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Prophecy

Zedekiah taken to Babylon without seeing it (Ezekiel 12, Jeremiah 34)

The prophet Jeremiah announces the fall of Jerusalem to King Zedekiah, artist’s impression by Joseph Stallaert (19th century).
Artist’s impression The prophet Jeremiah announces the fall of Jerusalem to King Zedekiah, artist’s impression by Joseph Stallaert (19th century). — Joseph Stallaert, Wikimedia Commons · Domaine public

◐ Written shortly before or at the time: it cannot be decided

Written c. 592–588 BC according to tradition; 592–560 BC according to historians. Event: 587–586 BC.

See the full entry: sources, objections, answers

In short

The announcement. Around 592–588 BC, the prophet Jeremiah announces to King Zedekiah that his eyes will see the king of Babylon, while the prophet Ezekiel announces that the prince of Jerusalem will be taken to Babylon without seeing it and will die there.

What happened. According to the Bible, in 587 or 586 BC, Zedekiah is captured, sees the king of Babylon at Riblah, has his eyes put out and is then taken to Babylon, where he dies. Only the Bible tells this sequel: no known Babylonian document mentions Zedekiah.

What is still debated. both books were put into their final form after 586 BC, and the phrase “he will not see it” may have been sharpened by someone who already knew the king's fate.

What would be striking if the text came first

The two prophets seemed to contradict each other, so much so that Zedekiah used this as a reason to believe neither, and a single detail reconciles them. But this fate is told only by the Bible, edited after the fall of Jerusalem.

Main objection (in French for now)

L’accomplissement n’est attesté que par la Bible (2 R 25, Jr 39, Jr 52) et par Josèphe, qui la suit ; la Chronique babylonienne conservée s’interrompt en 594/593, et aucun document babylonien connu ne mentionne Sédécias.

The text (World English Bible)

“‘The prince who is among them will bear his baggage on his shoulder in the dark, and will go out. They will dig through the wall to carry things out that way. He will cover his face, because he will not see the land with his eyes. I will also spread my net on him, and he will be taken in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon to the land of the Chaldeans; yet he will not see it, though he will die there.

Ezek 12:12-13

You won’t escape out of his hand, but will surely be taken and delivered into his hand. Your eyes will see the eyes of the king of Babylon, and he will speak with you mouth to mouth. You will go to Babylon.”’

Jer 34:3

Sources