Jeremiah 52:4

And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

And it came to pass in the ninth {H8671} year {H8141} of his reign {H4427}, in the tenth {H6224} month {H2320}, in the tenth {H6218} day of the month {H2320}, that Nebuchadrezzar {H5019} king {H4428} of Babylon {H894} came {H935}, he and all his army {H2428}, against Jerusalem {H3389}, and pitched {H2583} against it, and built {H1129} forts {H1785} against it round about {H5439}.

so in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, N'vukhadretzar king of Bavel marched against Yerushalayim with his entire army. He set up camp against it and built siege towers against it on every side.

So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built a siege wall all around it.

And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and encamped against it; and they built forts against it round about.

Context

Jeremiah 52:4 marks a pivotal and somber moment in the history of ancient Judah. This verse, identical to 2 Kings 25:1, precisely dates the beginning of the final, devastating siege of Jerusalem by the Babylonian Empire. It occurred in the ninth year of King Zedekiah's reign over Judah, a king who had rebelled against Babylon despite Jeremiah's warnings. The prophet Jeremiah had consistently urged submission to Babylon as God's instrument of judgment, but Zedekiah and the people largely refused to listen, leading directly to this catastrophic event.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment Fulfilled: This verse signifies the unfolding of God's long-prophesied judgment against Judah for its persistent idolatry, moral corruption, and disobedience to the Mosaic covenant. The arrival of Nebuchadrezzar's army was not merely a geopolitical event but a divine act of chastisement.
  • Consequences of Rebellion: The siege was a direct result of King Zedekiah's breaking his oath of loyalty to Nebuchadrezzar and seeking alliance with Egypt, defying both human treaties and divine warnings delivered through Jeremiah.
  • Overwhelming Power of Babylon: The description of Nebuchadrezzar coming with "all his army" and building "forts against it round about" highlights the immense military might of the Babylonian Empire and the thoroughness of their siege tactics, leaving Jerusalem no escape.
  • The Inevitable Fall: This verse sets the stage for the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple, and the subsequent Babylonian exile, marking the end of the independent Kingdom of Judah.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Nebuchadrezzar" is an alternative spelling for Nebuchadnezzar, commonly found in the book of Jeremiah and Ezekiel, reflecting the KJV's transliteration of the Hebrew. The phrase "pitched against it, and built forts against it round about" describes a classic ancient siege strategy. The Hebrew words convey the thoroughness and determination of the Babylonian forces to completely encircle and cut off the city, constructing siege ramps and towers (the "forts") to prepare for an assault or to starve the city into submission. This was a common and effective method for conquering fortified cities in the ancient Near East.

Historical Significance

The specific date mentioned – "the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month" – is historically precise. This corresponds to the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tevet (approximately January 588 BC). This date became a significant fast day in Jewish tradition, commemorating the beginning of the siege that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple. It underscores the historical accuracy and verifiable nature of the biblical account.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 52:4 serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of persistent disobedience and rebellion against God's revealed will. It teaches us that:

  • God's warnings, though sometimes long in coming, are ultimately fulfilled. We should heed divine instruction and not take His patience for granted.
  • There are real-world consequences for spiritual choices. The national disaster for Judah was a direct result of their spiritual apostasy.
  • Even in times of severe judgment, God remains sovereign, using powerful nations as instruments to accomplish His purposes.
  • The precision of the date emphasizes God's meticulous involvement in history, working out His plans even amidst human tragedy and suffering.
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.

  • Jeremiah 39:1

    ¶ In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

  • Zechariah 8:19

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The fast of the fourth [month], and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful feasts; therefore love the truth and peace.

  • Ezekiel 24:1

    ¶ Again in the ninth year, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,

  • Ezekiel 24:2

    Son of man, write thee the name of the day, [even] of this same day: the king of Babylon set himself against Jerusalem this same day.

  • 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.

  • Jeremiah 32:24

    Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest [it].

  • Leviticus 26:25

    And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of [my] covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

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