The Fall of Jerusalem and Jeremiah's Release
Jeremiah 39:1-18
Jer.39.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בשנה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- התשעית: ADJ,ord,f,sg,def
- לצדקיהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- העשרי: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבוכדראצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- חילו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+pr3ms
- אל: NEG
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויצרו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:1 (verbal): Almost identical report: Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it in the ninth year of Zedekiah, tenth month (same dating and action).
- Jeremiah 52:4 (verbal): Parallel retelling in the closing appendix of Jeremiah; repeats the account and dating of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem.
- Ezekiel 24:1 (structural): Ezekiel dates an oracle to the 'ninth year, tenth month, tenth day'—a chronological marker traditionally understood as the day the siege of Jerusalem began, linking Ezekiel's timeline to Jeremiah's account.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-20 (thematic): Chronicles summarizes the events leading to Judah's exile under Nebuchadnezzar, thematically connecting the siege of Jerusalem and the subsequent carrying of people and vessels to Babylon.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his host against Jerusalem and laid siege to it.
- In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his army came against Jerusalem and laid siege to it.
Jer.39.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בעשתי: NUM,card,pl,f
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לצדקיהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- הרביעי: ADJ,ord,m,sg,def
- בתשעה: PREP+NUM,ord,m,sg,abs
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הבקעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:2 (verbal): Same dating and report: in the fourth month, on the ninth day the city was breached/‘broken up’ by Babylonian forces — near-verbatim parallel account of Jerusalem’s fall.
- Jeremiah 52:6 (verbal): Parallel retelling within Jeremiah’s book giving the same date and statement that the city was broken up on the ninth day of the fourth month.
- 2 Kings 25:8-9 (thematic): Continues the same episode — after the breach the Babylonians burn the house of the LORD and the king’s houses, thematically linked to the capture and destruction noted in Jer 39:2.
- Ezekiel 33:21 (thematic): Ezekiel records the news of Jerusalem’s fall (the report that the city has been taken), thematically connected as an independent prophetic witness to the same event.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the twelfth year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the city was breached.
- In the twelfth year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month the city was breached.
Jer.39.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התוך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- נרגל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סמגר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סכים: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- סריס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נרגל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- מג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- שארית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:18 (verbal): Direct parallel account of Jerusalem’s capture listing the same Babylonian princes who sat in the middle gate (near-identical wording and names).
- Jeremiah 52:25 (verbal): A repeated report elsewhere in Jeremiah of the same event and roster of Babylonian officials present at the gate during the city's fall.
- Daniel 1:3 (allusion): Mentions the 'chief of the eunuchs' (Hebrew equivalent to rab-saris) and other Babylonian officials administering captives for Nebuchadnezzar—parallels the roles of named officers in Jer 39:3.
- Deuteronomy 16:18 (structural): Prescribes appointing judges and officers 'in all your gates'; provides the broader ancient Near Eastern context for officials sitting/holding court at city gates, as in Jer 39:3.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-20 (thematic): Retells Nebuchadnezzar’s destruction of Jerusalem and the deportation by his officers—parallels the narrative context in which the Babylonian princes named in Jer 39:3 appear.
Alternative generated candidates
- All the chief officers of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the middle gate: Nergal‑sharezer, Samgar‑nebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal‑sharezer the Rab‑mag, and all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
- Then all the chiefs of the king of Babylon came and sat in the middle gate: Nergal‑sharezer the Rab‑saris, Samgar‑nebo the Rab‑saris, Sarsekim the Rab‑saris, Nergal‑sharezer the Rab‑mag, and all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Jer.39.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כאשר: CONJ
- ראם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויברחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויצאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- לילה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מן: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בשער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- החמתים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הערבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:4-5 (verbal): Direct narrative parallel—describes Zedekiah and the warriors fleeing by night through the king’s garden and out into the plains; closely matches the wording and sequence of events.
- Jeremiah 52:7-8 (structural): Repetition within Jeremiah—recounts the same escape through the king’s garden and capture at the plains, retelling the episode with the same key details.
- 2 Chronicles 36:12-13 (thematic): Thematic parallel—summarizes Zedekiah’s rebellion and wrongdoing that precipitated Jerusalem’s fall and his eventual downfall, providing background motive for the flight.
- Ezekiel 12:13 (thematic): Prophetic/thematic parallel—Ezekiel’s oracle predicts the capture and exile of the Judean ruler to Babylon, thematically linked to Zedekiah’s attempted escape and capture.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, they fled and went out by night from the city through the king's garden by the gate between the two walls; and they went out toward the plain.
