2 Kings 25:2

KJV

And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the city {H5892} was besieged {H935}{H4692} unto the eleventh {H6249}{H6240} year {H8141} of king {H4428} Zedekiah {H6667}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The city remained under siege into the eleventh year of King Tzidkiyahu.

Berean Standard Bible

And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year.

American Standard Version

So the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse precisely marks the culmination of the prolonged and devastating Babylonian siege against Jerusalem, specifying that the city endured this crushing encirclement until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah's reign. It underscores the immense duration of suffering and the relentless pressure exerted by Nebuchadnezzar's forces, setting the stage for the city's imminent fall and the subsequent exile of Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows [2 Kings 25:1](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1 - The Beginning of the Siege"), which details the commencement of the siege in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign. Together, these verses establish the timeline of Jerusalem’s final days, highlighting the protracted nature of the Babylonian assault. The narrative in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem and Exile") serves as the somber climax to the historical account of the divided monarchy, demonstrating the irreversible consequences of Judah's persistent apostasy and rebellion against God, as well as Zedekiah's political miscalculations. It leads directly into the city's breach, the destruction of the Temple, and the deportation of the remaining population, fulfilling numerous prophetic warnings.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Zedekiah, originally named Mattaniah, was installed as a vassal king by Nebuchadnezzar after the first deportation of Judah's elite (including King Jehoiachin and the prophet Ezekiel) in 597 BC. Despite swearing an oath of allegiance to Babylon, Zedekiah rebelled, seeking alliances with Egypt, a move explicitly condemned by the prophet Jeremiah. This rebellion provoked Nebuchadnezzar's final, decisive invasion. The prolonged siege, lasting over two and a half years (from the ninth to the eleventh year of Zedekiah), was a common ancient military tactic designed to starve a city into submission. During such sieges, inhabitants faced extreme famine, disease, and despair, as vividly depicted in prophetic books like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - Account of Jerusalem's Fall") and [Lamentations](/lamentations/4 "Lamentations 4 - The Suffering of Jerusalem"). The "eleventh year" thus signifies not just a point in time, but a period of profound national suffering and the agonizing prelude to utter destruction.
* **Key Themes:** The verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings "2 Kings - The History of Israel and Judah's Kings"):
* **Divine Judgment and Covenant Faithfulness:** The protracted siege and the ultimate fall of Jerusalem are presented as the inevitable consequences of Judah's systemic idolatry and their repeated rejection of God's covenant and prophetic warnings. This fulfills prophecies from figures like [Jeremiah 21:4-7](/jeremiah/21-4 "Jeremiah 21:4-7 - Prophecy of the Siege") and [Ezekiel 4:16-17](/ezekiel/4-16 "Ezekiel 4:16-17 - Prophecy of Famine"). It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His word, both in blessing and in judgment.
* **The Cost of Rebellion and Disobedience:** Zedekiah's political rebellion against Babylon, which was also a spiritual rebellion against God's revealed will through His prophets, brought unprecedented suffering upon his people. The "eleventh year" highlights the devastating price paid for ignoring divine counsel and breaking solemn oaths, leading to national catastrophe and exile.
* **Endurance of Suffering and Hope in Despair:** While the immediate context is one of intense hardship and impending doom, the very act of recording the duration of suffering in "the eleventh year" implicitly acknowledges the resilience (though ultimately futile) of the besieged and foreshadows the eventual, albeit distant, hope of restoration. This period of tribulation serves as a crucible, refining the remnant and preparing them for a future return, as seen in later prophetic books.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Besieged (Hebrew, _matsor'_):** This term refers to the act of surrounding a city with hostile forces to cut off supplies and communication, aiming to compel its surrender. In this context, it vividly conveys the complete isolation and relentless pressure exerted on Jerusalem. The word also carries connotations of distress and confinement, accurately reflecting the dire conditions within the city walls. Its use emphasizes the military strategy employed by Babylon and the suffocating reality for Jerusalem's inhabitants.
* **Eleventh year (Hebrew, _'ashtey 'esreh shanah'_):** This specific chronological marker is crucial. It denotes the culmination of a prolonged period of suffering, emphasizing the sheer duration of the siege. From its commencement in the ninth year (2 Kings 25:1), the siege had lasted approximately two and a half years. This extended period highlights the tenacity of both the Babylonian forces and the desperate resistance of Jerusalem, but ultimately points to the city's exhausted state and the inevitability of its fall. It marks the end of an era for the kingdom of Judah.
* **King Zedekiah (Hebrew, _Tsidqiyyahu'_):** Zedekiah was the last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. His reign, marked by political instability and spiritual apostasy, is inextricably linked to the final destruction of Jerusalem. The mention of his name here serves as a poignant reminder of his failed leadership, his broken covenant with Babylon (and implicitly, with God), and his inability to avert the prophesied catastrophe. His "eleventh year" signifies the end of the Davidic monarchy's independent rule in Judah.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the city was besieged":** This clause establishes the central action and condition of Jerusalem. It signifies the complete encirclement and isolation of the capital, cutting off all external support and supplies. The passive voice emphasizes that Jerusalem was the object of this relentless military action, highlighting its vulnerability and the overwhelming power of the Babylonian aggressors.
* **"unto the eleventh year":** This phrase specifies the duration of the siege, indicating that the relentless pressure continued for a significant period, up to this particular point in time. It conveys the protracted suffering, the gradual depletion of resources, and the mounting despair within the city walls. This temporal marker underscores the severity and persistence of the judgment.
* **"of king Zedekiah":** This final phrase anchors the event to the reign of the specific monarch under whom this catastrophe occurred. It links the siege directly to Zedekiah's rule, implicitly holding him accountable for the choices that led to this devastating outcome. It also marks the impending end of his reign and, by extension, the end of the independent kingdom of Judah.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Chronological Marker** to precisely date the culmination of the siege, lending historical accuracy and emphasizing the duration of suffering. The simple, declarative statement "And the city was besieged unto the eleventh year of king Zedekiah" functions as a form of **Understatement** or **Litotes**, as the terse description belies the immense suffering, famine, and despair that such a prolonged siege entailed for the city's inhabitants. The mention of "king Zedekiah" at the end of the verse also creates a sense of **Irony**, as the reign of the last king of Judah is defined not by triumph or stability, but by the agonizing, drawn-out destruction of his kingdom. Furthermore, the verse serves as powerful **Foreshadowing**, signaling the imminent fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile, which are detailed in the very next verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The prolonged siege of Jerusalem, culminating in Zedekiah's eleventh year, stands as a stark testament to God's unwavering justice and the severe consequences of covenant disobedience. It is not merely a historical event but a profound theological statement, demonstrating that God holds His people accountable for their actions, particularly their idolatry, moral corruption, and rejection of prophetic warnings. This extended period of suffering underscores the depth of Judah's rebellion and the patient, yet ultimately decisive, nature of divine judgment. The fall of Jerusalem was the ultimate fulfillment of curses outlined in the Mosaic Covenant for disobedience, serving as a powerful object lesson for future generations about the necessity of national faithfulness to God.

