Chapter 25

1 Jerusalem is besieged. 4 Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out. 8 Nebuzar-adan defaceth the city, carrieth the remnant, except a few poor labourers, into captivity, 13 spoileth and carrieth away the treasures. 18 The nobles are slain at Riblah. 22 Gedaliah, who was set over them that remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt. 27 Evil-merodach advanceth Jehoiachin in his court.

1. The ninth year. See Jer. 39:1; 52:4. The ninth year of Zedekiah, by Jewish fall-to-fall reckoning, was 589/88 b.c. The tenth month of the Jewish year corresponds roughly to our January. On the day the siege of Jerusalem began, the Lord revealed this fact to Ezekiel in Babylonia (Eze. 24:1–14).

The tenth of the tenth month in 588 b.c. can be dated with reasonable accuracy to Jan. 15 by the Babylonian calendar, though the Jewish reckoning of this month may have differed (see p. 98; also p. 120, and the last entry on p. 123).

Against Jerusalem. Not only was Jerusalem besieged, but parts of the army were sent against “all the cities of Judah that were left” (Jer. 34:7).

Forts. Siegeworks, including sloping ramparts of earth from which battering-rams could attack the upper and weaker portions of the walls, and movable towers, to bring the attackers on a level with the defenders on the city walls.

2. Besieged. For details of the terrible siege, see Jer. 37, 38, 39.

3. Fourth month. The number of the fourth month is missing in the Hebrew, but it is correctly supplied in Jer. 52:6. The fourth month is approximately our July. In Zedekiah’s 11th year the ninth of the fourth month was probably July 19, 586 b.c. (see on v. 1).

Famine prevailed. By this time the famine had become so severe that defense was no longer possible. Mothers ate their own children in the extremity, and the skin of the sufferers became black and parched (Lam. 2:11, 12, 19, 20; 4:3–10; 5:10). The Lord had warned His people that such terrible conditions would be the result of transgression (Lev. 26:29; Deut. 28:53–57; Jer. 14:12–16; 15:2; 27:8, 13; Eze. 4:16, 17; 5:10, 12).

4. Broken up. An entrance may have been gained through a breach in the city wall made by battering-rams.

The men of war fled. The verb “fled” is missing here in the Hebrew, but is in the parallel passage of Jer. 39:4 and 52:7.

Between two walls. The flight was probably made down the Tyropoeon Valley, past the pool of Siloam, which was by the king’s garden (Neh. 3:15), near the junction of the Hinnom and Kidron valleys. A second wall had been built to the south and southwest of the old wall for the protection of the pool of Siloam (see 2 Chron. 32:4, 5; Isa. 22:9–11), and it was probably between this wall and the old wall of Zion that the flight took place. This would lead down to the Kidron Valley and thence toward the Arabah and the Jordan. See Jerusalem in Israelite Times.

Overtook him. Zedekiah’s capture by the Babylonians had been foretold (Jer. 38:23; Eze. 12:13).

6. To Riblah. Nebuchadnezzar was at this time making preparations for his siege of Tyre, which took 13 years. Riblah, about 10 mi. (16 km.) south of Kadesh in the Plain of Coele-Syria, provided convenient headquarters from which to conduct both these operations. Necho also made Riblah his headquarters for his campaign through Syria to Carchemish (ch. 23:33).

They gave judgment. “He gave judgment” (Jer. 39:5; 52:9), indicating that it was Nebuchadnezzar himself who acted as judge and passed sentence. The charge in this instance was rebellion—a breaking of the solemn oath that Zedekiah had made (2 Kings 24:20). Nebuchadnezzar, who had become acquainted with the God of the Hebrews, required Zedekiah to swear his allegiance by an oath in the name of God (2 Chron. 36:13).

7. Slew the sons. In Jeremiah’s endeavor to turn Zedekiah away from rebellion, the prophet had warned the king that unless he would make his peace with the Babylonians, his wives and children would fall into enemy hands (Jer. 38:23).

Put out the eyes. Compare the punishment meted out by the Philistines to Samson, who was blinded and bound with fetters of brass (Judges 16:21). Jeremiah had repeatedly warned Zedekiah that if he persisted in rebellion, he would be taken to Babylon (Jer. 32:4, 5; 34:3; 38:23). Ezekiel had predicted that although he would be taken to Babylon, he would not see it (Eze. 12:13).

8. The nineteenth year. This synchronization definitely fixes the date for the end of Judah’s history, since the years of Nebuchadnezzar are astronomically established (see p. 152). The synchronization of Zedekiah’s 11th and last year (v. 2) with Nebuchadnezzar’s 19th year, agrees with Jer. 32:1, where Zedekiah’s 10th year is synchronized with Nebuchadnezzar’s 18th.

