The Fall of Jerusalem
(2 Kings 25:1–12; 2 Chronicles 36:15–21)

1In the ninth year of Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) king of Judah (praised), in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) marched against Jerusalem (city of peace) with his entire army and laid siege to the city. 2And on the ninth day of the fourth month of Zedekiah’s (YHWH is righteous) eleventh year, the city was breached.

3Then all the officials of the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekima the Rabsaris (chief eunuch),b Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag (chief soothsayer),c and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.

4When Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) king of Judah (praised) 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 (the Jordan Valley).d 5But the army of the Chaldeans (the Babylonians)e pursued them and overtook Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) in the plains of Jericho (city of palms). They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) at Riblah (fertility) in the land of Hamath (fortress), where he pronounced judgment on him.

6There at Riblah (fertility) the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah (YHWH is righteous) before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah (praised). 7Then he put out Zedekiah’s (YHWH is righteous) eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon (confusion by mixing).

8The Chaldeans (clod-breakers) set fire to the palace of the king and to the houses of the people, and they broke down the walls of Jerusalem (city of peace).

9Then Nebuzaradan (Nebo has given seed) captain of the guard carried away to Babylon (confusion by mixing) the remnant of the people who had remained in the city, along with the deserters who had defected to him. 10But Nebuzaradan (Nebo has given seed) left behind in the land of Judah (praised) some of the poor people who had no property, and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields.

Jeremiah Delivered

11Now Nebuchadnezzar (may Nebo protect the crown) king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) had given orders about Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) through Nebuzaradan (Nebo has given seed) captain of the guard, saying, 12“Take him, look after him, and do not let any harm come to him; do for him whatever he says.”

13So Nebuzaradan (Nebo has given seed) captain of the guard, Nebushazban (Nebo-sarsekim)f the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer (prince of fire) the Rabmag, and all the captains of the king of Babylon (confusion by mixing) 14had Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) brought from the courtyard of the guard, and they turned him over to Gedaliah (YHWH is great) son of Ahikam (my brother has arisen), the son of Shaphan, to take him home. So Jeremiah remained among his own people.

15And while Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD {YHWH} had come to him (whom YHWH has appointed): 16“Go and tell Ebed-melech (servant of the king) the Cushite that this is what the LORD {YHWH} of Hosts, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes. 17But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD {YHWH}, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear. 18For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD {YHWH}.’”