Jeremiah 39:6
Jeremiah 39:6 in Multiple Translations
There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah.
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.
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.
Then the king of Babylon put the sons of Zedekiah to death before his eyes in Riblah: and the king of Babylon put to death all the great men of Judah.
The king of Babylon had Zedekiah's sons killed as Zedekiah watched, and he also executed all of Judah's leaders there in Riblah.
Then the King of Babel slewe the sonnes of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the King of Babel slewe all the nobles of Iudah.
And the king of Babylon slaughtereth the sons of Zedekiah, in Riblah, before his eyes, yea, all the freemen of Judah hath the king of Babylon slaughtered.
Then the king of Babylon killed Zedekiah’s sons in Riblah before his eyes. The king of Babylon also killed all the nobles of Judah.
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.
And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Sedecias, in Reblatha, before his eyes: and the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Juda.
They forced Zedekiah to watch while they killed his sons and all the officials from Judah.
Berean Amplified Bible — Jeremiah 39:6
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Jeremiah 39:6 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יִּשְׁחַט֩
מֶ֨לֶךְ
בָּבֶ֜ל
אֶת
בְּנֵ֧י
צִדְקִיָּ֛הוּ
בְּ/רִבְלָ֖ה
לְ/עֵינָ֑י/ו
וְ/אֵת֙
כָּל
חֹרֵ֣י
יְהוּדָ֔ה
שָׁחַ֖ט
מֶ֥לֶךְ
בָּבֶֽל
וַ/יִּשְׁחַט֩
shâchaṭ
H7819
to slaughter
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
מֶ֨לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
בָּבֶ֜ל
Bâbel
H894
Babylon
N-proper
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
DirObjM
בְּנֵ֧י
bên
H1121
son
N-mp
צִדְקִיָּ֛הוּ
Tsidqîyâh
H6667
Zedekiah
N-proper
בְּ/רִבְלָ֖ה
Riblâh
H7247
Riblah
Prep | N-proper
לְ/עֵינָ֑י/ו
ʻayin
H5869
eye
Prep | N-cd | Suff
וְ/אֵת֙
ʼêth
H853
Obj.
Conj | DirObjM
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
חֹרֵ֣י
chôr
H2715
noble
N-mp
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
Judah
N-proper
שָׁחַ֖ט
shâchaṭ
H7819
to slaughter
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
בָּבֶֽל
Bâbel
H894
Babylon
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Jeremiah 39:6
וַ/יִּשְׁחַט֩
shâchaṭ
H7819
"to slaughter"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to slaughter, often used in the context of sacrifice or massacre, as seen in the KJV translations of kill, offer, or slay.
Definition: v 1) to kill, slaughter, beat 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter 1a1a) beast for food 1a1b) sacrifice 1a1c) person in human sacrifice 1a1d) beaten, hammered (of shekels) 1b) (Niphal) to be slaughtered, be slain (of food or sacrifice) Also means: sha.chat (שָׁחוּט "beaten" H7820)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, shoot out, slay, slaughter. See also: Genesis 22:10; Leviticus 16:15; Isaiah 22:13.
מֶ֨לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
בָּבֶ֜ל
Bâbel
H894
"Babylon"
N-proper
Babel refers to Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It appears in Genesis 11:9 and is associated with the tower of Babel. The city was situated on the Euphrates River.
Definition: § Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)" Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates
Usage: Occurs in 233 OT verses. KJV: Babel, Babylon. See also: Genesis 10:10; Jeremiah 29:22; Psalms 87:4.
אֶת
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
בְּנֵ֧י
bên
H1121
"son"
N-mp
In the Bible, this word means a son or descendant, and can also refer to a grandson, nation, or quality. It appears in 1 Chronicles 24, describing a Levite named Beno. The word is used to show family relationships and inheritance.
Definition: : child/son
Usage: Occurs in 3653 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. See also: Genesis 3:16; Genesis 23:3; Genesis 34:18.
צִדְקִיָּ֛הוּ
Tsidqîyâh
H6667
"Zedekiah"
N-proper
Zedekiah means Jehovah is righteous, the name of six Israelites including the last king of Judah, as seen in Jeremiah 36:12. He was renamed by Nebuchadnezzar and son of Josiah. Zedekiah was a significant figure in the Divided Monarchy period.
Definition: A man living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.36.12; son of: Hananiah (H2608M) § Zedekiah = "Jehovah is righteous" 1) the last king of Judah renamed from 'Mattaniah' by Nebuchadnezzar; son of Josiah by wife Hamutal; placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar when he carried his nephew Jehoiakim in captivity 2) false prophet at the court of king Ahab of the northern kingdom of Israel 3) son of Maaseiah, a false prophet in Babylon 4) son of Hananiah, one of the princes of Judah in the time of Jeremiah 5) a priest who sealed the covenant with Nehemiah 6) son of king Jehoiakim of Judah
Usage: Occurs in 62 OT verses. KJV: Zedekiah, Zidkijah. See also: 1 Kings 22:11; Jeremiah 34:6; Jeremiah 1:3.
