Jeremiah 39

King James Version

Full text for Jeremiah Chapter 39

1¶ In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

2[And] in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth [day] of the month, the city was broken up.

3And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, [even] Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

4And it came to pass, [that] when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

5But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

6Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

7Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

8And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.

9Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.

10But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.

11¶ Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,

12Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.

13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;

14Even they sent, and took Jeremiah out of the court of the prison, and committed him unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam the son of Shaphan, that he should carry him home: so he dwelt among the people.

15Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,

16Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be [accomplished] in that day before thee.

17But I will deliver thee in that day, saith the LORD: and thou shalt not be given into the hand of the men of whom thou [art] afraid.

18For I will surely deliver thee, and thou shalt not fall by the sword, but thy life shall be for a prey unto thee: because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the LORD.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Jeremiah 39 details the fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadrezzar's forces after a prolonged siege, culminating in the city's breach. King Zedekiah attempts to flee but is captured, forced to witness the execution of his sons and nobles, and then blinded and taken to Babylon. The city is subsequently burned and its walls broken down, with most inhabitants exiled. However, the prophet Jeremiah is specifically protected by Nebuchadrezzar's command and released from prison.

Medium Summary

In the ninth year of Zedekiah, Nebuchadrezzar besieged Jerusalem, and the city was ultimately breached in Zedekiah's eleventh year. King Zedekiah and his soldiers attempted to escape by night but were pursued and captured in the plains of Jericho. Brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, Zedekiah was forced to witness the slaying of his sons and the nobles of Judah, after which his eyes were put out, and he was bound for Babylon. The Chaldeans then burned the king's palace and the houses of the people, breaking down Jerusalem's walls. While most of the remaining populace was carried captive to Babylon by Nebuzaradan, some poor were left in Judah and given land. Significantly, Nebuchadrezzar issued a direct command for Jeremiah's protection, leading to his release from prison and placement under Gedaliah's care. Furthermore, a divine message assured Ebedmelech the Ethiopian of his safety amidst the city's destruction due to his trust in the LORD.

Long Summary

Jeremiah 39 chronicles the final, devastating fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian forces under King Nebuchadrezzar. The siege, which began in the ninth year of King Zedekiah, culminated in the city's breach in the eleventh year, on the ninth day of the fourth month. Babylonian princes, including Nergalsharezer, entered and established their presence in the middle gate. Upon seeing the invaders, King Zedekiah and his men of war attempted a desperate escape by night through the king's garden and a gate between two walls, heading towards the plain. However, the Chaldean army pursued and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, bringing him before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah in Hamath. There, Nebuchadnezzar rendered judgment, cruelly executing Zedekiah's sons and all the nobles of Judah before the king's very eyes. Subsequently, Zedekiah himself was blinded and bound with chains, destined for captivity in Babylon. The city of Jerusalem suffered widespread destruction, as the Chaldeans burned the king's house and the homes of the people, and systematically broke down its walls. Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, then led the majority of the remaining populace, including those who had defected, into exile in Babylon. Yet, a small remnant of the poorest people, possessing nothing, were permitted to remain in the land of Judah, and were even granted vineyards and fields. A notable exception to the general captivity was the prophet Jeremiah; Nebuchadrezzar himself gave specific instructions to Nebuzaradan to ensure Jeremiah's safety and well-being. Consequently, Jeremiah was released from the court of the prison and entrusted to Gedaliah, the son of Ahikam, to be taken home, allowing him to dwell among the people who remained. Finally, the chapter concludes with a specific word from the LORD to Jeremiah, delivered while he was still imprisoned, for Ebedmelech the Ethiopian. This message assured Ebedmelech that despite the impending destruction of Jerusalem, he would be delivered and his life preserved, because he had put his trust in the LORD.

Core Concepts

  • Fall of JerusalemThe final and violent capture of Jerusalem by Nebuchadrezzar's Babylonian army, marking the end of the Kingdom of Judah. The city's walls were breached, and it was subsequently burned and destroyed.
  • Zedekiah's Capture and PunishmentKing Zedekiah's failed escape attempt, his capture, and the severe judgment meted out by Nebuchadnezzar, including the execution of his sons and nobles before his eyes, followed by his blinding and deportation.
  • Destruction and ExileThe systematic burning of Jerusalem's structures, the breaking down of its walls, and the mass deportation of its inhabitants to Babylon. This event signifies the end of an era for Judah.
  • Remnant in JudahThe deliberate decision by Nebuzaradan, under Babylonian command, to leave a small population of the poorest people in Judah, providing them with land. This act suggests a partial continuation of life in the devastated land.
  • Jeremiah's ProtectionNebuchadrezzar's explicit command to protect the prophet Jeremiah, ensuring his safety and release from prison. This demonstrates divine providence working through an unlikely source, as Jeremiah had prophesied the Babylonian victory.
  • Ebedmelech's DeliveranceThe specific divine promise of safety and preservation given to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who had previously rescued Jeremiah. His deliverance is attributed to his trust in the LORD amidst the widespread destruction.