Jeremiah 39:4

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.

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}.

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.

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.

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.

Context of Jeremiah 39:4

This verse describes a pivotal moment in the history of ancient Judah: the desperate flight of King Zedekiah during the final stages of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. For over a year, Nebuchadnezzar's army had encircled the city, a direct consequence of King Zedekiah's rebellion against Babylon and his refusal to heed the prophet Jeremiah's repeated warnings to surrender. Jeremiah had consistently prophesied that resistance was futile and that God's judgment would fall upon Jerusalem due to its idolatry and disobedience. The city was on the brink of collapse, facing famine and overwhelming military might.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Futility of Resistance Against Divine Will: Zedekiah's attempt to escape highlights the ultimate futility of human efforts to thwart God's declared judgment. Despite his royal power and the city's defenses, the king's flight was a desperate, ultimately failed attempt to evade the inevitable consequences of his choices.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: The fall of Jerusalem and Zedekiah's capture are direct results of the king's and the nation's continued rebellion against God's commands and prophetic warnings. This serves as a stark reminder that disobedience carries severe consequences.
  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: This event is a dramatic fulfillment of prophecies given by Jeremiah and other prophets. Jeremiah had specifically foretold that Zedekiah would be captured and taken to Babylon (Jeremiah 32:4-5). The details of his flight—by night, through a specific gate—even align with prophecies like those found in Ezekiel 12:12-13, though Ezekiel's prophecy was given earlier.
  • The End of an Era: Zedekiah's flight and subsequent capture mark the definitive end of the independent Kingdom of Judah and the Davidic monarchy in Jerusalem, leading directly into the Babylonian exile.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "by the gate betwixt the two walls" likely refers to a specific, perhaps less guarded, exit point in Jerusalem's fortifications. This detail emphasizes the stealth and desperation of the escape attempt. The "king's garden" was a well-known landmark, indicating a specific, pre-planned escape route, possibly used for emergencies. The "plain" refers to the Arabah, the low-lying valley leading towards Jericho and the Jordan River, which was the intended direction of their escape.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 39:4 serves as a powerful historical lesson. It reminds us of the serious implications of ignoring divine warnings and the consequences of rebellion against God's revealed will. Zedekiah's failure illustrates the danger of relying on human strategy and strength over divine guidance. For believers, it underscores the importance of humility, obedience, and trusting in God's sovereignty, even when faced with difficult truths. It also highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His word, both in judgment and in promise.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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.

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