Jeremiah 39

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 39 of 52

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

2 In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth of the month, the city was breached.

3 And all the rulers of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, chief of the eunuchs, Nergal-sharezer, chief magician, and all the rest of the rulers of the king of Babylon.

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Chapter Summary

Jerusalem is taken. Zedekiah's eyes are blinded, and he is sent to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar commands good for Jeremiah.

Key Hebrew Words

בָּקַע breach, break through H1234 · TWOT 271
עָוַר blind, make blind H5786 · TWOT 1586
גָּלָה carry into exile H1540 · TWOT 350
נָצַל deliver, rescue H5337 · TWOT 1404
בָּטַח trust H982 · TWOT 233
חֶ֫רֶב sword H2719 · TWOT 732a

People & Context

Zedekiah

King of Judah captured fleeing Jerusalem; his sons are slain before him and he is blinded and taken to Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar

King of Babylon whose army breaches Jerusalem; he commands that Jeremiah be treated well.

Nebuzaradan

Chief of the executioners who exiles the people, spares the poor, and frees Jeremiah from the prison court.

Jeremiah

The prophet released from the prison court and given into Gedaliah's care; receives Jehovah's word for Ebed-melech.

Ebed-melech

Cushite who rescued Jeremiah; Jehovah promises to deliver him because he trusted in Him.

Gedaliah

Son of Ahikam, to whom Jeremiah is entrusted to live among the people.

Timeline

The Fall of Jerusalem

Jerusalem is breached by the Chaldeans. Zedekiah flees but is captured near Jericho. Nebuchadnezzar slaughters Zedekiah's sons, blinds him, binds him in fetters, and exiles him.

Jeremiah 39:1-10
Jeremiah Freed and Ebed-melech Protected

Nebuchadnezzar orders Nebuzaradan to protect Jeremiah, who is placed with Gedaliah. God also promises Ebed-melech his life will be spared because he trusted in Him.

Jeremiah 39:11-18

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