* [Deuteronomy 28:49-57](/deuteronomy/28-49 "Deuteronomy 28:49-57 - Curses for Disobedience, including Siege")
* [Jeremiah 32:28-29](/jeremiah/32-28 "Jeremiah 32:28-29 - God's Decision to Give Jerusalem to Babylon")
* [Lamentations 2:20-22](/lamentations/2-20 "Lamentations 2:20-22 - The Horrors of the Siege and Famine")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The stark reality of Jerusalem’s prolonged siege, culminating in its final year of resistance, serves as a powerful reminder of the profound consequences of persistent disobedience and the gravity of rejecting divine warnings. For believers today, this narrative calls us to a posture of humility and responsiveness to God's Word. Just as God sent prophets to Judah, He speaks to us through Scripture, conscience, and the Holy Spirit. Ignoring these divine promptings, whether individually or corporately, can lead to spiritual desolation and painful consequences. The story also highlights the immense responsibility of leadership; Zedekiah's choices, particularly his rebellion against God's clear instruction through Jeremiah, brought untold suffering upon his people. This underscores the need for leaders, in all spheres, to seek divine wisdom and act with integrity, understanding the far-reaching impact of their decisions. Ultimately, even in the midst of judgment and loss, the narrative affirms God's sovereignty, reminding us that He works all things, even adversity, according to His purposes, ultimately for His glory and the eventual redemption of His people.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be resisting God's clear warnings or guidance, similar to King Zedekiah?**
* **How does the prolonged suffering of Jerusalem challenge or deepen my understanding of God's justice and patience?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Zedekiah's leadership failures regarding the responsibility of those in authority, both in the church and in society?**
* **How can I cultivate a greater sensitivity to God's voice and a quicker obedience to His commands in my daily walk?**

