Chapter 25: The destruction of the Temple
- In the ninth year of his [i.e. Tzidkiyahu’s[1]] reign, in the tenth month [i.e. Teves], on the tenth of the month [10th of Teves], Nevuchadnetzar the king of Babylonia came up against Jerusalem with his entire army, and encamped around it, and put the city under siege.
- The length of the siege: The city was under siege until the eleventh year of reign of King Tzidkiyahu.
- The famine in the city: On the ninth of the month [of Tamuz[2]], the famine became severe in the city, and the people of the land had no food.
- The walls of Jerusalem are breached, and the people flee: The walls of the city were broken into, and Tzidkiyahu and all the men of war fled at night through [a tunnel that was under] the gate between the two walls that was near the king’s garden [and stretched all the way until the plains of Yericho[3]]. At that time, the Casdians were surrounding the city [and saw a deer on the roof of the cave and gave it chase[4]].
- Tzidkiyahu is captured: The army of the Casdians pursued Tzidkiyahu the king, and they captured him on the plains of Yericho [where the deer had led them to[5]]. The army of Tzidkiyahu had deserted him by this time. They seized Tzidkiyahu the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon, to the city of Rivlah, and he was judged there [for breaking his oath to be loyal to Nevuchadnetzar[6]].
- The sons of Tzidkiyahu are killed and Tzidkiyahu is blinded: Nevuchadnetzar killed the sons of Tzidkiyahu’s in front of him, and they blinded Tzidkiyahu [by gouging out his eyes], and Nevuchadnetzar bound Tzidkiyahu with copper chains and brought him to Babylon.
[1] Rashi 25:1
[2] Radak 25:3
[3] Rashi 25:4
[4] Rashi 25:4
[5] Rashi 25:4
[6] Rashi 25:6
Related Articles
Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 6 – Superficial Repentance, Covenant Betrayal, and What God Truly Desires
Post Views: 39 A Call to Return—Framed as Hope (Verses 1–3) The chapter opens with Israel’s own words, calling one another to return to Hashem. They acknowledge that: Hashem wounds, but also heals He strikes, but binds up Restoration will follow suffering They speak confidently of revival—“on the third day
Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 5: Leadership Corruption, Divine Withdrawal, and the Path Back
Post Views: 61 Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 5: Leadership Corruption, Divine Withdrawal, and the Path Back Judgment Begins with Leaders (Verses 1–2) Hashem addresses three groups simultaneously: Priests The House of Israel (the people) The royal house Judgment begins with them because they were meant to guide, protect, and
Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 4: The Collapse of Truth, Knowledge, and Leadership
Post Views: 41 Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 4: The Collapse of Truth, Knowledge, and Leadership Hashem’s Lawsuit Against the Land (Verses 1–3) Hashem summons the Children of Israel to hear His charge against the inhabitants of the land. The accusation is fundamental: There is no truth No loving‑kindness No
Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 3: Love, Separation, and Ultimate Return
Post Views: 36 Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 3: Love, Separation, and Ultimate Return A Prophetic Act of Love (Verses 1–3) Hashem commands Hoshea to love a woman who is unfaithful, just as Hashem continues to love the Children of Israel despite their betrayal through idolatry. Hoshea purchases the woman
Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 2: From Rejection to Restoration — Hashem Restores Yisra’el
Post Views: 58 Reversal of Judgment and Promise of Restoration (vv. 1–3) The children of Yisra’el will become innumerable like the sand of the sea. Those once called Lo‑‘Ammi will now be called “children of the living G-d.” Yehudah and Yisra’el will be gathered together under one head, and the
Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 1: A Living Sign of Hashem’s Case Against Yisra’el
Post Views: 55 Daily Tanach – Hoshea Chapter 1: A Living Sign of Hashem’s Case Against Yisra’el Historical Setting (v. 1) The word of Hashem comes to Hoshea ben Be’eri during the reigns of Uzziyyah, Yotam, Achaz, and Chizqiyahu, kings of Yehudah, and during the reign of Yarov‘am ben

Leave A Comment?
You must be logged in to post a comment.