TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
Complete Jewish Bible
Concerning Yirmeyahu, N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel gave N'vuzar'adan the commander of the guard this order:
Berean Standard Bible
Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had given orders about Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan captain of the guard, saying,
American Standard Version
Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
World English Bible Messianic
Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon commanded Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard concerning Jeremiah, saying,
Geneva Bible (1599)
Nowe Nebuchad-nezzar King of Babel gaue charge concerning Ieremiah vnto Nebuzar-adan the chiefe stewarde, saying,
Young's Literal Translation
And Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon giveth a charge concerning Jeremiah, by the hand of Nebuzar-Adan, chief of the executioners, saying,
See on the biblical-era map
In the KJVVerse 19,935 of 31,102
Study This Verse
Commentary on Jeremiah 39 verses 11–18
11 ¶ Now Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah to Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
12 Take him, and look well to him, and do him no harm; but do unto him even as he shall say unto thee.
13 So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;
14 Even 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.
15 Now the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah, while he was shut up in the court of the prison, saying,
16 Go 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.
17 But 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.
18 For 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.
Here we must sing of mercy, as in the former part of the chapter we sang of judgment, and must sing unto God of both. We may observe here,
I. A gracious providence concerning Jeremiah. When Jerusalem was laid in ruins, and all men's hearts failed them for fear, then might he lift up his head with comfort, knowing that his redemption drew nigh, as Christ's followers when the second destruction of Jerusalem was hastening on, Luk 21:28. Nebuchadnezzar had given particular orders that care should be taken of him, and that he should be in all respects well used, Jer 39:11, Jer 39:12. Hebuzar-adan and the rest of the king of Babylon's princes observed these orders, discharged him out of prison, and did every thing to make him easy, Jer 39:13, Jer 39:14. Now we may look upon this, 1. As a very generous act of Nebuchadnezzar, who, though he was a haughty potentate, yet took cognizance of this poor prophet. Doubtless he had received information concerning him from the deserters, that he had foretold the king of Babylon's successes against Judah and other countries, that he had pressed his prince and people to submit to him, and that he had suffered very hard things for so doing; and in consideration of all this (though perhaps he might have heard also that he had foretold the destruction of Babylon at length) he gave him these extraordinary marks of his favour. Note, It is the character of a great soul to take notice of the services and sufferings of the meanest. It was honourably done of the king to give this charge even before the city was taken, and of the captains to observe it even in the heat of action, and it is recorded for imitation. 2. As a reproach to Zedekiah and the princes of Israel. They put him in prison, and the king of Babylon and his princes took him out. God's people and ministers have often found fairer and kinder usage among strangers and infidels than among those that call themselves of the holy city. Paul found more favour and justice with king Agrippa than with Ananias the high priest. 3. As the performance of God's promise to Jeremiah, in recompence for his services. I will cause the enemy to treat thee well in the day of evil, Jer 15:11. Jeremiah had been faithful to his trust as a prophet, and now God approves himself faithful to him and the promise he had made him. Now he is comforted according to the time wherein he had been afflicted, and sees thousands fall on each hand and himself safe. The false prophets fell by those judgments which they said should never come (Jer 14:15), which made their misery the more terrible to them. The true prophet escaped those judgments which he said would come, and that made his escape the more comfortable to him. The same that were the instruments of punishing the persecutors were the instruments of relieving the persecuted; and Jeremiah thought never the worse of his deliverance for its coming by the hand of the king of Babylon, but saw the more of the hand of God in it. A fuller account of this matter we shall meet with in the next chapter.