### FAQ
**How long did the siege of Jerusalem last, according to 2 Kings?**

Answer: According to [2 Kings 25:1](/2_kings/25-1 "2 Kings 25:1 - Start of the Siege") and [2 Kings 25:2](/2_kings/25-2 "2 Kings 25:2 - Duration of the Siege"), the siege began in the ninth year of King Zedekiah's reign and continued "unto the eleventh year." This indicates a duration of approximately two and a half years. [Jeremiah 52:4-6](/jeremiah/52-4 "Jeremiah 52:4-6 - Jeremiah's Account of the Siege Duration") provides a more precise account, stating it began on the tenth day of the tenth month of Zedekiah's ninth year and the city was breached on the ninth day of the fourth month of his eleventh year.

**Who was King Zedekiah and what was his role in the siege?**

Answer: King Zedekiah was the last king of Judah, installed by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon as a vassal ruler after the first Babylonian deportation (597 BC). His role in the siege was pivotal and tragic. Despite warnings from the prophet Jeremiah to submit to Babylon, Zedekiah rebelled, seeking an alliance with Egypt. This act of defiance directly provoked Nebuchadnezzar's final, devastating siege of Jerusalem. His reign ended with the destruction of the city, the Temple, and his own capture, blinding, and exile, as detailed in [2 Kings 25:4-7](/2_kings/25-4 "2 Kings 25:4-7 - Zedekiah's Capture and Punishment").

**Why was Jerusalem besieged by the Babylonians?**

Answer: Jerusalem was besieged by the Babylonians primarily due to King Zedekiah's rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, breaking his oath of allegiance. However, from a theological perspective, the siege and subsequent destruction were understood by the biblical authors as divine judgment for Judah's long history of idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rejection of God's prophets. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel had repeatedly warned that God would use Babylon as His instrument of judgment against His disobedient people, as seen in passages like [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Prophecy of Babylonian Captivity").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The prolonged siege and ultimate fall of Jerusalem in King Zedekiah's eleventh year, a testament to the consequences of human rebellion and divine judgment, find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. This catastrophic event, which led to the destruction of the Temple and the exile of God's people, underscored the inadequacy of human kingship and the fragility of a covenant dependent on human obedience. It pointed forward to the need for a perfect King, one who would not fail, and a new covenant that could not be broken. Jesus Christ is that King, the true Son of David, who inaugurates a kingdom that "will never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). The destruction of the physical Temple in Jerusalem foreshadowed the coming of Christ as the ultimate Temple, the dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts the Destruction and Resurrection of the Temple")). Furthermore, the exile of Judah, a consequence of sin, is ultimately reversed in Christ, who delivers His people from spiritual exile and brings them into an eternal kingdom through His atoning sacrifice ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Deliverance from Darkness to Light")). The suffering endured by Jerusalem's inhabitants during the siege also prefigures the suffering of Christ, who, as the Lamb of God, willingly endured the ultimate siege of sin and death to secure salvation for all who believe ([Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - Suffering Servant for Our Transgressions"); [1 Peter 2:24](/1_peter/2-24 "1 Peter 2:24 - Christ Bore Our Sins")). Thus, the historical tragedy of 2 Kings 25:2 ultimately points to the triumph of God's redemptive plan in Jesus Christ, the King who truly saves His people from their sins and establishes an everlasting kingdom of peace.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.