King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 52:14 Mean?

Jeremiah 52:14 in the King James Version says “And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round ...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.”

Jeremiah 52:14 · KJV

Context

12

Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem, captain: or, chief marshal: Heb. chief of the executioners, or, slaughtermen served: Heb. stood before

13

And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great men, burned he with fire:

14

And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.

15

Then Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.

16

But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left certain of the poor of the land for vinedressers and for husbandmen.

Read Jeremiah 52 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about (וְאֶת־כָּל־חֹמוֹת יְרוּשָׁלִַם, ve'et-kol-chomot Yerushalaim)—systematic destruction of Jerusalem's fortifications ensured the city could never again serve as a military stronghold or center of rebellion. The Hebrew chomot (walls) represented not just physical defense but Jerusalem's symbolic status as an inviolable city. Demolishing these walls fulfilled the covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:52: 'He shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land.'

This destruction reversed the glory of Solomon's and Hezekiah's fortifications. For generations, Jerusalem's walls symbolized divine protection (Psalm 48:12-13), but that protection depended on covenant faithfulness. When Judah persistently violated covenant, the walls became meaningless—God Himself fought against the city (Jeremiah 21:5). Ezekiel had prophesied that God's glory departed from the temple before Babylon attacked (Ezekiel 10-11), meaning Jerusalem fell not despite God's presence but because of His absence due to their sin. The wall demolition was comprehensive (kol-chomot, 'all the walls'), leaving Jerusalem utterly defenseless. This would remain true until Nehemiah's rebuilding 140 years later (Nehemiah 1-6).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jerusalem's walls, constructed and strengthened over centuries by David, Solomon, Hezekiah, and Manasseh, were considered among the ancient world's strongest fortifications. Archaeological excavations have uncovered portions of these walls, some with massive stones showing evidence of deliberate destruction—particularly along the eastern slope of the City of David and near the temple mount. The demolition required systematic effort by Babylon's military engineers, likely taking weeks. This contrasts with the quick breach (verse 7)—destroying walls completely prevented future use, while breaching them allowed entry. Ancient Near Eastern practice involved destroying conquered cities' walls to prevent rebellion, leaving populations vulnerable and dependent on imperial protection. The psychological impact was devastating: walls represented security, identity, and divine favor. Their destruction symbolized that God had removed His protection from Jerusalem. Josephus records that the wall demolition was so thorough that visitors later struggled to believe a great city had existed there. The ruins remained until Persian King Artaxerxes permitted Nehemiah to rebuild (445 BC), approximately 141 years after this destruction.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does the destruction of Jerusalem's walls teach about the difference between false and true security?
  2. How had Israel mistaken physical fortifications for God's protection, and what does this reveal about misplaced trust?
  3. In what ways might Christians today trust in external securities rather than covenant faithfulness to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְאֶת1 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

כָּל2 of 13
H3605

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

חֹמ֥וֹת3 of 13

“all the walls”

H2346

a wall of protection

יְרוּשָׁלִַ֖ם4 of 13

“of Jerusalem”

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

סָבִ֑יב5 of 13

“round about”

H5439

(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around

נָֽתְצוּ֙6 of 13

“brake down”

H5422

to tear down

כָּל7 of 13
H3605

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

חֵ֣יל8 of 13

“And all the army”

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים9 of 13

“of the Chaldeans”

H3778

a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people

אֲשֶׁ֖ר10 of 13
H834

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

אֶת11 of 13
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

רַב12 of 13

“that were with the captain”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

טַבָּחִֽים׃13 of 13

“of the guard”

H2876

properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)

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 52:14 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 52:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nehemiah 1:32 Kings 25:10

Places in This Verse

ChaldeaRegion · Modern: Tell el Muqayyar · 30.96°N, 46.10°E85 verses across 11 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
View all places in Jeremiah 52 →

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