Jeremiah 39:1-10

What becomes of the king’s escape and the city’s defenses?

Berean Standard Bible

1 In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city. 2 And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached. 3 Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon. 4 When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah. 5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him. 6 There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. 7 Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. 8 The Chaldeans set fire to the palace of the king and to the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9 Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away to Babylon the remnant of the people who had remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to him. 10 But Nebuzaradan left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.

What is the context?

The siege culminates in a breach and Babylonian officials occupying the Middle Gate. Zedekiah and the soldiers flee by night, but the pursuing army captures him near Jericho.

At Riblah his sons and Judah’s nobles are killed before him; then he is blinded, chained, and taken toward Babylon. The narrative reports terrible violence rather than inviting readers to imitate it.

The palace and houses are burned, walls are broken, and remaining people and deserters are deported. The promised immunity of royal status and fortifications has failed.

Some poor people with no property are left and given vineyards and fields. The account distinguishes this group’s situation from that of the deportees rather than treating every survivor’s experience as identical.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley relates Zedekiah’s exposure to Babylonian judgment to his broken allegiance. That political explanation does not make the suffering of his children or the other captives a reader’s warrant for cruelty.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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