Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 39:4. It’s a pretty dramatic passage about a huge escape. Here's what it essentially means in simpler terms: The Basic Story: Zedekiah, the king of Judah, was facing a terrible crisis – he was being attacked by his enemies. He saw a large group of soldiers and warriors marching towards his city. Rather than fight, Zedekiah ordered them to flee. They left the city and went out through a secret passage – basically, they slipped out of the city walls by night, using a route that was deliberately hidden. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And it came to pass…” : This is just an opening statement introducing a significant event. “…when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them…” : We know this happened because Zedekiah was in a vulnerable position – he was under attack. “…and all the men of war…” : He had a large army and soldiers surrounding him. This emphasizes the seriousness of the situation. “then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night…” : The king ordered them to leave. They were leaving quickly . “…by the way of the king’s garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls:” : This is where it gets a little more symbolic. They left through a specific path – a hidden route that wasn't on any official map. "Betwixt the two walls" refers to the city walls. “…and he went out the way of the plain.” : This is the most important part. They ran away along a path that led directly into a vast, open field – a “plain”. It’s like a huge, secret escape route. What does this verse mean in a bigger picture? Jeremiah 39:4 is often interpreted as a prophecy of God's judgment on Judah. The story suggests that Zedekiah’s failure to defend his city would lead to terrible consequences for the entire kingdom. The “plain” represents a vast, open space – a place where God could strike with devastating force. In short: This verse describes a strategic and desperate escape orchestrated by the king to avoid imminent destruction. It's a story of a king’s attempt to protect his people, but it ultimately leads to a significant event of exile and punishment. --- Would you like me to: Explain any part in more detail? Connect this verse to a specific biblical theme (like judgment or providence)?