King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 52:11 Mean?

Jeremiah 52:11 in the King James Version says “Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put h... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death. put out: Heb. blinded chains: or, fetters prison: Heb. house of the wards

Jeremiah 52:11 · KJV


Context

9

Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him.

10

And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.

11

Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death. put out: Heb. blinded chains: or, fetters prison: Heb. house of the wards

12

Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, captain: or, chief marshal: Heb. chief of the executioners, or, slaughtermen served: Heb. stood before

13

And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Zedekiah's fate fulfills multiple prophecies - he saw Babylon but died there (Jer 32:4-5, 34:3). His sons were killed before his eyes, then he was blinded and taken to Babylon where he died in prison. This gruesome judgment resulted from covenant-breaking and ignoring prophetic warnings. The last thing he saw was his sons' execution - a devastating end to the Davidic line's rule (temporarily, until Christ).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred in 586 BC when Jerusalem fell. Zedekiah had rebelled against Babylon despite Jeremiah's repeated warnings to submit to God's appointed judgment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zedekiah's fate warn against ignoring God's repeated warnings?
  2. What does the temporary end of Davidic rule teach about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְאֶת1 of 16
H853

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

עֵינֵ֥י2 of 16

the eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

צִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ3 of 16

of Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

עִוֵּ֑ר4 of 16

Then he put out

H5786

to blind

וַיַּאַסְרֵ֣הוּ5 of 16

bound

H631

to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle

בַֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֗יִם6 of 16

him in chains

H5178

copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)

וַיְבִאֵ֤הוּ7 of 16

and carried

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

מֶֽלֶךְ8 of 16

and the king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֔לָה9 of 16

him to Babylon

H894

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

בָּבֶ֔לָה10 of 16

him to Babylon

H894

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

וַיִּתְּנֵ֥הוּ11 of 16

and put

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הַפְּקֻדֹּ֖ת12 of 16

him in prison

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

הַפְּקֻדֹּ֖ת13 of 16

him in prison

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

עַד14 of 16
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

י֥וֹם15 of 16

till the day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

מוֹתֽוֹ׃16 of 16

of his death

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin


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 52:11 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 52:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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