Jeremiah 39:1-10 · Bible study
Jeremiah 39:1-10 Commentary: The Fall of Jerusalem as Prophecy Fulfilled
Hebrew · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Jeremiah 39:1-10 records the fall of Jerusalem in precise dates, showing the fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies of judgment against the disobedient nation.
Research Summary
- Meaning: The fall of Jerusalem fulfills Jeremiah’s prophetic warnings of judgment.
- Key words: breach (baqa), middle gate, Tebeth, Riblah, Nebuzaradan, poor (dal).
- Main debate: Whether Jeremiah 39:1-10 is an independent account or an excerpt from Jeremiah 52/2 Kings 25, and the exact identification of the Babylonian princes.
- Theological theme: God’s faithfulness to His word through judgment.
- Best use: Teaching the certainty of prophecy and the seriousness of covenant disobedience.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army and laid siege to the city.
2And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s eleventh year, the city was breached.
3Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.
4When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah.
5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.
6There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah.
7Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.
8The Chaldeans set fire to the palace of the king and to the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9Then Nebuzaradan captain of the guard carried away to Babylon the remnant of the people who had remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to him.
10But Nebuzaradan left behind in the land of Judah some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.
WEB World English Bible 2000
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem, and besieged it.
2In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city.
3All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer the Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4When Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled and went out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.
5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. When they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he pronounced judgment on him.
6Then the king of Babylon killed Zedekiah’s sons in Riblah before his eyes. The king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah.
7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
8The Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the people’s houses with fire and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, the deserters also who fell away to him, and the rest of the people who remained.
10But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
KJV King James Version 1769
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
2And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.
3And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal–sharezer, Samgar–nebo, Sarsechim, Rab–saris, Nergal–sharezer, Rab–mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.
5But the Chaldeans’ army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
6Then 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.
7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.
8And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
9Then Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to him, with the rest of the people that remained.
10But Nebuzar–adan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
1(in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and besieged it;
2in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, a breach was made in the city),
3that all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit, Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4And it came to pass that, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, through the gate betwixt the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.
5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he gave judgment upon him.
6Then 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.
7Moreover he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.
8And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
9Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive into Babylon the residue of the people that remained in the city, the deserters also that fell away to him, and the residue of the people that remained.
10But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, that had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, come hath Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his force unto Jerusalem, and they lay siege against it;
2in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, in the ninth of the month, hath the city been broken up;
3and come in do all the heads of the king of Babylon, and they sit at the middle gate, Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, chief of the eunuchs, Nergal-Sharezer, chief of the Mages, and all the rest of the heads of the king of Babylon.
4And it cometh to pass, when Zedekiah king of Judah, and all the men of war, have seen them, that they flee and go forth by night from the city, the way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls, and he goeth forth the way of the plain.
5And the forces of the Chaldeans pursue after them, and overtake Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and they take him, and bring him up unto Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, to Riblah, in the land of Hamath, and he speaketh with him--judgments.
6And the king of Babylon slaughtereth the sons of Zedekiah, in Riblah, before his eyes, yea, all the freemen of Judah hath the king of Babylon slaughtered.
7And the eyes of Zedekiah he hath blinded, and he bindeth him with brazen fetters, to bring him in to Babylon.
8And the house of the king, and the house of the people, have the Chaldeans burnt with fire, and the walls of Jerusalem they have broken down.
9And the remnant of the people who are left in the city, and those falling who have fallen to him, and the remnant of the people who are left, hath Nebuzar-Adan, chief of the executioners, removed to Babylon.
10And of the poor people, who have nothing, hath Nebuzar-Adan, chief of the executioners, left in the land of Judah, and he giveth to them vineyards and fields on the same day.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
1And it came to pass when Jerusalem was taken, in the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
2In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth of the month, the city was broken into;
3and all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebu, Sarsechim, chief chamberlain, Nergal-sharezer, chief magian, and all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4And it came to pass when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, that they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate between the two walls; and he went out the way of the plain.
5And the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and they took him, and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, unto Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he pronounced judgment upon him.
6And the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes, and the king of Babylon slaughtered all the nobles of Judah;
7and he put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with chains of brass, to carry him to Babylon.
8And the Chaldeans burned the king's house and the houses of the people with fire, and broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
9And Nebuzar-adan the captain of the body-guard carried away captive into Babylon the rest of the people that were left in the city, and the deserters that had deserted to him, with the rest of the people that were left.
10But Nebuzar-adan the captain of the body-guard left [certain] of the people, the poor who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
1In the ninth year of Sedecias king of Juda, in the tenth month, came Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon, and all his army to Jerusalem, and they besieged it.
2And in the eleventh year of Sedecias, in the fourth month, the fifth day of the month, the city was opened.
3And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Neregel, Sereser, Semegarnabu, Sarsachim, Rabsares, Neregel, Serezer, Rebmag, and all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
4And when Sedecias the king of Juda and all the men of war saw them, they fled: and they went forth in the night out of the city by the way of the king's garden, and by the gate that was between the two walls, and they went out to the way of the desert.
