New International VersionThere at Riblah the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he also killed all the officials of Judah.
New Living TranslationThe king of Babylon made Zedekiah watch as he slaughtered his sons. He also slaughtered all the officials of Judah at Riblah.
English Standard VersionThe king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and also slaughtered all the officials of Judah at Riblah.
Berean Standard BibleThere at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the officials of Judah.
King James BibleAnd the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
New King James VersionThen the king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. And he killed all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
New American Standard BibleAnd the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also slaughtered all the commanders of Judah in Riblah.
NASB 1995The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also slaughtered all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
NASB 1977And the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also slaughtered all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
Legacy Standard BibleThen the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also slaughtered all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
Amplified BibleThe king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he also killed all the princes of Judah at Riblah.
Christian Standard BibleAt Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes, and he also slaughtered the Judean commanders.
Holman Christian Standard BibleAt Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes and also slaughtered the Judean commanders.
American Standard VersionAnd the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
Contemporary English VersionZedekiah's sons and the officials of Judah were killed while he watched,
English Revised VersionAnd the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe king of Babylon slaughtered Zedekiah's sons as Zedekiah watched. He also slaughtered all the officials of Judah at Riblah.
Good News TranslationAt Riblah he put Zedekiah's sons to death while Zedekiah was looking on and he also had the officials of Judah executed.
International Standard VersionThe king of Babylon killed Zedekiah's sons before his eyes, and he also killed all the Judean officials at Riblah.
NET BibleThe king of Babylon had Zedekiah's sons put to death while Zedekiah was forced to watch. He also had all the nobles of Judah put to death there at Riblah.
New Heart English BibleThe king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he killed also all the officials of Judah in Riblah.
Webster's Bible TranslationAnd the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThere at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the officials of Judah.
World English BibleThe king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. He also killed all the princes of Judah in Riblah. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd the king of Babylon slaughters the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he has also slaughtered all the princes of Judah in Riblah;
Young's Literal Translation And the king of Babylon slaughtereth the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and also all the princes of Judah hath he slaughtered in Riblah;
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd the king of Babel will slaughter the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: and he slaughtered also all the chiefs of Judah in Riblah. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd the king of Babylon slew the sons of Sedecias before his eyes: and he slew all the princes of Juda in Reblatha.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd the king of Babylon cut the throats of the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the leaders of Judah at Riblah.
New American BibleAs Zedekiah looked on, the king of Babylon slaughtered his sons before his eyes! All the nobles of Judah were slaughtered at Riblah.
New Revised Standard VersionThe king of Babylon killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and also killed all the officers of Judah at Riblah. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he slew also all the princes of Judah in Diblath.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the King of Babel slaughtered the children of Tsedeqiah before his eyes, and all the Nobles of Judea he ran through with the sword in Deblath OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd the king of Babylon slew the sons of Sedekias before his eyes; and he slew all the princes of Juda in Deblatha.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Fall of Jerusalem Recounted… 9The Chaldeans seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he pronounced judgment on Zedekiah. 10There at Riblahthe kingof Babylonslaughteredthe sonsof Zedekiahbefore his eyes,and he alsokilledallthe officialsof Judah.11Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon, where he kept him in custody until his dying day.…
Cross References 2 Kings 25:7And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes. Then they put out his eyes, bound him with bronze shackles, and took him to Babylon.
Lamentations 4:13-16But this was for the sins of her prophets and the guilt of her priests, who shed the blood of the righteous in her midst. / They wandered blind in the streets, defiled by this blood, so that no one dared to touch their garments. / “Go away! Unclean!” men shouted at them. “Away, away! Do not touch us!” So they fled and wandered. Among the nations it was said, “They can stay here no longer.” ...
Ezekiel 12:13But I will spread My net over him, and he will be caught in My snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, and there he will die.
