2 Kings 25:4
New International Version
Then the city wall was broken through, and the whole army fled at night through the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden, though the Babylonians were surrounding the city. They fled toward the Arabah,

New Living Translation
Then a section of the city wall was broken down. Since the city was surrounded by the Babylonians, the soldiers waited for nightfall and escaped through the gate between the two walls behind the king’s garden. Then they headed toward the Jordan Valley.

English Standard Version
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king’s garden, and the Chaldeans were around the city. And they went in the direction of the Arabah.

Berean Standard Bible
Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah,

King James Bible
And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.

New King James Version
Then the city wall was broken through, and all the men of war fled at night by way of the gate between two walls, which was by the king’s garden, even though the Chaldeans were still encamped all around against the city. And the king went by way of the plain.

New American Standard Bible
Then the city was broken into, and all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls that were beside the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were all around the city. And they went by way of the Arabah.

NASB 1995
Then the city was broken into, and all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls beside the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were all around the city. And they went by way of the Arabah.

NASB 1977
Then the city was broken into, and all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls beside the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were all around the city. And they went by way of the Arabah.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then the city was broken into, and all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls beside the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were all around the city. And they went by way of the Arabah.

Amplified Bible
Then the city [wall] was broken into [and conquered]; all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls by the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans (Babylonians) were all around the city. And they went by way of the Arabah (the plain of the Jordan).

Christian Standard Bible
Then the city was broken into, and all the warriors fled at night by way of the city gate between the two walls near the king’s garden, even though the Chaldeans surrounded the city. As the king made his way along the route to the Arabah,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Then the city was broken into, and all the warriors fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden, even though the Chaldeans surrounded the city. As the king made his way along the route to the Arabah,

American Standard Version
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about); and the king went by the way of the Arabah.

Contemporary English Version
the Babylonian troops broke through the city wall. That same night, Zedekiah and his soldiers tried to escape through the gate near the royal garden, even though they knew the enemy had the city surrounded. They headed toward the desert,

English Revised Version
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden: (now the Chaldeans were against the city round about:) and the king went by the way of the Arabah.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The enemy broke through the city walls that night. All Judah's soldiers left on the road of the gate between the two walls beside the king's garden. While the Babylonians were attacking the city from all sides, the king took the road to the plain [of Jericho].

Good News Translation
the city walls were broken through. Although the Babylonians were surrounding the city, all the soldiers escaped during the night. They left by way of the royal garden, went through the gateway connecting the two walls, and fled in the direction of the Jordan Valley.

International Standard Version
The city was breached, and the entire army left during the night through the gate that stood between the two walls beside the royal garden, even though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city. They escaped through the Arabah,

Majority Standard Bible
Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king?s garden. They headed toward the Arabah,

NET Bible
The enemy broke through the city walls, and all the soldiers tried to escape. They left the city during the night. They went through the gate between the two walls that is near the king's garden. (The Babylonians were all around the city.) Then they headed for the Jordan Valley.

New Heart English Bible
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city around it); and they went by the way of the Arabah.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city on all sides:) and the king went the way towards the plain.

World English Bible
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king’s garden (now the Chaldeans were against the city around it); and the king went by the way of the Arabah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And the city is broken up, and all the men of war [go] by night the way of the gate, between the two walls that [are] by the garden of the king, and the Chaldeans [are] against the city all around, and [the king] goes the way of the plain.

Young's Literal Translation
then the city is broken up, and all the men of war go by night the way of the gate, between the two walls that are by the garden of the king, and the Chaldeans are against the city round about, and the king goeth the way of the plain.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the city will be broken up, and all the men of war by night the way of the gate between the walls by the king's garden: (and the Chaldees against the city round about;) and he will go the way of the sterile region.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And a breach was made into the city: and all the men of war fled in the night between the two walls by the king's garden, (now the Chaldees besieged the city round about,) and Sedecias fled by the way that leadeth to the plains of the wilderness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And the city was breached. And all the men of war fled in the night along the way of the gate which is between the double wall at the garden of the king. Now the Chaldeans were besieging the city on all sides. And so Zedekiah fled along the way which leads to the plains of the wilderness.

