah up with the cords, and took him up out of the dungeon; and Jeremiah remained in the court of the…
Jeremiah 38:28 Lexical
So Jeremiah stayed in the court of the guard until the day that Jerusalem was taken.
Jeremiah 32:2 Lexical
Now at that time the king of Babylon’s army was besieging Jerusalem. Jeremiah the prophet was shut up in the court of th…
Jeremiah 37:21 Lexical
Then Zedekiah the king commanded, and they committed Jeremiah into the court of the guard. They gave him daily a loaf of…
Jeremiah 39:16 3 references
Lexicals 3
Jeremiah 38:7 Lexical
Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeo…
Jeremiah 38:12 Lexical
Ebedmelech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, “Now put these rags and worn-out garments under your armpits under the cords.…
Jeremiah 38:10 Lexical
Then the king commanded Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, “Take from here thirty men with you, and take up Jeremiah the…
Jeremiah 39:18 1 reference
Interlinear
Word-by-word original language
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Lemma
Morphology
Semantic Range
Theological Significance
Translation Notes
Key Passages
Historical Context
Places and events in this chapter
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Timeline
Fall Of Jerusalem
586 BCThe Babylonian conquest and destruction of Jerusalem, including the temple and royal palace. This catastrophic event ended the kingdom of Judah and began the Babylonian exile.
This passage records the actual fulfillment of Jerusalem's destruction by Nebuchadnezzar's forces.
The Fall of Jerusalem