Siege and Fall of Jerusalem; Destruction and Exile
2 Kings 24:20-25:26
2 K.24.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- על: PREP
- אף: ADV
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וביהודה: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- השלכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מעל: PREP
- פניו: NOUN,m,pl,cons+3,m,sg
- וימרד: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- במלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 36:15-17 (quotation): Parallel account of the fall: attributes Judah's exile to God's wrath and describes the king's rebellion and the Chaldean judgment (closely mirrors 2 Kgs narrative).
- Jeremiah 52:3-7 (structural): Narrative parallel describing Zedekiah's rebellion against the king of Babylon and the subsequent siege and deportation—same events summarized in 2 Kgs 24:20.
- Deuteronomy 28:64 (thematic): Law-book promise/curse that the LORD will 'scatter' and remove Israel from the land—the theological backdrop for interpreting exile as divine removal from his presence.
- Leviticus 26:33 (thematic): Another covenantal warning that God will 'scatter' the people among the nations for disobedience, echoing the theme of being cast out from the LORD's presence.
- Jeremiah 25:9 (allusion): Declares that the LORD will summon Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon to execute judgment on the nations—provides prophetic rationale for the Babylonian exile noted in 2 Kgs 24:20.
Alternative generated candidates
- Because of the anger of the LORD it was in Jerusalem and in Judah until he had cast them from his presence; and Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
- For the LORD's wrath was upon Jerusalem and Judah until he cast them from his presence; and Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
2 K.25.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בשנת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cons
- התשיעית: ADJ,f,sg,def
- למלכו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- העשירי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעשור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבכדנאצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- חילו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+pr3ms
- על: PREP
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויחן: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- ויבנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- עליה: PREP,3,f,sg
- דיק: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
Parallels
- Jer.39:1 (quotation): Nearly identical account: states that in the ninth year, tenth month Nebuchadnezzar and his army came against Jerusalem and besieged it.
- Jer.52:4 (quotation): Repetition of the historical notice in Jeremiah’s appendix—same dating and description of the Babylonian encampment and siege works.
- 2 Chron.36:17-20 (thematic): Summarizes the Babylonian attack, destruction of Jerusalem and exile; connects Nebuchadnezzar’s campaign to the fall of the city and temple.
- Ezek.24:1-2 (structural): Prophetic dating formula (ninth year, tenth month) tied to the same siege; Ezekiel’s oracle is set against the chronological framework of Jerusalem’s siege and fall.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his host, against Jerusalem; and they encamped against it and built siegeworks round about.
- In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his host, against Jerusalem; and he encamped against it and built siegeworks all around it.
2 K.25.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- במצור: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- עשתי: ADJ,ord,m,sg
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:1 (structural): Immediate narrative context: verse 1 describes Nebuchadnezzar's arrival and the beginning of the siege that the present verse says continued until Zedekiah's specified year.
- Jeremiah 52:4 (verbal): Parallel account of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem that largely repeats the events and dating found in 2 Kings 25:2.
- Jeremiah 39:1 (structural): Narrative parallel describing Nebuchadnezzar's army encircling and besieging Jerusalem and the eventual fall of the city.
- 2 Chronicles 36:11-21 (thematic): Chronicles' summary of Zedekiah's reign, Judah's rebellion, and the Babylonian judgment, including the siege and exile that culminate in Jerusalem's destruction.
- Ezekiel 24:2 (allusion): Prophetic reference to the siege of Jerusalem used by Ezekiel as the backdrop for his oracle; alludes to the same historical event described in 2 Kings 25:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the city was besieged until the fourteenth year of King Zedekiah.
- Thus the city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
2 K.25.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- בתשעה: PREP+NUM,m,sg,abs
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויחזק: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הרעב: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולא: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לעם: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Jer.52.6 (verbal): Direct parallel account of the siege and famine in Jerusalem; Jeremiah 52:6 reports the same timing and lack of bread in the city.
- 2Kgs.6.25 (thematic): Another instance in Kings of a siege-induced famine (Samaria), describing severe scarcity and its effects—parallels the situation in Jerusalem.
- Lam.4.4 (thematic): Lamentations depicts the effects of the siege and famine on the population (children fainting, tongues sticking to jaws), thematically echoing the lack of bread in 2 Kings 25:3.
- Ezek.4.11-12 (thematic): Ezekiel's instructions about scarce rations and measured water during a forthcoming siege thematically parallel the deprivation and famine described in 2 Kings 25:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- On the ninth day of the month the famine was severe in the city; there was no bread for the people of the land.