בְּ/רִבְלָ֖ה
Riblâh
H7247
"Riblah"
Prep | N-proper
Riblah was a town in Syria, meaning fertility, on the road between Babylon and Palestine. It's mentioned in the Bible as a significant location. The town was an important stopover for travelers.
Definition: Riblah = "fertility" a town in the land of Hamath on the great road between Babylon and Palestine Also named: div.lah (דִּבְלָה "Riblah" H1689)
Usage: Occurs in 11 OT verses. KJV: Riblah. See also: Numbers 34:11; Jeremiah 39:5; Jeremiah 39:6.
לְ/עֵינָ֑י/ו
ʻayin
H5869
"eye"
Prep | N-cd | Suff
This word can mean a spring or fountain, but also refers to the eye or a source of something. It is often translated as affliction, outward appearance, or countenance, and is used in various contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : eye 1) eye 1a) eye 1a1) of physical eye 1a2) as showing mental qualities 1a3) of mental and spiritual faculties (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 828 OT verses. KJV: affliction, outward appearance, [phrase] before, [phrase] think best, colour, conceit, [phrase] be content, countenance, [phrase] displease, eye((-brow), (-d), -sight), face, [phrase] favour, fountain, furrow (from the margin), [idiom] him, [phrase] humble, knowledge, look, ([phrase] well), [idiom] me, open(-ly), [phrase] (not) please, presence, [phrase] regard, resemblance, sight, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them, [phrase] think, [idiom] us, well, [idiom] you(-rselves). See also: Genesis 3:5; Exodus 34:9; Deuteronomy 28:67.
וְ/אֵת֙
ʼêth
H853
"Obj."
Conj | DirObjM
In the original Hebrew, this word points out the object of a verb or preposition, like 'namely' or 'even'. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus. It's not directly translated in English, but helps clarify the meaning of sentences.
Definition: sign of the definite direct object, not translated in English but generally preceding and indicating the accusative Aramaic equivalent: yat (יָת "whom" H3487)
Usage: Occurs in 6782 OT verses. KJV: (as such unrepresented in English). See also: Genesis 1:1; Genesis 10:8; Genesis 19:21.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
חֹרֵ֣י
chôr
H2715
"noble"
N-mp
In the original Hebrew, this word means noble or pure, like something made clean by fire. It describes someone of high rank or birth, like a freeborn person. It appears in various Bible translations as 'noble'.
Definition: a noble, freeborn one
Usage: Occurs in 13 OT verses. KJV: noble. See also: 1 Kings 21:8; Nehemiah 6:17; Isaiah 34:12.
יְהוּדָ֔ה
Yᵉhûwdâh
H3063
"Judah"
N-proper
Judah is the name of the tribe descended from Judah, the son of Jacob. It is also the name of the region where the tribe lived. The name means 'praised' and is first mentioned in Genesis.
Definition: § Judah = "praised" the tribe descended from Judah the son of Jacob
Usage: Occurs in 754 OT verses. KJV: Judah. See also: Genesis 29:35; 1 Samuel 23:3; 2 Kings 14:13.
שָׁחַ֖ט
shâchaṭ
H7819
"to slaughter"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to slaughter, often used in the context of sacrifice or massacre, as seen in the KJV translations of kill, offer, or slay.
Definition: v 1) to kill, slaughter, beat 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to slaughter 1a1a) beast for food 1a1b) sacrifice 1a1c) person in human sacrifice 1a1d) beaten, hammered (of shekels) 1b) (Niphal) to be slaughtered, be slain (of food or sacrifice) Also means: sha.chat (שָׁחוּט "beaten" H7820)
Usage: Occurs in 70 OT verses. KJV: kill, offer, shoot out, slay, slaughter. See also: Genesis 22:10; Leviticus 16:15; Isaiah 22:13.
מֶ֥לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
בָּבֶֽל
Bâbel
H894
"Babylon"
N-proper
Babel refers to Babylon, a city and empire in the Bible, meaning confusion or mixing. It appears in Genesis 11:9 and is associated with the tower of Babel. The city was situated on the Euphrates River.
Definition: § Babel or Babylon = "confusion (by mixing)" Babel or Babylon, the ancient site and/or capital of Babylonia (modern Hillah) situated on the Euphrates
Usage: Occurs in 233 OT verses. KJV: Babel, Babylon. See also: Genesis 10:10; Jeremiah 29:22; Psalms 87:4.
Study Notes — Jeremiah 39:6
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Jeremiah 39:6 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 39:6
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 39:6
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:6
- Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:6
- Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:6
- Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 39:6
- Sermons on Jeremiah 39:6
Context — The Fall of Jerusalem
4When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah.
5But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on him.
6There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah.
7Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon. 8The Chaldeans set fire to the palace of the king and to the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jeremiah 52:10 | There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the officials of Judah. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 34:19–21 | The officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the court officials, the priests, and all the people of the land who passed between the pieces of the calf, I will deliver into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives. Their corpses will become food for the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth. And I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon that had withdrawn from you. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 24:8–10 | But like the bad figs, so bad they cannot be eaten,’ says the LORD, ‘so will I deal with Zedekiah king of Judah, his officials, and the remnant of Jerusalem—those remaining in this land and those living in the land of Egypt. I will make them a horror and an offense to all the kingdoms of the earth, a disgrace and an object of scorn, ridicule, and cursing wherever I have banished them. And I will send against them sword and famine and plague, until they have perished from the land that I gave to them and their fathers.’” |
| 4 | Deuteronomy 28:34 | You will be driven mad by the sights you see. |
| 5 | Jeremiah 21:7 | ‘After that,’ declares the LORD, ‘I will hand over Zedekiah king of Judah, his officers, and the people in this city who survive the plague and sword and famine, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and to their enemies who seek their lives. He will put them to the sword; he will not spare them or show pity or compassion.’ |
| 6 | 2 Kings 25:7 | And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon. |
| 7 | Genesis 21:16 | Then she went off and sat down nearby, about a bowshot away, for she said, “I cannot bear to watch the boy die!” And as she sat nearby, she lifted up her voice and wept. |
| 8 | Genesis 44:34 | For how can I go back to my father without the boy? I could not bear to see the misery that would overwhelm him.” |
| 9 | 2 Kings 22:20 | ‘Therefore I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place.’” So they brought her answer back to the king. |
| 10 | Isaiah 13:16 | Their infants will be dashed to pieces before their eyes, their houses will be looted, and their wives will be ravished. |
Jeremiah 39:6 Summary
[This verse describes a very sad and violent event, where the king of Babylon punished Zedekiah and the people of Judah for their disobedience. The king slaughtered Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, and also killed all the nobles of Judah, as a display of his power and authority. This event was a fulfillment of God's prophecies and a reminder of the importance of trusting in His sovereignty, as seen in Jeremiah 25:11 and Jeremiah 26:6. We can learn from Zedekiah's experience by remaining faithful and obedient to God's will, and trusting in His goodness and love, as taught in Psalm 37:3-7 and Romans 8:28.]
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the king of Babylon slaughter the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes?
This act was a severe punishment for Zedekiah's rebellion against the king of Babylon, as prophesied in Jeremiah 32:5 and Ezekiel 12:13. It was also a display of the king's power and authority.
What was the significance of killing all the nobles of Judah?
By killing the nobles, the king of Babylon was eliminating any potential leaders who could rally the people of Judah against him, similar to how the Philistines treated the Israelites in 1 Samuel 31:9. This act was a way to assert his dominance over the land.
How does this event relate to the overall message of Jeremiah?
This event is a fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies about the destruction of Jerusalem and the punishment of its leaders for their disobedience, as seen in Jeremiah 25:11 and Jeremiah 26:6. It serves as a reminder of God's judgment on sin and rebellion.
What can we learn from Zedekiah's experience in this verse?
We can learn about the consequences of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty, as taught in Proverbs 3:5-6 and Romans 11:33-36. Zedekiah's failure to heed God's warnings led to devastating consequences, serving as a warning to us to remain faithful and obedient to God's will.
Reflection Questions
- How would you respond if you were in Zedekiah's position, watching your sons being slaughtered before your eyes?
- What are some ways that we, like Zedekiah, may be tempted to rebel against God's will or ignore His warnings?
- How can we apply the lesson of trusting in God's sovereignty to our own lives, especially in difficult or uncertain circumstances?
- What role does faith and obedience play in avoiding the kind of judgment that Zedekiah and the people of Judah experienced?
Gill's Exposition on Jeremiah 39:6
Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes,.... Not with his own hands, but gave orders to do it: these must be very young, at least some of them; since Zedekiah at
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Jeremiah 39:6
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:6
Thus the stubbornness of this prince and his nobles proved the ruin of his family, and of themselves, and of the whole people. The nobles were great authors of this mischief, and brought Zedekiah into that obstinacy which he showed to the prophet’ s admonitions and exhortations, upon them, therefore, a more exemplary punishment is taken. The Hebrew calls the nobles white men, either from their white garments, or from that candour of spirit which should be found in persons of their quality.
Trapp's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:6
Jeremiah 39:6 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. Ver. 6. See on 2 Kings 25:6-7.
Ellicott's Commentary on Jeremiah 39:6
(6) The sons of Zedekiah.—The history of Eastern monarchies presents us with many examples of this refinement of cruelty, notably in the case of (Eobazus under Darius (Herod. Iv. 84), and Pythius under Xerxes (Herod, vii. 39). The slaughter of the “nobles” probably included most of those whom we have seen in Jeremiah 36:12, and elsewhere.
Cambridge Bible on Jeremiah 39:6
4–10. See introd. note and summary to ch.
Sermons on Jeremiah 39:6
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Psalms 102:13 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith emphasizes that God has set specific times for the restoration of Israel, the return of Jesus Christ, personal salvation, and even death. He highlights the prophetic si |
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Epistle 108 by George Fox | George Fox preaches about waiting in the light to see Christ as wisdom and righteousness, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the church as the body of Christ. He urges the c |
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Thou Shalt Be Gathered Intothou Shalt Be Gathered Into by F.B. Meyer | F.B. Meyer discusses the paradox of Josiah's death, which was prophesied to be peaceful yet ended in conflict due to his own choices. He emphasizes that while God desires to bless |