Jeremiah 39:4
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.
Jeremiah 39:4 · King James Version
Meaning
When Zedekiah, the king of Judah, saw the approaching army and all the men of war, he and his men fled from the city of Jerusalem by night. They escaped through the king's garden, using the gate between the two walls, and made their way out into the plain. This event marked the fulfillment of a prophecy made by Jeremiah, warning Zedekiah of the impending destruction of Jerusalem and the captivity of its people by the Babylonians. Zedekiah's flight symbolizes his attempt to escape the consequences of his rebellion against God and refusal to heed the warnings of the prophets. The king's flight ultimately led to his capture by the Babylonians, the fall of Jerusalem, and the exile of the people of Judah. This verse serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the faithfulness of God in fulfilling his word.
Theological Overview
When examining the theological interpretation of the verse which describes King Zedekiah of Judah fleeing from his enemies, we can discern a few key points. Firstly, Zedekiah's flight shows his fear and lack of faith in God's protection. Instead of trusting in God to deliver him, he resorts to fleeing under the cover of night. This action reflects a lack of trust in God's sovereignty and power. Additionally, the mention of the king's garden and the gate between the two walls carries symbolic significance. The garden may represent a place of peace and tranquility, contrasting with the chaos and turmoil of war. The gate between the two walls could signify a point of decision or judgment, where Zedekiah must choose his path. Ultimately, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of relying on human strength rather than trusting in God's guidance and protection.
Jeremiah 39:4 in other translations
American Standard Version
And it came to pass that, when Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, through the gate betwixt the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.
World English Bible
When Zedekiah the king of Judah and all the men of war saw them, then they fled, and went out of the city by night, by the way of the king’s garden, through the gate between the two walls; and he went out toward the Arabah.
Douay-Rheims
And when Sedecias the king of Juda and all the men of war saw them, they fled: and they went forth in the night out of the city by the way of the king's garden, and by the gate that was between the two walls, and they went out to the way of the desert.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when Zedekiah the King of Iudah saw them, and all the men of warre, then they fled, and went out of the citie by night, through the Kings garden, and by the gate betweene the two walles, and he went toward the wildernes.