New American Bible
the city walls were breached. That night, all the soldiers came to the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden (the Chaldeans had the city surrounded), while the king went toward the Arabah.

New Revised Standard Version
Then a breach was made in the city wall; the king with all the soldiers fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king’s garden, though the Chaldeans were all around the city. They went in the direction of the Arabah.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the city was breached, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which is by the king's garden (now the Chaldeans were round about the city), and they went by the way of the plain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the city was breached and all the men warriors fled, and they went out from the city in the night on the road of the gate that was between the walls that were at the side of the garden of the King, and the Chaldeans surrounded the city, and they went on the road of the plain.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which was by the king's garden--now the Chaldeans were against the city round about--and the king went by the way of the Arabah.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the city was broken up, and all the men of war went forth by night, by the way of the gate between the walls, this is the gate of the king's garden: and the Chaldeans were set against the city round about: and the king went by the way of the plain.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Nebuchadnezzar Besieges Jerusalem
3By the ninth day of the fourth month, the famine in the city was so severe that the people of the land had no food. 4Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah, 5but the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was separated from him.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 39:4
When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled. They left the city at night by way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls, and they went out along the route to the Arabah.

Jeremiah 52:7
Then the city was breached; and though the Chaldeans had surrounded the city, all the men of war fled the city by night by way of the gate between the two walls near the king’s garden. They headed toward the Arabah,

Ezekiel 12:12
And at dusk the prince among them will lift his bags to his shoulder and go out. They will dig through the wall to bring him out. He will cover his face so he cannot see the land.

Lamentations 4:19-20
Those who chased us were swifter than the eagles in the sky; they pursued us over the mountains and ambushed us in the wilderness. / The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.”

Jeremiah 38:18-23
But if you do not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, then this city will be delivered into the hands of the Chaldeans. They will burn it down, and you yourself will not escape their grasp.’” / But King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, “I am afraid of the Jews who have deserted to the Chaldeans, for the Chaldeans may deliver me into their hands to abuse me.” / “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the voice of the LORD in what I am telling you, that it may go well with you and you may live. ...

2 Chronicles 36:17-20
So He brought up against them the king of the Chaldeans, who put their young men to the sword in the sanctuary, sparing neither young men nor young women, neither elderly nor infirm. God gave them all into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar, / who carried off everything to Babylon—all the articles of the house of God, both large and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD and of the king and his officials. / Then the Chaldeans set fire to the house of God and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. They burned down all the palaces and destroyed every article of value. ...

Jeremiah 21:4-7
this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I will turn against you the weapons of war in your hands, with which you are fighting the king of Babylon and the Chaldeans who besiege you outside the wall, and I will assemble their forces in the center of this city. / And I Myself will fight against you with an outstretched hand and a mighty arm, with anger, fury, and great wrath. / I will strike down the residents of this city, both man and beast. They will die in a terrible plague.’ ...

Ezekiel 33:21
In the twelfth year of our exile, on the fifth day of the tenth month, a fugitive from Jerusalem came to me and reported, “The city has been taken!”

Jeremiah 32:4
Zedekiah king of Judah will not escape from the hands of the Chaldeans, but he will surely be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon, and will speak with him face to face and see him eye to eye.

Jeremiah 34:3
And you yourself will not escape his grasp, but will surely be captured and delivered into his hand. You will see the king of Babylon eye to eye and speak with him face to face; and you will go to Babylon.

Matthew 24:16-18
then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Luke 21:20-22
But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you will know that her desolation is near. / Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, let those in the city get out, and let those in the country stay out of the city. / For these are the days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.

Mark 13:14-16
So when you see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. / Let no one on the housetop go back inside to retrieve anything from his house. / And let no one in the field return for his cloak.

Jeremiah 37:17
Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.”

Isaiah 30:15-16
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence—but you were not willing.” / “No,” you say, “we will flee on horses.” Therefore you will flee! “We will ride swift horses,” but your pursuers will be faster.