- When King Zedekiah and all the men of war saw them, they fled and went out by night from the city through the king’s garden, by the gate between the two walls, and went out toward the Arabah.
Jer.39.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירדפו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשדים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחריהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- וישגו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בערבות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ירחו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויעלהו: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg+3,m
- אל: NEG
- נבוכדראצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבלתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- וידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- משפטים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:4-7 (verbal): Narrates the same episode: Zedekiah pursued, captured in the plains of Jericho, brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah where judgment is pronounced (language and sequence closely parallel).
- Jeremiah 52:4-11 (structural): A later recension/summary of Jeremiah 39 that repeats the capture at Jericho and the transfer to Riblah, adding details about the fate of Zedekiah's sons and his blinding.
- Ezekiel 12:13 (allusion): A prophetic announcement that Zedekiah will be seized and brought to Babylon/the Chaldeans—an immediate prophetic parallel foretelling the capture described in Jer 39:5.
- 2 Chronicles 36:13 (thematic): Describes Zedekiah's evil and rebellion against the king of Babylon—provides the background motive for Nebuchadnezzar's pursuit and ultimate capture related in Jeremiah 39:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the Chaldean cavalry pursued after them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and when they took him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him.
- But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and they took him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and there he pronounced judgment upon him.
Jer.39.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישחט: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ברבלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לעיניו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- חרי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- שחט: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:6-7 (verbal): Parallel wording and content: Nebuchadnezzar (king of Babylon) slaughters the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah and puts the princes of Judah to death.
- Jeremiah 52:10-11 (verbal): Near-duplicate account in the book’s appendix describing the same execution of Zedekiah’s sons at Riblah and the subsequent treatment of Zedekiah.
- Jeremiah 39:5 (structural): Immediate narrative context: reports Zedekiah’s capture at Riblah and deportation, directly connected to the execution of his sons in verse 6.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-21 (thematic): Thematic parallel describing Nebuchadnezzar’s punishment of Judah, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile that provides the broader historical setting for the executions at Riblah.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; and the king of Babylon also put to death all the princes of Judah.
- Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; also all the nobles of Judah the king of Babylon put to death.
Jer.39.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאסרהו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- בנחשתים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לביא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בבלה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:7 (quotation): Direct parallel account of Zedekiah’s capture: his sons are killed, his eyes are put out, he is bound in bronze fetters and taken to Babylon — essentially the same narrative detail.
- Jeremiah 52:10-11 (quotation): Later summary in Jeremiah repeating the same events: Zedekiah’s eyes were put out, he was bound with bronze fetters and carried to Babylon — a near-verbatim reprise of 39:7.
- 2 Chronicles 36:11-12 (thematic): Portrait of Zedekiah’s wicked reign and rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, culminating in his capture and exile to Babylon — thematically parallel to the outcome described in 39:7.
- Ezekiel 12:13 (allusion): Prophetic statement that the king will be taken to Babylon and will not see it (die there), an allusion to the fate of Zedekiah that resonates with the motif of his being blinded and taken to Babylon.
Alternative generated candidates
- He put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon—he was imprisoned there until the day of his death.
- He put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him to Babylon; there he was imprisoned until the day of his death.
Jer.39.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שרפו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הכשדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- חמות: NOUN,f,pl,cs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נתצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:9 (quotation): Parallel historical report: the Babylonian forces burn the king's house and the houses of Jerusalem—near-verbatim account of the city's destruction.
- Jeremiah 52:13-14 (verbal): Internal parallel/recapitulation in Jeremiah: repeats that the Chaldeans burned the temple, the king's house, and all the great houses of Jerusalem.
- 2 Chronicles 36:19 (quotation): Chronicles' account of the fall: states that they burned the house of the LORD and broke down the walls of Jerusalem, echoing the imagery of devastation.
- Psalm 79:1 (thematic): Lament-poetry parallel: describes nations invading, defiling the temple and laying Jerusalem in ruins — thematic resonance with the destruction in Jeremiah 39:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the Babylonians burned the king's house and the houses of the people, and demolished the walls of Jerusalem.
- And the Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the house of the people; they broke down the walls of Jerusalem.