II. A gracious message to Ebed-melech, to assure him of a recompence for his kindness to Jeremiah. This message was sent to him by Jeremiah himself, who, when he returned him thanks for his kindness to him, thus turned him over to God to be his paymaster. He relieved a prophet in the name of a prophet, and thus he had a prophet's reward. This message was delivered to him immediately after he had done that kindness to Jeremiah, but it is mentioned here after the taking of the city, to show that, as God was kind to Jeremiah at that time, so he was to Ebed-melech for his sake; and it was a token of special favour to both, and they ought so to account it, that they were not involved in any of the common calamities. Jeremiah is directed to tell him, 1. That God would certainly bring upon Jerusalem the ruin that had been long and often threatened; and, for his further satisfaction in having been kind to Jeremiah, he should see him abundantly proved a true prophet, Jer 39:16. 2. That God took notice of the fear he had of the judgments coming. Though he was bravely bold in the service of God, yet he was afraid of the rod of God. The enemies were men of whom he was afraid, Note, God knows how to adapt and accommodate his comforts to the fears and griefs of his people, for he knows their souls in adversity. 3. That he shall be delivered from having a share in the common calamity: I will deliver thee; I will surely deliver thee. He had been instrumental to deliver God's prophet out of the dungeon, and now God promises to deliver him; for he will be behind-hand with none for any service they do, directly or indirectly, for his name: "Thou has saved Jeremiah's life, that was precious to thee, and therefore thy life shall be given thee for a prey." 4. The reason given for this distinguishing favour which God had in store for him is because thou hast put thy trust in me, saith the Lord. God, in recompensing men's services, has an eye to the principle they go upon in those services, and rewards according to those principles; and there is no principle of obedience that will be more acceptable to God, nor have a greater influence upon us, than a believing confidence in God. Ebed-melech trusted in God that he would own him, and stand by him, and then he was not afraid of the face of man. And those who trust God, as this good man did, in the way of duty, will find that their hope shall not make them ashamed in times of the greatest danger.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 11–18. Public domain.
Copy as
JeromeAD 420
St. Jerome, Commentary on Daniel, CHAPTER SEVEN
[Daniel 7:1] "In the first year of Belshazzar, King of Babylon, Daniel beheld a dream. And a vision of his head upon his bed. And when he wrote the dream down, he comprehended it in a few words and gave a brief summary of it, saying..." This section which we now undertake to explain, and also the subsequent section which we are going to discuss, is historically prior to the two previous sections. For this present section and that which follows it are recorded to have taken place in the first and third years of the reign of King Belshazzar (Jeremiah 39) [Jerome's citation of Jeremiah 39 seems quite pointless in this connection]. But the section which we read previously to the one just preceding this, is recorded to have taken place in the last year, indeed on the final day, of Belshaz-zar's reign. And we meet this phenomenon not only in Daniel but also in Jeremiah [cf. Jeremiah 35 and Jeremiah 34] and Ezekiel (Ezekiel 17), as we shall be able to show, if life spares us that long. But in the earlier portion of the book, the historical order has been followed, namely the events which occurred in the time of Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar, and Darius or Cyrus. But in the passages now before us an account is given of various visions which were beheld on particular occasions and of which only the prophet himself was aware, and which therefore lacked any importance as signs or revelations so far as the barbarian nations were concerned. But they were written down only that a record of the things beheld might be preserved for posterity.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
Copy as
Continue studying Jeremiah 39:11 across the web’s major study libraries — every link below opens this exact verse, chapter, or book on the destination site.
Read & Compare
BibleGatewayThis verse in more than 200 translations and 70 languages.
Bible.comThe YouVersion reader — hundreds of translations, reading plans, and highlights.
ESV.orgCrossway's official English Standard Version reader.
NET BibleThe NET translation with 60,000+ translators' notes on every rendering decision.
STEP BibleTyndale House's free study tool — original text, vocabulary, and scholarly resources.
BibliaLogos Bible Software's free web reader.
USCCBThe New American Bible (Revised Edition) with the U.S. bishops' study notes.
Commentaries
BibleHub CommentariesDozens of classic commentaries on this verse, gathered on one page.
StudyLightMore than 100 commentary sets — the largest collection on the web.
BibleRefPlain-English commentary on what this verse means, verse by verse.
Enduring WordDavid Guzik's free commentary on this chapter, widely used by Bible teachers.
Bible Study ToolsVerse commentary alongside Greek and Hebrew study aids.
Original Language & Research
- BibleHub InterlinearThe verse word by word — original language, transliteration, and English.
- BibleHub LexiconEvery word's original-language definition and Strong's entry.
Blue Letter BibleDeep-study tools — Strong's numbers, concordance, and word studies.
SefariaThe Hebrew text with Rashi and centuries of Jewish commentary.
Sermons, Hymns & Audio
TrulyRandomVerse is not affiliated with these sites and doesn’t control their content. They’re linked because they’re genuinely useful.
