2 Kings 24:10

Authorized King James Version

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At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.

Original Language Analysis

בָּעֵ֣ת At that time H6256
בָּעֵ֣ת At that time
Strong's: H6256
Word #: 1 of 11
time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc
הַהִ֔יא H1931
הַהִ֔יא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 2 of 11
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עָל֗הּ came up H5927
עָל֗הּ came up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 3 of 11
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַבְדֵ֛י the servants H5650
עַבְדֵ֛י the servants
Strong's: H5650
Word #: 4 of 11
a servant
נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר of Nebuchadnezzar H5019
נְבֻֽכַדְנֶאצַּ֥ר of Nebuchadnezzar
Strong's: H5019
Word #: 5 of 11
nebukadnetstsar (or nebukadretsts(-ar, or)), king of babylon
מֶֽלֶךְ king H4428
מֶֽלֶךְ king
Strong's: H4428
Word #: 6 of 11
a king
בָּבֶ֖ל of Babylon H894
בָּבֶ֖ל of Babylon
Strong's: H894
Word #: 7 of 11
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם against Jerusalem H3389
יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם against Jerusalem
Strong's: H3389
Word #: 8 of 11
jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine
וַתָּבֹ֥א was besieged H935
וַתָּבֹ֥א was besieged
Strong's: H935
Word #: 9 of 11
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָעִ֖יר and the city H5892
הָעִ֖יר and the city
Strong's: H5892
Word #: 10 of 11
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
בַּמָּצֽוֹר׃ H4692
בַּמָּצֽוֹר׃
Strong's: H4692
Word #: 11 of 11
something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

Analysis & Commentary

At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up against Jerusalem, and the city was besieged.

This verse contributes to the overall theme of chapter 24: Judgment unfolds progressively. 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 24 takes place during the final collapse of Judah and Babylonian exile, early 6th century BCE, 605-586 BCE. The chapter's theme (Beginning of Babylonian Captivity) 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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