Jeremiah 52:11
Then he put out the eyes of Zedekiah; and the king of Babylon bound him in chains, and carried him to Babylon, and put him in prison till the day of his death.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עֵינֵ֥י
the eyes
H5869
עֵינֵ֥י
the eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 16
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וַיַּאַסְרֵ֣הוּ
bound
H631
וַיַּאַסְרֵ֣הוּ
bound
Strong's:
H631
Word #:
5 of 16
to yoke or hitch; by analogy, to fasten in any sense, to join battle
בַֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֗יִם
him in chains
H5178
בַֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֗יִם
him in chains
Strong's:
H5178
Word #:
6 of 16
copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e., coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as compared with gold or silver)
וַיְבִאֵ֤הוּ
and carried
H935
וַיְבִאֵ֤הוּ
and carried
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
7 of 16
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
בָּבֶ֔לָה
him to Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔לָה
him to Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
9 of 16
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
בָּבֶ֔לָה
him to Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֔לָה
him to Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
10 of 16
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥הוּ
and put
H5414
וַיִּתְּנֵ֥הוּ
and put
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
11 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הַפְּקֻדֹּ֖ת
him in prison
H1004
הַפְּקֻדֹּ֖ת
him in prison
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
12 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הַפְּקֻדֹּ֖ת
him in prison
H1004
הַפְּקֻדֹּ֖ת
him in prison
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
13 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
14 of 16
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Historical Context
This occurred in 586 BC when Jerusalem fell. Zedekiah had rebelled against Babylon despite Jeremiah's repeated warnings to submit to God's appointed judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Zedekiah's fate warn against ignoring God's repeated warnings?
- What does the temporary end of Davidic rule teach about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Zedekiah's fate fulfills multiple prophecies - he saw Babylon but died there (Jer 32:4-5, 34:3). His sons were killed before his eyes, then he was blinded and taken to Babylon where he died in prison. This gruesome judgment resulted from covenant-breaking and ignoring prophetic warnings. The last thing he saw was his sons' execution - a devastating end to the Davidic line's rule (temporarily, until Christ).