Jeremiah 52:11

KJV

Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then he put out {H5786} the eyes {H5869} of Zedekiah {H6667}; and the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} bound {H631} him in chains {H5178}, and carried {H935} him to Babylon {H894}, and put {H5414} him in prison {H1004}{H6486} till the day {H3117} of his death {H4194}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then the king of Bavel put out Tzidkiyahu's eyes, bound him in chains, carried him off to Bavel and kept him in prison until the day of his death.

Berean Standard Bible

Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon, where he kept him in custody until his dying day.

American Standard Version

And he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in fetters, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:11 vividly recounts the brutal culmination of King Zedekiah's reign and Judah's rebellion against God, detailing how Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, first blinded Zedekiah, then bound him in bronze chains, and finally transported him to Babylon where he remained imprisoned until his death. This verse serves as a stark, definitive fulfillment of prophetic warnings, sealing the fate of the last king of Judah and marking a tragic end to the independent Davidic monarchy in Jerusalem, ushering in the Babylonian exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 52 functions as an appendix to the book of Jeremiah, largely paralleling the account found in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). This chapter provides a historical summary of Jerusalem's final siege, fall, and the subsequent exile, confirming the precise fulfillment of Jeremiah's long and often unpopular prophecies. Verses 1-3 establish Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon, which was, in essence, a rebellion against God's decreed judgment. Verses 4-10 describe the intensity of the siege, Zedekiah's desperate attempt to flee, his capture in the plains of Jericho, and the horrific execution of his sons and Judah's nobles before his eyes at Riblah. Jeremiah 52:11, therefore, presents the immediate, devastating personal consequence for Zedekiah, serving as the climax of his punishment and the final act of humiliation for the Davidic dynasty in Jerusalem. The subsequent verses detail the destruction of the Temple and the city, underscoring the comprehensive nature of God's judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 52:11 transpired in 586 BC, following the third and final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian forces. Zedekiah, installed as a puppet king by Babylon after the first deportation, repeatedly sought alliances with Egypt, defying his oath to Babylon and, critically, ignoring the prophet Jeremiah's persistent warnings to submit to God's will through Babylonian suzerainty. The act of blinding defeated kings was a common, brutal practice in the ancient Near East, designed to utterly incapacitate, humiliate, and prevent any future challenge to the conqueror's authority. It ensured the deposed ruler could never again lead a rebellion, symbolizing the complete subjugation and loss of power. Imprisonment until death further solidified this absolute control, making Zedekiah a living testament to Babylon's dominance and Judah's defeat.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major theological and narrative themes prevalent in Jeremiah and the broader Old Testament. It is a profound demonstration of **Divine Judgment and the Fulfillment of Prophecy**, as Zedekiah's tragic fate precisely aligns with the warnings delivered by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 32:4-5](/jeremiah/32-4 "Jeremiah 32:4-5 - Zedekiah's Capture Foretold")) and Ezekiel (e.g., [Ezekiel 12:13](/ezekiel/12-13 "Ezekiel 12:13 - Ezekiel's Prophecy of Zedekiah's Exile and Blinding")). The verse highlights the severe **Consequences of Disobedience and Rebellion** against God's revealed will, showing how Zedekiah's persistent defiance led directly to the catastrophic destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the Davidic monarchy's rule from the city. Furthermore, it marks the **End of an Era**, signaling the definitive collapse of the independent Kingdom of Judah and the beginning of the long and painful **Babylonian Exile**, a pivotal period shaping Israelite identity and theology (as seen in later books like [Daniel](/daniel/1 "Daniel 1 - The Exile Begins") and [Ezra](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - The Return from Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Put out (Hebrew, _ʻâvar'_); Eyes (Hebrew, _ʻayin'_):** The phrase "put out the eyes" (H5786, H5869) refers to the brutal act of blinding. `ʻâvar` signifies to blind or to put out, often through piercing or burning, while `ʻayin` literally means "eye" but can also figuratively denote sight, appearance, or a fountain. In this context, it describes the deliberate and irreversible mutilation of Zedekiah's vision, a common ancient Near Eastern punishment designed to incapacitate a defeated king and ensure he could never again lead or even perceive his former kingdom. It was a profound act of humiliation and a symbol of utter defeat, ensuring his last sight was the execution of his sons and nobles.
* **Chains (Hebrew, _nᵉchôsheth'_):** This term (H5178) refers to copper or bronze, and by extension, something made of that metal, specifically fetters or chains. The use of bronze chains emphasizes the harshness and permanence of Zedekiah's captivity. Unlike lighter materials, bronze chains signify a heavy, inescapable bondage, stripping him of all freedom and dignity, reducing him from a king to a mere captive.
