Jeremiah 39:5
But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּרְדְּפ֨וּ
pursued
H7291
וַיִּרְדְּפ֨וּ
pursued
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
1 of 22
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
חֵיל
army
H2428
חֵיל
army
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
2 of 22
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
כַּשְׂדִּ֜ים
But the Chaldeans
H3778
כַּשְׂדִּ֜ים
But the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
3 of 22
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם
after
H310
אַחֲרֵיהֶ֗ם
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
4 of 22
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
וַיַּשִּׂ֣גוּ
them and overtook
H5381
וַיַּשִּׂ֣גוּ
them and overtook
Strong's:
H5381
Word #:
5 of 22
to reach (literally or figuratively)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת
in the plains
H6160
בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת
in the plains
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
8 of 22
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
וַיִּקְח֣וּ
and when they had taken
H3947
וַיִּקְח֣וּ
and when they had taken
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
10 of 22
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
אֹת֗וֹ
H853
אֹת֗וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
11 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וַֽ֠יַּעֲלֻהוּ
him they brought him up
H5927
וַֽ֠יַּעֲלֻהוּ
him they brought him up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 22
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר
to Nebuchadnezzar
H5019
נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּ֧ר
to Nebuchadnezzar
Strong's:
H5019
Word #:
14 of 22
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
בָּבֶ֛ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֛ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
16 of 22
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
where he gave
H1696
וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר
where he gave
Strong's:
H1696
Word #:
20 of 22
perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue
Cross References
2 Kings 23:33And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.Joshua 5:10And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.Jeremiah 38:23So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.Jeremiah 38:18But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.Joshua 4:13About forty thousand prepared for war passed over before the LORD unto battle, to the plains of Jericho.
Historical Context
Riblah in the land of Hamath (modern Syria) was strategically located on the Orontes River, serving as Nebuchadnezzar's forward command center for western campaigns. Pharaoh Neco had earlier used Riblah as his base (2 Kings 23:33). The 200-mile journey northward would have been humiliating for Zedekiah, paraded as a defeated rebel before his captor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Zedekiah's capture near Jericho contrast Joshua's victory and warn against presuming on past grace?
- What does it mean to face judgment from earthly authorities because you first rejected God's authority?
- How does Christ absorb divine judgment in our place so we need never face condemnation (Romans 8:1)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho (בְּעַרְבוֹת יְרֵחוֹ, be'arvot yericho)—How bitterly ironic: Zedekiah was captured near Jericho, where Joshua's obedience once brought miraculous victory (Joshua 6), while Zedekiah's disobedience brought catastrophic defeat. The verb nasag (נָשַׂג, 'overtook') suggests the inevitability of divine justice—'you may be sure your sin will find you out' (Numbers 32:23).
They brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar... to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment (מִשְׁפָּטִים, mishpatim)—Riblah (200 miles north) was Nebuchadnezzar's military headquarters. The word mishpatim denotes authoritative legal sentence. The covenant-breaking king faced pagan judgment because he rejected the Lord's mishpat through Jeremiah. God's warnings are not negotiable.