Treasury of Scripture

And the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which is by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees were against the city round about:) and the king went the way toward the plain.

the city.

2 Kings 25:27
And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;

Jeremiah 5:10
Go ye up upon her walls, and destroy; but make not a full end: take away her battlements; for they are not the LORD'S.

Jeremiah 39:2,3
And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up…

Jeremiah 52:6,7-11
And in the fourth month, in the ninth day of the month, the famine was sore in the city, so that there was no bread for the people of the land…

fled.

Leviticus 26:17,36
And I will set my face against you, and ye shall be slain before your enemies: they that hate you shall reign over you; and ye shall flee when none pursueth you…

Deuteronomy 28:25
The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Deuteronomy 32:24,25,30
They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust…

and the king.

2 Kings 25:5
And the army of the Chaldees pursued after the king, and overtook him in the plains of Jericho: and all his army were scattered from him.

Ezekiel 12:12
And the prince that is among them shall bear upon his shoulder in the twilight, and shall go forth: they shall dig through the wall to carry out thereby: he shall cover his face, that he see not the ground with his eyes.

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2 Kings 25
1. Jerusalem is besieged.
4. Zedekiah taken, his sons slain, his eyes put out.
8. Nebuzaradan defaces the city, exiles the remnant, except a few poor laborers;
13. and carries away the treasures.
18. The nobles are slain at Riblah.
22. Gedaliah, who was over those who remained, being slain, the rest flee into Egypt.
27. Evil-Merodach advances Jehoiachin in his court.














Then the city was breached
The Hebrew word for "breached" is "בָּקַע" (baqa), which means to split or break open. This phrase marks a pivotal moment in the history of Jerusalem, symbolizing the culmination of God's judgment upon the city due to its persistent disobedience and idolatry. The breaching of the city walls signifies not only a physical defeat but also a spiritual one, as the protection of God was lifted due to the people's unfaithfulness. This event fulfills the prophetic warnings given by Jeremiah and other prophets, emphasizing the seriousness of turning away from God's commandments.

and all the men of war fled by night
The phrase "fled by night" indicates a sense of urgency and desperation. The Hebrew word for "fled" is "נָס" (nas), which conveys a hurried escape. The cover of night suggests an attempt to avoid detection, highlighting the fear and chaos among the defenders. This action reflects the collapse of human strength and strategy in the face of divine judgment. The men of war, who were once the city's protectors, are now reduced to fugitives, underscoring the futility of relying on human might without God's favor.

by way of the gate between the two walls
This specific route, "between the two walls," suggests a strategic but ultimately futile attempt to escape. Archaeological findings indicate that Jerusalem had complex fortifications, and this escape route was likely a lesser-known passage. The mention of "two walls" may refer to the double-layered defenses of the city, which were meant to provide extra security. However, even the best human defenses are insufficient when God allows judgment to proceed. This detail serves as a reminder of the limitations of human ingenuity in the face of divine sovereignty.

near the king’s garden
The "king’s garden" was likely a place of beauty and tranquility, now overshadowed by the chaos of the city's fall. This location, possibly situated near the Kidron Valley, symbolizes the loss of peace and prosperity that comes with disobedience to God. The garden, once a symbol of royal luxury and divine blessing, now witnesses the flight of the city's defenders. This contrast serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's path.

though the Chaldeans were surrounding the city
The Chaldeans, synonymous with the Babylonians, were the instruments of God's judgment. Their surrounding of the city signifies the inescapable nature of divine retribution. Historically, the Chaldeans were known for their military prowess and strategic sieges. This phrase highlights the completeness of the siege, leaving no room for escape or negotiation. It serves as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of sin and the certainty of God's justice.

They fled toward the Arabah
The "Arabah" refers to the desert region south of the Dead Sea, a place of desolation and barrenness. Fleeing toward the Arabah symbolizes a movement from the city of God to a place of emptiness, reflecting the spiritual desolation that accompanies rebellion against God. This direction of flight underscores the theme of exile and separation from God's presence, a recurring motif in the narrative of Israel's disobedience and subsequent punishment. It serves as a call to repentance and a return to the Lord, who alone can restore and redeem.