9. Burnt the house. This act brought an end to Solomon’s Temple. In addition to the Temple, the palace and many other important structures in Jerusalem were put to the torch. The city was left a place of ruin and desolation—a striking exhibit of the destruction that sin brings in its wake. The conflagration did not come without warning (Jer. 21:10; 32:29; 34:2; 37:8, 10; 38:18, 23).

10. Brake down. The walls were still in ruins until repaired by Ezra (Ezra 1:1–4; 7:6–9; 9:9) and Nehemiah (Neh. 3; 6:15), long after Cyrus had granted repatriation in his year 1 (2 Chron. 36:22, 23; Ezra 1:1–11).

11. The fugitives. These were the people who had previously deserted to the Babylonians during the siege. Jeremiah had repeatedly urged submission (Jer. 27:12; 38:2–4, 17–23), and was himself falsely accused of falling away to the Babylonians (Jer. 37:13, 14).

The remnant. Three classes of people are distinguished in this verse: (1) those left in Jerusalem, (2) those who had deserted to the Babylonians, (3) the “multitude” who were in the country outside Jerusalem. According to the next verse, however, not all of the latter class were taken to Babylon.

12. The poor. See 2 Kings 24:14; Jer. 39:10; 40:7; 52:16. Only a remnant of the poor were left in the country, and lands were given to them for cultivation. It was hoped that they might prove to be a nucleus of Jews loyal to Babylon.

13. The pillars of brass. The more valuable treasures of the Temple had previously been taken to Babylon (Dan. 1:2; 2 Chron. 36:7; 2 Kings 24:13; 2 Chron. 36:10; Jer. 28:3). But there still remained some of the massive works of bronze made by Hiram for Solomon’s Temple, such as the two pillars set up at the entrance to the Temple (1 Kings 7:15–21), the brazen sea (1 Kings 7:23–26), and the bases of brass (1 Kings 7:27, 28).

14. The pots. See 1 Kings 7:45.

15. Of gold. Nebuchadnezzar’s attacks on Jerusalem in the reigns of Jehoiakim and Jehoiachin had left a number of items of value in both the Temple and the palace (Jer. 27:18–22), but these were now carried away.

17. The height. A fuller account of these pillars is given in 1 Kings 7:15–21; 2 Chron. 3:15–17; Jer. 52:21–23.

18. The captain. Nebuzaradan (vs. 8, 11, 20). He seems to have been a man of character and sound judgment (Jer. 40:2–5). The captain selected a number of individuals for exemplary punishment.

Seraiah. The father of Jehozadak, who was carried into captivity (1 Chron. 6:14, 15), and an ancestor of Ezra (Ezra 7:1).

Zephaniah. A priest of high rank, probably the high priest’s deputy (see Jer. 21:1; 29:25, 29; 37:3).

19. An officer. Likely the royal officer commanding the garrison.

In a Babylonian court almanac of the year 570 b.c. that names the chief officers of the realm, Nebuzaradan appears as NabuРzeЖriРiddinam. His archaic title, “chief baker,” equivalent to the Hebrew term “chief butcher,” designates him as “lord chancellor.”

Five men. Evidently royal counselors, and as such in a large measure responsible for the policy that brought the nation to its present plight.

The principal scribe. An important officer of the general staff.

Threescore men. Probably men who had distinguished themselves as ringleaders of the rebellion.

21. Carried away. The carrying away into Babylon did not take place in a single year. As early as 605 b.c., the third year of Jehoiakim, a number of Hebrews were taken captive (Dan. 1:1–7). Other captivities took place in 598, the 7th year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:28); in 597, the 8th year of Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:12–16); in 587, the 18th year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:29); in 586, the 19th year of Nebuchadnezzar, the great captivity (2 Kings 25:8–11; Jer. 52:12, 15); and again in 582, the 23d year of Nebuchadnezzar (Jer. 52:30).

22. The people. See Jer. 40 to 44 for a fuller account. As a wise administrator, Nebuchadnezzar gave careful consideration to the people that remained, and made proper arrangements for them.

Gedaliah. Nebuchadnezzar diplomatically appointed a Jew to be ruler of the land under the Babylonian administration. Gedaliah came from a family of high rank. His father, Ahikam, had been a trusted official under Josiah (ch. 22:12), and had sufficient influence with Jehoiakim to have Jeremiah spared from death (Jer. 26:24). Gedaliah evidently supported the same policy of moderation as Jeremiah. A seal impression reading, “Belonging to Gedaliahu, who is over the house,” has been discovered at Lachish. See Jer. 40:9.

23. All the captains. Many of these men had fled with the king and had dispersed themselves over the country (vs. 4, 5). Now they came out of hiding and made their way to Gedaliah (Jer. 40:7, 8).

Mizpah. A city of Benjamin, near Ramah (Joshua 18:25, 26; 1 Kings 15:22). The exact site is unknown, some locating it about 5 mi. (8 km.) northwest of Jerusalem (as in the map of Palestine during the Period of the Judges), others 7 1/2 mi. (12 km.) north. The latter identification, at Tell enРNasbeh, is employed in this commentary and in the maps drawn for it. This site is assigned to Ataroth on the map of Palestine In Biblical Times The tribes were summoned here at times for conferences during the later period of the judges (Judges 20:1–3; 21:1, 5, 8). Here Samuel gathered the tribes and here he judged Israel (1 Sam. 7:5–17). Here also Saul was chosen king (1 Sam. 10:17–25). Asa fortified the site as a defense against the northern tribes (1 Kings 15:22; 2 Chron. 16:6). With such a background, and so near Jerusalem, Mizpah would make a suitable headquarters of the new administration.

Ishmael. The grandson of Elishama (v. 25), the royal secretary (Jer. 36:12, 20), and of royal blood (2 Kings 25:25; Jer. 36:12; Jer. 41:1). His royal birth probably explains his attitude toward Gedaliah.

Johanan. See Jer. 40:8. Johanan later warned Gedaliah of Ishmael’s intended treachery and himself offered to slay Ishmael, but was not permitted to do so by Gedaliah (Jer. 40:13–16). Later Johanan turned against Ishmael and became leader of a group of Jews who fled to Egypt, forcing Jeremiah to accompany them (Jer. 41:14, 15; 42:1, 2; 43:2–7).

The Netophathite. Netophah, southeast of Bethlehem, is now Khirbet Bedd FaµluЖh (Ezra 2:21–23; Neh. 7:26, 27).

Jaazaniah. A seal of Jaazaniah, reading, “Belonging to Jaazaniahu, servant of the king,” has been found at Tell enРNasbeh.

24. Serve the king. Fugitives had fled to the neighboring countries of Moab, Ammon, and Edom (see Jer. 40:11), and doubtless were still holding out defiantly against Babylon. Gedaliah now pledged them immunity if they would accept the Chaldeans as their masters. He invited them to return and settle down, to partake of the fruits of the land (Jer. 40:9–12).

25. The seventh month. Perhaps two months after the destruction of Jerusalem (vs. 8–12), possibly a year later (cf. PK 460).

Smote Gedaliah. Ishmael had been hired by Baalis the king of Ammon to murder Gedaliah (Jer. 40:14). The assassination might have been averted if Gedaliah had been more alert and had given heed to the warning brought him by Johanan (Jer. 40:13–16). Gedaliah was treacherously slain after he had entertained Ishmael and his men at a friendly meal (Jer. 41:1–3).

26. Came to Egypt. For further details see Jer. 41 to 43. Jeremiah counseled strongly against the flight to Egypt, but to no avail. Johanan, it seems, turned against Ishmael, forcing him to flee to Ammon (Jer. 41:15), and with Jaazaniah assumed the leadership of a group of Jews who fled to Egypt, compelling Jeremiah to accompany them.

27. Seven and thirtieth year. See p. 161.

The twelfth month. The end of the Babylonian year, in the spring, just before the new-year festivities, would be a suitable time for the release of political prisoners.

Evil-merodach. Called Amel-Marduk in secular history. He was the son and successor of Nebuchadnezzar, and came to the throne early in October, 562 b.c., and reigned till August, 560 b.c.

The year that he began to reign. Literally, “in the year when he was [or became] king.” On the interpretation of this clause, see p. 161.

Lift up the head. That is, Evil-merodach released Jehoiachin from prison (cf. Gen. 40:13, 20).

28. Above the throne. He gave him precedence over other captive kings who were also in Babylon.

29. Did eat bread. That is, he received his support from the royal purse, as was the case with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of the groves who ate “at Jezebel’s table” (1 Kings 18:19).

30. Continual allowance. Several cuneiform tablets of 592 b.c., listing payments of rations of oil, barley, etc., to captives and skilled workmen in and around Babylon, include the name of Yaukin (Jehoiachin), king of Judah, and five of his sons. This shows he was still at liberty in 592 b.c. For some unknown reason he was later imprisoned, where he remained until Evil-merodach freed him. From that time on till his death Jehoiachin once more received his support from the royal purse, living in peace and comfort in the land of his captivity. The writer of Kings closes his book with a picture of a former king of Judah, after a long and wearisome captivity, closing his life in comparative comfort and honor. Under extreme affliction, the seed of David was at least not wholly cast off.

Ellen G. White comments

1–26PK 452–463

1     PK 452

4, 5 PK 458

7, 18–20PK 459

22, 25, 26        PK 460