Jeremiah 39
Read Jeremiah 39 (WEB)+
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, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer, 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 houses of the people, with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. 9Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon 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. 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. 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 sent, with Nebushazban, Rabsaris, and Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon; 14they sent, 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 carry him home. So he lived among the people. 15Now Yahweh’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, ‘Yahweh 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 Yahweh; “and you will not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18For I will surely save you, and you won’t fall by the sword, but you will escape with your life; because you have put your trust in me,” says Yahweh.’”
World English Bible (public domain)
“"But I will deliver you on that day, declares the Lord, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid."”
Jeremiah 39:17
Summary
Jeremiah chapter 39 describes the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians. King Zedekiah's reign ends disastrously as Babylon breaches the city's defenses, fulfilling the prophecies given by Jeremiah. After the city falls, Zedekiah attempts to flee but is captured and brought before Nebuchadnezzar. In a brutal display, Zedekiah's sons are killed before him, and he is blinded and taken to Babylon in chains. Jerusalem is destroyed, and many of its inhabitants are taken into exile, illustrating the severe consequences of rejecting God's warnings. Despite the destruction, God's promises remain steadfast as Jeremiah is spared and Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, who had helped Jeremiah earlier, receives assurance of being saved, highlighting faithfulness and divine protection as key themes.
Key Themes
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