- On the ninth day of the month the famine became severe in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
2 K.25.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ותבקע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,f,sg
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הלילה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- שער: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בין: PREP
- החמתים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- על: PREP
- גן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וכשדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- על: PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- סביב: ADV
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- דרך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הערבה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Jer. 39:4-5 (quotation): A near-verbatim parallel account of the fall: men of war flee by night through the gate between the two walls by the king’s garden while the Chaldeans are around the city — same episode described from Jeremiah’s eyewitness perspective.
- Jer. 52:7-9 (quotation): An independent retelling in Jeremiah’s historical appendix that repeats the escape through the gate between the two walls and the surrounding of the city by the Chaldeans, echoing the same facts recorded in 2 Kings.
- 2 Chron. 36:19-21 (thematic): Summarizes Jerusalem’s destruction and the exile to Babylon — the broader consequence of the city’s breach and capture described in 2 Kings 25:4.
- Ezek. 33:21 (thematic): Reports the prophet’s receipt of the news that Jerusalem has fallen to the Babylonians; thematically connected as a prophetic reaction to the same event of the city’s breach and capture.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the city was broken through, and all the men of war fled by night by the gate between the two walls, which is by the king’s garden (now the Chaldeans were round about the city); and they went toward the plain.
- Then the city was breached, and all the men of war left by night through the gate between the two walls that is by the king's garden— the Chaldeans being round about the city— and they went toward the plain.
2 K.25.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירדפו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחר: PREP
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישגו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- בערבות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ירחו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- חילו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+pr3ms
- נפצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מעליו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 52:8-11 (verbal): Parallel narrative of Zedekiah’s flight, overtaking in the plains of Jericho, and the dispersal/capture of his forces; closely parallels the account in 2 Kings.
- Jeremiah 39:5-7 (verbal): Another immediate prophetic account of the fall of Jerusalem describing the Chaldeans’ capture of the king and the fate of his army—corroborates the event and outcome in 2 Kings 25:5.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-20 (thematic): Chronicler’s summary of Judah’s punishment, the destruction of Jerusalem, and the exile—places the dispersal and defeat of Judah’s forces within the broader theme of judgment and deportation.
- 2 Kings 25:6-7 (structural): The adjacent verses continue the same episode: the capture of Zedekiah after pursuit in the plains of Jericho and the subsequent handing over to Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, providing immediate narrative context.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the Chaldean army pursued the king; and they overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and all his host was scattered from him.
- But the Chaldean army pursued the king; they overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and all his troops were scattered from him.
2 K.25.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתפשו: VERB,qal,impf,3,mp
- את: PRT,acc
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויעלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- אל: NEG
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבלתה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וידברו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:5-7 (quotation): An essentially identical account: Nebuzaradan seizes Zedekiah and brings him to Riblah before the king of Babylon, where judgment is pronounced (sons killed, eyes put out, Zedekiah bound).
- Jeremiah 52:8-11 (quotation): Parallel/near‑verbatim retelling of Zedekiah’s capture at Riblah and the subsequent treatment (execution of his sons, blinding, and exile to Babylon).
- 2 Kings 24:12-16 (thematic): Earlier episode of a Judean king (Jehoiachin) being carried off to Babylon; thematically related material on Babylonian deportation of Judah’s kings and elites. Provides background to the pattern culminating in 25:6.
- 2 Chronicles 36:11-12 (structural): Chronicles’ summary of Zedekiah’s reign and rebellion against Babylon; offers a parallel structural account within the Deuteronomistic/chronistic histories linking rebellion to capture and exile.
- Ezekiel 12:13 (allusion): Prophetic pronouncement that Zedekiah would be taken in chains and carried to Babylon; echoes and anticipates the fate described in 2 Kings 25:6.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they took the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah; and they pronounced judgment upon him.
- They seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they passed sentence on him.
2 K.25.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שחטו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לעיניו: PREP
- ואת: CONJ
- עיני: NOUN,f,pl,cons+1s
- צדקיהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עור: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאסרהו: VERB,piel,impf,3,m,sg
- בנחשתים: PREP
- ויבאהו: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,3,mp
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jer.39:6-7 (verbal): Near-verbatim parallel account: Nebuchadnezzar’s forces put Zedekiah’s sons to death before him, then blinded and fettered Zedekiah and carried him to Babylon.
