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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Jeremiah 52:27 provides a stark and somber conclusion to the narrative of Judah's downfall, detailing the brutal execution of its captured leaders and the final, devastating deportation of the people. This verse marks the tragic culmination of years of warnings from prophets, signifying the end of the Judean monarchy and national sovereignty for a significant period.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse describes the final phase of the Babylonian conquest and the third major deportation of the Jewish people, which occurred around 582 BC, a few years after the main destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC. The "king of Babylon" refers to Nebuchadnezzar II, who was the dominant power in the ancient Near East. Riblah, located in the land of Hamath (modern Syria), was a crucial strategic military headquarters for Nebuchadnezzar during his campaigns in the Levant. It was here that captured Judean officials, nobles, and the sons of King Zedekiah (as detailed in 2 Kings 25:7) were brought for judgment and execution. The phrase "carried away captive out of his own land" powerfully conveys the complete loss of national identity and homeland, fulfilling numerous prophecies of judgment delivered by prophets like Jeremiah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment and Consequence: The verse vividly illustrates the severe consequences of Judah's persistent rebellion, idolatry, and unfaithfulness to God's covenant. The executions and exile were direct results of their disobedience.
  • Loss of Sovereignty and Homeland: The phrase "carried away captive out of his own land" emphasizes the complete and devastating loss of political independence, the end of the Davidic monarchy's rule, and the desolation of their cherished land.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This event stands as a stark testament to the accuracy of God's prophetic warnings, demonstrating His justice and sovereignty even through the actions of pagan empires.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV phrases "smote them, and put them to death" convey the brutal and decisive nature of the Babylonian king's actions. The Hebrew verbs used in this context emphasize the violent and conclusive execution of the captured Judean leaders, leaving no ambiguity about their fate. The summary statement, "Thus Judah was carried away captive," uses a passive construction, highlighting that this was something done *to* Judah, emphasizing their helplessness and the overwhelming power of their conquerors.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 52:27 serves as a powerful reminder of the gravity of rejecting God's word and the consequences of persistent disobedience. It underscores that while God is merciful, He is also just, and His warnings are not to be taken lightly. Even in such a dark moment of judgment and exile, the larger biblical narrative points to God's enduring faithfulness and His ultimate plan for restoration and a new covenant, offering hope beyond immediate devastation. For believers today, it encourages a sober reflection on obedience and trust in God's sovereign plan, even amidst trials.

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 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.

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