SUMMARY
Jeremiah 39:11 records a pivotal and surprising directive from Nebuchadrezzar, the conquering king of Babylon, to Nebuzaradan, his captain of the guard. Amidst the complete devastation of Jerusalem and the widespread judgment upon Judah, this verse highlights an extraordinary act of mercy and protection extended specifically towards the prophet Jeremiah, who had been imprisoned by his own people. It powerfully underscores God's meticulous sovereign hand at work, even through the actions of pagan rulers, to preserve His faithful servant and ensure the continuation of His prophetic word, revealing a divine purpose unfolding precisely as foretold, despite the immense national catastrophe.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices that enhance its profound impact. Irony is strikingly prominent, as the very king responsible for the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem is the one who orders the protection of Judah's prophet, whom his own people had imprisoned and persecuted. This unexpected turn of events highlights the Divine Sovereignty at play, demonstrating God's ability to work through unlikely agents, even pagan rulers, to achieve His specific purposes. There is also a powerful element of Contrast between the general fate of the Judean population—exile, death, and destruction—and Jeremiah's specific exemption and protection. The precise naming of the powerful figures, Nebuchadrezzar and Nebuzaradan, lends an air of Historical Realism and undeniable authority to the command, grounding this remarkable event in the verifiable historical context of the Babylonian conquest and underscoring its factual significance.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 39:11 stands as a powerful testament to God's unfailing providence and His meticulous care for His chosen servants, even amidst the most severe judgments and national collapse. It illustrates that divine protection is not limited by human circumstances, political allegiances, or the hostility of one's own people; God can orchestrate events through any means, including the decrees of pagan kings, to preserve those who faithfully proclaim His word. This verse underscores the biblical principle that God is sovereign over all earthly rulers and kingdoms, using them as instruments to accomplish His will, whether for judgment or for preservation. It offers profound comfort that even when human institutions fail or turn hostile, God's protective hand remains steadfast over His people, ensuring His ultimate purposes are fulfilled and His message endures.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 39:11 is a profound reminder that God's providence is at work even in the most chaotic, devastating, and seemingly hopeless situations. For believers today, this verse offers immense encouragement to trust in God's sovereign care, even when surrounded by adversity, opposition, or the collapse of familiar structures and systems. It teaches us that God has a specific plan for His servants, and He is capable of using anyone—even those we perceive as enemies or unlikely instruments—to ensure His purposes are fulfilled and His people are preserved. This passage calls us to cultivate a deep and unwavering faith that God is always working, often behind the scenes of history, to protect His own and advance His kingdom. It challenges us to look beyond immediate circumstances and human logic, recognizing the unseen hand of God guiding events and fulfilling His promises, even when His methods are unexpected.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why would Nebuchadrezzar, the conquering king, show favor to Jeremiah?
Answer: While the Bible doesn't explicitly state Nebuchadrezzar's precise motives, several factors likely contributed to his decision. Firstly, Jeremiah had consistently prophesied the Babylonian conquest and Jerusalem's inevitable fall, urging surrender to Babylon. His prophecies, though unpopular and condemned as treasonous in Judah, proved to be remarkably accurate. The Babylonians may have recognized him as a legitimate prophet of Judah's God, whose warnings, though against Judah, were divinely inspired and aligned with their own imperial ambitions. They might have perceived him as someone who had been helpful to their cause by advocating surrender, or at least as a figure who understood the divine will at work in their victory. Furthermore, it was a common practice for ancient conquerors to show favor to certain individuals in conquered lands if they perceived them as useful, divinely favored, or influential, perhaps to gain favor with the local deity or to stabilize the conquered territory. Ultimately, Nebuchadrezzar's actions here demonstrate God's profound ability to influence the hearts of kings (Proverbs 21:1) to accomplish His own sovereign purposes, in this specific case, the protection and preservation of His faithful prophet.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 39:11, with its depiction of a prophet rejected by his own people but preserved by an unexpected, foreign authority, powerfully foreshadows the experience of Jesus Christ. Just as Jeremiah was a prophet who spoke God's unvarnished truth to a rebellious nation, facing imprisonment and profound rejection from his own countrymen, so too was Jesus rejected by the religious leaders and the majority of Israel, despite being the very Son of God and the embodiment of truth (John 1:11). Yet, in a profound and ironic twist of divine providence, it was a Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, a foreign and pagan authority, who ultimately declared Him innocent (John 19:4), and it was through the actions of Gentile powers that God's ultimate redemptive plan was brought to fruition on the cross. While Jeremiah was preserved from death and given freedom, Christ willingly embraced death, but His ultimate preservation from the grave through resurrection (Romans 8:11) demonstrates God's ultimate protection and vindication of His suffering servant. The unusual favor shown to Jeremiah by Nebuchadrezzar hints at the greater mystery of God's plan for the Gentiles to play a crucial role in His redemptive history, ultimately culminating in the salvation offered to all nations through the crucified and risen Christ, fulfilling the promise that Gentiles would glorify God (Romans 15:9-12).