2 Kings 25:4

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

וַתִּבָּקַ֣ע was broken up H1234
וַתִּבָּקַ֣ע was broken up
Strong's: H1234
Word #: 1 of 21
to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open
הָעִ֖יר And the city H5892
הָעִ֖יר And the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 2 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְכָל H3605
וְכָל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 3 of 21
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
אַנְשֵׁ֨י H376
אַנְשֵׁ֨י
Strong's: H376
Word #: 4 of 21
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַמִּלְחָמָ֤ה׀ of war H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֤ה׀ of war
Strong's: H4421
Word #: 5 of 21
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ fled by night H3915
הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ fled by night
Strong's: H3915
Word #: 6 of 21
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
דֶּ֥רֶךְ by the way H1870
דֶּ֥רֶךְ by the way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 7 of 21
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
שַׁ֣עַר׀ of the gate H8179
שַׁ֣עַר׀ of the gate
Strong's: H8179
Word #: 8 of 21
an opening, i.e., door or gate
בֵּ֣ין H996
בֵּ֣ין
Strong's: H996
Word #: 9 of 21
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
הַחֹֽמֹתַ֗יִם between two walls H2346
הַחֹֽמֹתַ֗יִם between two walls
Strong's: H2346
Word #: 10 of 21
a wall of protection
אֲשֶׁר֙ H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's: H834
Word #: 11 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 12 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
גַּ֣ן garden H1588
גַּ֣ן garden
Strong's: H1588
Word #: 13 of 21
a garden (as fenced)
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ which is by the king's H4428
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ which is by the king's
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 14 of 21
a king
וְכַשְׂדִּ֥ים now the Chaldees H3778
וְכַשְׂדִּ֥ים now the Chaldees
Strong's: H3778
Word #: 15 of 21
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 16 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעִ֖יר And the city H5892
הָעִ֖יר And the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 17 of 21
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
סָבִ֑יב round about H5439
סָבִ֑יב round about
Strong's: H5439
Word #: 18 of 21
(as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without preposition) around
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 19 of 21
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
דֶּ֥רֶךְ by the way H1870
דֶּ֥רֶךְ by the way
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 20 of 21
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
הָֽעֲרָבָֽה׃ toward the plain H6160
הָֽעֲרָבָֽה׃ toward the plain
Strong's: H6160
Word #: 21 of 21
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

Analysis & Commentary

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.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 25: Covenant curses fulfilled completely. The reference to kingship reminds readers that all human authority is subordinate to God's ultimate kingship. As Judah approaches exile, these events fulfill prophetic warnings and demonstrate that God's patience with covenant violation is not infinite.

The narrative demonstrates God's justice in judging covenant unfaithfulness while maintaining His ultimate purposes for redemption.

Historical Context

Historical Setting: 2 Kings 25 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Fall of Jerusalem and Temple Destruction) reflects the historical reality of the final collapse of Judah, destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and exile to Babylon as covenant curses are fully realized. Archaeological evidence from this period includes royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and material culture that corroborate the biblical account while providing additional context for understanding the political and social dynamics at work.

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