It seems that many rulers and prominent Judeans who were not deported, were executed by hanging. The Judeans would see their leaders’ dead bodies hanging above their heads and being torn apart by vultures.
Respect for the elderly, which was a cornerstone of ancient Near Eastern society and of Israel itself (Leviticus 19:32), was lacking among the Babylonians. As part of his curse, God has finally brought to his people “a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young” (Deuteronomy 28:50).
12 Princes are hung up by their hands; no respect is shown to the elders.