Jeremiah 52:1

Translation
King James Version
¶ Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
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KJV (with Strong's)
Zedekiah H6667 was one H259 and twenty H6242 years H8141 old H1121 when he began to reign H4427, and he reigned H4427 eleven H259 H6240 years H8141 in Jerusalem H3389. And his mother's H517 name H8034 was Hamutal H2537 the daughter H1323 of Jeremiah H3414 of Libnah H3841.
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Complete Jewish Bible
Tzidkiyahu was twenty-one years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for eleven years in Yerushalayim. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Yirmeyahu, from Livnah.
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Berean Standard Bible
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah.
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American Standard Version
Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
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World English Bible Messianic
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
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Geneva Bible (1599)
Zedekiah was one and twentie yeere olde when he began to reigne, and he reigned eleuen yeeres in Ierusalem, and his mothers name was Hamutal, the daughter of Ieremiah of Libnah.
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Young's Literal Translation
A son of twenty and one years is Zedekiah in his reigning, and eleven years he hath reigned in Jerusalem, and the name of his mother is Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
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See also
2 Kings 24:18Joshua 10:292 Chronicles 36:112 Kings 8:22Joshua 15:42
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The Fall of Jerusalem and Zedekiah's Capture
The Fall of Jerusalem and Zedekiah's Capture View full PDF

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In the KJVVerse 20,278 of 31,102

Study This Verse

SUMMARY

Jeremiah 52:1 serves as the precise historical introduction to the final chapter of Jeremiah, meticulously detailing the commencement of King Zedekiah's reign. This verse establishes the crucial chronological and genealogical context for the tragic events that follow, marking the beginning of the eleven-year rule of Judah's last king before the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the devastating Babylonian exile. It sets the stage for the climactic fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies concerning the nation's unfaithfulness and the inevitable divine judgment.

CONTEXT

  • Literary Context: Jeremiah 52 functions as a historical appendix to the prophetic book, largely paralleling the account found in 2 Kings 25. While the main body of Jeremiah concludes with chapter 51, this final chapter provides a sober, factual validation of the prophet's warnings by detailing their catastrophic fulfillment. This introductory verse, by establishing Zedekiah's reign, immediately grounds the reader in the precise historical moment leading up to Jerusalem's destruction, the burning of the Temple, and the final deportation of its inhabitants. It serves as a stark historical confirmation of the divine judgment foretold throughout the book, particularly in passages concerning the coming Babylonian invasion and exile, such as Jeremiah 25:8-11.
  • Historical & Cultural Context: Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon in 597 BC, following the first major deportation which included King Jehoiachin and many of Judah's elite, as described in 2 Kings 24:10-17. His ascension at 21 years old and subsequent eleven-year reign were characterized by political intrigue, shifting alliances, and a persistent refusal to heed the counsel of the prophet Jeremiah. The mention of his mother, Hamutal, daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah, is typical of royal genealogies in the ancient Near East, often providing legitimacy, distinguishing between kings with similar names, and further contextualizing the monarch within the broader dynastic and social fabric. Libnah was a Levitical city in the Shephelah, southwest of Jerusalem, which had historically rebelled against Judahite kings (e.g., 2 Kings 8:22), adding a subtle layer of historical depth to Zedekiah's lineage, though its primary significance here is genealogical.
  • Key Themes: This verse, as an introduction to the final historical account, underscores several critical themes. Firstly, it highlights the End of an Era, marking the definitive conclusion of the independent Davidic monarchy reigning from Jerusalem, a tragic culmination of centuries of both faithfulness and apostasy. Secondly, it powerfully sets the stage for the Fulfillment of Prophecy, demonstrating the unwavering certainty of God's word, particularly Jeremiah's pronouncements of judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness (e.g., Jeremiah 7:1-15). Finally, Zedekiah's reign exemplifies the dire Consequences of Disobedience and rebellion against divine counsel. Despite repeated warnings from Jeremiah to submit to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment, Zedekiah pursued a path of defiance, leading directly to the ultimate catastrophe detailed in the remainder of the chapter and parallel accounts like Jeremiah 39.

EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

Key Word Analysis

  • Zedekiah (Hebrew, Tsidqîyâh', H6667): Derived from "right of Jah," meaning "My righteousness is Yahweh." This name carries profound irony, as Zedekiah's reign was characterized by unrighteousness, rebellion against God's direct commands through Jeremiah, and ultimately led to the catastrophic judgment upon Judah. His actions stood in stark contrast to the divine righteousness his name proclaimed, highlighting the spiritual disconnect of his rule and the nation's moral decay.
  • reign (Hebrew, mâlak', H4427): A primitive root meaning "to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne." In Zedekiah's case, his ascension was not by divine anointing or popular acclamation but by the decree of Nebuchadnezzar, making him a vassal or puppet king. This term, while denoting royal authority, subtly underscores his limited sovereignty and dependence on Babylon, a political reality he tragically failed to accept.
  • Jerusalem (Hebrew, Yᵉrûwshâlaim', H3389): A dual form, probably meaning "founded peaceful." This name, like Zedekiah's, stands in stark irony to the events described in the chapter. The city, whose name signifies peace and foundation, was about to be utterly destroyed, its walls breached, its Temple burned, and its inhabitants exiled. This tragic fate underscores the profound consequences of rejecting the true source of peace and righteousness, Yahweh himself, leading to the city's violent overthrow.

Verse Breakdown

  • "¶ Zedekiah [was] one and twenty years old when he began to reign": This clause immediately introduces the central figure of the chapter's historical account, Zedekiah, Judah's final king. His age of 21 suggests a relatively young and perhaps inexperienced ruler, placed in an incredibly precarious political and spiritual situation. This detail provides a specific chronological marker for the beginning of the end of the Judean monarchy.
  • "and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem.": This specifies both the duration and the location of his rule. An eleven-year reign is relatively short, especially for a monarch facing such immense external pressures and internal spiritual decline. The explicit mention of "Jerusalem" emphasizes that this was the final reign of a Davidic king from the holy city, setting the stage for its imminent destruction and the definitive end of an era.
  • "And his mother's name [was] Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.": This detail provides crucial genealogical information, linking Zedekiah to a specific maternal lineage. The inclusion of the mother's name was a common practice in biblical royal records, often to distinguish between kings with the same name, or to provide additional context regarding the king's background and potential alliances. Hamutal was also the mother of Zedekiah's predecessor, Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31), highlighting a recurring family connection to the throne. The mention of "Libnah" further grounds the account in specific geography, identifying the hometown of his maternal grandfather and adding historical authenticity to the record.

Literary Devices

Jeremiah 52:1, though primarily a historical record, employs several literary devices that enhance its impact. The most prominent is Irony, particularly in the name "Zedekiah" (meaning "My righteousness is Yahweh") and "Jerusalem" (meaning "founded peaceful"). Zedekiah's reign was anything but righteous, marked by rebellion and leading to the nation's unrighteous judgment. Similarly, Jerusalem, the city of peace, was destined for unprecedented violence and destruction. This stark contrast between name and reality serves to highlight the profound spiritual failure of the king and the people. The verse also functions as Foreshadowing, as the introduction of Zedekiah and the brevity of his reign immediately signal the impending doom detailed in the rest of the chapter. The precise chronological and genealogical details lend the passage the quality of a Historical Chronicle, emphasizing its factual basis and serving as a sober, verifiable record of the end of an era.

THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS

Jeremiah 52:1, by introducing Zedekiah's reign, immediately brings into focus the themes of divine judgment and the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness. Zedekiah's rule represents the final, tragic chapter in Judah's long history of rebellion against God, culminating in the fulfillment of prophecies concerning exile and destruction. The verse underscores God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history, demonstrating that even the rise and fall of kings are within His providential plan. It highlights the principle that persistent disobedience to divine warnings, even when delivered through a faithful prophet like Jeremiah, inevitably leads to severe consequences. The end of the Davidic monarchy in Jerusalem, though a devastating event, also served to purify the remnant and prepare the way for a future restoration and a new covenant.

