Jeremiah 52:5

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

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

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

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

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

Context

Jeremiah 52 serves as a historical appendix to the Book of Jeremiah, largely paralleling the account found in 2 Kings 24-25. It provides a concise summary of the final years of the Kingdom of Judah, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the Babylonian Exile. Verse 5 specifically pinpoints the duration of the siege against Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. King Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, had rebelled against Babylon, leading to this devastating siege. The previous verse, Jeremiah 52:4, establishes that the siege began in the ninth year of Zedekiah's reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month.

Key Themes

The Duration of Judgment: This verse highlights the prolonged suffering of Jerusalem, enduring a siege for over two years. This protracted period underscores the severity of God's judgment upon Judah for its persistent idolatry and disobedience, as foretold by Jeremiah and other prophets.
Historical Accuracy and Fulfillment: The precise dating and factual account serve to confirm the historical veracity of the events and, more importantly, the fulfillment of God's prophetic warnings. The city's fall was not a random event but the direct consequence of a nation that had repeatedly turned away from its covenant with God.
The End of an Era: The siege's conclusion in Zedekiah's eleventh year marked the definitive end of the independent Kingdom of Judah, the destruction of the Temple, and the beginning of the Babylonian Exile. It was a catastrophic turning point in Israelite history.

Historical Significance

The siege of Jerusalem, lasting from the ninth to the eleventh year of King Zedekiah, was a cataclysmic event. It led to the breach of the city walls, the capture of King Zedekiah, the destruction of the First Temple (Solomon's Temple), and the mass deportation of the Jewish people to Babylon. This period, often referred to as the Babylonian Exile, profoundly shaped Jewish identity, theology, and future expectations. It was a stark reminder of the consequences of national sin and a testament to God's sovereignty over nations.

Practical Application

While a historical account, Jeremiah 52:5 holds timeless lessons. It reminds us of the seriousness of God's warnings and the certainty of consequences when they are ignored. Just as Judah faced a prolonged and bitter siege due to its rebellion, individuals and nations today can experience difficult periods when they persist in disobedience. The verse implicitly calls for a humble and obedient response to God's Word, recognizing that His pronouncements, whether of blessing or judgment, are always reliable. It encourages us to heed His voice today and turn from paths that lead to destruction.

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.

No cross-references found for this verse.