Zedekiah isn't just captured; he's brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah for a formal sentencing, not just a casual punishment. This "speaking judgments" signifies a legal trial, highlighting Zedekiah's fall from kingship to criminal, reinforcing the gravity of his broken oath and covenant.
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, at Riblah, in the land of Hamath; and he passed sentence on him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Zedekiah, having broken his treaty with Babylon, attempts to flee Jerusalem during its final siege. The Chaldean army ruthlessly pursues him, catching him in the plains near Jericho, and then brings him to Nebuchadnezzar, who awaits him at Riblah. There, Zedekiah faces a judicial reckoning for his betrayal, not as a king, but as a covenant-breaker.
Zedekiah tried to escape the doomed city of Jerusalem. But the pursuit wasn't just by the Chaldean army – it was divinely orchestrated.
Zedekiah's flight from Jerusalem was a desperate gamble to escape his fate. He fled towards Jericho, hoping to cross the Jordan and find refuge.
God's Sovereign Hand
Yet, the text highlights that it was the Chaldean army that pursued and overtook him. This wasn't mere coincidence. The commentators emphasize that this pursuit was driven by a 'hidden impulse from above.' God, in His sovereignty, guided the Chaldean forces to capture the fugitive king.
Acknowledging God's Word
Zedekiah's capture serves as a stark reminder that attempts to flee from God's judgment are futile. Even when hidden in 'solitude' or 'deserts,' as Calvin notes, escaping God's pronouncements is impossible. This event powerfully confirms God's faithfulness to His threatenings, compelling His people to recognize His power and His Word.
Zedekiah wasn't just captured; he was brought to a specific place for a specific purpose: to face the king and receive his sentence.
The journey from the plains of Jericho to Riblah was significant. Riblah was a strategic location, a major administrative and military center for Nebuchadnezzar, situated on the main routes between Babylon and Egypt.
A Vassal's Betrayal
Nebuchadnezzar, the King of Babylon, had placed Zedekiah on the throne of Judah. Zedekiah had sworn an oath of allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, making him a vassal king. However, Zedekiah broke this covenant, seeking an alliance with Egypt instead.
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"Spake Judgments": More Than Just Punishment
The phrase 'he passed sentence on him' or 'spake judgments with him' is crucial. It signifies more than just a simple execution or punishment. It implies a formal trial. Nebuchadnezzar brought Zedekiah before him, not just as a defeated enemy, but as a criminal who had violated his oath and treaty. This public 'trial' and condemnation, as commentators note, was a degradation of royal dignity, designed to make a profound statement about the consequences of treason against Babylon and, by extension, against the divinely appointed order.
Understand the original words
Kasdim · Hebrew Proper Noun/Adjective
A Semitic people inhabiting southern Mesopotamia, who became the dominant imperial power of the era; they are frequently cited in prophetic literature as the agents of God's wrath against his people.
din · Hebrew Verb
To execute justice or declare a verdict upon someone, often involving the implementation of punishment or disciplinary action by a sovereign authority.
Zedekiah's capture and subsequent blinding at Riblah were not mere political events, but a fulfillment of God's judgment, demonstrating that even desperate flight couldn't escape divine consequence for breaking covenants.
c. 605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
Nebuchadnezzar, then crown prince of Babylon, decisively defeats the Egyptian army. This victory establishes Babylonian dominance over the Near East, including Judah.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Following his victory, Nebuchadnezzar deports a group of Judean elite, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marks the beginning of Babylonian influence and control over Judah.
c. 597 BC
Second Deportation
After King Jehoiachin of Judah rebels, Nebuchadnezzar deports him and another large group of Judeans, including the prophet Ezekiel, to Babylon. Zedekiah is installed as the new king.
c. 589 BC
Siege of Jerusalem Begins
King Zedekiah, despite Jeremiah's warnings, rebels against Babylon for a second time, this time allying with Egypt. Nebuchadnezzar responds by launching a devastating siege of Jerusalem.
July 587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Third Deportation
After a long and brutal siege, Babylonian forces breach Jerusalem's walls. The city is plundered and destroyed, and most of the remaining population is deported to Babylon.
c. July 587 BC— this verse
Zedekiah Captured at Jericho
King Zedekiah attempts to flee Jerusalem during the final stages of the siege but is captured by Babylonian forces in the plains near Jericho. This verse directly describes this pivotal moment.
c. July 587 BC
Zedekiah Brought to Riblah for Judgment
Zedekiah is brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, a key military staging ground. Here, Nebuchadnezzar pronounces judgment, blinding Zedekiah and taking him captive to Babylon.
This passage details the specific covenant Zedekiah broke with Nebuchadnezzar, explaining why the judgment passed upon him was so severe, as he was seen as a treaty-breaking vassal.
2 Kings 23:33This shows a parallel instance where Pharaoh-necho brought King Jehoahaz to Riblah to pass judgment, highlighting Riblah as a significant location for determining the fate of deposed rulers.
Ezekiel 12:13This verse prophesies that Zedekiah would be taken to Babylon and that his eyes would not see it, directly foreshadowing the blinding he suffered after his capture.
2 Chronicles 36:13This verse echoes Jeremiah's account, stating that Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar, whom God had made him swear to by himself, underscoring the oath-breaking aspect of his downfall.
calvinJeremiah 39:5: "But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him."
- But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon hi…
pooleJeremiah 39:5: "But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him."
Thus God by his providence fulfilled his threatening by his prophet Ezekiel, Ezekiel 17:12 . Riblah was upon the borders of Canaan, as appeareth from Numbers 34:11 ; it was in the land of Hamath, of which we read 2 Kings 17:24 , being one of…
Zedekiah isn't just captured; he's brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah for a formal sentencing, not just a casual punishment. This "speaking judgments" signifies a legal trial, highlighting Zedekiah's fall from kingship to criminal, reinforcing the gravity of his broken oath and covenant.
King Zedekiah, having broken his treaty with Babylon, attempts to flee Jerusalem during its final siege. The Chaldean army ruthlessly pursues him, catching him in the plains near Jericho, and then brings him to Nebuchadnezzar, who awaits him at Riblah. There, Zedekiah faces a judicial reckoning for his betrayal, not as a king, but as a covenant-breaker.
King Zedekiah, having broken his treaty with Babylon, attempts to flee Jerusalem during its final siege. The Chaldean army ruthlessly pursues him, catching him in the plains near Jericho, and then brings him to Nebuchadnezzar, who awaits him at Riblah. There, Zedekiah faces a judicial reckoning for his betrayal, not as a king, but as a covenant-breaker.
"But the army of the Chaldeans pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. And when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, at Riblah, in the land of Hamath; and he passed sentence on him." — Zedekiah isn't just captured; he's brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah for a formal sentencing, not just a casual punishment. This "speaking judgments" signifies a legal trial, highlighting Zedekiah'…
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Last reviewed October 2026
