King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 39:2 Mean?

Jeremiah 39:2 in the King James Version says “And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up. — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

Jeremiah 39:2 · KJV


Context

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.

2

And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

3

And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

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.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
In the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up (הָעִיר הָבְקָעָה, ha'ir hovqe'ah)—The precise dating (July 18, 586 BC) underscores the historical reliability of Scripture and the exactness of God's prophetic timetable. The verb baqa (בָּקַע) means 'to split, breach, cleave'—Jerusalem's walls were literally ripped open after an 18-month siege. This fulfilled Jeremiah's prophecies (21:10, 32:28-29, 34:2) and Moses' covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:52).

Zedekiah's eleventh year parallels Nebuchadnezzar's nineteenth year (52:12), marking the end of the Davidic monarchy until Christ. The breach of Jerusalem's walls symbolizes the breach of covenant—Israel's protective hedge removed due to persistent rebellion against God's word through His prophets.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The siege began in January 588 BC (Jeremiah 39:1, 52:4) and lasted 18 months. Jerusalem's population faced starvation (Lamentations 4:9-10). The summer breach came during the month of Tammuz, later commemorated in Jewish fasting. Babylonian siege tactics involved building ramps and battering rams against fortified walls until structural collapse.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's precise fulfillment of prophecy strengthen your confidence in His promises?
  2. What 'protective walls' in your life might God allow to be breached to bring you back to covenant faithfulness?
  3. How does the fall of Jerusalem point forward to Christ as the true and final Temple (John 2:19-21)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
בְּעַשְׁתֵּֽי1 of 10

And in the eleventh

H6249

eleven or (ordinal) eleventh

עֶשְׂרֵ֤ה2 of 10
H6240

ten (only in combination), i.e., -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth

שָׁנָה֙3 of 10

year

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

לְצִדְקִיָּ֔הוּ4 of 10

of Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ5 of 10

day of the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָרְבִיעִ֖י6 of 10

in the fourth

H7243

fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth

בְּתִשְׁעָ֣ה7 of 10

the ninth

H8672

nine or (ordinal) ninth

לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ8 of 10

day of the month

H2320

the new moon; by implication, a month

הָבְקְעָ֖ה9 of 10

was broken up

H1234

to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open

הָעִֽיר׃10 of 10

the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 39:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 39:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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