2 Chronicles 36:17So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar,
2 Kings 24:14-16He carried into exile all Jerusalem—all the commanders and mighty men of valor, all the craftsmen and metalsmiths—ten thousand captives in all. Only the poorest people of the land remained. / Nebuchadnezzar carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, as well as the king’s mother, his wives, his officials, and the leading men of the land. He took them into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. / The king of Babylon also brought into exile to Babylon all seven thousand men of valor and a thousand craftsmen and metalsmiths—all strong and fit for battle.
Ezekiel 21:25-27And you, O profane and wicked prince of Israel, the day has come for your final punishment.’ / This is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Remove the turban, and take off the crown. Things will not remain as they are: Exalt the lowly and bring low the exalted. / A ruin, a ruin, I will make it a ruin! And it will not be restored until the arrival of Him to whom it belongs, to whom I have assigned the right of judgment.’
Jeremiah 39:6-7There at Riblah the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and he also killed all the nobles of Judah. / Then he put out Zedekiah’s eyes and bound him with bronze chains to take him to Babylon.
Ezekiel 17:16-21‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. / He despised the oath by breaking the covenant. Seeing that he gave his hand in pledge yet did all these things, he will not escape!’ ...
2 Kings 23:31-34Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as his fathers had done. / And Pharaoh Neco imprisoned Jehoahaz at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he could not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. ...
Jeremiah 22:30This is what the LORD says: “Enroll this man as childless, a man who will not prosper in his lifetime. None of his descendants will prosper to sit on the throne of David or to rule again in Judah.”
Matthew 1:11-12and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon. / After the exile to Babylon: Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,
Daniel 1:1-2In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. / And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god.
2 Kings 24:10-12At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched up to Jerusalem, and the city came under siege. / And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it. / Jehoiachin king of Judah, his mother, his servants, his commanders, and his officials all surrendered to the king of Babylon. So in the eighth year of his reign, the king of Babylon took him captive.
Ezekiel 19:5-9When she saw that she had waited in vain, that her hope was lost, she took another of her cubs and made him a young lion. / He prowled among the lions, and became a young lion. After learning to tear his prey, he devoured men. / He broke down their strongholds and devastated their cities. The land and everything in it shuddered at the sound of his roaring. ...
Jeremiah 34:21-22And I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah and his officials into the hands of their enemies who seek their lives, to the army of the king of Babylon that had withdrawn from you. / Behold, I am going to give the command, declares the LORD, and I will bring them back to this city. They will fight against it, capture it, and burn it down. And I will make the cities of Judah a desolation, without inhabitant.”
Treasury of Scripture And the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes: he slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah. slew Jeremiah 22:30 Thus saith the LORD, Write ye this man childless, a manthat shall not prosper in his days: for no man of his seed shall prosper, sitting upon the throne of David, and ruling any more in Judah. Jeremiah 39:6,7 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… Genesis 21:16 And she went, and sat her down over againsthim a good way off, as it were a bowshot: for she said, Let me not see the death of the child. And she sat over againsthim, and lift up her voice, and wept. he slew Jeremiah 52:24-27 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: … 2 Kings 25:18-21 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: … Ezekiel 9:6 Slay utterly oldand young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whomis the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men whichwere before the house. Jump to Previous BabylonDeathEyesJudahKilledOfficialsPrincesRiblahRulersSlaughteredSlaughterethSlewZedekiahZedeki'ahJump to Next BabylonDeathEyesJudahKilledOfficialsPrincesRiblahRulersSlaughteredSlaughterethSlewZedekiahZedeki'ahJeremiah 52 1.Zedekiah rebels4.Jerusalem is besieged and taken8.Zedekiah's sons killed, and his own eyes put out,12.Nebuzaradan burns and spoils the city24.He carries away the captives28.The number of Jews carried captive31.Evil-Merodach advances JehoiachinThere at RiblahRiblah was a strategic location in ancient Syria, situated on the Orontes River. It served as a military headquarters for the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, during his campaigns against Judah. This location is significant as it was a place of judgment and execution, highlighting the severity of Judah's punishment. Riblah's mention underscores the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets about the consequences of Judah's disobedience. the king of Babylon
