Jeremiah 39 7

Jeremiah 39:7 kjv

Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with chains, to carry him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:7 nkjv

Moreover he put out Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters to carry him off to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:7 niv

Then he put out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him with bronze shackles to take him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:7 esv

He put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains to take him to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39:7 nlt

Then he gouged out Zedekiah's eyes and bound him in bronze chains to lead him away to Babylon.

Jeremiah 39 verses

Jeremiah 39 7 Meaning

This verse describes a severe and punitive action taken by Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, against Zedekiah, the king of Judah. Zedekiah's sons were executed before his eyes, and then his own eyes were put out. This was a deliberate act of cruelty and a devastating personal blow, ensuring Zedekiah would never see the land he was meant to rule nor witness the further consequences of his nation's downfall.

Jeremiah 39 7 Context

Jeremiah chapter 39 recounts the final siege and fall of Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. The city's defenses were breached, and the Babylonian army entered. Following the city's conquest, key figures of Judah were captured. King Zedekiah, after a failed attempt to escape, was brought before the Babylonian leaders at Riblah. This verse details the immediate and brutal consequences that followed for Zedekiah, signifying the complete obliteration of Judean royal authority and hope. The historical context is the culmination of decades of Jeremiah's prophecies of doom due to Judah's persistent idolatry and unfaithfulness to God, despite warnings.

Jeremiah 39 7 Word Analysis

• And (וְ, vaw): Conjunction, connecting the previous actions with the subsequent brutal acts.
• the eyes (עֵינֵי, `ênê): Plural of "eye." Refers to both of Zedekiah's eyes.
• of (כְּלִי, keli): Here functioning as a possessive genitive particle, indicating association.
• king (מֶלֶךְ, melek): Sovereign ruler. Refers to Zedekiah.
• Zedekiah (צִדְקִיָּהוּ, Tsidqiyyāhû): Means "Yahweh is my righteousness." Ironic, given his actions and fate.
• And (וְ, vaw): Again, a conjunction linking actions.
• his eyes (עֵינָיו, `êynāyw): His eyes.
• he (הוּא, hū’): Pronoun for Zedekiah.
• put out (יִסֶּק, yisseq - verb form derived from root 'sl'); other traditions render this word differently, suggesting 'plucked out' (similar to sāqaq) or even a more obscure root. The intent is clear: to render him blind. A common interpretation of the Hebrew points to a brutal plucking or gouging.
• they (הֵמָּה, hēmmâ): Refers to the Chaldean soldiers/officials.
• bound (וַיַּאַסְרֻ֫הוּ, wayya’asrūhū): They bound him with fetters or chains.
• him (אֹ֫תָם, ’ōtām): Refers back to Zedekiah.
• with (בִּבְרִת, bibrît): Literally "with a binding" or "with fetters/chains."
• bronze (נְחֹשֶׁת, nekhōsheth): A metal. Chains made of bronze.
• fetters/chains (סִלְוֹת, silwôt - debated word, likely referring to fetters or shackles). The meaning is that he was imprisoned with metal restraints.
• And (וַיּוֹלִיכוּ, wayyōlīkhū): And they led him away.
• him (אֹ֫תוֹ, ’ōtō): Zedekiah.
• to (בָּבֶלָה, Bābelâ): Babylon, the capital of the Babylonian empire.
• And (וַיְשִׁמְעֶ, wayeshim‘e): And he was put in prison/kept.
• kept (מַשְׁמֵר, mashmēr): Possibly "confined" or "imprisoned."
• him (אֹ֫תוֹ, ’ōtō): Zedekiah.
• in (בֵּית, bêṯ): House/prison.
• prison (מַסְגֵּר, masger): A place of confinement, a ward or jail.
• until (עַד, ‘ad): Until a certain time.
• the day (י֣וֹם, yōm): Day.
• of (מ֣וֹת, môṯ): Death.
• his (מ֣וֹת, môṯ): His death.

Group analysis: The sequential actions – blinding, binding, and transfer to Babylon to die in prison – emphasize the totality and severity of Zedekiah's judgment. The destruction of his sight symbolizes the end of his lineage and reign, as well as the severance of his connection to his homeland. The binding with bronze fetters speaks to his being completely subjugated and a captive.

Jeremiah 39 7 Bonus Section

The parallel account in 2 Kings 25:7 provides an almost identical description, reinforcing the historical accuracy and divine inspiration of these accounts. Ezekiel’s prophecy in chapter 12 directly foretold Zedekiah’s capture, blinding, and exile to Babylon, making Jeremiah 39:7 a clear fulfillment of prophecy. The suffering inflicted upon Zedekiah is a grim testament to the wrath of God against persistent sin and rebellion, demonstrating that His judgments, while sometimes delayed, are sure and often severe when covenant faithfulness is abandoned. The loss of physical sight foreshadows the spiritual blindness that led Judah into such dire straits.

Jeremiah 39 7 Commentary

This verse starkly illustrates the devastating consequences of defying God's word through persistent disobedience. Nebuchadnezzar’s actions were an instrument of divine judgment upon Zedekiah and Judah for their unfaithfulness. The blinding of Zedekiah before his sons' deaths serves a psychological cruelty, ensuring his final memories are of immense personal loss and his kingdom's demise. This judgment aligns with the curses pronounced in Deuteronomy for covenant disobedience. His final imprisonment and death in Babylon marked the absolute end of the Davidic monarchy's sovereignty over Judah, fulfilling prophetic pronouncements made by Jeremiah and Ezekiel. The severe punishment reflects the gravity of betraying one's king and one's God.