(4) Broken up.--Comp. 2Chronicles 32:1. A breach was made in the wall with battering-rams, such as are depicted in the Assyrian sculptures. The Chaldaeans forced their entry on the north side of the city, i.e., they took the Lower City (2Kings 22:14). This is clear from Jeremiah 39:3, where it is said that, after effecting an entrance, their generals proceeded to assault "the middle gate," i.e., the gate in the north wall of Zion, which separated the upper from the lower city. (See also 2Kings 14:13.)

All the men of war fled.--The Hebrew here is defective, for it wants a verb, and mention of the king is implied by what follows. (See Jeremiah 39:4; Jeremiah 52:7.) A comparison of these parallels suggests the reading: "And Zedekiah king of Judah and all the men of war fled, and went out of the city by night," &c. . . .

Verse 4. - And the city was broken up; rather, brown into; i.e. a breach was made in the walls. Probably the breach was on the north side of the city, where the ground is nearly level (see Ezekiel 9:2). According to Josephus ('Ant. Jud.,' 10:8. § 2), the enemy entered through the breach about midnight. And all the men of war - i.e., all the soldiers who formed the garrison - fled by night by the way of the gate between two walls; rather, between the two walls, as in Jeremiah 52:7. As the enemy broke in on the north, the king and garrison quitted the city on the south by a gate which opened into the Tyropoeon valley, between the two walls that guarded the town on either side of it. Which is by the king's garden. The royal gardens were situated near the Pool of Siloam, at the mouth of the Tyrepoeon, and near the junction of the Hinnom with the Kidron valley (see Josephus, 'Ant. Jud.,' 7:11). (Now the Chaldees were against the city round about.) The town, i.e., was guarded on all sides by Chaldean troops, so that Zedekiah and his soldiers must either have attacked the line of guard, and broken through it, or have slipped between two of the blockading pests under cover of the darkness. As no collision is mentioned, either here or in Jeremiah, the latter seems the more probable supposition. And the king went the way toward the plain; literally, and he 'went. The writer supposes that his readers will understand that the king left the city with his troops; and so regards "he went" as sufficiently intelligible. Jeremiah 52:7 has "they went. By "the plain" (literally, "the Arabsh") the valley of the Jordan is intended, and by "the way" to it the ordinary road from Jerusalem to Jericho.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Then the city
הָעִ֗יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

was breached;
וַתִּבָּקַ֣ע (wat·tib·bā·qa‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1234: To cleave, to rend, break, rip, open

and though the Chaldeans
וְכַשְׂדִּ֥ים (wə·ḵaś·dîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - masculine plural
Strong's 3778: Chaldeans -- a region of southern Babylon and its inhab

had surrounded
סָבִ֑יב (sā·ḇîḇ)
Adverb
Strong's 5439: A circle, neighbour, environs, around

the city,
הָעִ֖יר (hā·‘îr)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

all
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the men
אַנְשֵׁ֨י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

of war
הַמִּלְחָמָ֤ה ׀ (ham·mil·ḥā·māh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

fled by night
הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ (hal·lay·lāh)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915: A twist, night, adversity

by way
דֶּ֜רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

of the gate
שַׁ֣עַר ׀ (ša·‘ar)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate

between
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

the two walls
הַחֹמֹתַ֗יִם (ha·ḥō·mō·ṯa·yim)
Article | Noun - fd
Strong's 2346: A wall of protection

near
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the king’s
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

garden.
גַּ֣ן (gan)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1588: An enclosure, garden

They fled
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ (way·yê·leḵ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1980: To go, come, walk

toward
דֶּ֥רֶךְ (de·reḵ)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 1870: A road, a course of life, mode of action

the Arabah,
הָעֲרָבָֽה׃ (hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 6160: Arabah -- a steppe or desert plain, also a desert valley running south from the Sea of Galilee


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OT History: 2 Kings 25:4 Then a breach was made (2Ki iiKi ii ki 2 kg 2kg)
2 Kings 25:3
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