Jer.39.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- יתר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנשארים: PART,m,pl,def
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הנפלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- יתר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנשארים: PART,m,pl,def
- הגלה: VERB,hifil,perf,3,m,sg
- נבוזר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אדן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:11 (verbal): Direct parallel account in the Deuteronomistic history: Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carries away the remnant of the people of Jerusalem into Babylon; language and action closely mirror Jer 39:9.
- Jeremiah 52:12-13 (verbal): Internal parallel within Jeremiah: repeats the report that Nebuzaradan deported the remnant of the people to Babylon, essentially the same event reiterated in the book's appendix.
- 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 (thematic): Summarizes the Babylonian exile—deportation to Babylon and servitude—providing broader historical context for the removal of Jerusalem’s inhabitants described in Jer 39:9.
- Psalm 137:1 (thematic): Poetic reflection on the exile in Babylon (‘by the rivers of Babylon’); thematically linked to the experience of forced deportation of Jerusalem’s population depicted in Jer 39:9.
Alternative generated candidates
- Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away into exile the remnant of the people who were left in the city, and those who had defected to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the people who remained.
- As for the remnant of the people who remained in the city, and the fugitives who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the people who remained, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried them into exile to Babylon.
Jer.39.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הדלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אין: PART,neg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מאומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- השאיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- נבוזראדן: NOUN,prop,ms
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- כרמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ויגבים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:22 (verbal): Parallel account of Nebuzaradan leaving some of the poor in the land to tend vineyards and fields; language and circumstance closely mirror Jeremiah 39:10.
- Jeremiah 52:16 (verbal): Direct parallel/recapitulation in Jeremiah’s own account of the fall: repeats that Nebuzaradan left the poor in the land and gave them vineyards and fields.
- Jeremiah 40:7 (structural): Later narrative reprise of the same event in the post‑siege context—repeats the information about the poor being left and provided with vineyards/fields.
- Isaiah 65:21 (thematic): Restoration motif—God’s people building houses and planting vineyards; thematically resonates with the salvific provision of land and vineyards to those left in the land.
- Amos 9:14 (thematic): Promise of return and re‑planting (vineyards/fields) for the restored remnant; echoes the theme of people being settled on the land and given agricultural means to live.
Alternative generated candidates
- But of the poor of the land, who had nothing, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some to be vine‑dressers and plowmen in the land of Judah.
- But of the poor of the land, those who had nothing, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some in the land of Judah and gave them vineyards and fields on that day.
Jer.39.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבוכדראצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- ירמיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נבוזראדן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:12-14 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode: Nebuzaradan obeys Nebuchadnezzar’s command concerning Jeremiah, spares him and delivers him to Gedaliah (direct narrative parallel).
- 2 Kings 25:8-11 (structural): Parallel account of the fall of Jerusalem naming the captain of the guard (Nebuzaradan) who carries out Nebuchadnezzar’s orders — same historical event from the Deuteronomistic history.
- 2 Chronicles 36:19-21 (thematic): Summarizes the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem and exile; provides the broader theological and historical context for Nebuchadnezzar’s commands and the treatment of Judean leaders.
- Jeremiah 26:16-19 (thematic): An earlier episode where Jeremiah is accused and then spared from execution by official intervention — echoes the theme of a prophet preserved from death by authoritative decision.
Alternative generated candidates
- Now Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave charge concerning Jeremiah, saying,
- And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon charged concerning Jeremiah: “Give him into the hand of Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard.”
Jer.39.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- קחנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- ועיניך: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs+suff(2ms)
- שים: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- תעש: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מאומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רע: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- כאשר: CONJ
- ידבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אליך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- כן: ADV
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:11-12 (verbal): Parallel narrative of Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard taking Jeremiah and dealing with him — a near-verbatim, independent account of the same event.
- Jeremiah 40:1-4 (verbal): A repeat/continuation of the same episode in Jeremiah’s book: Nebuzaradan releases Jeremiah and spares him, echoing the language and outcome of 39:12.
- Psalm 37:39-40 (thematic): Theme of the LORD delivering and protecting the righteous; Jeremiah’s being spared by the Babylonian captain is presented as divine preservation in fulfillment of the LORD’s word.
- Deuteronomy 18:21-22 (structural): Provides the criterion for recognizing true prophecy — ‘if the prophet’s word comes to pass’ — which connects to the statement that events occurred ‘as he spoke,’ i.e., the fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecies.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Take him, look well to him, and do him no harm; but deal with him according to whatever he tells you.”
- Take him; set your eyes upon him, and do him no harm; but deal with him as he tells you.”
