Jeremiah 52:1-3
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What might seem like just a factual introduction to King Zedekiah actually highlights a poignant detail: his mother, Hamutal, was also the mother of King Jehoahaz. This detail subtly emphasizes the fractured and cyclical nature of leadership and dynasty in Judah, with the same mother bearing sons who would both ultimately face dire consequences under Babylonian rule.
Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence. And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This chapter acts as a historical appendix to Jeremiah's prophecies, detailing the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem after King Zedekiah's rebellion. It provides the factual account of Zedekiah's reign and the tragic events that led to the city's downfall, offering context for the prophetic warnings and judgments previously delivered. The narrative sets the stage for the sobering events that concluded Judah's history as a nation.
Zedekiah ascended to the throne at a tender age, facing immense pressure. This chapter opens not with a grand declaration, but with stark facts about his reign.
A King's Beginning
Jeremiah 52:1 tells us Zedekiah was "twenty-one years old when he became king" and "reigned eleven years in Jerusalem." This seemingly simple statement is loaded with historical weight.
Beyond the king himself, the verse names his mother, grounding his lineage. But what does this family tie reveal about the political landscape?
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A Mother's Name
Jeremiah 52:1 also gives us Zedekiah's mother's name: "Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah."
Understand the original words
melek · Hebrew Noun
A title used for a sovereign ruler or monarch. Biblically, it often refers to human rulers, but ultimately serves as a reminder that God is the true, supreme King over all the earth.
Yerušālayim · Hebrew Noun
The capital city of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. It is biblically significant as the location of the Temple, the dwelling place of God's presence, and represents the center of worship and covenant life for the people of God.
raʿ · Hebrew Adjective
A moral or ethical category denoting that which is contrary to God’s nature, will, or commands. It encompasses anything that opposes divine holiness and brings about separation or judgment.
ʿayin · Hebrew Noun
A common Hebrew idiom for divine judgment or appraisal. It signifies that God is the omniscient observer of human actions, and nothing escapes His holy scrutiny or evaluation.
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun
A personal name for the God of the covenant, the Creator who revealed Himself to Israel. It represents the self-existent One who enters into a relational and redemptive covenant with His people.
ap · Hebrew Noun
A holy, righteous reaction of God against sin, rebellion, and covenant unfaithfulness. It is not an erratic emotional outburst but a settled, just response of His holiness against that which destroys or corrupts His creation.
pānîm · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the face of God, symbolizing His nearness, favor, and covenant blessing. To be cast out from His presence is the ultimate form of judgment, signifying a loss of access to God’s protection, blessing, and fellowship.
mārad · Hebrew Verb
To act in defiance of established authority or covenant obligations. In the Bible, it frequently refers to political betrayal or, more profoundly, spiritual infidelity against God’s sovereign rule.
This verse introduces Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, who ascended the throne under Babylonian authority during a period of intense political turmoil and impending judgment on Jerusalem.
c. 609 BC
Jehoiakim becomes king
After the death of his father Josiah, Jehoiakim, originally named Eliakim, was placed on the throne by Pharaoh Necho. He was a vassal to Egypt.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, after defeating the Egyptians, captured Jerusalem and deported some of its elite, including members of the royal family, to Babylon. Jehoiakim remained as a vassal king.
598 BC
Jehoiakim's Revolt and Death
Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon. He died during the subsequent siege, and his young son Jehoiachin was made king.
597 BC— this verse
Jehoiachin's Deportation
After only three months, Jehoiachin surrendered to Nebuchadnezzar and was deported to Babylon along with a large number of Jerusalem's citizens. Nebuchadnezzar then appointed Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, as king.
588-586 BC
Siege and Fall of Jerusalem
Zedekiah rebelled against Babylonian rule, leading to a prolonged siege of Jerusalem. The city's walls were breached, and the Temple was destroyed.
586 BC
Zedekiah's Punishment
Zedekiah was captured while trying to escape, his sons were executed before his eyes, and his own eyes were put out. He was then taken in chains to Babylon.
c. 581 BC
Further Deportations
Nebuzaradan, the Babylonian commander, conducted further deportations from Judah, bringing the total exiled population to a significant number.
This passage provides a parallel account of Zedekiah's reign, directly correlating the details of his age and the length of his rule in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 36:11Similar to Jeremiah 52:1, this verse also states Zedekiah's age when he began to reign, offering another historical echo of this specific king's ascension.
Jeremiah 39:2This verse describes the very events that transpired during Zedekiah's reign and led to Jerusalem's fall, providing the crucial historical context for the king mentioned in chapter 52.
Ezekiel 17:15-20This prophetic passage directly addresses Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon and God's judgment upon him, illuminating the spiritual implications behind the historical facts of his reign and eventual downfall.
barnesJeremiah 52:1: "Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah."
Jeremiah 52 is an historical appendix to the Book of Jeremiah, giving details of the capture of Babylon additional to those contained in Jeremiah 39 :The last words of the foregoing chapter affirm that Jeremiah was not the author, and the view adopted by most commentators is, that this chapter is taken from…
expositorsJeremiah 52:1: "Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah."
CHAPTER XIIIGEDALIAH Jeremiah 39:1-18 ; Jeremiah 40:1-16 ; Jeremiah 41:1-18 ; Jeremiah 52:1-34 "Then arose Ishmael ben Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote with the sword and slew Gedaliah ben Ahikam ben Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had made king over the land." Jeremiah 41:2 WE now…
What might seem like just a factual introduction to King Zedekiah actually highlights a poignant detail: his mother, Hamutal, was also the mother of King Jehoahaz. This detail subtly emphasizes the fractured and cyclical nature of leadership and dynasty in Judah, with the same mother bearing sons who would both ultimately face dire consequences under Babylonian rule.
This chapter acts as a historical appendix to Jeremiah's prophecies, detailing the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem after King Zedekiah's rebellion. It provides the factual account of Zedekiah's reign and the tragic events that led to the city's downfall, offering context for the prophetic warnings and judgments previously delivered. The narrative sets the stage for the sobering events that concluded Judah's history as a nation.
This chapter acts as a historical appendix to Jeremiah's prophecies, detailing the final siege and destruction of Jerusalem after King Zedekiah's rebellion. It provides the factual account of Zedekiah's reign and the tragic events that led to the city's downfall, offering context for the prophetic warnings and judgments previously delivered. The narrative sets the stage for the sobering events that concluded Judah's history as a nation.
"Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jeh…" — What might seem like just a factual introduction to King Zedekiah actually highlights a poignant detail: his mother, Hamutal, was also the mother of King Jehoahaz. This detail subtly emphasizes the f…
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Last reviewed October 2026
