Jeremiah 39:6

Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

Then the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} slew {H7819} the sons {H1121} of Zedekiah {H6667} in Riblah {H7247} before his eyes {H5869}: also the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} slew {H7819} all the nobles {H2715} of Judah {H3063}.

The king of Bavel slaughtered the sons of Tzidkiyahu before his eyes in Rivlah; the king of Bavel also slaughtered all the leading men of Y'hudah.

There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah.

Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.

Context

Jeremiah 39:6 describes a tragic and pivotal moment in the history of Judah, detailing the cruel fate of King Zedekiah and his family at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. This verse is set immediately after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, following an 18-month siege. King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, had rebelled against Babylon, breaking his oath of loyalty, despite the prophet Jeremiah's repeated warnings to surrender and avoid further devastation. This act of judgment was the culmination of prophecies found throughout the book, particularly those concerning King Zedekiah's capture and the fall of Jerusalem. Riblah, mentioned in the verse, was Nebuchadnezzar's military headquarters in the land of Hamath, a strategic location where he held court and dealt with captured kings and nobles.

Key Themes

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This verse dramatically illustrates the precise and devastating fulfillment of God's warnings delivered through Jeremiah. The events described were a direct consequence of Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience, and Zedekiah's refusal to heed the divine word.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon, which was seen as rebellion against God's ordained path (Jeremiah had advised submission), led to this horrific outcome. The slaughter of his sons before his eyes and the execution of the nobles symbolized the complete collapse of the Davidic monarchy and the nation's leadership.
  • Severity of Divine Judgment: The scene at Riblah is a stark illustration of the severity of God's judgment against persistent rebellion. It underscores the ultimate consequences of turning away from God and His covenant.
  • The End of an Era: With the death of Zedekiah's sons and the nobles, the formal line of Davidic kings reigning in Jerusalem effectively ended, ushering in the period of the Babylonian exile.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "slew" (Hebrew: shaḥaṭ) often carries the connotation of a violent, decisive slaughter, sometimes even with sacrificial implications. In this context, it emphasizes the brutal and merciless execution of Zedekiah's sons and the nobles, highlighting the complete subjugation and the deliberate cruelty inflicted by the Babylonian king.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 39:6 serves as a powerful reminder of several timeless truths:

  • God's Word is True: The meticulous fulfillment of even the most dire prophecies demonstrates the absolute reliability and truthfulness of God's word. What God declares, He brings to pass.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The tragic end of Zedekiah and Judah's leadership underscores that disobedience, especially against clear divine instruction, carries severe consequences. It reminds believers of the importance of heeding divine warnings and living in obedience.
  • The Weight of Leadership: The fate of Zedekiah and the nobles highlights the immense responsibility of those in authority. Their choices profoundly impact the people they lead, for good or ill.

This verse, while grim, points to the justice of God and the inevitable outcome when a nation or individual chooses to defy His will. For a parallel account of these events, see 2 Kings 25:7.

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.

  • Jeremiah 52:10

    And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.

  • 2 Kings 25:7

    And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.

  • Deuteronomy 28:34

    So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

  • Jeremiah 24:8

    And as the evil figs, which cannot be eaten, they are so evil; surely thus saith the LORD, So will I give Zedekiah the king of Judah, and his princes, and the residue of Jerusalem, that remain in this land, and them that dwell in the land of Egypt:

  • Jeremiah 24:10

    And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

  • Jeremiah 34:19

    The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf;

  • Jeremiah 34:21

    And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.

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