Jer 52:1-23 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Jer 52:1-34: 52:1-34 This chapter repeats the narrative of 2 Kgs 24:18–25:30 , which recounts the final month of Jerusalem’s existence, with a few added details and changes. The repetition of this passage emphasizes Jeremiah’s integrity as a true prophet of Almighty God. Everything Jeremiah had predicted about the destruction of the holy city and the end of the kingdom of Judah came true. Likewise, everything that he predicted about the Exile, the sufferings of the exiled survivors in Babylon, and their return from exile, came true.

Summary for Jer 52:1-34: 52:1-34 ^a This chapter repeats the narrative of 2 Kgs 24:18–25:30 ^b, which recounts the final month of Jerusalem’s existence, with a few added details and changes. The repetition of this passage emphasizes Jeremiah’s integrity as a true prophet of Almighty God. Everything Jeremiah had predicted about the destruction of the holy city and the end of the kingdom of Judah came true. Likewise, everything that he predicted about the Exile, the sufferings of the exiled survivors in Babylon, and their return from exile, came true.
52:9 ^c Riblah, which Jeremiah recorded as being in the land of Hamath (see 39:5 ^d), was several hundred miles north of Jerusalem.
52:10 ^e He also slaughtered all the officials of Judah at Riblah: This sentence is an addition to the narrative in 2 Kgs 25:7 ^f. Though the soldiers deserted Zedekiah as they fled to Jericho (Jer 52:8 ^g), the officials did not do so.
52:11 ^h The last sentence of the verse is an addition to the 2 Kgs 25 ⁱ text.
Summary for Jer 52:12-21: 52:12-21 ^j This section adds some details not found in 2 Kgs 25 ^k. The Babylonians gained vast wealth by looting all the precious metals in the Temple before it was burned.

• The Babylonian looters had to break large metal items into pieces in order to get them on wagons and carry them away.

• 18 feet in circumference. They were hollow, with walls 3 inches thick: These words are an addition to the 2 Kgs 25 ^l text. 52:12 ^m On August 17 of that year: This date is three days later than the one recorded in 2 Kgs 25:8 ⁿ; the reason for the discrepancy is not known.
52:13 ^o He burned down the Temple: Although the Temple was constructed mostly of stone, beams of cedar were laid among the stones. Cedar panels covered the walls, and cypress planks were used for the floors. Wood was also used for window frames and for doors (see 1 Kgs 6 ^p). All of this wood burned.
52:15 ^q some of the poorest of the people: Jeremiah added this phrase (cp. 2 Kgs 25:11 ^r) and changed “population” to craftsmen.
Summary for Jer 52:17-23: 52:17-23 ^s This section includes a more detailed list of Temple furnishings than in 1 Kgs 6:1-38 ^t.
52:21 ^u Jeremiah added “and 18 feet in circumference” and the last sentence (cp. 2 Kgs 25:17 ^v).
52:23 ^w Jeremiah added this verse, which is not in 2 Kgs 25 ^x (see study note on 52:1-34).