5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after them: and they took Sedecias in the plain of the desert of Jericho, and when they had taken him, they brought him to Nabuchodonosor king of Babylon to Reblatha, which is in the land of Emath: and he gave judgment upon him.
6And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Sedecias, in Reblatha, before his eyes: and the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Juda.
7He also put out the eyes of Sedecias: and bound him with fetters, to be carried to Babylon.
8And the Chaldeans burnt the king's house, and the houses of the people with fire, and they threw down the wall of Jerusalem.
9And Nabuzardan the general of the army carried away captive to Babylon the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and the fugitives that had gone over to him, and the rest of the people that remained.
10But Nabuzardan the general left some of the poor people that had nothing at all, in the land of Juda, and he gave them vineyards, and cisterns at that time.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · Jeremiah 39:1
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions read Jeremiah 39:1-10 as a historical record that seals the prophetic warnings Jeremiah had delivered for decades. Calvin writes that Jeremiah here “seals his previous prophecies” by showing they were not spoken rashly. Matthew Henry observes that the chapter demonstrates the word of God is true. Adam Clarke details the precise timing, the siege lasting eighteen months through winter, underscoring the inevitability of God’s judgment. Gill points out that the treatment of Zedekiah fulfills specific predictions: his eyes would see the king of Babylon and then be put out (Jeremiah 32:4, 34:3). The consensus is that the narrative is not merely historical but serves as theological confirmation: every detail, from the breach in the wall to the deportation of the people, matches what Jeremiah had spoken. The passage thus functions as a divine signature on the prophet’s message.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historical fulfillment of prophecy: The precise dates and events match Jeremiah's predictions (support: Calvin, Gill, Matthew Henry).
- Literary dependence and redaction: Parallels with Jeremiah 52 and 2 Kings 25 lead some to view this as a secondary insertion (support: critical scholars cited by Keil).
What is clear: The passage portrays the capture of Jerusalem and King Zedekiah as a direct consequence of the nation’s rebellion against God and as a fulfillment of Jeremiah's warnings.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Historicity and fulfillment of prophecy | All commentators affirm that the passage records actual historical events that fulfill Jeremiah’s prophecies. | Some scholars question whether the chapter is a later compilation from Jeremiah 52, but the majority view maintains its authenticity. |
| Dating of the siege | All agree the siege began in the ninth year, tenth month, and the city fell in the eleventh year, fourth month, ninth day. | Minor variations exist between the exact day in 2 Kings 25 (tenth day) and Jeremiah 39 (ninth day); some harmonize by noting the breach occurred over more than one day. |
| Identity of Babylonian officials | All agree that the list names high-ranking Babylonian princes and officials. | The number and spelling of names vary; the Cambridge Bible suggests there may be only two or four individuals, while others read six names. |
| Fate of the poor | All agree that the poorest were left behind and given vineyards and fields. | Some see this as an act of mercy (Gill, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown); others view it as a pragmatic decision to keep the land productive (Clarke, Keil). |
Historical & Cultural Context
The siege of Jerusalem began in the tenth month (Tebeth) of Zedekiah’s ninth year, around December 588 BC. This winter start made the siege particularly harsh, as cold and scarcity compounded the famine. After eighteen months, the city wall was breached on the ninth day of the fourth month (Tammuz, July 587 BC). The Chaldean officials then entered and took their seat at the Middle Gate, the passage between the upper city (Mount Zion) and the lower city.
Zedekiah and his soldiers fled through a gate near the king’s garden, between two walls, heading toward the Arabah (the Jordan Valley). The army of Chaldeans pursued and caught him in the plains of Jericho. His flight fulfilled Ezekiel’s prophecy (Ezekiel 12:12) that the prince would go out in the dark. Nebuchadnezzar, stationed at Riblah in the land of Hamath (modern Syria), pronounced judgment: Zedekiah watched his sons and nobles executed, then his eyes were put out, the last thing he saw was the death of his sons, fulfilling Jeremiah 34:3. He was bound in bronze fetters and taken to Babylon.
The Chaldeans burned the royal palace and the houses of the people, and broke down the walls. Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, deported the remaining people, including deserters. The poorest were left behind and given vineyards and fields, perhaps a small mercy after judgment. This passage invites us to see God’s hand in history: both in the certainty of His word and in the traces of compassion that survive the worst moments.
Textual Notes
The Hebrew text of Jeremiah 39:1-10 is well-attested. However, commentators note that verses 4-10 are nearly identical to Jeremiah 52:7-16 and 2 Kings 25:4-12. Keil & Delitzsch defend the originality of the passage, arguing the differences are slight and the repetition serves a purpose. Others suggest a later scribe inserted the parallel material. The LXX omits parts of verse 4 and verse 10, but the overall textual tradition is stable. No significant variants affect the meaning of the passage.
