17. Each column had been eight metres tall with a bronze cap over one metre high. These caps were decorated with bronze designs—some of them like chains and others like pomegranates.
18. Next, Nebuzaradan arrested Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah his assistant, and three temple officials.
19. Then he arrested one of the army commanders, the king's five personal advisers, and the officer in charge of gathering the troops for battle. He also found sixty more soldiers who were still in Jerusalem.
20. Nebuzaradan led them all to Riblah
21. near Hamath, where Nebuchadnezzar had them killed.The people of Judah no longer lived in their own country.
22. King Nebuchadnezzar appointed Gedaliah son of Ahikam to rule the few people still living in Judah.
23. When the army officers and troops heard that Gedaliah was their ruler, the officers met with him at Mizpah. These men were Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth from Netophah, and Jaazaniah from Maacah.