families - the tribes or clans composing the various kingdoms of Babylon; the specification of these aggravates the picture of calamity (Jer 25:9).
throne at ... gates - the usual place of administering justice. The conquering princes will set up their tribunal there (Jer 39:3, Jer 39:5; Jer 52:9). Or the reference is to the military pavilion (Jer 43:10) [Maurer].