Jeremiah 52:27

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} smote {H5221} them, and put them to death {H4191} in Riblah {H7247} in the land {H127} of Hamath {H2574}. Thus Judah {H3063} was carried away captive {H1540} out of his own land {H776}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There in Rivlah, in the land of Hamat, the king of Bavel had them put to death. Thus Y'hudah was carried away captive out of his land.

Berean Standard Bible

There at Riblah in the land of Hamath, the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death. So Judah was taken into exile, away from its own land.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 52:27 delivers a stark and devastating account of the final phase of Judah's downfall, detailing the brutal execution of its captured leaders by the Babylonian king and the conclusive deportation of the remaining populace. This verse marks the tragic and irreversible culmination of divine judgment against Judah's persistent rebellion and unfaithfulness, signifying the definitive end of the Judean monarchy and national sovereignty as the people are forcibly removed from their cherished homeland.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 52 serves as an appendix to the book of Jeremiah, largely mirroring the account found in [2 Kings 24-25](/2_kings/24 "2 Kings 24-25 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). It provides a historical summary of Jerusalem's final siege, destruction, and the subsequent deportations, serving as a grim fulfillment of the prophecies detailed throughout Jeremiah's prophetic ministry. Specifically, Jeremiah 52:27 follows the capture of King Zedekiah and his officials, their trial at Riblah (Jeremiah 52:9-10), and the prior deportations mentioned in [Jeremiah 52:28-30](/jeremiah/52-28 "Jeremiah 52:28-30 - Further Deportations"). This verse, occurring after the main destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, describes a later, final deportation (around 582 BC), ensuring the complete desolation of the land and the comprehensive removal of its inhabitants, thereby bringing Jeremiah's narrative of judgment to its somber close.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events of Jeremiah 52:27 transpired during the reign of Nebuchadnezzar II, the powerful king of Babylon, who dominated the ancient Near East in the late 7th and early 6th centuries BC. Riblah, located in the land of Hamath (modern Syria), was a strategically vital military headquarters for Nebuchadnezzar during his campaigns against the Levant. Its location allowed for efficient control over conquered territories and the processing of captives. It was here that King Zedekiah's sons were executed before his eyes, and he was blinded ([2 Kings 25:7](/2_kings/25-7 "2 Kings 25:7 - Zedekiah's Punishment at Riblah")), and where other Judean officials faced similar brutal fates. The practice of mass deportation was a common Assyrian and Babylonian tactic designed to crush national identity, prevent rebellion, and integrate conquered peoples into the empire's labor force, effectively eradicating their connection to their ancestral land and gods.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 52:27 powerfully underscores several major themes prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it highlights the **Divine Judgment and Consequence** of Judah's persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rejection of prophetic warnings. The executions and exile are presented not merely as political misfortunes but as the just outworking of God's righteous wrath against a rebellious people, fulfilling prophecies found in passages like [Jeremiah 25:11](/jeremiah/25-11 "Jeremiah 25:11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity"). Secondly, the verse emphasizes the **Loss of Sovereignty and Homeland**, a devastating blow to Judah's identity as a chosen people with a promised land. The phrase "carried away captive out of his own land" encapsulates the complete dismantling of the Davidic monarchy and the cherished national existence. Finally, it serves as a profound testament to the **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, demonstrating God's absolute sovereignty over nations and history, even using pagan empires as instruments of His will to bring about His decreed judgments, as seen in [Isaiah 10:5-6](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5-6 - Assyria as God's Instrument").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **king (Hebrew, _melek'_):** This word (H4428) refers to a monarch or sovereign ruler. In this context, it specifically denotes Nebuchadnezzar II, the powerful and decisive ruler of the Babylonian Empire. His actions here underscore his absolute authority and the devastating power he wielded as God's instrument of judgment against Judah.
* **smote (Hebrew, _nâkâh'_):** This primitive root (H5221) means "to strike" or "to smite," often with a connotation of severity, leading to injury or death. Coupled with "put them to death" (H4191, _mûwth_), it emphasizes the brutal, violent, and conclusive nature of the executions carried out by the Babylonian king, leaving no doubt about the fate of the Judean officials.
* **carried away captive (Hebrew, _gâlâh'_):** This primitive root (H1540) means "to denude," "to exile," or "to reveal." In this context, it signifies forced removal from one's homeland, often implying public disgrace and the stripping away of identity and possessions. The passive construction "was carried away captive" highlights Judah's helplessness and the overwhelming power of their conquerors, underscoring the complete loss of their national autonomy and connection to the land.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath."**: This clause vividly details the brutal fate of the captured Judean officials and nobles. The "king of Babylon" (Nebuchadnezzar) is presented as the agent of execution, carrying out a decisive and violent act ("smote them, and put them to death"). The location, "Riblah in the land of Hamath," is specified as the site of these executions, emphasizing its strategic importance as a Babylonian military headquarters where such judgments were rendered. This act represents the final, merciless crushing of Judah's leadership.
* **"Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land."**: This concluding clause serves as a summary statement, highlighting the ultimate consequence of the Babylonian conquest and the preceding executions. The passive voice "was carried away captive" underscores Judah's utter helplessness and the overwhelming power of the Babylonians. The phrase "out of his own land" powerfully conveys the complete and devastating loss of national identity, sovereignty, and their cherished ancestral homeland, marking the end of an era for the people of God in the land of promise.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 52:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its somber message. The **Conciseness** of the verse, despite the enormity of the events it describes (mass executions and national deportation), creates a stark and impactful statement, allowing the gravity of the actions to speak for themselves without elaborate description. The phrase "out of his own land" uses **Pathos**, evoking a deep sense of loss, displacement, and the tragic severance of the people from their heritage and identity. This phrase also functions as **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical relocation but the complete dismantling of Judah's national and religious distinctiveness. The verse's direct, declarative tone, characteristic of historical narrative, lends it an air of **Finality** and inevitability, emphasizing that these events are the irreversible culmination of a long process of divine judgment.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 52:27 stands as a stark testament to the unwavering justice of God and the severe consequences of persistent disobedience to His covenant. It underscores the biblical principle that while God is merciful and longs for repentance, He is also righteous and will bring judgment upon sin, even if it means using foreign powers as instruments of His wrath. The exile was not merely a political defeat but a theological event, demonstrating God's sovereignty over all nations and His faithfulness to His warnings. Yet, even in this profound moment of desolation, the broader prophetic narrative, particularly in Jeremiah, holds out the promise of future restoration and a new covenant, reminding us that God's ultimate plan is one of redemption, not merely destruction.