- Jer.52:10-11 (verbal): Duplicate/summary in the Deuteronomistic appendix to Jeremiah repeating the killing of Zedekiah’s sons, his blinding, and exile to Babylon.
- 2 Chron.36:13-20 (thematic): Chronicles recounts Zedekiah’s wicked reign, the fall of Jerusalem and his removal to Babylon—paralleling the outcome (captivity and end of his rule) though it omits the blinding detail.
- Judg.16:21 (thematic): Samson’s eyes are gouged out by his captors as an act of humiliation and incapacitation; thematically parallels the motif of blinding a defeated leader to neutralize and disgrace him.
Alternative generated candidates
- And they slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; and they put out the eyes of Zedekiah, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
- They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; then they put out Zedekiah's eyes, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
2 K.25.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובחדש: PREP
- החמישי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בשבעה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לחדש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היא: PRON,dem,3,f,sg
- שנת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- תשע: NUM,card
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- למלך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נבכדנאצר: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- נבוזראדן: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עבד: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 52:12 (verbal): Nearly identical wording: gives the same date (fifth month, seventh day, nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar) and states that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard came to Jerusalem.
- Jeremiah 39:9-10 (allusion): Describes Nebuzaradan's actions after Jerusalem's fall—taking captives, executing officials, and sparing Jeremiah—linking the captain of the guard named in 2 Kings to the same post-siege events.
- 2 Chronicles 36:19-20 (thematic): Summarizes the fall of Jerusalem, the burning of the temple and the deportations carried out by Babylonian forces—events connected with Nebuzaradan's arrival and activity.
- 2 Kings 25:9 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: following Nebuzaradan's arrival (v.8), the next verse records that he burned the house of the LORD and the king's house, showing direct sequence and consequence.
Alternative generated candidates
- And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month (it was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, the servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.
- In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month— it was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon— Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, the king of Babylon's servant, came to Jerusalem.
2 K.25.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- בתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,1cs
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- שרף: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- באש: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 52:13 (quotation): Direct parallel account of the fall of Jerusalem; repeats virtually the same wording that the house of the LORD, the king's house, and the houses of Jerusalem were burned.
- 2 Chronicles 36:19-20 (verbal): Chronicles' description of the Babylonian destruction closely parallels Kings — the temple and the palaces of Jerusalem are burned and the people exiled.
- Psalm 79:1-5 (thematic): A communal lament over foreign nations defiling the sanctuary and laying Jerusalem in ruins; thematically echoes the devastation and burning of sacred and civic structures.
- Lamentations 2:6-7 (thematic): Lament's depiction of the Lord's judgment on Zion, including destruction of the sanctuary and loss of the city's dwellings, thematically parallels the temple's burning and Jerusalem's devastation.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he burned the house of the LORD, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned with fire.
- He burned the house of the LORD, the king's house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned with fire.
2 K.25.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- חומת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- סביב: ADV
- נתצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כשדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Jer.52.13 (quotation): Nearly identical narrative: the Chaldean forces broke down the wall of Jerusalem all around (Jeremiah 52 is a parallel retelling of the fall recorded in 2 Kings).
- 2 Chron.36.19 (structural): Parallel summary of the Babylonian destruction: the Chaldeans burned the house of the Lord and broke down the walls of Jerusalem before exiling the people (same historical event from the Chronicler's perspective).
- Jer.39.4–5 (thematic): Jeremiah's account of the fall of Jerusalem describes the Babylonian assault and the breaking down of the city's defenses—another eyewitness/prophetic perspective on the breaching of the walls.
- Lam.2.6 (allusion): Poetic lament that Zion's defenses and palaces have been broken down; Lamentations reflects on the same destruction of Jerusalem's walls and fortifications described in 2 Kings 25:10.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the wall of Jerusalem round about was torn down by all the host of the Chaldeans that were with the captain of the guard.
- And the Chaldean forces of the captain of the guard pulled down the wall of Jerusalem all around.
2 K.25.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- יתר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנשארים: PART,m,pl,def
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הנפלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נפלו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- על: PREP
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- יתר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ההמון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הגלה: VERB,hiph,perf,3,ms
- נבוזראדן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 52:12-15 (verbal): Parallel, near‑verbatim account of Nebuzaradan taking the remaining people of the city into exile; recounts the same action and sequence as 2 Kgs 25:11–13.
- 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 (thematic): Summarizes the Babylonian deportation and destruction of the land/temple—same theme of mass exile and judgment as in 2 Kgs 25:11.
