King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 52:31 Mean?

Jeremiah 52:31 in the King James Version says “And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, ... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison ,

Jeremiah 52:31 · KJV


Context

29

In the eighteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar he carried away captive from Jerusalem eight hundred thirty and two persons: persons: Heb. souls

30

In the three and twentieth year of Nebuchadrezzar Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive of the Jews seven hundred forty and five persons: all the persons were four thousand and six hundred.

31

And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, in the five and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the first year of his reign lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah, and brought him forth out of prison ,

32

And spake kindly unto him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings that were with him in Babylon, kindly: Heb. good things with him

33

And changed his prison garments: and he did continually eat bread before him all the days of his life.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Jehoiachin's release from prison and elevation to favor with the Babylonian king Evil-merodach provides a hopeful ending to Jeremiah's book. After 37 years in prison, the Davidic king receives mercy and honor. This hints at future restoration and keeps alive the Davidic covenant promise (2 Sam 7:12-16). Though judged, the line continues - ultimately fulfilled in Christ, David's greater Son.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This occurred around 561 BC. Jehoiachin's elevation, though he never returned to Judah, symbolized the Davidic line's continued existence despite exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God sometimes provide glimpses of hope even after severe judgment?
  2. What does Jehoiachin's preservation teach about God's faithfulness to His covenant promises?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 30 words
וַיְהִי֩1 of 30
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

בִשְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים2 of 30

and thirtieth

H7970

thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth

וָשֶׁ֜בַע3 of 30

And it came to pass in the seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

בִּשְׁנַ֣ת4 of 30

in the first year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְגָלוּת֙5 of 30

of the captivity

H1546

captivity; concretely, exiles (collectively)

יְהוֹיָכִ֣ין6 of 30

of Jehoiachin

H3078

jehojakin, a jewish king

מֶֽלֶךְ7 of 30

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה8 of 30

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

בִּשְׁנֵי֤ם9 of 30

in the twelfth

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

עָשָׂר֙10 of 30
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ11 of 30

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים12 of 30

and twentieth

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וַחֲמִשָּׁ֖ה13 of 30

in the five

H2568

five

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ14 of 30

month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

נָשָׂ֡א15 of 30

lifted up

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֱוִ֣יל16 of 30
H0
מְרֹדַךְ֩17 of 30

that Evilmerodach

H192

evil-merodak, a babylonian king

מֶֽלֶךְ18 of 30

king

H4428

a king

בָּבֶ֜ל19 of 30

of Babylon

H894

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

בִּשְׁנַ֣ת20 of 30

in the first year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

מַלְכֻת֗וֹ21 of 30

of his reign

H4438

a rule; concretely, a dominion

אֶת22 of 30
H853

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

רֹאשׁ֙23 of 30

the head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

יְהוֹיָכִ֣ין24 of 30

of Jehoiachin

H3078

jehojakin, a jewish king

מֶֽלֶךְ25 of 30

king

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֔ה26 of 30

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וַיֹּצֵ֥א27 of 30

and brought him forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֹת֖וֹ28 of 30
H853

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

מִבֵּ֥ית29 of 30

out of prison

H1004

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

הַכְּלֽיּא׃30 of 30
H3628

a prison


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 52:31 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 52:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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