King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 39:4 Mean?

Jeremiah 39:4 in the King James Version says “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 for... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Jeremiah 39:4 · KJV


Context

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.

5

But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him. gave: Heb. spake with him judgments

6

Then the king of Babylon slew the sons of Zedekiah in Riblah before his eyes: also the king of Babylon slew all the nobles of Judah.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them... then they fled (וַיִּבְרָח, vayyivrach)—After 18 months of defiant resistance, Zedekiah's courage collapsed at the crucial moment. The verb barach (בָּרַח) denotes panicked flight, not strategic retreat. He escaped by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls—a secretive escape route through the southeast passage toward the Kidron Valley.

This flight fulfilled Ezekiel's symbolic prophecy: the prince would 'dig through the wall' and flee in darkness (Ezekiel 12:5-12). Zedekiah's cowardice contrasts sharply with Jeremiah's counsel to surrender and live (38:17-23). He chose political preservation over prophetic wisdom and lost everything. The way of the plain (עֲרָבָה, arabah) toward Jericho proved not an escape but the path to judgment.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The 'king's garden' was located in the Kidron Valley at the southeastern corner of Jerusalem, providing a natural escape route away from the main Babylonian forces positioned at the northern gates. The double-wall system (likely the old Jebusite fortification) created a narrow passage. Ancient military tactics anticipated such escape attempts and positioned forces accordingly.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Zedekiah's flight illustrate the futility of resisting God's declared judgment?
  2. When have you attempted to 'escape' God's correction rather than submit to His wisdom?
  3. What does Zedekiah's failure teach about trusting political solutions over prophetic truth?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וַיְהִ֡י1 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר2 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

רָ֠אָם3 of 23

saw

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ4 of 23

And it came to pass that when Zedekiah

H6667

tsidkijah, the name of six israelites

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ5 of 23

of the king's

H4428

a king

יְהוּדָ֜ה6 of 23

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְכֹ֣ל׀7 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אַנְשֵׁ֣י8 of 23

them and all the men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה9 of 23

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וַֽ֠יִּבְרְחוּ10 of 23

then they fled

H1272

to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly

וַיֵּצֵ֖א11 of 23

and he went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לַ֤יְלָה12 of 23

by night

H3915

properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity

מִן13 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעִיר֙14 of 23

out of the city

H5892

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

דֶּ֥רֶךְ15 of 23

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

גַּ֣ן16 of 23

garden

H1588

a garden (as fenced)

הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ17 of 23

of the king's

H4428

a king

בְּשַׁ֖עַר18 of 23

by the gate

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

בֵּ֣ין19 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

הַחֹמֹתָ֑יִם20 of 23

betwixt the two walls

H2346

a wall of protection

וַיֵּצֵ֖א21 of 23

and he went out

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

דֶּ֥רֶךְ22 of 23

by the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

הָעֲרָבָֽה׃23 of 23

of the plain

H6160

a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea


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 39:4 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 39:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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