* **Prison (Hebrew, _bayith'_ and _pᵉquddâh'_):** The phrase "put him in prison" (H5414, H1004, H6486) uses `nâthan` (to put/give), `bayith` (house), and `pᵉquddâh` (visitation, custody, charge, or prison). `Bayith` (H1004) generally means "house," but in this context, when combined with `pᵉquddâh` (H6486), it specifically denotes a "house of custody" or "house of prisoners"—a dungeon or jail. This signifies a complete loss of status and freedom, as the former king was confined to a common place of detention, stripped of all royal privilege until his death.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah;":** This clause describes the first and most immediate act of Nebuchadnezzar's personal vengeance and punishment upon the captured King Zedekiah. Having already forced Zedekiah to witness the execution of his sons and nobles, Nebuchadnezzar then inflicted this irreversible physical mutilation, ensuring that the last image Zedekiah ever saw was the destruction of his lineage and kingdom. This act was a common, brutal tactic in ancient warfare to incapacitate and humiliate a defeated ruler, preventing any future attempts at rebellion.
* **"and the king of Babylon bound him in chains,":** Following the blinding, Zedekiah was physically restrained with chains, specifically bronze fetters as indicated by the Hebrew word for "chains" (H5178, _nᵉchôsheth_). This action further emphasized his complete loss of freedom, power, and royal dignity. From a sovereign king, he was reduced to a bound prisoner, a public spectacle of Babylon's absolute dominance and his own utter defeat.
* **"and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.":** The final part of the verse details Zedekiah's ultimate fate: forced deportation to Babylon, the very empire he had defied, and perpetual imprisonment. This was not a temporary detention but a lifelong sentence, ensuring he would never return to Judah or pose a threat again. His confinement "till the day of his death" underscores the finality and severity of his punishment, marking the definitive end of his life as a king and a free man, a tragic and humiliating conclusion to the independent Judean monarchy.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:11 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its grim message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**: the blinding of Zedekiah is not merely a physical act but profoundly symbolizes his spiritual blindness and failure to "see" or heed God's warnings delivered through Jeremiah. His physical inability to see mirrors his spiritual inability to discern God's will and the impending judgment. The **Chains** and **Prison** further symbolize his complete loss of freedom, power, and dignity, representing the total subjugation of Judah under Babylon. There is also a strong element of **Irony** in Zedekiah's fate; he sought to escape the Babylonians, but his flight led directly to a more severe and humiliating captivity than if he had submitted. The verse also functions as a **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, serving as the definitive historical record of Jeremiah's and Ezekiel's earlier warnings coming to pass, thereby validating the divine origin of their messages and the certainty of God's word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:11 stands as a stark testament to the unwavering justice and sovereignty of God, demonstrating that His warnings are not empty threats but certain pronouncements that will be fulfilled. Zedekiah's tragic end, marked by blinding, chains, and lifelong imprisonment, is the direct consequence of his persistent rebellion against God's revealed will, delivered through Jeremiah. It underscores the profound theological truth that disobedience, particularly by those in leadership, carries severe consequences, not only for the individual but for the entire nation. Even through the actions of pagan rulers like Nebuchadnezzar, God's sovereign hand was at work, using the Assyrian and Babylonian empires as instruments of His judgment against a disobedient people. This verse is a powerful reminder that God holds all, including kings and nations, accountable for their actions, and His word, whether of blessing or judgment, will ultimately prevail.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Lamentations 1:3](/lamentations/1-3 "Lamentations 1:3 - Judah's Exile and Suffering")
* [Ezekiel 12:13](/ezekiel/12-13 "Ezekiel 12:13 - Prophecy of Zedekiah's Blinding and Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The grim account of Zedekiah's fate in Jeremiah 52:11 serves as a profound and enduring lesson for all believers. It challenges us to consider the seriousness of our own obedience to God's revealed will, reminding us that persistent rebellion, even when cloaked in self-preservation or political expediency, ultimately leads to devastating consequences. Just as Zedekiah's physical blindness symbolized his spiritual inability to "see" God's truth, we are called to cultivate spiritual discernment, actively seeking and heeding God's voice in our lives, rather than relying on our own limited understanding or worldly wisdom. This passage also powerfully affirms God's unwavering sovereignty; even in the midst of profound human suffering and the apparent triumph of evil, God's purposes are being meticulously fulfilled. We are therefore encouraged to trust in His overarching plan, even when circumstances are dark, knowing that He is working all things for His glory and our ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be spiritually "blind," failing to see or heed God's warnings or directions?**
* **What are the potential consequences of persistent disobedience to God's known will in my personal life or community?**
* **How does understanding God's sovereignty in a tragic event like Zedekiah's downfall strengthen my faith in His control over my own life's challenges?**