The king of Babylon at this time was Nebuchadnezzar II, a powerful ruler known for his military conquests and the expansion of the Babylonian Empire. His role in the capture and destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC was a pivotal moment in Jewish history, marking the beginning of the Babylonian Exile. Nebuchadnezzar is often seen as an instrument of God's judgment against Judah for their idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes
Zedekiah was the last king of Judah, and his sons represented the future of the Davidic line. The execution of his sons was a brutal act meant to extinguish any hope of royal succession and to serve as a personal punishment for Zedekiah. This event fulfilled the prophecy given inJeremiah 34:3-5, where it was foretold that Zedekiah would see the king of Babylon and be taken to Babylon, but he would not die by the sword. The loss of his sons before his eyes was a devastating blow, symbolizing the end of his dynasty and the judgment upon Judah. and he also killed all the officials of Judah
The officials of Judah were likely the leading figures in the government and military, who had supported Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon. Their execution signified the complete dismantling of Judah's political structure and leadership. This act was a fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecies regarding the fate of those who opposed Babylon (Jeremiah 21:7). It also served as a warning to other nations about the consequences of defying Babylonian authority, which was, in this context, seen as defying God's ordained instrument of judgment. Persons / Places / Events 1. ZedekiahThe last king of Judah, who reigned from 597 to 586 BC. He was appointed by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, but later rebelled against him. 2. King of Babylon (Nebuchadnezzar)The powerful ruler of the Babylonian Empire who conquered Jerusalem and brought Judah under his control. 3. RiblahA city in the land of Hamath, which served as a military headquarters for Nebuchadnezzar during his campaign against Judah. 4. Sons of ZedekiahThe children of King Zedekiah, who were executed by Nebuchadnezzar as a punishment and a warning to others. 5. Officials of JudahThe leaders and nobles of Judah who were also executed, signifying the complete overthrow of Judah's political structure. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceZedekiah's rebellion against Babylon, despite Jeremiah's warnings, led to devastating consequences. This serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God's guidance. The Sovereignty of GodThe events at Riblah demonstrate God's control over nations and leaders, fulfilling His prophetic word through Jeremiah. The Cost of LeadershipZedekiah's failure as a leader resulted in personal tragedy and national disaster. Leaders are called to seek God's wisdom and lead with integrity. The Reality of JudgmentThe execution of Zedekiah's sons and officials illustrates the seriousness of divine judgment. It calls believers to live righteously and heed God's warnings. Hope Beyond JudgmentWhile this passage is somber, it points to the need for repentance and the hope of restoration, themes that are prevalent throughout the book of Jeremiah. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Jeremiah 52:10?
2.How does Jeremiah 52:10 illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's commands?
3.What can we learn about God's justice from Jeremiah 52:10?
4.How does Jeremiah 52:10 connect to Deuteronomy 28's warnings about disobedience?
5.How can we apply the lessons of Jeremiah 52:10 to modern Christian life?
6.What role does leadership play in the events described in Jeremiah 52:10?
7.Why did King Zedekiah's sons face execution in Jeremiah 52:10?
8.How does Jeremiah 52:10 reflect God's judgment on Judah?
9.What historical evidence supports the events described in Jeremiah 52:10?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 52?
11.Ezekiel 12:13 foretells a ruler’s capture, yet some historical accounts appear to conflict with the exact manner of King Zedekiah’s downfall; how can these differences be reconciled?
12.Jeremiah 39:6–7: Was blinding a defeated king actually a common Babylonian punishment, and do we have external records confirming this practice?
13.What archaeological evidence, if any, supports the precise sequence of events described in Jeremiah 52:4-16?
