King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
But the army of the Kasdim went in pursuit of the king and overtook Tzidkiyahu on the plains near Yericho; all his troops deserted him.
Berean Standard Bible:
but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was separated from him.
American Standard Version:
But the army of the Chaldeans pursued after the king, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho; and all his army was scattered from him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
But the army{H2428} of the Chaldeans{H3778} pursued{H7291} after{H310} the king{H4428}, and overtook{H5381} Zedekiah{H6667} in the plains{H6160} of Jericho{H3405}; and all his army{H2428} was scattered{H6327} from him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 34:21
- And Zedekiah king of Judah and his princes will I give into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of them that seek their life, and into the hand of the king of Babylon's army, which are gone up from you.
Jeremiah 38:23
- So they shall bring out all thy wives and thy children to the Chaldeans: and thou shalt not escape out of their hand, but shalt be taken by the hand of the king of Babylon: and thou shalt cause this city to be burned with fire.
Jeremiah 32:4
- And Zedekiah king of Judah shall not escape out of the hand of the Chaldeans, but shall surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and shall speak with him mouth to mouth, and his eyes shall behold his eyes;
Jeremiah 21:7
- And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.
Amos 2:14
- Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver himself:
Amos 2:15
- Neither shall he stand that handleth the bow; and [he that is] swift of foot shall not deliver [himself]: neither shall he that rideth the horse deliver himself.
Jeremiah 37:18
- Moreover Jeremiah said unto king Zedekiah, What have I offended against thee, or against thy servants, or against this people, that ye have put me in prison?
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for Jeremiah 52:8
Jeremiah 52:8 recounts a pivotal moment in the history of Judah, specifically the tragic end of King Zedekiah's reign. This verse is part of a broader narrative detailing the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, also known as the Chaldeans, in 586 BCE. The historical context is the Neo-Babylonian Empire's dominance over the ancient Near East, during which many Judean leaders rebelled against Babylonian rule.
Zedekiah, installed as a vassal king by Nebuchadnezzar II of Babylon, eventually joined a rebellion against his overlord. This provoked a severe response, and the Babylonian army besieged Jerusalem. Jeremiah 52:8 captures the climax of this conflict, as Zedekiah attempts to flee the city with his forces but is pursued and overtaken by the Chaldeans in the plains of Jericho, an area northeast of Jerusalem. The scattering of Zedekiah's army signifies the complete disintegration of Judean resistance and the king's loss of authority and support.
The themes present in this verse include divine judgment, the consequences of disobedience, and the fulfillment of prophecy. Jeremiah, the prophet whose book contains this account, had repeatedly warned of the impending doom if Judah did not repent and return to covenant faithfulness. The fall of Zedekiah and the scattering of his army thus serve as a stark illustration of the reality of divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness. It also underscores the theme of divine sovereignty over nations and their leaders, as well as the reliability of God's word through the prophets. The verse encapsulates the end of an era for Judah, leading to the destruction of the Temple, the loss of the Davidic monarchy, and the beginning of the Babylonian exile, a period of profound theological reflection and transformation for the people of Israel.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H2428
There are 228 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חַיִל
Transliteration: chayil
Pronunciation: khah'-yil
Description: from חוּל; probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength; able, activity, ([phrase]) army, band of men (soldiers), company, (great) forces, goods, host, might, power, riches, strength, strong, substance, train, ([phrase]) valiant(-ly), valour, virtuous(-ly), war, worthy(-ily). - Strong's Number: H3778
There are 80 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: כַּשְׂדִּי
Transliteration: Kasdîy
Pronunciation: kas-dee'
Description: (occasionally with enclitic) כַּשְׂדִּימָה; towards the Kasdites into Chaldea), patronymically from כֶּשֶׂד (only in the plural); a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people; Chaldeans, Chaldees, inhabitants of Chaldea. - Strong's Number: H7291
There are 135 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: רָדַף
Transliteration: râdaph
Pronunciation: raw-daf'
Description: a primitive root; to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively (of time) gone by); chase, put to flight, follow (after, on), hunt, (be under) persecute(-ion, -or), pursue(-r). - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - Strong's Number: H4428
There are 1922 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: מֶלֶךְ
Transliteration: melek
Pronunciation: meh'-lek
Description: from מָלַךְ; a king; king, royal. - Strong's Number: H5381
There are 47 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָשַׂג
Transliteration: nâsag
Pronunciation: naw-sag'
Description: a primitive root; to reach (literally or figuratively); ability, be able, attain (unto), (be able to, can) get, lay at, put, reach, remove, wax rich, [idiom] surely, (over-) take (hold of, on, upon). - Strong's Number: H6667
There are 62 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צִדְקִיָּה
Transliteration: Tsidqîyâh
Pronunciation: tsid-kee-yaw'
Description: or צִדְקִיָּהוּ; from צֶדֶק and יָהּ; right of Jah; Tsidkijah, the name of six Israelites; Zedekiah, Zidkijah. - Strong's Number: H6160
There are 57 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עֲרָבָה
Transliteration: ʻărâbâh
Pronunciation: ar-aw-baw'
Description: from עָרַב (in the sense of sterility); a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the Jordan and its continuation to the Red Sea; Arabah, champaign, desert, evening, heaven, plain, wilderness. See also בֵּית הָעֲרָבָה. - Strong's Number: H3405
There are 53 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְרִיחוֹ
Transliteration: Yᵉrîychôw
Pronunciation: yer-ee-kho'
Description: or יְרֵחוֹ; or variation (1 Kings 16:34) יְרִיחֹה; perhaps from יָרֵחַ; its month; or else from רוּחַ; fragrant; Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine; Jericho. - Strong's Number: H6327
There are 66 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פּוּץ
Transliteration: pûwts
Pronunciation: poots
Description: a primitive root; to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse); break (dash, shake) in (to) pieces, cast (abroad), disperse (selves), drive, retire, scatter (abroad), spread abroad.