Jeremiah 39:8
And the Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire, and brake down the walls of Jerusalem.
Original Language Analysis
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
1 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
and the houses
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
and the houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
2 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בֵּ֣ית
and the houses
H1004
בֵּ֣ית
and the houses
Strong's:
H1004
Word #:
5 of 13
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
H5971
הָעָ֔ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 13
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֖ים
And the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֖ים
And the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
8 of 13
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
10 of 13
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Nehemiah 1:3And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire.Jeremiah 21:10For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.Jeremiah 38:18But if thou wilt not go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand.Micah 3:12Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest.
Historical Context
The burning occurred one month after the city's breach (52:12-13), allowing time for systematic looting before destruction. The captain of the guard, Nebuzar-adan, oversaw the demolition. Archaeological excavations have found extensive burn layers from 586 BC throughout Jerusalem. The wall destruction was thorough, leaving the city defenseless and uninhabitable for the exile period.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the burning of both palace and common houses show that covenant judgment affects all levels of society?
- What 'walls' of false security might God need to demolish in your life to rebuild on proper foundation?
- How does the burning of Jerusalem's temple anticipate its ultimate replacement in Christ (John 2:19-21; Revelation 21:22)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The Chaldeans burned the king's house, and the houses of the people, with fire (בָּאֵשׁ שָׂרָפוּ, ba'esh sarafu)—The verb saraph (שָׂרַף) means to burn completely, consume with fire. This was not mere conquest but systematic destruction, fulfilling prophecies that Jerusalem would burn (21:10, 32:29, 34:2, 38:18). Solomon's palace complex, built over 13 years (1 Kings 7:1), became ash in hours. The common houses burned alongside the royal—judgment touches all when covenant is broken.
And brake down the walls of Jerusalem (נָתָץ, natatz)—The verb means to tear down, demolish, raze. Jerusalem's fortifications, strengthened by Hezekiah and subsequent kings, were systematically dismantled. The city that would not be a protective wall for God's glory (Zechariah 2:5) lost its walls entirely. Nehemiah would later weep over these ruins (Nehemiah 1:3) before leading their reconstruction.