Chapter Overview
Summary
The Fall of Jerusalem. MT ch. 39 = LXX ch. 46. The LXX version is SIGNIFICANTLY shorter and differently arranged. LXX omits much of the detailed account of the fall that MT includes.
Notable Variants
LXX ch. 46 is much shorter than MT ch. 39. MT vv. 4-13 contain detailed narrative about Zedekiah's flight, capture, blinding, and Nebuzaradan's treatment of Jeremiah — LXX has a much abbreviated form. Some scholars note that the LXX version is closer to the parallel in ch. 52 / 2 Kings 25, while the MT ch. 39 has unique expansions.
Structural Notes
MT ch. 39 = LXX ch. 46. LXX is approximately 40-50% shorter.
In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with his entire army against Jerusalem and laid siege to it.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, on the ninth day of the month, the city wall was breached.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
All the officials of the king of Babylon entered and took their seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim the chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer the chief magus, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon.
Masoretic (WLC)
וַיָּבֹאוּ כֹּל שָׂרֵי מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בְּשַׁעַר הַתָּוֶךְ נֵרְגַל שַׂר־אֶצֶר סַמְגַּר־נְבוּ שַׂר־סְכִים רַב־סָרִיס נֵרְגַל שַׂר־אֶצֶר רַב־מָג
And all the leaders of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the middle gate.
Septuagint (LXX)
καὶ εἰσῆλθον πάντες οἱ ἡγεμόνες βασιλέως Βαβυλῶνος καὶ ἐκάθισαν ἐν πύλῃ τῇ μέσῃ
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag.
LXX has a shorter list of Babylonian officials. MT lists multiple names and titles; LXX condenses. Some of the names in MT are difficult and may be corrupted.
When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out from the city at night by way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls, and he went out toward the Arabah.
MT v. 4 contains detailed fall-of-Jerusalem narrative that is much shorter or differently arranged in LXX ch. 46.
But the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, and he pronounced judgment on him.
MT v. 5 contains detailed fall-of-Jerusalem narrative that is much shorter or differently arranged in LXX ch. 46.
The king of Babylon slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah at Riblah before his eyes, and the king of Babylon also slaughtered all the nobles of Judah.
MT v. 6 contains detailed fall-of-Jerusalem narrative that is much shorter or differently arranged in LXX ch. 46.
Then he blinded the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in bronze shackles to bring him to Babylon.
MT v. 7 contains detailed fall-of-Jerusalem narrative that is much shorter or differently arranged in LXX ch. 46.
The Chaldeans burned the king's palace and the houses of the people with fire, and they tore down the walls of Jerusalem.
MT v. 8 contains detailed fall-of-Jerusalem narrative that is much shorter or differently arranged in LXX ch. 46.
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard deported to Babylon the rest of the people who remained in the city, the deserters who had gone over to him, and the rest of the population that remained.
MT v. 9 contains detailed fall-of-Jerusalem narrative that is much shorter or differently arranged in LXX ch. 46.
But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left behind some of the poorest people who had nothing, in the land of Judah, and he gave them vineyards and fields on that day.
LXX shorter; the details about Jeremiah's release are condensed.
Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon gave orders concerning Jeremiah through Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard:
LXX shorter; the details about Jeremiah's release are condensed.
Take him and watch over him. Do nothing harmful to him — rather, do for him whatever he asks you.
LXX shorter; the details about Jeremiah's release are condensed.
So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent word, along with Nebushazban the chief officer, and Nergal-Sharezer the chief magus, and all the senior officials of the king of Babylon.
LXX shorter; the details about Jeremiah's release are condensed.
They sent for Jeremiah and took him from the court of the guard, and they entrusted him to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, to bring him out to his home. And he lived among the people.
LXX shorter; the details about Jeremiah's release are condensed.
The word of the LORD had come to Jeremiah while he was still confined in the court of the guard:
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
Go and say to Ebed-Melech the Cushite: This is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says — I am bringing my words against this city for disaster, not for good, and they will be fulfilled before your eyes on that day.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
But I will rescue you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be handed over to the men you fear.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.
For I will certainly save you, and you will not fall by the sword. Your life will be your plunder, because you trusted in me, declares the LORD.
LXX and MT are substantially identical here.