Bible Strands
Jeremiah 52:14
And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The prophet Jeremiah records the final collapse of Jerusalem during the Babylonian siege, narrating the Chaldean forces' systematic destruction of the city's defenses. This account follows the burning of the temple and royal palace and precedes the deportation of the remaining population.
The words — The Hebrew verb נָתְצוּ (na.te.Tzu) literally means "they broke down" or "demolished," describing the physical destruction of the defensive structures. It is paired with כּוֹל (kol), meaning "all," to emphasize the totality of the demolition.
The thread — This event parallels the account in 2 Kings 25:10, which records the same Chaldean army dismantling Jerusalem's fortifications. The demolished walls later become a focal point in Nehemiah 1:3, where the surviving exiles report their ongoing trouble and disgrace.
Why it lands — The text records the total demolition of Jerusalem's walls, leaving the population without physical protection or political autonomy. It requires the reader to acknowledge the historical reality of complete judgment before considering the subsequent theological implications of exile and restoration.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
And all the army of the Chaldeans, that were with the captain of the guard, brake down all the walls of Jerusalem round about.
Cross-references
- Nehemiah 1:3 And they told me, “The remnant who survived the exile are there in the province, in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.”
- 2 Kings 25:10 And the whole army of the Chaldeans under the captain of the guard broke down the walls around Jerusalem.