2 Kings 25:5 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 25:5 mean?

2 Kings 25:5 describes how the Babylonian army, called the Chaldees, chased after King Zedekiah of Judah and caught up with him in the plains near Jericho, after his own army had scattered and abandoned him. This verse shows the moment when the king’s escape attempt fails and he is left alone, powerless to resist capture.

The setting is the final days of Jerusalem’s fall to Babylon. The Babylonians have broken through the city, and King Zedekiah tries to flee with his soldiers. The verse highlights the king’s desperation and isolation as his army (the last defense of Judah) falls apart, leaving him vulnerable to his enemies. This is a turning point in the story, marking the end of Judah’s independence.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 25:5

• חֵיל (ḥēl, transliterated as "army"): This word often means "strength" or "forces" and is used twice in the verse, emphasizing both the might of the Chaldean pursuers and the disintegration of Zedekiah’s own forces. The repetition underlines the contrast between the organized Babylonian army and the scattered, defeated troops of Judah.
• רָדַף (radaph, "pursued"): This verb carries the sense of relentless chasing, showing that the Babylonians were determined and thorough in hunting down the king, not just passively following.
• נָשַׂג (nasag, "overtook"): This word means to catch up with or reach someone, stressing that the Babylonians were successful in their pursuit and that escape was impossible for Zedekiah.
• פָּזַר (pazar, "scattered"): This verb describes the army breaking apart and fleeing in all directions, highlighting the complete collapse of Judah’s military resistance.

Why 2 Kings 25:5 matters

• This verse clears up any idea that Zedekiah and his army might have escaped; it makes clear that the Babylonians were thorough and successful in their pursuit.
• The verse emphasizes the total defeat and abandonment of Judah’s leadership, setting up the events that follow—Zedekiah’s capture and Jerusalem’s destruction.
• Understanding the original words for "army" and "scattered" shows just how complete the collapse was, not just a retreat but a total disintegration of organized resistance.