Jeremiah Chapter 39 — The Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem falls to the Babylonian army, leading to the capture of King Zedekiah and the destruction of the city, while Jeremiah and Ebed-melech are spared.
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.
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.’ ”
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Jeremiah 39:12
““Take him and take care of him. Do him no harm; but do to him even as he tells you.””
This verse shows the unusual favor and protection Jeremiah received from the conquering King Nebuchadnezzar.
Jeremiah 39:18
““For 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.’ ””
This concluding promise highlights that God rewards those who put their trust in Him, even during national catastrophe.
Chapter Summary
Jeremiah 39 chronicles the final fall of Jerusalem after a prolonged siege by the Babylonian army. In the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign, the city walls are breached, and Babylonian princes take control. Zedekiah attempts to escape by night but is captured in the plains of Jericho and brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah. There, his sons are executed in his presence, his eyes are put out, and he is taken in chains to Babylon. The city of Jerusalem is burned, its walls demolished, and its people deported, except for the poorest citizens who are given land in Judah. Jeremiah, however, receives special protection from Nebuchadnezzar and is released by the captain of the guard into the care of Gedaliah. The chapter concludes with a divine promise to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, who is assured safety during the city's destruction because of his trust in God.
Frequently Asked Questions
After Jerusalem was breached, Zedekiah fled but was captured near Jericho. He was taken to Riblah where Nebuchadnezzar killed his sons before his eyes, blinded him, and sent him to Babylon in chains.
Nebuchadnezzar specifically commanded his captain of the guard to treat Jeremiah with kindness and follow his wishes, likely acknowledging Jeremiah's previous messages regarding the Babylonian victory.
Unlike the officials and the middle class who were deported to Babylon, the captain of the guard left the poorest people in the land and granted them vineyards and fields.
Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian official who had saved Jeremiah's life; God promised to spare his life during the fall of Jerusalem because he had trusted in the Lord.
Study Note
The names of the Babylonian officials in verse 3, such as Nergal-Sharezer and Sarsechim, have been found on archaeological artifacts from that era, confirming their historical titles.
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