- 2 Kings 25:21 (structural): Immediate internal parallel in the chapter describing what Nebuzaradan did with the remnant (leaving some poor in the land) and thus complements the account of those taken away.
- Jeremiah 39:10 (allusion): Earlier episode mentioning Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard dealing with Jerusalem’s captives (sparing Jeremiah while others were taken), corroborating the captain’s role in the deportations.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried away into exile the remnant of the people that remained in the city, and those who had fallen with the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.
- Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile the remnant of the people who remained in the city, and those who had deserted to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.
2 K.25.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומדלת: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- השאיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לכרמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וליגבים: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 25:22-24 (structural): Same narrative: the captain of the guard leaves people in the land to be vinedressers and husbandmen and sets them over vineyards and fields — a fuller account of the action alluded to in v.12.
- Jeremiah 39:10 (verbal): Parallel report of Nebuzaradan leaving 'the poor of the land' to tend vineyards and fields; language and action closely mirror the 2 Kings account.
- Jeremiah 52:16-17 (verbal): Historical summary repeating Jeremiah 39:10's material: Nebuzaradan left some of the poor in the land as vinedressers and husbandmen, paralleling 2 Kings 25:12.
- Genesis 41:41-43 (thematic): Thematic parallel in which a conqueror/ruler appoints an overseer over the land and its produce (Joseph made ruler over Egypt's food supply), reflecting the motif of delegating authority over vineyards/fields.
Alternative generated candidates
- But of the poorest of the land the captain of the guard left some to be vinedressers and husbandmen.
- But the captain of the guard left of the poor of the land some to be vine-dressers and husbandmen.
2 K.25.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- עמודי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- המכנות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- ים: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,def
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שברו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- כשדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- נחשתם: NOUN,f,sg,poss
- בבלה: PREP+NOUN,prop,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 52:17-23 (quotation): Nearly identical retelling of the Chaldeans breaking the bronze pillars, stands, and the molten sea and carrying the bronze to Babylon in the parallel account of Jerusalem's fall.
- 1 Kings 7:15-47 (structural): Description of the making and placement of the bronze pillars (Jachin and Boaz), the stands, and the molten sea in Solomon's temple—the very vessels later broken and removed in 2 Kings 25:13.
- 2 Chronicles 36:17-19 (thematic): Chronicles' account of Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the temple and removal/destruction of its vessels parallels the themes of desecration and exile reflected in 2 Kings 25:13.
- 2 Kings 24:13 (allusion): Earlier report that Nebuchadnezzar carried away the treasures of the house of the LORD to Babylon; related event showing progressive stripping of temple wealth culminating in the breaking and removal described in 2 Kings 25:13.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the bronze pillars that were in the house of the LORD, and the stands, and the bronze sea that was in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke in pieces and carried their bronze to Babylon.
- The Chaldeans broke in pieces the bronze pillars that were in the house of the LORD, and the stands and the bronze sea that was in the house of the LORD, and they carried all the bronze to Babylon.
2 K.25.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- הסירת: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- היעים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המזמרות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הכפות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- כלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- הנחשת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ישרתו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- לקחו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Jer.52.17-23 (quotation): A near-verbatim parallel account of the bronze temple vessels (basins, bowls, pans, etc.) taken to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar—essentially the same inventory as in 2 Kings 25:13–17.
- 2Chr.36.18-19 (verbal): Chronicles records the burning of the house of the LORD and the removal of the temple vessels to Babylon, summarizing the seizure of the same sacred articles.
- 1Kgs.7.47-50 (thematic): Lists the bronze furnishings and utensils made for Solomon’s temple (basins, lavers, pans, etc.), providing the original catalogue of the items later taken.
- Ezra.1.7-11 (allusion): Cyrus restores to Jerusalem the vessels Nebuchadnezzar had carried away; the returned items correspond to the same temple vessels listed in 2 Kings 25:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- They took away the pots, the shovels, the basins, the trumpets, and all the vessels of bronze used in the service.
- They took away the firepans, the basins, the bowls, the censers, and every small bronze vessel used for service.
2 K.25.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- המחתות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- המזרקות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זהב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- 2 Kings 24:13 (verbal): Earlier account of Nebuchadnezzar taking all the vessels of the house of the LORD to Babylon—the same seizure of temple utensils described here.
- Jeremiah 52:19 (verbal): Parallel Babylonian report listing bowls, basins and other temple vessels carried off to Babylon; closely matches the items noted in 2 Kings 25:15.
