Jeremiah 39:6

“Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes, etc.] Not with his own hands, but gave orders to do it: these must be very young, at least some of them; since Zedekiah at this time was but thirty two years of age. This must be a dreadful spectacle for him to behold; and the consideration must be cutting, that it was owing to his own obstinacy in not taking the advice of the Prophet Jeremiah to surrender to the Chaldeans, whereby he and his family would have been saved, (<243817>Jeremiah 38:17); also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah; who did not come over to the Chaldean army and surrender themselves; such who advised the king to stand out to the…”

“slew . . . sons . . . before his eyes--previous to his eyes being "put out" (Jer 39:7); literally, "dug out." The Assyrian sculptures depict the delight with which the kings struck out, often with their own hands, the eyes of captive princes. This passage reconciles Jer 32:4, "his eyes shall behold his eyes"; with Eze 12:13, "he shall not see Babylon, though he shall die there." slew all . . . nobles-- (Jer 27:20).”

“Compare the marginal reference. The differences between the two accounts are slight. return to 'Top of Page'”

“39:6 Zedekiah’s last sight was the slaughter of his sons and all the nobles of Judah. Their slaughter ensured that Zedekiah’s rule could never continue.”

“slew the: Jer 52:10; Kg2 25:7 before: Gen 21:16, Gen 44:34; Deu 28:34; Kg2 22:20; Ch2 34:28; Est 8:6; Isa 13:16 slew all: Jer 21:7, Jer 24:8-10, Jer 34:19-21 Jeremiah 39:7”