Jeremiah 39:4 kjv
And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.
Jeremiah 39:4 nkjv
So it was, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, that they fled and went out of the city by night, by way of the king's garden, by the gate between the two walls. And he went out by way of the plain.
Jeremiah 39:4 niv
When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled; they left the city at night by way of the king's garden, through the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah.
Jeremiah 39:4 esv
When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, going out of the city at night by way of the king's garden through the gate between the two walls; and they went toward the Arabah.
Jeremiah 39:4 nlt
When King Zedekiah of Judah and all the soldiers saw that the Babylonians had broken into the city, they fled. They waited for nightfall and then slipped through the gate between the two walls behind the king's garden and headed toward the Jordan Valley.
Jeremiah 39 4 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 39:3 | "And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate..." | Prophecy of siege’s end |
| Jer 52:7 | "Then the wall of the city was broken through, and all the men of war fled..." | Detail of city’s fall |
| 2 Kings 25:4 | "And it came to pass, that when they heard them, the king of Babylon broke up from the city..." | King’s flight and city’s breach |
| Lam 1:14 | "The yoke of my transgressions is bound by his hand..." | Jerusalem's oppression |
| Lam 4:17 | "Our eyes have failed for our vain help..." | Reliance on Egypt’s failed aid |
| Eze 12:12 | "And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight..." | King’s shameful exodus |
| Eze 17:17 | "Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war..." | Pharaoh's inability to help Zedekiah |
| Psa 76:5 | "The stouthearted are spoiled, they have slept their sleep..." | Enemy's decisive victory |
| Jer 39:5 | "...and there they brought him up to Babylon, into the king’s chamber." | Zedekiah’s fate in Babylon |
| Jer 21:4-7 | "Thus says the LORD God of Israel: Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands..." | God’s hand in Babylon's victory |
| Jer 22:5-7 | "But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation." | Curse on Zedekiah's house |
| Isa 1:3 | "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." | Israel's lack of discernment |
| Hos 7:11 | "Ephraim also is like a silly dove without heart..." | Foolishness of Ephraim (Israel) |
| Jer 1:16 | "And I will utter my judgments against them for all their wickedness, in that they have forsaken me..." | Judgment for forsaking God |
| Jer 2:13 | "For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water." | Israel’s apostasy |
| Jer 27:12 | "I spake also to Zedekiah king of Judah according to all these words, saying, Bring your necks under the yoke of the king of Babylon, and serve him..." | Call to submit to Babylon |
| Jer 27:22 | "They shall be carried to Babylon, and there shall they be until the day that I visit them, saith the LORD..." | Temple vessels to Babylon |
| Eze 1:1 | "Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened..." | Context of Ezekiel's prophecy |
| 2 Chron 36:12 | "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD." | Zedekiah's disobedience |
| Nah 2:10 | "She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness." | Description of conquered cities |
Jeremiah 39 verses
Jeremiah 39 4 Meaning
Jeremiah 39:4 declares that upon the breaching of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar's army, Zedekiah the king and his entire retinue witnessed their immediate defeat and capture by the Chaldeans. The verse highlights the swiftness and totality of the judgment falling upon the royal household.
Jeremiah 39 4 Context
This verse is part of the historical narrative describing the final destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian exile. Chapter 39 details the events surrounding the fall of the city in 586 BC. Nebuchadnezzar's armies, under his generals, finally breached the walls after a long siege. The specific action described in verse 4 occurs after the initial breakthrough of the city's defenses, leading directly to the capture of King Zedekiah. The event signifies the absolute fulfillment of God's judgment on Judah for its persistent disobedience and idolatry. The kings and princes of Babylon’s success in capturing Jerusalem and its king demonstrates the supremacy of Babylonian military might, which God had decreed would be His instrument of punishment.
Jeremiah 39 4 Word Analysis
- "Then": This connective particle (Hebrew: וְ - ve, meaning "and" or "then") signals a consequence or the immediate following event in the sequence of actions. It links this verse directly to the preceding breach of the city walls.
- "Zedekiah the king": The name Zedekiah (Hebrew: צִדְקִיָּהוּ - Tsidqiyyahu) means "Yahweh is my righteousness." Ironically, his reign was marked by unrighteousness and defiance of God's prophets, particularly Jeremiah.
- "and all the men of war": This phrase (Hebrew: כָּל־אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה - kol-anshey ha-milchamah) emphasizes that not just the king, but the entire military leadership and fighting force were routed and captured.
- "fled": The Hebrew verb used here (Hebrew: נוּס - nus) means to flee, escape, or run away. It describes their desperate attempt to avoid capture.
- "and the king of Babylon": Refers to Nebuchadnezzar, though here it might be used more broadly to refer to his army commanders who were present at the capture.
- "the king's own guards" (or "his own men", "his chamberlains"): The Hebrew term is (Hebrew: סָרִיסָיו - sarisiw). This word can refer to eunuchs, high officials, or royal attendants. It signifies the elite guards and chief officers present with the king.
- "went out unto": (Hebrew: יָצְאוּ אֶל - yatz'u el) Indicates the king and his retinue coming out from their position towards the king of Babylon's commanders.
- "the king of Babylon's army": (Hebrew: חֵיל מֶלֶךְ בָּבֶל - cheil melech Bavel) The formidable military force of Nebuchadnezzar.
Words-Group Analysis:
The phrase "Zedekiah the king and all the men of war fled" conveys the complete collapse of Jerusalem's military defense and leadership. The inclusion of the king in this flight underscores the ultimate futility of their resistance and their desperation in the face of inevitable defeat. The mention of the king's own guards going out to meet the Babylonians shows a direct confrontation and apprehension.
Jeremiah 39 4 Bonus Section
The ironic meaning of Zedekiah's name ("Yahweh is my righteousness") contrasts sharply with his actions and the fate of his kingdom. His failure to heed God’s warnings, delivered through Jeremiah and earlier prophets, led to this ignominious end. The king's flight and capture by his own royal guards in their attempt to escape mirrors the prophecies that predicted a king would "flee by night" and be judged for his sin (Ezekiel 12:12). The complete capitulation of the king and his army underscores the theme that true security and righteousness are found only in obedience to God, not in military might or political alliances.
Jeremiah 39 4 Commentary
The capture of Zedekiah and his royal guard marked the final subjugation of Jerusalem. Despite their attempt to flee, God's judgment, prophesied by Jeremiah, was inexorable. The king’s own officials, his protectors, are mentioned, emphasizing the helplessness of even his inner circle. The phrase "went out unto" implies surrender and confrontation after the initial escape attempt failed. This event was a stark visual representation of God’s sovereign judgment against Judah’s apostasy and rebellion.