14.Why do extra-biblical historical sources seem to conflict or fail to mention details about Mattaniah's appointment as Zedekiah (2 Kings 24:17)?What Does Jeremiah 52:10 Mean There at Riblah“There at Riblah…” (Jeremiah 52:10) • Riblah sat on the Orontes River along a major military route. It became Nebuchadnezzar’s field headquarters (cf.2 Kings 25:6). • By noting the exact place, Scripture roots the event in verifiable geography, underscoring that God’s judgment was carried out in real time and space—no myth, but history (Jeremiah 39:5;Ezekiel 24:2). • Riblah’s distance from Jerusalem (about 200 miles) reminds us how far covenant-breaking had taken Judah. The nation’s leaders were hauled off to a foreign command post to face the consequences foretold by the prophets (Deuteronomy 28:36).
the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes“…the king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes…” • This brutal act fulfilled Jeremiah’s warning that the royal family would not escape judgment (Jeremiah 34:3). • Watching his heirs executed was the last sight Zedekiah ever saw before being blinded (Jeremiah 39:6-7). The enemy intended maximum psychological torment; God’s word highlighted the cost of covenant unfaithfulness (Leviticus 26:17). • The extinction of Zedekiah’s line fulfilled earlier prophecies that David’s throne, though ultimately secured in Christ, would experience a temporary earthly cutoff because of sin (Jeremiah 22:30;Ezekiel 21:25-27).
and he also killed all the officials of Judah“…and he also killed all the officials of Judah.” • Judah’s leadership—princes, advisers, military commanders—had led the nation into rebellion against both Babylon and God (Jeremiah 38:19;2 Chronicles 36:12-16). • Their execution stripped Judah of any remaining earthly governance, paving the way for exile and demonstrating that sin’s wages reach every social level (Romans 6:23;Lamentations 4:12-13). • This total purge fulfilled God’s declaration that He would “make Jerusalem a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth” (Deuteronomy 28:25;Jeremiah 24:8-10), yet it also set the stage for future restoration under a new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34).
summaryJeremiah 52:10 records the precise place, personal anguish, and national devastation that fell on Judah because of persistent disobedience. Riblah anchors the event in history, the slaughter of Zedekiah’s sons dramatizes the end of a sinful dynasty, and the execution of Judah’s officials confirms that no status shields from divine justice. The verse stands as a sober reminder that God’s warnings come true, yet it also points forward: once human leadership failed, God would ultimately raise up the righteous Branch, Jesus Christ, to reign forever (Jeremiah 23:5-6). (10) He slew also all the princes of Judah in Riblah.--The fact is not stated in 2 Kings 25, but is found in Jeremiah 39:6.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew There at Riblahבְּרִבְלָֽתָה׃(bə·riḇ·lā·ṯāh)Preposition-b | Noun - proper - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 7247:Riblah -- a city in Hamath, also one on southeast border of Israelthe kingמֶֽלֶךְ־(me·leḵ-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428:A kingof Babylonבָּבֶ֛ל(bā·ḇel)Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 894:Babylon -- an eastern Mediterranean empire and its capital cityslaughteredוַיִּשְׁחַ֧ט(way·yiš·ḥaṭ)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7819:To slaughter, beatZedekiah’sצִדְקִיָּ֖הוּ(ṣiḏ·qî·yā·hū)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6667:Zedekiah -- 'Yah is righteousness', six Israelitessonsבְּנֵ֥י(bə·nê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1121:A sonbefore his eyes,לְעֵינָ֑יו(lə·‘ê·nāw)Preposition-l | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869:An eye, a fountainand he also killedשָׁחַ֥ט(šā·ḥaṭ)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7819:To slaughter, beatallכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everythe officialsשָׂרֵ֥י(śā·rê)Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269:Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, princeof Judah.יְהוּדָ֖ה(yə·hū·ḏāh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3063:Judah -- 'praised', a son of Jacob, also the southern kingdom, also four Israelites
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OT Prophets: Jeremiah 52:10 The king of Babylon killed the sons (Jer.) |
