Bible Commentaries
Jeremiah 52

Verses 1-34

The last chapter of the Book of Jeremiah consists of a historical appendix written, as the final words of the previous chapter show, by another hand. It first gives a brief account of the capture of the city, tracing the main events which led up thereto in the reign of Zedekiah, and giving the account of how he was arrested, compelled to look on the execution of his sons, had his own eyes put out, and was carried in fetters to Babylon, where he abode in prison until his death.

It then describes with some detail the sack of the city and the oppression of the people, detailing how the materials and vessels of the house of the Lord were carried away by the victorious army, and the priests and the leaders of the people slain at Riblah.

The forlorn condition of the people may be gathered from the list which this appendix gives of Nebuchadnezzar's captives. All told, they numbered 4,600. The last item of the history tells how Jehoiachin, who had already been in captivity eleven years when the city fell, was taken out of prison twenty-six years later by Evilmerodach, and given a large measure of privilege and liberty in the city of Babylon until his death.