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.
2 KINGS 25:4KJVWhat does 2 Kings 25:4 mean?
2 Kings 25:4 describes the moment when Jerusalem’s defenses finally collapse, allowing the city’s soldiers and King Zedekiah to escape at night through a gate near the king’s garden, even as Babylonian (Chaldean) forces surround the city. The king and his men flee toward the plain, trying to escape capture.
This verse is part of the account of Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon. The writer is narrating how, after a long siege, the city’s walls are breached. The mention of the “gate between two walls” and the “king’s garden” points to a specific escape route, showing the desperation of the situation. The Chaldeans (Babylonians) have encircled the city, leaving only a narrow chance for the king and his soldiers to flee.
The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 25:4
- חוֹמָה (ḥomah, “walls”): This word refers to the city’s protective walls. The phrase “between two walls” suggests a hidden or less obvious passage, highlighting the secrecy and urgency of the escape.
- גַּן (gan, “garden”): Used here for the “king’s garden,” this word points to a royal or private area, likely near the palace, which may have offered a less-guarded exit.
- כַּשְׂדִּים (Kasdim, “Chaldees”): This term refers to the Babylonians, who are described as surrounding the city, emphasizing the completeness of the siege and the danger facing those inside.
- עֲרָבָה (ʿaravah, “plain”): This word means a flat or open area, often east of Jerusalem toward the Jordan Valley. The king’s escape route heads in this direction, likely seeking refuge away from the city.
Why 2 Kings 25:4 matters
- This verse clarifies the desperate situation at Jerusalem’s fall: even the king and his best soldiers are forced to flee secretly, showing the total collapse of resistance.
- The details about the escape route (gate, walls, garden) emphasize how carefully the escape was planned, yet also how limited the options were under siege.
- The verse connects to the wider story of Judah’s downfall and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings about Jerusalem’s destruction and the king’s fate.