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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah {H6667} the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} saw {H7200} them, and all the men {H582} of war {H4421}, then they fled {H1272}, and went forth {H3318} out of the city {H5892} by night {H3915}, by the way {H1870} of the king's {H4428} garden {H1588}, by the gate {H8179} betwixt the two walls {H2346}: and he went out {H3318} the way {H1870} of the plain {H6160}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When Tzidkiyahu the king of Y'hudah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, leaving the city by night through the king's garden, exiting from the gate between the two walls, and continuing out by the route through the 'Aravah.

Berean Standard Bible

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 they went out along the route to the Arabah.

American Standard Version

And it came to pass that, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, through the gate betwixt the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 39:4 vividly chronicles the desperate and ultimately futile attempt of King Zedekiah of Judah to escape Jerusalem during its final, devastating siege by the Babylonian forces. As the city's defenses were breached and the enemy poured in, the king, accompanied by his remaining military personnel, sought to evade capture under the cloak of night. Their chosen clandestine route, through the royal gardens and a concealed gate within the city's fortifications, was a last, desperate maneuver intended to lead them to the open plain, yet it proved to be a failed bid to circumvent the divine judgment and prophetic warnings that had relentlessly pursued Judah's disobedient monarchy.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Jeremiah 39 marks a climactic and tragic turning point within the book of Jeremiah, detailing the long-prophesied fall of Jerusalem and the capture of King Zedekiah. The preceding chapters have meticulously documented the relentless Babylonian siege, the severe suffering endured by the inhabitants, and Jeremiah's unwavering, though unpopular, prophetic message of surrender as God's decreed will. Specifically, [Jeremiah 38](/jeremiah/38 "Jeremiah 38 - Jeremiah's Imprisonment and Zedekiah's Consultations") recounts Zedekiah's secret consultations with Jeremiah, during which the prophet reiterated the inevitability of Jerusalem's fall and Zedekiah's personal capture if he continued his resistance. This verse, [Jeremiah 39:4](/jeremiah/39-4 "Jeremiah 39:4 - Zedekiah's Flight"), directly follows the account of the city's breach and the Babylonian officers' entry in [Jeremiah 39:2-3](/jeremiah/39-2 "Jeremiah 39:2-3 - The Breach of Jerusalem's Walls"), setting the immediate scene for the king's desperate flight as the enemy secured their positions within the capital. It serves as the dramatic and undeniable fulfillment of Jeremiah's dire prophecies concerning the king's fate and the city's destruction.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The events described in Jeremiah 39:4 transpired in 586 BC, signifying the devastating culmination of the Babylonian Empire's prolonged campaign against the kingdom of Judah. King Zedekiah, installed as a vassal king by Nebuchadnezzar after the first deportation of Judah's elite in 597 BC, had defiantly rebelled against Babylonian suzerainty, unwisely seeking military alliances with Egypt, a course of action explicitly warned against by God through the prophet Jeremiah. Jerusalem, renowned for its formidable fortifications, had endured a grueling siege lasting over a year, which led to widespread famine, disease, and immense suffering within its walls. The "king's garden" was a well-known royal estate, likely situated in the Kidron Valley, south of the Temple Mount. The "gate betwixt the two walls" strongly suggests a clandestine or postern exit, possibly a hidden passage between an inner and outer wall, or a fortified corridor designed for emergency egress or discreet movement, indicating a pre-planned escape contingency. The "plain" refers to the Arabah, the low-lying Jordan Valley, which was the intended escape route towards Jericho and potentially beyond, away from the besieged city and towards the relative safety of the wilderness. This desperate flight powerfully underscores the complete collapse of Judah's sovereignty and the finality of God's judgment upon His disobedient people.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes prominent within the book of Jeremiah and the broader prophetic literature. Primarily, it vividly illustrates the **Futility of Resistance Against Divine Judgment**, demonstrating with stark clarity that no human strategy, no matter how desperate or well-planned, can ultimately thwart God's determined will when His judgment is due. Zedekiah's subsequent capture, detailed in the verses immediately following, highlights the direct and unavoidable **Consequences of Disobedience** for both the nation's leadership and its people, as his rebellion against Babylon was fundamentally perceived as a rebellion against God's ordained path for Judah. Furthermore, this event serves as a dramatic and precise **Fulfillment of Prophecy**, particularly Jeremiah's repeated and specific warnings to Zedekiah regarding his capture and exile (e.g., [Jeremiah 32:4-5](/jeremiah/32-4-5 "Jeremiah 32:4-5 - Prophecy of Zedekiah's Capture and Exile")). The detailed description of the king's escape route also remarkably resonates with prophecies from other contemporary prophets, such as Ezekiel's symbolic vision of the prince fleeing by night through a breach in the wall ([Ezekiel 12:12-13](/ezekiel/12-12-13 "Ezekiel 12:12-13 - Ezekiel's Prophecy of the Prince's Flight")). Ultimately, this pivotal event signifies the tragic **End of the Davidic Monarchy in Jerusalem** and the ushering in of the Babylonian Exile, a transformative and traumatic moment in Israelite history that reshaped their identity and understanding of God's covenant.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **fled (Hebrew, _bârach'_):** From H1272, a primitive root meaning "to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly." This word powerfully emphasizes the sudden, desperate, and hurried nature of Zedekiah's departure. It conveys a sense of panic and urgency, highlighting that this was not an orderly retreat but a frantic, unceremonious escape attempt from an overwhelming and imminent threat. The king and his men were not merely leaving but attempting to escape capture and the inevitable consequences of their defeat.