REFLECTION AND APPLICATION

The historical account of Zedekiah's reign, introduced in Jeremiah 52:1, serves as a profound and sobering reminder of the weight of leadership and the critical importance of heeding divine counsel. Zedekiah, despite being placed in a position of immense responsibility, chose to defy God's word delivered through Jeremiah, leading his nation to ruin. For us today, this narrative underscores that our choices, especially those in positions of influence, have far-reaching consequences, not just for ourselves but for those we lead or impact. It challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and obedience to God's revealed will, even when it is difficult or unpopular. The fall of Jerusalem, though a testament to God's justice against sin, also reminds us of His long-suffering patience and the clarity of His warnings. We are called to discern and respond to God's voice in our own lives, recognizing that true wisdom lies in aligning our paths with His righteous ways, lest we, too, experience the painful consequences of stubborn rebellion.

Questions for Reflection

  • How does Zedekiah's failure to heed God's warnings through Jeremiah challenge my own willingness to listen to and obey God's word, especially when it's difficult?
  • What are the potential consequences, both personal and communal, when leaders (in any sphere) prioritize political expediency or personal ambition over divine wisdom?
  • In what ways can I cultivate a greater sense of discernment to recognize and respond to God's voice in my life, even when it calls for uncomfortable obedience?

FAQ

Who was Zedekiah and what was his significance?

Answer: Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. He was installed as a puppet king by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon after the first deportation of Judahites in 597 BC, which included his predecessor, Jehoiachin. His eleven-year reign, detailed in Jeremiah 52 and 2 Kings 25, was marked by political instability and a tragic refusal to heed the prophet Jeremiah's warnings to submit to Babylon. His defiance ultimately led to the complete destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 BC, and the final major deportation of the Jewish people, effectively ending the independent kingdom of Judah and the Davidic monarchy's reign from Jerusalem.

Why is Zedekiah's mother, Hamutal, mentioned in this verse?

Answer: The inclusion of the mother's name in the biblical accounts of kings (e.g., 1 Kings 14:21) was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern royal chronicles. It served several purposes: to distinguish between kings with similar names, to provide a more complete genealogical record, to establish legitimacy, or to highlight the influence of a particular family or lineage. In Zedekiah's case, Hamutal was also the mother of his predecessor, Jehoahaz (2 Kings 23:31), indicating a recurring connection of this specific maternal line to the throne, even amidst the political turmoil.

CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT

The tragic end of Zedekiah's reign and the destruction of Jerusalem, as introduced in Jeremiah 52:1, powerfully foreshadow the ultimate need for a perfect, eternal King and a new, unshakable kingdom. Zedekiah's failure as an earthly king, his inability to lead his people in righteousness, and his ultimate surrender to an earthly power, highlight the profound inadequacy of human leadership and the brokenness of the Old Covenant. This historical nadir of the Davidic monarchy points forward to Jesus Christ, the true Son of David, whose reign is not for a mere eleven years but is eternal (Luke 1:32-33). Unlike Zedekiah, whose name ironically meant "My righteousness is Yahweh" but whose actions were unrighteous, Jesus is the embodiment of divine righteousness, "the Lord our Righteousness" (Jeremiah 23:5-6). The destruction of the physical Temple and Jerusalem under Zedekiah's watch ultimately points to Christ as the true Temple (John 2:19-21) and the foundation of a spiritual Jerusalem, the church, which will never be destroyed (Hebrews 12:22-24). Thus, Zedekiah's reign, marking the end of an era of human failure and judgment, serves as a dark backdrop against which the glorious, perfect, and redemptive reign of Christ shines even more brightly.