- 2 Chronicles 36:18 (verbal): Chronicles’ retelling of Jerusalem’s capture and the removal of the house of the LORD’s vessels by the king of Babylon—language and sequence parallel 2 Kings 25:15.
- Ezra 1:7-11 (thematic): Later Persian decree under Cyrus that the vessels taken from the temple be brought back to Jerusalem—connects thematically to the fate of the same temple utensils seized in 2 Kings 25:15.
Alternative generated candidates
- The firepans and the basins — of gold was the one, and of silver the other — the captain of the guard took.
- The pans and the sprinkling bowls, whether of gold or of silver, the captain of the guard took.
2 K.25.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- העמודים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- שנים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הים: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- האחד: PRON,indef,sg,m
- והמכנות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלמה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- לבית: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cns
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לא: PART_NEG
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משקל: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- לנחשת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- הכלים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- Jer.52.20-23 (quotation): Parallel account of the Babylonian stripping of Solomon’s bronze temple furnishings; repeats that the two pillars, the sea, and the stands had no weight for all the bronze vessels.
- 1 Kgs.7.15-51 (verbal): Solomon’s original description and inventory of the temple bronze work (the two pillars Jachin and Boaz, the great sea, the ten stands/lavers and other bronze vessels) from which 2 Kgs 25:16 draws its items.
- 2 Chr.3.15 (verbal): Mentions the two bronze pillars at the temple entrance (Jachin and Boaz), corresponding to the pillars listed in 2 Kgs 25:16.
- 2 Chr.4.2-8 (structural): Parallel description of the great sea, the bronze stands/lavers, and other bronze implements made for Solomon’s temple—another retelling of the same temple furnishings cited in 2 Kgs 25:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- The two pillars, the one sea, and the bases that Solomon made for the house of the LORD, the bronze of all these vessels could not be weighed.
- As for the two pillars, the one sea, and the stands that Solomon made for the house of the LORD, there was no weight for the bronze of all these articles.
2 K.25.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שמנה: NUM,card,f,pl,abs
- עשרה: NUM,card,m,pl
- אמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- קומת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- העמוד: NOUN,m,sg,def
- האחד: PRON,indef,sg,m
- וכתרת: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וקומת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- הכתרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- אמות: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- ושבכה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ורמנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- הכתרת: NOUN,f,sg,def
- סביב: ADV
- הכל: PRON,m,sg,abs
- נחשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכאלה: DEM,pl,abs
- לעמוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg
- השני: ADJ,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- השבכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 7:15-22 (verbal): Detailed description of the two bronze pillars (height 18 cubits, capitals 3 cubits), the network and the pomegranates — essentially the same technical description as in 2 Kgs 25:17.
- 2 Chronicles 4:12-13 (verbal): Chronicles repeats the measurements and ornamentation of the two bronze pillars (capitals, network, pomegranates), paralleling the language and details of 2 Kgs 25:17.
- Jeremiah 52:21-23 (structural): Parallel account of the fate of the temple pillars in the Babylonian destruction — records the removal/transport of the same bronze pillars, providing a second historical retelling of the event described in 2 Kgs 25.
- 2 Chronicles 3:15-17 (structural): Earliest description in Chronicles of the pillars set before the temple with their capitals and ornamentation, linking the identity and placement of the pillars later described as taken in 2 Kgs 25:17.
Alternative generated candidates
- The height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; a capital of bronze was upon it, the height of the capital three cubits; and there was a network and pomegranates on the capital round about, all of bronze; and so it was for the second pillar on the network.
- The height of one pillar was eighteen cubits; a capital of bronze was on it, the height of the capital three cubits, with a network and pomegranates on the capital round about— all of bronze; and likewise for the second pillar.
2 K.25.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- שריה: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- הראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- צפניהו: PNOUN,m,sg
- כהן: NOUN,m,sg,const
- משנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- שלשת: NUM,m,pl,abs
- שמרי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Jer.52:24-25 (quotation): Nearly identical recounting of the same event: the captain of the guard takes Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold—direct parallel account of Jerusalem's fall.
- Jer.39:8-10 (verbal): Describes Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carrying out removals and imprisonments after the fall of Jerusalem; parallels the role of the captain and the deportation/handling of temple officials.
- 2 Chron.36:17-21 (thematic): Summarizes the destruction of Jerusalem, the burning of the temple, and the exile to Babylon—provides the broader contextual background for the arrest and removal of priests in 2 Kings 25:18.
