Jeremiah 52:27
And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּכֶּ֣ה
smote
H5221
וַיַּכֶּ֣ה
smote
Strong's:
H5221
Word #:
1 of 12
to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively)
אוֹתָם֩
H853
אוֹתָם֩
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
2 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בָּבֶ֧ל
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶ֧ל
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
4 of 12
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וַיְמִתֵ֛ם
them and put them to death
H4191
וַיְמִתֵ֛ם
them and put them to death
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
5 of 12
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
out of his own land
H776
בְּאֶ֣רֶץ
out of his own land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
7 of 12
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וַיִּ֥גֶל
was carried away captive
H1540
וַיִּ֥גֶל
was carried away captive
Strong's:
H1540
Word #:
9 of 12
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Thus Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
Thus Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
10 of 12
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
Cross References
Isaiah 27:10Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.Ezekiel 33:28For I will lay the land most desolate, and the pomp of her strength shall cease; and the mountains of Israel shall be desolate, that none shall pass through.Micah 4:10Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.
Historical Context
The execution of Judah's leaders at Riblah (586 BC) parallels the execution of Zedekiah's sons there, followed by his blinding (v. 10-11). This double tragedy ended the Davidic monarchy until the Messiah's coming, creating a 600-year gap in the royal line.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the phrase 'out of his own land' emphasize the reversal of God's covenant promises through disobedience?
- What hope does the prophetic use of 'exile' language elsewhere in Jeremiah offer even in this darkest moment?
- In what ways might you be experiencing spiritual 'exile' from God's blessing due to covenant unfaithfulness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death (וַיַּךְ אֹתָם...וַיְמִיתֵם)—execution, not merely captivity. The verb מוּת (death) is emphatic. In Riblah in the land of Hamath—northern Syria, symbolically far from the Promised Land. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land (וַיִּגֶל יְהוּדָה מֵעַל אַדְמָתוֹ)—exile, reversing the Exodus.
This verse is the theological climax: covenant curses fulfilled (Leviticus 26:27-33; Deuteronomy 28:36). The land promised to Abraham's seed was lost through covenant unfaithfulness. Yet 'carried away' (galah) also appears in restoration prophecies (Jeremiah 29:14), hinting that exile is not final.