Jeremiah 39:4 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →King Zedekiah and his remaining soldiers flee the city at night when they realize all is lost.
The Context of Jeremiah 39:4
Zedekiah attempts to escape as the city falls.
What Does Jeremiah 39:4 Mean?
Zedekiah's desperate nighttime flight reveals the collapse of his position. Having rejected every opportunity to submit and avoid bloodshed—including God's message through Jeremiah—the king now faces the ultimate humiliation of ignominious escape. The route through the royal garden and between the walls suggests a careful attempt at secrecy, yet it is doomed to failure.
The king's flight epitomizes the folly of resisting God's word. He had every chance to listen to Jeremiah, who repeatedly urged peace with Babylon as the way to preserve life and the future of the kingdom. Instead, pride and false hope drove him to a flight that leads only to capture and greater suffering, as the following verses reveal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jeremiah 39:4
What does Jeremiah 39:4 mean?
King Zedekiah and his remaining soldiers flee the city at night when they realize all is lost.
What is the context of Jeremiah 39:4?
Zedekiah attempts to escape as the city falls.