* **night (Hebrew, _layil'_):** From H3915, properly "a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity." The deliberate choice to flee "by night" underscores the stealth and desperation inherent in the escape. It suggests a clandestine maneuver designed to evade detection and pursuit, adding to the ignominious and undignified nature of the king's flight. Figuratively, "night" also subtly hints at the profound "adversity" or dark period that had irrevocably fallen upon Jerusalem and its last king.
* **walls (Hebrew, _chôwmâh'_):** From H2346, a feminine active participle meaning "a wall of protection." The specific phrase "betwixt the two walls" refers to the city's formidable fortifications, likely indicating a double wall system or a specific fortified passage. This detail is crucial, as it points to a particular, perhaps less obvious or more secure, passage through Jerusalem's otherwise impenetrable defenses. The very presence of "walls" inherently signifies protection and security, yet here, they are being circumvented by the king himself in a desperate, last-ditch effort to escape the very destruction they were built to prevent, underscoring their ultimate failure against divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the critical trigger for the king's desperate flight. "Them" refers to the Babylonian officers and their army who had just successfully breached the city walls and taken up strategic positions within Jerusalem, as vividly described in the preceding verses (Jeremiah 39:2-3). Zedekiah, the final reigning king of Judah, along with his remaining military forces, witnessed firsthand the enemy's successful penetration, signaling the complete collapse of their defenses and the utter eradication of any lingering hope for continued resistance or victory.
* **"then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night,"**: This segment describes the immediate and frantic reaction of Zedekiah and his accompanying soldiers. The verb "fled" (bârach) powerfully conveys a profound sense of panic, urgency, and disarray. Their departure was not an organized evacuation or strategic retreat but a desperate, uncoordinated escape attempt undertaken under the cover of darkness, with the desperate hope of evading the Babylonian forces who had now infiltrated and secured parts of the city. Fleeing "by night" was a common tactical maneuver for clandestine movements, further emphasizing the ignominy and desperation of the king's dire situation.
* **"by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls:"**: This clause precisely specifies the pre-planned, intricate escape route. The "king's garden" was a well-known royal landmark, likely situated on the southern side of Jerusalem, possibly in the Kidron Valley near the Pool of Siloam. The "gate betwixt the two walls" strongly suggests a hidden or less-guarded passage, perhaps a secret postern or a fortified corridor between an inner and outer defensive wall, indicating a desperate attempt to slip out unnoticed from the heavily besieged and now compromised city. This detail highlights the king's forethought in planning an escape, even as his kingdom crumbled.
* **"and he went out the way of the plain."**: This final clause delineates the intended direction and destination of their escape. The "plain" (Hebrew: *'arabah*) refers to the low-lying Jordan Valley, a relatively open and flat expanse stretching towards Jericho and the Dead Sea. This route offered the most direct and relatively unobstructed path away from the Judean hills, providing the best chance for Zedekiah and his men to escape the immediate pursuit of the Babylonian forces and potentially reach a place of temporary safety.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 39:4 is rich with literary devices that amplify the gravity and pathos of Zedekiah's flight. **Irony** pervades the scene, as the king, whose primary duty was to lead and defend his people, is instead depicted in a desperate, undignified flight from his own capital. His clandestine attempt to escape God's judgment through a hidden route is profoundly ironic, given Jeremiah's public and persistent warnings to surrender. The detailed description of the escape route—"the king's garden," "the gate betwixt the two walls," "the way of the plain"—functions as powerful **Specific Detail** and **Symbolism**. These precise geographical and architectural references ground the narrative in historical reality, while simultaneously symbolizing the ultimate futility of human efforts to evade divine decree. The "garden," typically a place of peace or royal retreat, here becomes a conduit for desperate escape, subverting its usual connotation. The "walls," constructed for protection, are now merely a means for clandestine exit, underscoring the city's compromised and fallen state. The entire scene is imbued with profound **Pathos**, evoking a deep sense of pity and sorrow for the king's abject situation, despite his culpability. His desperate flight by night highlights his vulnerability, isolation, and the complete collapse of his power and the kingdom he once ruled.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 39:4 stands as a powerful testament to the unwavering sovereignty of God and the inevitable, inescapable consequences of persistent disobedience. Zedekiah's desperate flight, despite his royal status and the city's once-formidable defenses, underscores the profound futility of human resistance against divine judgment. It unequivocally demonstrates that God's word, delivered faithfully through His chosen prophets, will ultimately be fulfilled with absolute certainty, regardless of human attempts to thwart or evade it. This event is far more than a mere historical record; it is a profound theological statement about God's unyielding justice, His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant warnings, and His ultimate, sovereign control over the destinies of nations and kings. It powerfully highlights the timeless biblical principle that rebellion against God's revealed will inevitably leads to certain downfall and disgrace.

* [Jeremiah 32:4-5](/jeremiah/32-4-5 "Jeremiah 32:4-5 - Prophecy of Zedekiah's Capture and Exile")
* [Ezekiel 12:12-13](/ezekiel/12-12-13 "Ezekiel 12:12-13 - Ezekiel's Prophecy of the Prince's Flight and Capture")
* [2 Kings 25:4-5](/2_kings/25-4-5 "2 Kings 25:4-5 - Parallel Account of Zedekiah's Flight and Capture")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 39:4 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. Zedekiah's desperate flight serves as a stark and sobering reminder that attempts to evade the natural and divine consequences of our choices, especially when those choices involve deliberate rebellion against God's clear commands or warnings, are ultimately futile. Like Zedekiah, we might devise elaborate escape routes, rely on our own ingenuity, or seek to hide from accountability, but divine judgment and the inevitable consequences of sin will eventually catch up to us. This passage calls us to profound humility and unwavering obedience, urging us to heed God's voice, whether conveyed through the explicit teachings of Scripture, the quiet conviction of conscience, or the wise counsel of godly mentors, rather than stubbornly pursuing self-willed paths. It challenges us to honestly examine areas in our lives where we might be resisting God's will or ignoring His warnings, encouraging us to surrender fully to His sovereignty and trust implicitly in His perfect wisdom, even when His path seems difficult, counter-intuitive, or demands sacrifice. The faithfulness of God in fulfilling His word, even in the context of judgment, should instill within us both a healthy, reverent fear and a profound, unshakable trust in His righteous and loving character.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be attempting to "flee" from God's will or the natural consequences of my actions, rather than facing them with humility, repentance, and trust?**
* **How does Zedekiah's reliance on human strategy and evasion, rather than prophetic warning and surrender, challenge my own tendencies to trust in my own plans more than God's divine guidance?**
* **What specific "warnings" or "truths" from God's Word might I be tempted to ignore or rationalize away in my current circumstances or future plans?**
* **How can I cultivate a deeper, more profound sense of trust in God's absolute sovereignty, even when His plans for my life involve difficulty, discipline, or seemingly adverse circumstances?**

### FAQ
**Why did King Zedekiah attempt to flee Jerusalem by night?**

Answer: King Zedekiah attempted to flee Jerusalem by night because the city had finally fallen to the Babylonians, and his capital was actively being overrun by the enemy forces. His flight was a desperate, last-ditch effort to escape imminent capture and the severe consequences of his rebellion against Nebuchadnezzar, which was also, fundamentally, a rebellion against God's declared will for Judah. Fleeing under the cover of darkness was a common tactical maneuver employed to evade detection and pursuit, highlighting the clandestine, urgent, and ignominious nature of his escape from an overwhelming and victorious enemy. This act was a direct and tragic fulfillment of prophecies delivered by both Jeremiah and Ezekiel concerning his inescapable fate (e.g., [Jeremiah 32:4-5](/jeremiah/32-4-5 "Jeremiah 32:4-5 - Prophecy of Zedekiah's Capture") and [Ezekiel 12:12-13](/ezekiel/12-12-13 "Ezekiel 12:12-13 - Ezekiel's Prophecy of the Prince's Flight")).

**What happened to Zedekiah after his capture?**

Answer: After his capture in the plains of Jericho, King Zedekiah was brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, the Babylonian headquarters. There, in a horrific and deeply punitive act of retribution, his sons were executed before his very eyes. Immediately afterward, Zedekiah's own eyes were put out, permanently blinding him. He was then bound in bronze chains and taken as a prisoner to Babylon, where he remained in captivity until his death. This tragic and brutal end for Zedekiah is meticulously detailed in [Jeremiah 39:5-7](/jeremiah/39-5-7 "Jeremiah 39:5-7 - Zedekiah's Capture and Punishment") and corroborated in [2 Kings 25:6-7](/2_kings/25-6-7 "2 Kings 25:6-7 - The Fate of Zedekiah").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Zedekiah's desperate, ignominious flight in [Jeremiah 39:4](/jeremiah/39-4 "Jeremiah 39:4 - Zedekiah's Flight") stands in stark, profound contrast to the voluntary, purposeful submission of Jesus Christ, the true and eternal King of Judah. Zedekiah fled from the judgment he deserved, seeking to preserve his earthly life and kingdom by clandestine means, only to be captured, blinded, and exiled in disgrace. His "way of the plain" led directly to destruction and ultimate humiliation. In profound contrast, Jesus, the Son of David and the rightful heir to the throne, did not flee from judgment but willingly and purposefully embraced it. In the "garden" of Gethsemane, unlike Zedekiah's garden of desperate escape, Jesus surrendered His perfect will to the Father, praying with agonizing submission, "Not my will, but yours be done" ([Luke 22:42](/luk/22-42 "Luke 22:42 - Jesus' Prayer in Gethsemane")). He allowed Himself to be captured, not by stealth or surprise, but by divine design, in order to face the ultimate judgment for humanity's sin. He walked the "way" to Golgotha, not as a desperate escapee, but as the spotless Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), willingly laying down His life. While Zedekiah's flight marked the tragic end of an earthly kingdom and the beginning of exile, Christ's willing sacrifice inaugurated an eternal, unshakable kingdom, offering true freedom and ultimate escape from the judgment of sin for all who believe in Him ([Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption Through Christ")). He is the King who faced the "night" of suffering, betrayal, and death, not to escape it, but to conquer it and bring forth the glorious dawn of salvation and eternal life.

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.

Cross-References

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:

2 Chronicles 32:5

Also he strengthened himself, and built up all the wall that was broken, and raised [it] up to the towers, and another wall without, and repaired Millo [in] the city of David, and made darts and shields in abundance.

Deuteronomy 32:24

[They shall be] burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.

Deuteronomy 32:30

How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Jeremiah 38:18

But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.

Jeremiah 38:20

But Jeremiah said, They shall not deliver [thee]. Obey, I beseech thee, the voice of the LORD, which I speak unto thee: so it shall be well unto thee, and thy soul shall live.

Jeremiah 52:7

Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which [was] by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans [were] by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.