Reception History
This account has been central to liturgical remembrance of Jerusalem’s fall. Jewish tradition ties the fast of the fourth month (Tammuz) to the breach of the city (Zechariah 8:19). Early Christian writers like Augustine used the narrative to illustrate God’s faithfulness to His warnings. During the Reformation, Calvin and others preached on the chapter to encourage trust in God’s prophetic word. The passage continues to be read in churches as a sober reminder that God’s patience has limits, yet His mercy leaves a remnant.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- The Certainty of Prophecy: The precise dating shows God’s word is sure.
- The Consequences of Disobedience: Zedekiah’s rebellion leads to personal and national disaster.
- The Mercy Amid Judgment: The poor are left and given land.
Five-point outline
- The Siege Begins (v.1): God’s patience runs out, but He works through history.
- The City Breached (v.2): Judgment arrives on schedule, matching the prophet’s timeline.
- The Flight and Capture (vv.3-5): No escape from divine justice; every word stands.
- The King’s Punishment (vv.6-7): Sin bears bitter fruit, yet even here prophecy is vindicated.
- The Aftermath (vv.8-10): Destruction and a remnant, God does not abandon completely.
Illustration hooks
- A person who ignores repeated warnings, medical, financial, relational, until it is too late, then faces the consequences.
- The difficulty of a winter siege: like a season of life where everything closes in and hope feels frozen.
- The difference between the king’s escape plan (through a garden gate at night) and God’s plan (surrender and mercy). One fails; the other endures.
Questions your congregation is asking
- Why did God allow His own city to be destroyed?
- Did Jeremiah’s prophecies really come true, or is this just a story written after the fact?
- What does this story say about God’s justice and mercy, do they contradict each other?
Leading a Discussion
This passage records the fall of Jerusalem in stark historical detail. As you read, notice how the narrative points back to the words of Jeremiah and forward to the exile. The precise dates and names anchor the story in real events, making the fulfillment of prophecy concrete.
Discussion questions
- What do you notice about the dates and names in this account? Why might they be recorded so carefully?
- Why is the precise timing of the siege significant in light of Jeremiah’s prophecies?
- How does Zedekiah’s flight and capture fulfill the warnings in Jeremiah 32:4 and 34:3?
- What does the treatment of Zedekiah teach us about the seriousness of sin and the nature of God’s justice?
- The poor are left with vineyards and fields, what does this detail show about God’s character, even in judgment?
- How does this chapter encourage us to take God’s warnings in Scripture seriously?
- In what ways do we see both judgment and mercy in this passage, and how should that shape our view of God?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Kings 25:1 | In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it around it. |
| II Kings 25:12 | But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to work the vineyards and fields. |
| Esther 2:16 | So Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus into his royal house in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. |
| Jeremiah 52:4 | In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it round about. |
| Jeremiah 52:7 | Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled, and went out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden. Now the Chaldeans were against the city all around. The men of war went toward the Arabah, |
| Ezekiel 24:1 | Again, in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Yahweh’s word came to me, saying, |
| Ezekiel 24:2 | “Son of man, write the name of the day, this same day. The king of Babylon drew close to Jerusalem this same day. |
| Zechariah 8:19 | Yahweh of Armies says: “The fasts of the fourth, fifth, seventh, and tenth months shall be for the house of Judah joy, gladness, and cheerful feasts. Therefore love truth and peace.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
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What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Calvin's Commentaries Reformed 1564
Calvin treats Jeremiah's detailed historical account as proof that his earlier prophecies came from God, since every prediction was exactly fulfilled. He emphasizes that Zedekiah, who stubbornly rejected God's counsel, was forced to learn through bitter experience what he would not believe. The poor who had nothing were left to enjoy the land, while the proud were taken captive.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible points out that what appears to be six Babylonian princes in the English text is actually a small number of names and official titles that got scrambled by scribes. By comparing the parallel list in the same chapter, the commentary shows the verse names only two key officials, Nergal-sharezer and Nebushazban, each with a title.
Keil & Delitzsch OT Commentary Protestant 1876
Keil and Delitzsch defend the full passage as genuine, arguing that critics wrongly remove verses because they miss the passage's purpose: to show how Jeremiah's prophecies about Jerusalem's fall were fulfilled. They find no contradiction with other accounts, and point to Jeremiah's distinctive Hebrew phrasing throughout the disputed sections.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange defends the authenticity of the verses recording Nebuchadnezzar's command to protect Jeremiah, reconciling it with the prophet later being bound. He argues that in the chaos of the city's destruction, Jeremiah was swept up with the captives. Only at Ramah did Nebuzaradan remember the king's order and release him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes the striking contrast between the chaos of Jerusalem's fall and Jeremiah's quiet endurance. While the city is broken and its leaders flee or are executed, the prophet remains patiently in prison, trusting God through the very disaster he had foretold.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley identifies the tenth month as December-January and explains that the middle gate was an inner city wall gate. He notes the Babylonians stopped at that gate for safety before entering further. He also states that Zedekiah, as a Babylonian tributary, had broken his sworn oath of allegiance.