- Ps.137:1-4 (thematic): A lament of the Judean exiles in Babylon mourning the loss of Zion and temple life; thematically resonates with the consequences of the deportations and the removal of temple personnel described in 2 Kings 25:18.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold.
- The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold.
2 K.25.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומן: CONJ+PREP
- העיר: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- סריס: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחד: NUM,card,m,sg
- א: PRT
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- פקיד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- אנשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- המלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וחמשה: CONJ+NUM,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- מראי: PTCP,qal,part,pl,m,abs
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נמצאו: VERB,niphal,perf,3,pl
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- הספר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- שר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הצבא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המצבא: NOUN,m,sg,def
- את: PRT,acc
- עם: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וששים: CONJ+NUM,card,pl,m
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעם: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הנמצאים: ADJ,part,m,pl,def
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:9-10 (quotation): Parallel account of Nebuzaradan taking the eunuch/palace officials and leaving Gedaliah as governor — almost verbatim list of officials seized and some left in the land.
- Jeremiah 52:25-27 (quotation): A near‑identical report in Jeremiah of the Babylonian officer seizing the captain of the guard, royal officials, and sixty men of the land; directly parallels the wording and numbers.
- 2 Kings 24:14 (verbal): Earlier deportation listing (Jehoiachin and palace personnel taken to Babylon) showing the recurring pattern and formula of removing royal officials and skilled persons to Babylon.
- 2 Chronicles 36:10-21 (structural): Chronicle summary of the fall of Jerusalem and the exile — parallels the overall structural outcome (capture of king/officials, removal to Babylon, and depopulation) though with a condensed, theological framing.
Alternative generated candidates
- From the city he took a eunuch who had charge of the men of war, and five men of the king’s council who were found in the city, and the commander of the army who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the city.
- From the city he took one eunuch who was set over the warriors, and five men of the king's council who were found in the city, and the scribe, the officer in charge of the army who mustered the people of the land, and sixty of the common people who were found in the city.
2 K.25.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- נבוזראדן: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- טבחים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- על: PREP
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- רבלתה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 39:9 (verbal): Same incident and near-verbatim language: Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard takes people and carries them to Riblah to the king of Babylon.
- Jeremiah 52:12-13 (quotation): Parallel retelling of the fall of Jerusalem that repeats the action of Nebuzaradan taking captives to Riblah for the king of Babylon.
- 2 Kings 25:22 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in the same episode—Nebuzaradan’s disposition of the remaining people after the deportation described in v.20.
- 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 (thematic): Summarizes the Babylonian exile theme—lifting people out of the land to Babylon—which is the broader theological context for Nebuzaradan’s deportations.
- Psalm 137:1-4 (thematic): Lyrical reflection on the Babylonian exile and deportation to Babylon, thematically connected to the events of captives being taken away.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and went to the king of Babylon to Riblah.
- Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and led them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
2 K.25.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתם: PRON,2,m,pl
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וימיתם: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
- ברבלה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- חמת: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ויגל: VERB,qal,wayyiq,3,m,sg
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מעל: PREP
- אדמתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Jeremiah 52:10-11 (verbal): A near-duplicate account of the same event: the king of Babylon executing Judah's leaders at Riblah and carrying the people into exile.
- Jeremiah 39:5-7 (structural): Earlier narrative of Jerusalem's fall that describes the capture of Zedekiah, the slaughter of the leaders, and the removal of Judah—parallel reportage of the Riblah episode.
- 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 (thematic): Summarizes Judah's removal from their land and the Babylonian exile, reflecting the same outcome (deportation and loss of the land) described in 2 Kings 25:21.
- Psalm 137:1-4 (thematic): Laments the experience of the Judean exiles 'by the rivers of Babylon,' thematically connected to the deportation of Judah reported in 2 Kings 25:21.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the king of Babylon struck them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath; and he carried Judah away from its land.
- There the king of Babylon put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath; and Judah was carried away from its land.
2 K.25.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- הנשאר: ADJ,ptcp,qal,m,sg,def
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אשר: PRON,rel
- השאיר: VERB,hiphil,perf,3,m,sg
- נבוכדנאצר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויפקד: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- גדליהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אחיקם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שפן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 40:5 (verbal): Jeremiah's narrative records the same event: Nebuchadnezzar (through his officials) leaves a remnant in Judah and Gedaliah son of Ahikam is established over them — a close verbal/parallelistic account of 2 Kgs 25:22.
