The fall of Jerusalem and later events in Judah

Jerusalem is captured by the Babylonians

(Jeremiah 52.4-16; 2 Kings 25.1-12)

1-3In the tenth month39.1-3 the tenth month: Tebeth, the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-December to mid-January. of the ninth year that Zedekiah39.1-3 Zedekiah: See the note at 1.3. was king of Judah, King Nebuchadnezzar39.1-3 Nebuchadnezzar: See the note at 21.2. and the Babylonian army began their attack on Jerusalem. They kept the city surrounded for a year and a half. Then, on the ninth day of the fourth month39.1-3 fourth month: Tammuz, the fourth month of the Hebrew calendar, from about mid-June to mid-July. of the eleventh year that Zedekiah was king, they broke through the city walls.

After Jerusalem was captured,39.1-3 After Jerusalem was captured: This phrase is from 38.28. Nebuchadnezzar's highest officials,39.1-3 highest officials: The Hebrew text gives Nergal Sharezer's title as “the Rabmag”, and Nebo Sarsechim's title as “the Rabsaris”, but the exact meaning of the titles and the duties of these offices are not known. including Nebo Sarsechim39.1-3 Nebo Sarsechim: Probably another form of the name Nebushazban (see verse 13). and Nergal Sharezer from Simmagir,39.1-3 Nergal Sharezer from Simmagir: One possible meaning for the difficult Hebrew text. Probably Nebuchadnezzar's son-in-law, who was king of Babylonia 560-556 BC. It is also possible that the Hebrew text mentions a second official named Nergal Sharezer. took their places at Middle Gate to show they were in control of the city.39.1-3 took their places…control of the city: The rulers and leaders often sat in the broad open area at the gate of a city to take care of official business and hold trials.

4When King Zedekiah and his troops saw that Jerusalem had been captured, they tried to escape from the city that same night. They went to the king's garden, where they slipped through the gate between the two city walls39.4 the gate between the two city walls: The construction of the city walls at this point is not known. and headed towards the valley of the River Jordan. 5But the Babylonian troops caught up with them near Jericho. They arrested Zedekiah and took him to the town of Riblah in the land of Hamath, where Nebuchadnezzar put him on trial, then found him guilty 6and gave orders for him to be punished. Zedekiah's sons were killed there in front of him, and so were the leaders of Judah's ruling families. 7His eyes were put out, and he was put in chains, so he could be dragged off to Babylonia.

8Meanwhile, the Babylonian army had burnt the houses in Jerusalem, including39.8 the houses in Jerusalem, including: Or “the temple and”. the royal palace, and they had broken down the city walls. 9Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian officer in charge of the guards, led away everyone from the city as prisoners, even those who had deserted to Nebuchadnezzar. 10Only the poorest people who owned no land were left behind in Judah, and Nebuzaradan gave them fields and vineyards.

11Nebuchadnezzar had given the following orders to Nebuzaradan: 12“Find Jeremiah and keep him safe. Take good care of him and do whatever he asks.”

13Nebuzaradan, Nebushazban, Nergal Sharezer, and the other officers of King Nebuchadnezzar 14sent some of their troops to bring me from the courtyard of the royal palace guards. They put me in the care of Gedaliah son of Ahikam39.14 son of Ahikam: Hebrew “son of Ahikam and grandson of Shaphan”. and told him to take me to my home. And so I was allowed to stay with the people who remained in Judah.

The LORD promises to protect Ebedmelech

15While I was a prisoner in the courtyard of the palace guard, the LORD told me to say 16to Ebedmelech from Ethiopia:39.16 Ethiopia: See the note at 38.7,8.

I am the LORD All-Powerful, the God of Israel. I warned everyone that I would bring disaster, not prosperity, to this city. Now very soon I will do what I said, and you will see it happen. 17-18But because you trusted me,39.17,18 you trusted me: See 38.7-13, where Ebedmelech helped Jeremiah. I will protect you from the officials of Judah, and when Judah is struck by disaster, I will rescue you and keep you alive. I, the LORD, have spoken.