Jeremiah 39:4

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וַיְהִ֡י
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
רָ֠אָם
saw
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#4
צִדְקִיָּ֨הוּ
And it came to pass that when Zedekiah
tsidkijah, the name of six israelites
#5
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
of the king's
a king
#6
יְהוּדָ֜ה
of Judah
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
#7
וְכֹ֣ל׀
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#8
אַנְשֵׁ֣י
them and all the men
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
#9
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
of war
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
#10
וַֽ֠יִּבְרְחוּ
then they fled
to bolt, i.e., figuratively, to flee suddenly
#11
וַיֵּצֵ֖א
and he went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#12
לַ֤יְלָה
by night
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
#13
מִן
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
#14
הָעִיר֙
out of the city
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
#15
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
by the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#16
גַּ֣ן
garden
a garden (as fenced)
#17
הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ
of the king's
a king
#18
בְּשַׁ֖עַר
by the gate
an opening, i.e., door or gate
#19
בֵּ֣ין
between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or
#20
הַחֹמֹתָ֑יִם
betwixt the two walls
a wall of protection
#21
וַיֵּצֵ֖א
and he went out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#22
דֶּ֥רֶךְ
by the way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#23
הָעֲרָבָֽה׃
of the plain
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea

Analysis

Within the broader context of Jeremiah, this passage highlights salvation through simile or metaphorical language. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Jeremiah.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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