Jer.39.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נבוזראדן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונבושזב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- סריס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ונרגל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- מג: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- רבי: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 52:12-13 (verbal): Almost verbatim repetition of the same roster of Babylonian officials (Nebuzaradan the captain, Nebushazban the chief eunuch, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-saris/Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon).
- 2 Kings 25:8-9 (verbal): Parallel historical report of Jerusalem's fall that names Nebuzaradan and the Babylonian officers who carried out the city's destruction and deportations; closely mirrors Jeremiah's list and roles for these officials.
- 2 Kings 25:11-12 (structural): Continues the same episode, describing Nebuzaradan's actions in taking captives and leaving others in the land; complements Jer.39:13 by showing the officers' function in the aftermath of the siege.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-21 (thematic): Thematic parallel recounting Babylon's judgment on Judah—destruction of Jerusalem and exile—providing broader context for the presence and activity of Babylonian officials named in Jer.39:13, though Chronicles does not list the officers by name.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent and Nebushazban the Rabsaris, and Nergal‑sharezer the Rab‑mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon.
- Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab‑saris, Nergal‑sharezer the Rab‑mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon came to take Jeremiah.
Jer.39.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישלחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- ויקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- ירמיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מחצר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המטרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויתנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אל: NEG
- גדליהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להוצאהו: PREP+VERB,hiphil,inf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- הבית: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:22-26 (quotation): Direct parallel account in the Deuteronomistic history: the captain of the guard hands Jeremiah over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, and Jeremiah lives among the people (near-verbatim narrative repetition).
- Jeremiah 40:5-6 (verbal): Within Jeremiah itself the episode is retold/continued: the captain of the guard gives Jeremiah to Gedaliah at Mizp and Jeremiah remains with the remnant, providing additional detail about Gedaliah’s reception of him.
- Jeremiah 52:24-27 (structural): A later summary/recapitulation of the fall of Jerusalem found in Jeremiah 52 repeats elements of chapter 39’s narrative (including the fate of Jeremiah and his being placed under Gedaliah’s care), functioning as a parallel retelling within the same book.
Alternative generated candidates
- They took Jeremiah from the court of the guard and gave him into the hand of Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, that he might be set free among the people; and Jeremiah lived among the people.
- They sent and fetched Jeremiah out of the court of the guard and gave him to Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, to be brought into the people’s house; so Jeremiah dwelt among the people.
Jer.39.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואל: CONJ+PREP
- ירמיהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בהיתו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- עצור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בחצר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- המטרה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 37:21 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: the word of the LORD comes to Jeremiah while he is shut up in the court/yard of the guard—same circumstance and formula.
- Jeremiah 32:2 (verbal): States Jeremiah was shut up in the court of the guard and introduces a divine message/action (the purchase of the field); parallels both setting and prophetic communication.
- Jeremiah 20:2–4 (thematic): Jeremiah is mistreated and confined (put in stocks), yet receives a divine word of commission/assurance—a parallel theme of prophecy delivered amid imprisonment.
- Jeremiah 1:4 (structural): Shares the prophetic introductory formula (“the word of the LORD came to me”), linking Jeremiah’s authoritative reception of revelation here with the standard prophetic call/report structure.
Alternative generated candidates
- While Jeremiah was confined in the court of the guard, the word of the LORD came to him:
- Now the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard, saying,
Jer.39.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הלוך: VERB,qal,part,3,m,sg
- ואמרת: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לעבד: VERB,qal,inf
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הכושי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- כה: ADV
- אמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צבאות: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנני: PRT+PRON,1,sg
- מביא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- אל: NEG
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- לרעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- לטובה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והיו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לפניך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:17-18 (structural): Immediate continuation: the LORD repeats the message to Ebed‑Melech, promising deliverance because of his actions—directly tied to 39:16's address to the Cushite.
- Jeremiah 7:14 (verbal): Similar prophetic formula and content—'Thus says the LORD... I will bring upon this city all the evil/ disaster'—same threat of divine judgment coming upon Jerusalem.
- Jeremiah 25:9 (thematic): Announces the mobilization of the 'people of the north' (Babylon) to bring judgment; provides the larger prophetic rationale for the disaster announced in 39:16.
- Jeremiah 18:7-10 (thematic): Sets out the principle behind prophetic declarations: God brings disaster or relents based on nations' behavior—helps explain the conditional/causal logic behind God bringing 'words... for evil and not for good.'
