Jeremiah 39:5 - But 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.
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What does "Jeremiah 39:5" mean?
Jeremiah 39:5 describes a pivotal moment in the fall of Jerusalem and the fate of its king, Zedekiah. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them..." This refers to the Babylonian army. Zedekiah and some of his soldiers were trying to escape the city after the walls were breached and Jerusalem was falling to the Babylonians.
"...and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho." The Babylonians caught Zedekiah in the plains near Jericho, likely as he was trying to flee eastward towards the Jordan River. Jericho is located east of Jerusalem.
"When they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath..." Zedekiah was captured and taken to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Riblah was a city in the land of Hamath, located further north in what is now Syria. Nebuchadnezzar used it as a military headquarters during the siege of Jerusalem.
"...and he pronounced judgment on him." Nebuchadnezzar, in his role as conqueror, passed sentence on Zedekiah. This would lead to the harsh consequences described in the following verses (loss of his sons and his own eyesight, and exile to Babylon).
In essence, the verse describes:
Zedekiah's failed escape: He attempted to flee but was captured.
The transfer of power: Zedekiah, the King of Judah, was brought before Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, signifying the end of Judah's sovereignty.
Impending judgment: Zedekiah's fate was now in the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, who would determine his punishment.
Significance:
This verse is a crucial point in the narrative of Judah's downfall. It shows the utter defeat of the kingdom and the personal humiliation of its king. It sets the stage for the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, fulfilling the prophecies of Jeremiah. It also highlights the power and authority of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire at this time.
Jeremiah 39:5 - But 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.
What does "Jeremiah 39:5" mean?
Jeremiah 39:5 describes a pivotal moment in the fall of Jerusalem and the fate of its king, Zedekiah. Let's break down the meaning of each part:
"But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them..." This refers to the Babylonian army. Zedekiah and some of his soldiers were trying to escape the city after the walls were breached and Jerusalem was falling to the Babylonians.
"...and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho." The Babylonians caught Zedekiah in the plains near Jericho, likely as he was trying to flee eastward towards the Jordan River. Jericho is located east of Jerusalem.
"When they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath..." Zedekiah was captured and taken to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon. Riblah was a city in the land of Hamath, located further north in what is now Syria. Nebuchadnezzar used it as a military headquarters during the siege of Jerusalem.
"...and he pronounced judgment on him." Nebuchadnezzar, in his role as conqueror, passed sentence on Zedekiah. This would lead to the harsh consequences described in the following verses (loss of his sons and his own eyesight, and exile to Babylon).
In essence, the verse describes:
Zedekiah's failed escape: He attempted to flee but was captured.
The transfer of power: Zedekiah, the King of Judah, was brought before Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, signifying the end of Judah's sovereignty.
Impending judgment: Zedekiah's fate was now in the hands of Nebuchadnezzar, who would determine his punishment.
Significance:
This verse is a crucial point in the narrative of Judah's downfall. It shows the utter defeat of the kingdom and the personal humiliation of its king. It sets the stage for the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile of its people, fulfilling the prophecies of Jeremiah. It also highlights the power and authority of Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian empire at this time.