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.
Original Language Analysis
בָּבֶֽל׃
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶֽל׃
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
3 of 15
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּנֵ֧י
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֧י
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
5 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לְעֵינָ֑יו
before his eyes
H5869
לְעֵינָ֑יו
before his eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
8 of 15
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְאֵת֙
H853
וְאֵת֙
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
חֹרֵ֣י
all the nobles
H2715
חֹרֵ֣י
all the nobles
Strong's:
H2715
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, white or pure (from the cleansing or shining power of fire; hence (figuratively) noble (in rank)
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
12 of 15
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Cross References
Jeremiah 52:10And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.Jeremiah 21:7And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.Deuteronomy 28:34So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.2 Kings 25:7And they slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah, and bound him with fetters of brass, and carried him to Babylon.
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern practice often involved executing royal offspring to prevent future rebellions and eliminate dynastic rivals. The nobles' execution served both as punishment for rebellion and as a terror tactic to discourage future resistance. This systematic elimination of Judah's leadership class left the nation politically decapitated, facilitating Babylonian control.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the death of Zedekiah's sons demonstrate that covenant rebellion has generational consequences?
- What does this passage teach about the serious responsibility of leaders who influence others toward or away from God?
- How does Christ's sacrificial death as David's ultimate Son reverse the curse and secure an eternal kingdom (Luke 1:32-33)?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes (לְעֵינָיו, le'eynav)—This brutal act fulfilled both Jeremiah's and Ezekiel's prophecies with horrifying precision. Zedekiah 'saw' (רָאָה, ra'ah) his dynasty destroyed before him—the last sight his eyes would register. His sons, the heirs of David's throne, were executed as traitors.
Also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah (חֹרֵי יְהוּדָה, chorei yehudah)—The ruling class who counseled rebellion against Babylon (and against God's word through Jeremiah) faced capital punishment. These 'nobles' or 'freemen' had rejected freedom under God's covenant for supposed autonomy, and lost both. The covenant curses included seeing your children destroyed (Deuteronomy 28:32, 41)—visual horror as final earthly memory.