- Jeremiah 40:7 (structural): Continues the post-destruction administration: elders and military leaders come to Gedaliah at Mizpah and remain with him, reflecting the immediate social and political structure established after Nebuchadnezzar left the remnant.
- Jeremiah 41:1-3 (thematic): Recounts the assassination of Gedaliah by Ishmael and the ensuing violence/fear among the remnant — a direct thematic consequence of the appointment recorded in 2 Kgs 25:22.
- 2 Kings 25:12 (verbal): Earlier verse in the same chapter describing that Nebuchadnezzar left 'the poorest of the people' in the land; this sets the precise population over whom Gedaliah is appointed in 2 Kgs 25:22.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, — he appointed over them Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan.
- As for the people left in the land of Judah whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he appointed over them Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan.
2 K.25.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמעו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- החילים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- והאנשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- הפקיד: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- גדליהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- גדליהו: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- המצפה: NOUN,m,sg,def
- וישמעאל: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתניה: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- ויוחנן: CONJ+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- קרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ושריה: CONJ+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- תנחמת: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- הנטפתי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויאזניהו: CONJ+NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המעכתי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- ואנשיהם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,prsuf3mp
Parallels
- Jeremiah 40:7-9 (verbal): The same episode is recounted: the captains hear that Babylon has appointed Gedaliah and come to him at Mizpah. Wording and sequence closely parallel 2 Kings 25:22–23.
- Jeremiah 40:12-13 (verbal): Provides the same roster of leaders (Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth, Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite) and their men, matching the names listed in 2 Kings 25:23.
- Jeremiah 41:1-3 (thematic): Continues the narrative aftermath: Ishmael’s murder of Gedaliah and the ensuing violence—showing the outcome of the political gathering described in 2 Kings 25:23.
- 2 Kings 25:25 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same chapter: records Ishmael’s assassination of Gedaliah, directly following the arrival of the captains noted in 25:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- When all the captains of the forces and the people heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah: Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maachathite — they and their men.
- When all the captains of the troops and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah— even Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Jezaniah son of the Maacathite, and their men.
2 K.25.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישבע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- גדליהו: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולאנשיהם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,pl,poss,3,m,pl
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- תיראו: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- מעבדי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- הכשדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- שבו: VERB,qal,impv,2,m,pl
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- ועבדו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בבל: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויטב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Jeremiah 40:9–10 (verbal): A near-verbatim parallel: Jeremiah records Gedaliah swearing to the remnant and advising them not to fear but to serve the Chaldeans (Babylon), dwell in the land, and things will go well.
- Jeremiah 29:4–7 (thematic): Jeremiah exhorts exiles to build houses, settle, and seek the welfare of the city — a similar counsel to remain in the land and pursue stability and wellbeing under foreign rule.
- Jeremiah 27:11–12 (thematic): Jeremiah commands submission to Nebuchadnezzar as God’s appointed instrument and urges nations (including Judah) to serve Babylon — thematically parallel to Gedaliah’s instruction to serve the king of Babylon.
- Romans 13:1–2 (thematic): Paul’s teaching that all authorities are instituted by God and that believers should submit to governing powers echoes the basic principle behind Gedaliah’s counsel to submit to Babylonian rule for the community’s welfare.
Alternative generated candidates
- And Gedaliah swore to them and to their men; and he said to them, “Fear not to serve the Chaldeans; dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”
- Gedaliah made them and their men swear, saying, “Do not fear to serve the Chaldeans; dwell in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.”
2 K.25.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- בחדש: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,cstr
- השביעי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ישמעאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נתניה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלישמע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מזרע: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלוכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ועשרה: NUM,m,pl
- אנשים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- גדליהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וימת: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ואת: CONJ
- היהודים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הכשדים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- היו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- במצפה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 41:1 (verbal): Gives the same report of Ishmael son of Nethaniah and ten men killing Gedaliah at Mizpah; language and details closely parallel the 2 Kings account (same event, near-verbatim).
- Jeremiah 40:14 (thematic): Records Johanan’s warning about Ishmael and the political tension in Mizpah prior to the assassination; provides background motive and conflict leading to Gedaliah’s murder.
- Jeremiah 41:2 (verbal): Specifically mentions the Jews and Chaldeans who were with Gedaliah at Mizpah being killed—language and detail mirror 2 Kings 25:25’s description of victims and location.