* [Deuteronomy 28:64](/deuteronomy/28-64 "Deuteronomy 28:64 - Prophecy of Dispersion")
* [Lamentations 1:3](/lamentations/1-3 "Lamentations 1:3 - Judah's Exile and Suffering")
* [Ezekiel 11:17](/ezekiel/11-17 "Ezekiel 11:17 - Promise of Gathering from Exile")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 52:27 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder for believers today regarding the gravity of sin and the importance of heeding God's warnings. Just as Judah's persistent rebellion led to national catastrophe and exile, so too can individual and corporate disobedience lead to spiritual barrenness and separation from God's full blessing. This verse calls us to a deep humility, recognizing God's absolute sovereignty and His unwavering commitment to justice. It challenges us to examine our own lives for areas of unfaithfulness and to respond with repentance and renewed obedience. Furthermore, it encourages us to trust in God's overarching plan, even when circumstances seem bleak, knowing that He is faithful to His promises, whether of judgment or of ultimate restoration.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does Judah's experience of exile challenge or affirm your understanding of God's justice and mercy?**
* **In what ways might we, as individuals or as a community, be prone to "spiritual exile" by drifting from God's word?**
* **What lessons can we draw from the fulfillment of prophecy in this verse regarding the trustworthiness of God's promises and warnings today?**

### FAQ

**What was the significance of Riblah in the context of the Babylonian conquest?**

Answer: Riblah was a strategically crucial location for the Babylonian Empire, serving as a primary military headquarters for Nebuchadnezzar II during his campaigns in the Levant. Its position in the land of Hamath (modern Syria) allowed the Babylonians to effectively control the region, process captives, and administer justice. It was at Riblah that many Judean officials, including King Zedekiah's sons, faced judgment and execution, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:6-7](/2_kings/25-6 "2 Kings 25:6-7 - Zedekiah's Judgment at Riblah"), making it a symbol of Babylonian power and the finality of Judah's defeat.

**Was Jeremiah 52:27 describing the final deportation of Judah?**

Answer: Yes, Jeremiah 52:27 describes the third and final major deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon, occurring around 582 BC, a few years after the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. While the numbers of those deported in this final wave were smaller than the previous two (Jeremiah 52:28-30 lists 745 people), it signifies the complete and utter removal of the remaining populace, leaving the land desolate and effectively ending the independent kingdom of Judah, fulfilling the prophecies of a thorough judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Jeremiah 52:27, with its somber depiction of exile and the loss of homeland, finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus. The physical exile of Judah foreshadows humanity's spiritual exile from God due to sin, a separation that only Christ could bridge. Just as Judah was carried away from their promised land, humanity was alienated from the true "land" of God's presence and blessing ([Ephesians 2:12](/ephesians/2-12 "Ephesians 2:12 - Alienated from God")). Jesus, the true King of Israel and the ultimate Lamb of God, willingly endured a form of "exile" from the Father's presence on the cross, bearing the full weight of humanity's sin and judgment ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His death and resurrection, He not only paid the penalty for sin but also inaugurated a new covenant ([Jeremiah 31:31](/jeremiah/31-31 "Jeremiah 31:31 - The New Covenant")) that gathers a new people from every "land" and tongue, bringing them into a spiritual "homeland" in Him ([Hebrews 11:16](/hebrews/11-16 "Hebrews 11:16 - A Better Homeland")). The ultimate restoration promised to Israel, a return to the land, finds its spiritual and eternal reality in believers being brought into God's eternal kingdom through Christ, where there is no more exile from His glorious presence ([Revelation 21:3-4](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3-4 - God Dwells with His People")).

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

Jeremiah 25:9

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

Jeremiah 25:11

And this whole land shall be a desolation, [and] an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Isaiah 27:10

Yet the defenced city [shall be] desolate, [and] the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

Isaiah 6:11

Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,

Isaiah 6:12

And the LORD have removed men far away, and [there be] a great forsaking in the midst of the land.

Ezekiel 8:11

And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.

Ezekiel 8:18

Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.