King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 39:5 Mean?

Jeremiah 39:5 in the King James Version says “But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him,... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

But 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. gave: Heb. spake with him judgments

Jeremiah 39:5 · KJV


Context

3

And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

4

And 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.

5

But 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. gave: Heb. spake with him judgments

6

Then 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.

7

Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon. with: Heb. with two brasen chains, or, fetters


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho (בְּעַרְבוֹת יְרֵחוֹ, be'arvot yericho)—How bitterly ironic: Zedekiah was captured near Jericho, where Joshua's obedience once brought miraculous victory (Joshua 6), while Zedekiah's disobedience brought catastrophic defeat. The verb nasag (נָשַׂג, 'overtook') suggests the inevitability of divine justice—'you may be sure your sin will find you out' (Numbers 32:23).

They brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar... to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpatim)—Riblah (200 miles north) was Nebuchadnezzar's military headquarters. The word mishpatim denotes authoritative legal sentence. The covenant-breaking king faced pagan judgment because he rejected the Lord's mishpat through Jeremiah. God's warnings are not negotiable.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Riblah in the land of Hamath (modern Syria) was strategically located on the Orontes River, serving as Nebuchadnezzar's forward command center for western campaigns. Pharaoh Neco had earlier used Riblah as his base (2 Kings 23:33). The 200-mile journey northward would have been humiliating for Zedekiah, paraded as a defeated rebel before his captor.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zedekiah's capture near Jericho contrast Joshua's victory and warn against presuming on past grace?
  2. What does it mean to face judgment from earthly authorities because you first rejected God's authority?
  3. How does Christ absorb divine judgment in our place so we need never face condemnation (Romans 8:1)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וַיִּרְדְּפ֨וּ1 of 22

pursued

H7291

to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)

חֵיל2 of 22

army

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

כַּשְׂדִּ֜ים3 of 22

But the Chaldeans

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם4 of 22

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

וַיַּשִּׂ֣גוּ5 of 22

them and overtook

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

אֶת6 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

צִדְקִיָּהוּ֮7 of 22

Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת8 of 22

in the plains

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

יְרֵחוֹ֒9 of 22

of Jericho

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

וַיִּקְח֣וּ10 of 22

and when they had taken

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֹת֗וֹ11 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

וַֽ֠יַּעֲלֻהוּ12 of 22

him they brought him up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶל13 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר14 of 22

to Nebuchadnezzar

H5019

nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon

מֶֽלֶךְ15 of 22

king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֛ל16 of 22

of Babylon

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

רִבְלָ֖תָה17 of 22

to Riblah

H7247

riblah, a place in syria

בְּאֶ֣רֶץ18 of 22

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

חֲמָ֑ת19 of 22

of Hamath

H2574

chamath, a place in syria

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר20 of 22

where he gave

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

אִתּ֖וֹ21 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מִשְׁפָּטִֽים׃22 of 22

judgment

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 39:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 39:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study