Jeremiah 39:5

But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.

But the Chaldeans {H3778}' army {H2428} pursued {H7291} after {H310} them, and overtook {H5381} Zedekiah {H6667} in the plains {H6160} of Jericho {H3405}: and when they had taken {H3947} him, they brought him up {H5927} to Nebuchadnezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} to Riblah {H7247} in the land {H776} of Hamath {H2574}, where he gave {H1696} judgment {H4941} upon him.

But the army of the Kasdim went in pursuit of them and overtook Tzidkiyahu on the plains near Yericho. Upon capturing him, they brought him up to N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel at Rivlah, in the land of Hamat, where he passed judgment on him.

But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.

But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he gave judgment upon him.

Context

Jeremiah 39:5 details a pivotal moment during the final days of Jerusalem's siege by the Babylonian army. After a long and devastating siege, King Zedekiah, along with his soldiers, attempted a desperate escape from the city under the cover of night. This verse describes the swift and inevitable capture of Zedekiah by the pursuing Chaldean (Babylonian) forces. His flight was short-lived, as he was overtaken in the plains near Jericho, a strategically important area. From there, he was brought before King Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, a significant military headquarters for the Babylonians in the land of Hamath, where his fate would be decided.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: Zedekiah's capture and subsequent judgment underscore the severe consequences of disobedience to God's repeated warnings through His prophet Jeremiah. Despite numerous opportunities to repent and surrender, Zedekiah chose rebellion, leading directly to this calamitous outcome.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse is a powerful demonstration of the unerring accuracy of biblical prophecy. Jeremiah had consistently foretold Zedekiah's capture by Nebuchadnezzar and his confrontation with the Babylonian king (e.g., Jeremiah 34:3). The events described here are the precise fulfillment of those divine pronouncements.
  • Sovereignty of God: Even amidst the chaos of war and the actions of pagan kings, God's sovereign hand is evident. Nebuchadnezzar, though unaware, was an instrument in God's plan to bring judgment upon Judah for its persistent sin and idolatry.
  • The End of an Era: Zedekiah's capture marks the effective end of the Davidic monarchy in Judah and the beginning of the long period of the Babylonian captivity, a significant turning point in Israelite history.

Linguistic Insights

The term "Chaldeans" refers to the dominant ethnic group of the Neo-Babylonian Empire, often used interchangeably with "Babylonians." The phrase "gave judgment upon him" (Hebrew: יְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ מִשְׁפָּטִים, yedabber itto mishpatim) implies a formal legal proceeding or pronouncement of sentence, rather than just a casual conversation. It signifies Nebuchadnezzar's authority and the severity of the consequences that were to follow, as detailed in the subsequent verses (e.g., Jeremiah 39:6).

Practical Application

Jeremiah 39:5 serves as a stark reminder that choices have consequences, and ignoring divine warnings can lead to severe outcomes. Zedekiah's downfall illustrates the futility of resisting God's revealed will. For believers today, this verse emphasizes the importance of:

  • Heeding God's Word: Just as Jeremiah spoke God's truth to Zedekiah, God communicates His will through His Word and Spirit. Obedience brings blessing, while disobedience can lead to painful consequences.
  • Trusting God's Sovereignty: Even in times of turmoil or when facing formidable earthly powers, God remains in control, working out His purposes.
  • Learning from History: The historical account of Judah's fall is a cautionary tale, urging us to examine our own lives and ensure our alignment with God's commands.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 2 Kings 23:33

    And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

  • Joshua 5:10

    ¶ And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.

  • Joshua 4:13

    About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.

  • Jeremiah 32:4

    And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;

  • Jeremiah 32:5

    And he shall lead Zedekiah to Babylon, and there shall he be until I visit him, saith the LORD: though ye fight with the Chaldeans, ye shall not prosper.

  • Jeremiah 52:26

    So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.

  • Jeremiah 52:27

    And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.

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