Chaldeans; that is, Babylonians. See 21.4.

The plains of Jericho were at the southern end of the Jordan Valley.

Taken means “captured.” See verse 3.

Nebuchadrezzar: See verse 1.

At Riblah, in the land of Hamath: Riblah was on the Orontes River north of Israel in Syria. The text says simply at Riblah. Many translators have a clause such as “he was at Riblah.” Hamath was an important town located on the Orontes River. Riblah was another town in the territory under Hamath. It may be helpful for translators to say “in the town of Riblah which is in the territory of the town of Hamath.”

He passed sentence upon him: It may be helpful to identify he as “Nebuchadnezzar” (Good News Translation), since so many persons are mentioned in verses 1-5.

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on Jeremiah. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2003. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .