2 Kings 25 10

2 Kings 25:10 kjv

And all the army of the Chaldees, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down the walls of Jerusalem round about.

2 Kings 25:10 nkjv

And all the army of the Chaldeans who were with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.

2 Kings 25:10 niv

The whole Babylonian army under the commander of the imperial guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.

2 Kings 25:10 esv

And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem.

2 Kings 25:10 nlt

Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side.

2 Kings 25 verses

2 Kings 25 10 Meaning

2 Kings 25:10 describes the comprehensive demolition of Jerusalem's city walls by the Babylonian army. This act of destruction, carried out by the Chaldeans under the specific command of the captain of the guard, Nebuzaradan, signifies the final collapse of the Kingdom of Judah and the complete subjugation of its capital. It was a thorough and systematic dismantling, leaving the city entirely vulnerable and completing the process of conquest and judgment foretold by God through His prophets. The fall of Jerusalem's defenses marked a devastating low point in Israelite history, symbolizing the loss of national security, sovereignty, and physical identity for the people of God, consequences of generations of unfaithfulness.

2 Kings 25 10 Context

2 Kings 25:10 appears within the final chapter of 2 Kings, which details the culmination of God's judgment upon the Kingdom of Judah through the agency of Babylon. The preceding verses (2 Kings 25:1-7) recount the final siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon, and the capture of King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah. Verses 8-9 describe the arrival of Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a month later, who then oversees the systematic destruction: burning the temple, the king's palace, and all the important buildings. Verse 10 directly follows this account of fire, specifying the razing of the city walls, an act signifying total devastation and removing any physical defense for future resistance or rebuilding. The subsequent verses then describe the deportation of the remaining population, the execution of officials, and the plundering of Temple treasures, completing the picture of national demise. This verse marks the literal physical dismantling of Jerusalem, leaving it defenseless, in fulfillment of numerous prophetic warnings.

2 Kings 25 10 Word analysis

• And: This conjunction links the destruction of the walls to the prior burning of the Temple, palace, and other significant buildings (2 Kings 25:9). It indicates a continuation and escalation of the comprehensive devastation.
• all the army: (כָּל־חֵיל - kol-cheil). The Hebrew kol (all/every) emphasizes the totality and overwhelming nature of the forces involved. This was not a partial or hasty demolition by a small group but a concerted effort by the entire conquering army, indicating the thoroughness of the destruction and the intent to prevent future resistance.
• of the Chaldeans: (כַּשְׂדִּים - Kasdim). This refers to the Babylonians, specifically the ruling ethnic group from southern Mesopotamia. Their identity as the instrument of divine judgment had been explicitly prophesied (e.g., Hab 1:6). Their involvement here highlights the fulfillment of these prophecies, reinforcing that this was not merely a historical accident but part of God's plan.
• who were with: The phrasing implies active participation under the direct supervision and authority of Nebuzaradan. This was not an undirected rampage but an organized military operation.
• the captain of the guard: (רַב־טַבָּחִים - Rav-Tabachim). Literally "chief of the executioners" or "chief butcher." This was a very high-ranking and powerful military officer, a personal official of the king, often charged with security and implementing severe commands. Nebuzaradan's presence signifies that this act was official, commanded, and critical to Babylonian policy in conquering and pacifying rebellious territories. His leadership ensured the job was done thoroughly and without oversight.
• broke down: (פָּרְצוּ - partzu). This Hebrew verb signifies tearing open, bursting forth, breaking through, or demolishing. It is a strong term indicating violent and deliberate destruction rather than a mere collapse. It describes the active work of dismantling solid structures.
• the walls: (חֹמֹת - chomot). The walls were more than just fortifications; they represented security, sovereignty, and identity for ancient cities. For Jerusalem, the city of David and the site of God's Temple, its walls were symbols of divine protection and national strength (e.g., Ps 122:7). Their breaching and breaking signified utter defeat, the loss of a physical boundary between safety and danger, and complete vulnerability. This was the definitive act of military victory over the city.
• of Jerusalem: (יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם - Yerushalayim). The holy city, chosen by God as the place for His name to dwell (Deut 12:5). Its destruction was profoundly shocking and a theological crisis for the Israelites. It represented the extent of God's wrath against His unfaithful people.
• all around: (סָבִיב סָבִיב - saviv saviv). This repetition of saviv (around, on every side) creates emphasis, meaning "completely all around" or "all sides thoroughly." It signifies that no part of the wall was left standing or intact. The destruction was comprehensive and systematic, sealing Jerusalem's fate as a ruined, defenseless city.

2 Kings 25 10 Bonus section

The destruction of Jerusalem's walls, as recounted in 2 Kings 25:10, had profound symbolic implications for the people of Israel. Walls in ancient near eastern cities represented security, civic pride, and often a tangible connection to the city's protector deity. For Jerusalem, these walls were understood, by some, to be divinely protected, embodying God's presence among His people (e.g., Ps 48). Their fall was a stark visible sign that God's protection had been removed, a consequence of Judah's idolatry and breaking of the covenant. This event, therefore, not only marked physical ruin but also initiated a period of intense theological questioning and soul-searching among the exiled population. It highlighted the unreliability of physical structures as sources of security when a people abandons their covenant with God. This stark lesson would resonate throughout the period of exile and the post-exilic rebuilding, with figures like Nehemiah later focusing on restoring these very walls not just for physical defense but as a symbolic act of rebuilding communal and spiritual identity in reliance on God (Neh 2:17). The narrative implicitly demonstrates that true security comes not from fortified stone but from covenant faithfulness.

2 Kings 25 10 Commentary

2 Kings 25:10 succinctly details a pivotal moment in Israelite history: the final, definitive destruction of Jerusalem's city walls by the Babylonian army. This act was not a random assault but a meticulously executed judgment. Following the burning of the Temple and palace, the systematic demolition of the walls signified total conquest and a policy aimed at preventing any future resistance from the Judean populace. The overwhelming force ("all the army") and the specific high-ranking commander ("captain of the guard," Nebuzaradan) underscore the premeditation and thoroughness of the Babylonians, who acted as God's instrument for judgment against Judah's persistent idolatry and disobedience. The fallen walls represented the end of an era – the loss of national security, sovereignty, and physical identity for the people of God, directly fulfilling centuries of prophetic warnings from figures like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, who had long declared that God would hold His people accountable for their covenant infidelity. This moment marked a theological reckoning, forcing the exiles to confront the reality of their sin and God's unwavering righteousness, while also laying the groundwork for future reflection and the yearning for restoration.