And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

JEREMIAH 52:4KJV
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Jeremiah 52:4 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 52:4 mean?

Jeremiah 52:4 describes the moment when Nebuchadrezzar, the king of Babylon, began his attack on Jerusalem by surrounding the city with his army and building siege works against it. This event is marked with precise dates, showing the seriousness and historical importance of the siege.

The verse is a historical record, written by the prophet Jeremiah, describing the start of Babylon’s final assault on Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah. The mention of the ninth year, tenth month, and tenth day shows careful attention to timing, emphasizing that this was a real and significant event for the people of Judah. The verse sets the stage for the destruction that follows in the rest of the chapter.

The Hebrew behind Jeremiah 52:4

  • נְבוּכַדְרֶאצַּר (Nevukhadretzar): This is the Hebrew form of "Nebuchadrezzar," the Babylonian king. The use of his full name highlights his authority and the threat he posed to Jerusalem.
  • דָּיֵק (dayeq): Translated as "forts" or "siege works," this word refers to the military structures built around Jerusalem to trap the people inside and break through the city’s defenses. It shows the methodical and determined nature of the Babylonian attack.
  • חַיִל (chayil): This word means "army" or "force," emphasizing the strength and organized power Nebuchadrezzar brought against Jerusalem.

Why Jeremiah 52:4 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the siege of Jerusalem was not a sudden event but a carefully planned military campaign, marked by specific dates and strategies.
  • By naming Nebuchadrezzar and describing his actions, Jeremiah 52:4 connects the fall of Jerusalem to the broader story of Babylon’s rise and God’s warnings through the prophets.
  • The detailed timing and description help readers understand the gravity of the situation for Jerusalem and set up the narrative for the city’s eventual fall later in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“forts” Hebrew H1785 · used in 6 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:1 And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.
  • Ezekiel 4:2 And lay siege against it, and build a fort against it, and cast a mount against it; set the camp also against it, and set battering rams against it round about.
  • Ezekiel 21:22 At his right hand was the divination for Jerusalem, to appoint captains, to open the mouth in the slaughter, to lift up the voice with shouting, to appoint battering rams against the gates, to cast a mount, and to build a fort.

“tenth” Hebrew H6218 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 24:55 And her brother and her mother said, Let the damsel abide with us a few days, at the least ten; after that she shall go.
  • Numbers 29:7 And ye shall have on the tenth day of this seventh month an holy convocation; and ye shall afflict your souls: ye shall not do any work therein:
  • Psalms 144:9 I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee.

“ninth” Hebrew H8671 · used in 17 verses

  • Leviticus 25:22 And ye shall sow the eighth year, and eat yet of old fruit until the ninth year; until her fruits come in ye shall eat of the old store.
  • 1 Chronicles 24:11 The ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah,
  • Jeremiah 36:22 Now the king sat in the winterhouse in the ninth month: and there was a fire on the hearth burning before him.

“tenth” Hebrew H6224 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 8:5 And the waters decreased continually until the tenth month: in the tenth month, on the first day of the month, were the tops of the mountains seen.
  • Deuteronomy 23:2 A bastard shall not enter into the congregation of the LORD; even to his tenth generation shall he not enter into the congregation of the LORD.
  • Esther 2:16 So Esther was taken unto king Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign.