Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "gave judgment upon him" hints at a more personal confrontation than a mere sentencing. The Babylonian king didn't just sign a death warrant; he directly addressed Zedekiah, likely recounting his betrayals and thus executing a profound, spoken judgment before the final, brutal sentence was carried out.
Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Zedekiah’s failed escape attempt, Babylonian forces captured him, bringing the Judean king to Nebuchadnezzar’s command center at Riblah. There, the king of Babylon personally passed judgment on Zedekiah for his rebellion and treachery, setting the stage for his brutal punishment described in the following verses.
Why was King Zedekiah brought before the Babylonian king at Riblah for judgment? This verse points to a betrayal that sealed his fate.
Jeremiah 52:9 reveals the culmination of Zedekiah's rebellion. He had sworn an oath of loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, but broke it by allying with Egypt.
What's significant about the location 'Riblah' where Zedekiah met his fate?
The mention of Riblah is not accidental. It was a significant military and administrative outpost for the Babylonian empire.
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Understand the original words
taphas · Hebrew Verb
To take into one's possession by force; biblically, it often signifies the complete loss of sovereignty and freedom that occurs when a people are delivered into the hands of their enemies as a judgment from the Lord.
The verse captures the brutal finality of judgment, highlighting Nebuchadnezzar's personal involvement in condemning Zedekiah at Riblah, a strategic military post, after Jerusalem's devastating fall.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar, crown prince of Babylon, conquers Judah and deports thousands of Israelites, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Babylonian Deportation
After a revolt, Jerusalem is besieged again. King Jehoiachin and more elite citizens are deported to Babylon. Zedekiah is installed as king.
589-587 BC
Siege of Jerusalem
Zedekiah, encouraged by a false sense of security and Egyptian support, rebels against Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem.
July 587 BC
Fall of Jerusalem
Jerusalem falls after a prolonged siege. The city walls are broken down, the Temple is plundered and burned, and most of the remaining population is deported.
c. July 587 BC— this verse
Zedekiah's Sentence at Riblah
King Zedekiah is captured while trying to flee Jerusalem. He is brought to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where his sons are executed before his eyes and his own eyes are blinded.
c. 587 BC
Third Babylonian Deportation
Following the final destruction of Jerusalem, Nebuzaradan, captain of Nebuchadnezzar's guard, deports the last remnants of the population to Babylon.
This passage describes the same event, detailing the blinding of Zedekiah after sentence was passed, highlighting the brutal finality of the judgment.
2 Kings 25:6-7This parallel account in the books of Kings offers a slightly different wording for the 'passing of judgment,' emphasizing that the king of Babylon himself executed the sentence.
Ezekiel 17:12-21Ezekiel prophesied against Zedekiah for breaking his treaty with Babylon, directly addressing the 'treachery' and 'perjury' that would lead to his judgment and exile.
Lamentations 1:13-15The sorrowful reflection in Lamentations speaks of God sending down 'fire' and a 'net' upon Judah's people, mirroring the devastating judgment that befell Zedekiah and his nation.
clarkeJeremiah 52:9: "Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him."
King of Babylon to Riblah - See the note on Jeremiah 39:5 .
ellicottJeremiah 52:9: "Then they took the king, and carried him up unto the king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath; where he gave judgment upon him."
(9) To Riblah in the land of Hamath. —The descriptive words are omitted in 2Kings 25:6 . (See Note on Jeremiah 39:5 .) He gave judgment upon him.—In 2Kings 25:6, they gave judgment. So in the next verse “the king of Babylon slew” takes the place of “they slew” in 2Kings 25:7.
The phrase "gave judgment upon him" hints at a more personal confrontation than a mere sentencing. The Babylonian king didn't just sign a death warrant; he directly addressed Zedekiah, likely recounting his betrayals and thus executing a profound, spoken judgment before the final, brutal sentence was carried out.
After Zedekiah’s failed escape attempt, Babylonian forces captured him, bringing the Judean king to Nebuchadnezzar’s command center at Riblah. There, the king of Babylon personally passed judgment on Zedekiah for his rebellion and treachery, setting the stage for his brutal punishment described in the following verses.
After Zedekiah’s failed escape attempt, Babylonian forces captured him, bringing the Judean king to Nebuchadnezzar’s command center at Riblah. There, the king of Babylon personally passed judgment on Zedekiah for his rebellion and treachery, setting the stage for his brutal punishment described in the following verses.
"Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he passed sentence on him." — The phrase "gave judgment upon him" hints at a more personal confrontation than a mere sentencing. The Babylonian king didn't just sign a death warrant; he directly addressed Zedekiah, likely recount…
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Last reviewed October 2026