Jeremiah 39 13

Jeremiah 39:13 kjv

So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;

Jeremiah 39:13 nkjv

So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent Nebushasban, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's chief officers;

Jeremiah 39:13 niv

So Nebuzaradan the commander of the guard, Nebushazban a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officers of the king of Babylon

Jeremiah 39:13 esv

So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon

Jeremiah 39:13 nlt

So Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard; Nebushazban, a chief officer; Nergal-sharezer, the king's adviser; and the other officers of Babylon's king

Jeremiah 39 verses

Jeremiah 39 13 Meaning

This verse describes the king of Babylon’s kindness towards Jeremiah. After the fall of Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar, specifically his captain Nebuzaradan, showed unusual compassion to the prophet, releasing him from his chains and offering him a choice: to go to Babylon and be cared for, or to stay in the land. This act of clemency highlights a contrast with the general harshness of the Babylonian conquest and demonstrates a measure of respect for Jeremiah's prophetic status.

Jeremiah 39 13 Context

This verse appears in the aftermath of Jerusalem's fall to the Babylonian empire, as recorded in Jeremiah chapter 39. The preceding verses detail the conquest and the actions taken by Nebuzaradan, the captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard. Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, had been God’s instrument in punishing Judah for its sins. Amidst this destruction, Jeremiah, who had faithfully delivered God’s warnings to a rebellious people, found himself in a precarious situation. However, God had a plan for His prophet, ensuring his safety and future ministry, as evidenced by the specific orders given by Nebuchadnezzar concerning him and the subsequent compassionate treatment by Nebuzaradan. The broader context of Jeremiah’s ministry is one of severe opposition and persecution from his own people, but also consistent divine protection and reassurance from God.

Jeremiah 39 13 Word Analysis

• And: Conjunction, linking this action to the preceding command.
• when: Temporal conjunction, indicating the circumstance under which the action occurred.
• Nebuzaradan: Proper noun (Hebrew: נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֖ן - Nevuzar'adan). Commander of the king of Babylon’s bodyguard; a key figure in the final siege of Jerusalem.
• captain: Title (Hebrew: רַ֣ב - rav). Chief, captain, great one. Denotes a high-ranking military official.
• of the bodyguard: Phrase describing Nebuzaradan’s position. (Hebrew: טַבָּחִים֙ - tabachîym, literally "butchers," but in this context referring to the royal guard or executioners, hence "chief of the executioners/bodyguard").
• heard: Verb (Hebrew: שָׁמַ֥ע - shamah). To hear, listen, obey. Implies understanding and taking action based on information received.
• of Jeremiah: Proper noun, referring to the prophet.
• and: Conjunction.
• Eleazar: Proper noun (Hebrew: אֶלְעָזָר֙ - El'azar). A man's name, likely one of the Babylonian officials present.
• son of: Prepositional phrase indicating parentage.
• of Achikam: Proper noun (Hebrew: אֲחִיקָם֙ - Achîqam). Father of Gedaliah, who would later be appointed governor. This connection might have played a role in the differential treatment.
• and: Conjunction.
• Gedaliah: Proper noun (Hebrew: גְּדַלְיָ֔ה - Gedalîyah). Son of Achikam. Appointed governor by the Babylonians after Jerusalem’s fall.
• son of: Prepositional phrase.
• Pashur: Proper noun (Hebrew: פַּשְׁח֛וּר - Pashchûr). Possibly a variant of Pasher or perhaps referring to a different individual who held an official position. Note: The father of Jeremiah was Pashur (Jer. 20:1), and some scholars suggest this Pashur here could be related to Gedaliah's family line. However, direct genealogical connection for this Pashur isn't explicitly stated.
• inquired: Verb (Hebrew: שָׁאַ֔ל - sha'al). To ask, inquire, request.
• of him: Pronoun referring to Jeremiah.
• saying: Verb introducing direct speech.
• The LORD: Divine name (Hebrew: יְהוָ֔ה - Yahweh). The personal covenant name of God.
• your God: Possessive pronoun showing relation to God.
• has appointed: Verb (Hebrew: נָתַ֖ן - nathan). To give, put, set. Denotes divine ordination.
• this: Demonstrative pronoun, pointing to the present situation.
• place: Noun (Hebrew: הַמָּק֔וֹם - hammāqōm). The land of Judah, or specifically Jerusalem.
• for: Preposition indicating purpose or cause.
• destruction: Noun (Hebrew: חָרְבַּ֛ה - chorbah). Ruin, devastation, a desolate place.
• as: Conjunction indicating comparison or result.
• the LORD: Divine name.
• has spoken: Verb (Hebrew: דִּבֶּ֥ר - dîber). To speak, say.
• through: Preposition indicating the agent or means.
• his servants: Noun phrase referring to the prophets.
• the prophets: Noun referring to God's messengers.

Group analysis:

• Nebuzaradan... captain of the bodyguard: This identifies the key Babylonian commander who carries out Nebuchadnezzar's orders. His title implies significant authority, particularly in matters related to military action and captives.
• Eleazar son of Achikam, and Gedaliah son of Pashur: These are identified as local Judahite officials or liaisons. Their involvement suggests a structured handover or handling of important individuals during the Babylonian occupation.
• inquired of him, saying: This marks a pivotal moment where officials directly ask Jeremiah about the Lord's word concerning the impending destruction.
• The LORD your God has appointed this place for destruction, as the LORD has spoken through his servants the prophets: This is a clear articulation by the Babylonian officials of their understanding of why Jerusalem is being destroyed—it is God’s judgment, as foretold by His prophets. This statement affirms the legitimacy of God’s prophetic word, even in the mouth of Israel’s enemies.

Jeremiah 39 13 Bonus Section

The phrase "as the LORD has spoken through his servants the prophets" is crucial. It echoes a recurring theme in Jeremiah’s book and throughout the Old Testament, where obedience and disobedience to God's word are directly linked to national prosperity or ruin. The Babylonian officials' reference to God’s prophets validates Jeremiah's entire prophetic mission. This specific verse can be seen as a prophetic foreshadowing or parallel to instances where gentile rulers acknowledge the God of Israel or His sovereignty (e.g., Pharaoh in Egypt, Nebuchadnezzar himself in Daniel, or Cyrus in Ezra). Despite the complete destruction and exile, God ensures the safety of His faithful servant, illustrating His promise to protect those who remain faithful amidst judgment.

Jeremiah 39 13 Commentary

Nebuzaradan, acting on his king's orders (Jer 39:11-12), releases Jeremiah from his chains. The inquiry made by Eleazar and Gedaliah demonstrates an acknowledgment by Babylonian officials of the divine word relayed by Jeremiah. They explicitly state that God Himself is behind the destruction, citing His prophets as the source of this prophetic declaration. This is significant as it shows a measure of awareness and respect for Yahweh, even among the conquerors. It also provides Jeremiah with a clear affirmation that his prophetic ministry was recognized as carrying divine authority, a vindication for years of persecution and rejection. Nebuzaradan then offers Jeremiah a choice of personal destination, illustrating a remarkable act of clemency and confirming the divine protection over the prophet throughout the siege. The chapter's continuation in 40:1-6 shows Jeremiah choosing to stay in the land with Gedaliah, the newly appointed governor, fulfilling God's will amidst the devastation.