### FAQ
**Why was Zedekiah blinded, and was this a common punishment?**

Answer: Zedekiah was blinded as a severe and humiliating punishment by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. This act followed the execution of his sons and Judah's nobles before his eyes, ensuring that his last sight was the destruction of his lineage and kingdom. Blinding defeated kings or rebels was indeed a common and brutal practice in the ancient Near East. It served multiple purposes: to incapacitate the individual, preventing them from leading any future rebellions; to publicly humiliate them, symbolizing their complete loss of power and dignity; and to serve as a stark warning to others against defying the conquering empire. For Zedekiah, it was the ultimate act of vengeance for his repeated defiance of Babylonian authority, which the prophets, particularly Jeremiah, had warned was defiance of God's own decreed judgment (see [Jeremiah 32:4-5](/jeremiah/32-4 "Jeremiah 32:4-5 - Prophecy of Zedekiah's Capture")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 52:11 depicts the tragic end of an earthly king, it profoundly foreshadows the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, and the nature of His kingdom. Zedekiah, a descendant of David, suffered the consequences of his own and his people's sin, experiencing a humiliating end in chains and prison. This stands in stark contrast to Jesus, the true Son of David, who willingly submitted to suffering, chains, and a "prison" of death, not for His own sin, but for the sin of the world. The physical blindness inflicted upon Zedekiah, a consequence of his spiritual blindness, finds its redemptive counterpart in Christ's ministry, where He opened the eyes of the physically blind (e.g., [John 9:1-7](/john/9-1 "John 9:1-7 - Jesus Heals a Man Born Blind")) and, more importantly, offers spiritual sight to those blinded by sin and unbelief (e.g., [2 Corinthians 4:4-6](/2_corinthians/4-4 "2 Corinthians 4:4-6 - The God of This World Blinds Unbelievers")). Zedekiah's lifelong imprisonment until death underscores the finality of human judgment, but Christ's death and resurrection broke the chains of sin and death (e.g., [Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")), offering eternal freedom and life to all who believe. Thus, Zedekiah's tragic end, a testament to the consequences of rebellion, ultimately points to the victorious King who endured suffering to secure an everlasting kingdom where there will be no more sorrow, no more chains, and no more spiritual blindness (as promised in [Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Sorrow")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezekiel 12:13

My net also will I spread upon him, and he shall be taken in my snare: and I will bring him to Babylon [to] the land of the Chaldeans; yet shall he not see it, though he shall die there.

Jeremiah 34:3

And thou shalt not escape out of his hand, but shalt surely be taken, and delivered into his hand; and thine eyes shall behold the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he shall speak with thee mouth to mouth, and thou shalt go to Babylon.

Jeremiah 34:5

[But] thou shalt die in peace: and with the burnings of thy fathers, the former kings which were before thee, so shall they burn [odours] for thee; and they will lament thee, [saying], Ah lord! for I have pronounced the word, saith the LORD.