Definition: And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Jeremiah 52:4. It’s a really important passage about judgment and God's plan. Here’s the explanation in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes a very serious invasion by Babylon. Here's a breakdown of what it means: “Jeremiah 52:4” : This is a specific part of a longer text written by Jeremiah, a prophet who lived during King Nebuchadnezzar II’s reign. It’s a recorded event. “And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign…” - This tells us when this happened – it was in the ninth year of Nebuchadnezzar's rule. The ninth year is a significant time period for the Babylonians. “…in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came…” - This is where it gets really important. The verse says “Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came.” The word "came" means arrived . It was Nebuchadnezzar , who ruled over Babylon, that arrived. “…he and all his army, against Jerusalem…” - This tells us what Nebuchadnezzar did: he led an army against Jerusalem. "...pitched against it, and built forts against it round about." – This is the key part. He didn’t just camp nearby; he pitched his army into a fortified position around the city. “Round about” means he built walls and fortifications all around the city to protect himself. So, putting it all together: Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, sent his entire army to attack Jerusalem. He established a strong defensive position around the city, making it very difficult for the Israelites to resist. What's the big takeaway? This verse is a warning and a sign that God is sending judgment against the nation of Israel. It’s a time of great peril, and it shows that even powerful empires can be defeated by God. --- Important Context - Why This Verse Matters: Jeremiah 52:4 is one of the most dramatic parts of the Old Testament, often considered the beginning of the Babylonian exile. It's a crucial moment in history because it foreshadowed a long and terrible period of exile for Israel. It’s a reminder that God’s judgment can be swift and severe when people reject him and his word. Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss what this verse might mean in terms of biblical prophecy? Give you some background on Nebuchadnezzar II?