- 2 Kings 25:8-10 (structural): Narrates the fall and destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians—historical fulfillment of the judgment promised in Jeremiah 39:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Go and speak to Ebed‑melech the Cushite, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for harm and not for good; and they shall be before you this day.
- “Go and say to the king’s servant the Cushite, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: I am about to bring my words upon this city for disaster and not for good; and they shall come to pass before you in that day.’”
Jer.39.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והצלתיך: VERB,hif,impf,1,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- תנתן: VERB,niphal,impf,3,f,sg
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- האנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- יגור: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,sg
- מפניהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:18 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same pericope repeating the promise to Ebed‑Melech that he will be delivered and not handed over to those he fears (near‑identical wording).
- Jeremiah 39:15 (structural): Contextual introduction of the oracle to Ebed‑Melech; sets up the same promise of preservation when Jerusalem falls (same episode and addressee).
- Isaiah 43:2 (thematic): God's pledge to protect his servant through life‑threatening dangers ('when you pass through the waters... you shall not be overwhelmed'), echoing the theme of divine rescue from perilous enemies.
- Psalm 91:3–7 (thematic): Assures deliverance from snares, pestilence, and terror so the righteous are not given over to deadly threats—parallel motif of God preserving a faithful individual from hostile forces.
- Daniel 3:28 (thematic): Account of God rescuing faithful servants (Shadrach, Meshach, Abed‑Nego) from lethal danger and preserving them from their enemies—a narrative analogue of divine protection for a loyal servant.
Alternative generated candidates
- But I will save you in that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be delivered into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
- “But I will save you on that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
Jer.39.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- מלט: VERB,qal,inf
- אמלטך: VERB,qal,impf,1,-,sg
- ובחרב: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- תפל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והיתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- נפשך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2,m
- לשלל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- בטחת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- נאם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:15 (verbal): Immediate context/parallel promise in the same episode to Ebed‑melech: God tells Jeremiah to say he will be delivered and will not fall by the sword.
- Psalm 91:3-7 (thematic): Like Jeremiah 39:18, this passage promises God’s deliverance from deadly danger for those who trust in him (’he will deliver you…you will not fear’).
- Isaiah 43:2 (thematic): Assures preservation in life‑threatening trials (’when you pass through the waters…you shall not be overwhelmed’), echoing the theme of protection for the one who trusts God.
- Psalm 34:19 (thematic): Affirms that the righteous face many afflictions but the Lord delivers them, paralleling the promise of rescue because of trust in God.
- Daniel 3:16-28 (thematic): Narrative example of God rescuing servants who trusted him from mortal peril (the fiery furnace), thematically similar to God’s deliverance of Ebed‑melech for his trust.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I will surely rescue you; you shall not fall by the sword—your life shall be preserved as spoil for yourself, because you trusted in me, declares the LORD.’”
- For I will surely deliver you; you shall not fall by the sword, and your life shall be for spoil, because you trusted in me, declares the LORD.”
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his host came to Jerusalem and encamped against it.
In the ninth year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the city was breached.
All the commanders of the king of Babylon came and sat in the middle gate: Nergal‑sharezer, Samgar‑nebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal‑sharezer the Rab‑mag, and all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
When Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the warriors saw them, they fled and went out of the city by night through the king’s garden, by the gate between the two walls, and went out toward the Arabah. But the Chaldean host pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and they took him and brought him to Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he pronounced judgment on him.
The king of Babylon put to death the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; and the king of Babylon put to death all the leaders of Judah.
He put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon.
The Chaldeans burned the king’s house and the houses of the people and broke down the walls of Jerusalem. And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away into exile the remnant of the people who were left in the city, and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the people who remained. But of the poor of the land Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left some behind as vinedressers and plowmen; and he gave them vineyards and fields on that day. And Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon charged concerning Jeremiah by Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, saying,
“Take him, look after him, and do him no harm; but do to him as he tells you.”
Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rabsaris, Nergal‑sharezer the Rab‑mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon sent and took Jeremiah out of the court of the guard.
They took Jeremiah and gave him to Gedaliah the son of Ahikam son of Shaphan, that he might be set before the people; and he lived among the people. Now the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah while he was confined in the court of the guard, saying,
“Go and say to Ebed‑Melech the Cushite, the king’s servant, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for disaster, and not for good; and they shall come about in your days. But I will save you in that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid.
For I will surely deliver you; you shall not fall by the sword, and your life shall be taken as spoil, because you trusted in me, declares the LORD.’”