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Commentary on Jeremiah 52 verses 1–11

This narrative begins no higher than the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah, though there were two captivities before, one in the fourth year of Jehoiakim, the other in the first of Jeconiah; but probably it was drawn up by some of those that were carried away with Zedekiah, as a reproach to themselves for imagining that they should not go into captivity after their brethren, with which hopes they had long flattered themselves. We have here, 1. God's just displeasure against Judah and Jerusalem for their sin, Jer 52:3. His anger was against them to such a degree that he determined to cast them out from his presence, his favourable gracious presence, as a father, when he is extremely angry with an undutiful son, bids him get out of his presence, he expelled them from that good land that had such tokens of his presence in providential bounty and that holy city and temple that had such tokens of his presence in covenant-grace and love. Note, Those that are banished from God's ordinances have reason to complain that they are in some degree cast out of his presence; yet none are cast out from God's gracious presence but those that by sin have first thrown themselves out of it. This fruit of sin we should therefore deprecate above any thing, as David (Psa 51:11), Cast me not away from thy presence. 2. Zedekiah's bad conduct and management, to which God left him, in displeasure against the people, and for which God punished him, in displeasure against him. Zedekiah had arrived at years of discretion when he came to the throne; he was twenty-one years old (Jer 52:1); he was none of the worst of the kings (we never read of his idolatries), yet his character is that he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, for he did not do the good he should have done. But that evil deed of his which did in a special manner hasten this destruction was his rebelling against the king of Babylon, which was both his sin and his folly, and brought ruin upon his people, not only meritoriously, but efficiently. God was greatly displeased with him for his perfidious dealing with the king of Babylon (as we find, Eze 17:15, etc.); and, because he was angry at Judah and Jerusalem, he put him into the hand of his own counsels, to do that foolish thing which proved fatal to him and his kingdom. 3. The possession which the Chaldeans at length gained of Jerusalem, after eighteen months' siege. They sat down before it, and blocked it up, in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, in the tenth month (Jer 52:4), and made themselves masters of it in the eleventh year in the fourth month, Jer 52:6. In remembrance of these two steps towards their ruin, while they were in captivity, they kept a fast in the fourth month, and a fast in the tenth (Zac 8:19): that in the fifth month was in remembrance of the burning of the temple, and that in the seventh of the murder of Gedaliah. We may easily imagine, or rather cannot imagine, what a sad time it was with Jerusalem, during this year and half that it was besieged, when all provisions were cut off from coming to them and they were ever and anon alarmed by the attacks of the enemy, and, being obstinately resolved to hold out to the last extremity, nothing remained but a certain fearful looking for of judgment. That which disabled them to hold out, and yet could not prevail with them to capitulate, was the famine in the city (Jer 52:6); there was no bread for the people of the land, so that the soldiers could not make good their posts, but were rendered wholly unserviceable; and then no wonder that the city was broken up, Jer 52:7. Walls, in such a case, will not hold out long without men, any more than men without walls; nor will both together stand people in any stead without God and his protection. 4. The inglorious retreat of the king and his mighty men. They got out of the city by night (Jer 52:7) and made the best of their way, I know not whither, nor perhaps they themselves; but the king was overtaken by the pursuers in the plains of Jericho, his guards were dispersed, and all his army was scattered from him, Jer 52:8. His fright was not causeless, for there is no escaping the judgments of God; they will come upon the sinner, and will overtake him, let him flee where he will (Deu 28:15), and these judgments particularly that are here executed were there threatened, Jer 51:52, Jer 51:53, etc. 5. The sad doom passed upon Zedekiah by the king of Babylon, and immediately put in execution. he treated him as a rebel, gave judgment upon him, Jer 51:9. One cannot think of it without the utmost vexation and regret that a king, a king of Judah, a king of the house of David, should be arraigned as a criminal at the bar of this heathen king. But he humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet; therefore God thus humbled him. Pursuant to the sentence passed upon him by the haughty conqueror, his sons were slain before his eyes, and all the princes of Judah (Jer 52:10); then his eyes were put out, and he was bound in chains, carried in triumph to Babylon; perhaps they made sport with him, as they did with Samson when his eyes were put out; however, he was condemned to perpetual imprisonment, wearing out the remainder of his life (I cannot say his days, for he saw day no more) in darkness and misery. He was kept in prison till the day of his death, but had some honour done him at his funeral, Jer 34:5. Jeremiah had often told him what it would come to, but he would not take warning when he might have prevented it.

Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 1–11. Public domain.
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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.
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