Verse 7
7. Slew the sons… before his eyes This was not only to intensify Zedekiah’s woes by making his sons’ execution the last sight of his eyes, but also to end his dynasty.
Put out the eyes of Zedekiah This barbarous and cruel punishment was practised by various ancient nations. Thus the Philistines punished Samson when he fell into their power, (Judges 16:21,) and thus the Persians tortured great offenders. It was done by thrusting hot irons or a sharp lance into the eyes. On the monuments of Nineveh is the picture of a king piercing with a lance the eyes of some royal captive.
Fetters of brass Literally, double brass. See note on Judges 16:21.
Carried him to Babylon But being sightless, he did not see Babylon and the land of the Chaldeans, so that Ezekiel’s prophecy concerning him came literally to pass, (Ezekiel 12:13,) as well as that of Jeremiah, (Jeremiah 32:4,) that he should “ surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes should behold his eyes.” This latter was fulfilled at Riblah. He died in the land of his captivity, (Ezekiel 12:13,) probably in prison, and not long after his capture and imprisonment. Josephus says he was honoured with a magnificent burial.
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