- 2 Kings 25:26 (structural): Immediate sequel in the Deuteronomistic narrative: describes the flight of the remnant to Egypt after Gedaliah’s assassination, showing the political consequence of the murder recorded in v.25.
Alternative generated candidates
- But in the seventh month Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, of the royal seed, and ten men with him came and struck Gedaliah and killed him, and the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah were slain.
- But in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, of the royal seed, came with ten men, and they struck Gedaliah and put him to death, and the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah were also slain.
2 K.25.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקמו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- כל: DET
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מקטן: PREP,ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ועד: CONJ+PREP
- גדול: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ושרי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- החילים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויבאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מצרים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- כי: CONJ
- יראו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- מפני: PREP
- כשדים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Jeremiah 43:5-7 (quotation): Direct parallel account — the remnant of Judah (men, women, and all the people) go into Egypt because they fear the Chaldeans; same event reported in Jeremiah's book.
- Jeremiah 52:15-23 (structural): Parallel narrative to 2 Kings recounting the fall of Jerusalem and the fate of the people; both books present overlapping reports of exile and the dispersal of Judah's survivors.
- 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 (thematic): Summarizes Judah's exile to Babylon and the removal of the people from the land — thematically linked as part of the post‑destruction dispersal and fear‑driven movements of the population.
- Genesis 46:5-7 (thematic): Earlier Israelite precedent of an entire household/clan going down to Egypt for refuge (Jacob bringing all his household), thematically echoing the movement of people to Egypt in times of crisis.
- Isaiah 31:1 (allusion): Prophetic critique of seeking help from Egypt rather than trusting God — thematically linked as a rebuke of the impulse that led Judah to flee to Egypt for security.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then all the people, from the least even to the greatest, with the captains of the forces, arose and went to Egypt, for they feared the Chaldeans.
- Then all the people, from small to great, and the commanders of the armies arose and went to Egypt, for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.
Because the LORD’s wrath was upon Jerusalem and Judah until He had cast them from before Him, and Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and all his host came against Jerusalem and encamped against it, and built siegeworks around it.
The city was besieged until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.
On the ninth day of the month the famine became severe in the city, and there was no bread for the people of the land.
Then the city was breached, and all the men of war fled by night through the gate between the two walls, by the king’s garden—though the Chaldeans were all around the city—and they went toward the plain.
The Chaldean army pursued after the king, and they overtook him in the plains of Jericho; and all his force was scattered from him.
They seized the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they pronounced judgment on him.
They killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes; they put out Zedekiah’s eyes, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon.
In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—(it was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon)—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, the king of Babylon’s servant, came to Jerusalem.
He burned the house of the LORD, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned with fire. And the whole Chaldean force that was with the captain of the guard broke down the walls of Jerusalem all around.
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile to Babylon the remnant of the people who were left in the city, and the deserters who had gone over to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude. But of the land’s poorest he left certain of them to be vinedressers and fieldworkers.
The Chaldeans broke in pieces the bronze pillars of the house of the LORD, and the stands, and the bronze sea that was in the house of the LORD, and they took the bronze to Babylon.
They took the basins, the firepans, the bowls, the censers, and all the bronze utensils that were used in the service.
The captain of the guard took away the basins and the shelving and the other vessels—whatever was gold he took as gold, and whatever was silver he took as silver.
The weight of the bronze of the two pillars, the one sea, and the stands that Solomon made for the house of the LORD could not be weighed.
The height of one pillar was eighteen cubits, and on it was a bronze capital whose height was three cubits; there was a latticework and pomegranates round about the capital, all of bronze—the same for the second pillar.
Nebuzaradan took Seraiah the chief priest, Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the threshold.
From the city he took one eunuch who had charge of the officers of the army, and five men who were in the king’s household found in the city, and the scribe who was commander of the army and who mustered the people of the land, and sixty men of the people of the land who were found in the city.
Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and went to the king of Babylon at Riblah.
The king of Babylon struck them and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath; and Judah was carried away from its land.
The people who were left in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he appointed over them Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan.
All the captains of the forces and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah; they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah—Ismael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, Jaazaniah son of the Maacathite, and their men.
Gedaliah swore to them and to their men, and said, “Do not be afraid to serve the Chaldeans. Remain in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will be well with you.” But in the seventh month Ishmael son of Nethaniah, of the royal line, and ten men with him came and struck Gedaliah and killed him, and the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah.
Then all the people, from the least to the greatest, and the captains of the forces, arose and went to Egypt, for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.