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Nach YomiII Kings · מלכים ב׳Chapter 25

II Kings 25

מלכים ב׳ פרק כ״ה

Section: נביאים · נביאים ראשונים | Book: II Kings | Chapter: 25 of 25 | Day: 147 of 742

Date: July 8, 2026

קלאוד על הנ״ך

Chapter 25 is the final chapter of the book of Kings, and it records the catastrophe toward which the entire narrative — from the schism after Solomon, through the fall of the North, to the unspent wrath earned by Manasseh — has been moving: the destruction of Jerusalem, the burning of the Temple, and the exile of Judah. The chapter is told with a restraint that intensifies its horror; the historian does not editorialize but lets the sequence of events deliver the verdict. It falls into four movements: the siege and fall of the city and the fate of Zedekiah (verses 1-7), the burning of Jerusalem and the second great deportation (verses 8-21), the brief governorship of Gedaliah and its bloody collapse (verses 22-26), and a final, surprising coda of mercy: the release of Jehoiachin from a Babylonian prison (verses 27-30).

The siege narrative (verses 1-7) is precisely dated — the tenth day of the tenth month of Zedekiah’s ninth year, a date enshrined in the fast of the Tenth of Tevet — and runs through the eleventh year, when famine in the city becomes acute and the wall is finally breached on the ninth of Tammuz (a date later subsumed in the fast of the Seventeenth of Tammuz, following the second breach at the destruction of the Second Temple). Zedekiah flees by night toward the Arabah but is overtaken in the steppes of Jericho, his army scattering. Brought before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, he suffers the cruelest of punishments: his sons are slaughtered before his eyes, and then his own eyes are put out, so that the last image he carries into his Babylonian captivity is the death of his children. The classical commentators note how this fulfills two seemingly contradictory prophecies — Jeremiah’s that he would be brought to Babylon, and Ezekiel’s that he would not see it — reconciled precisely by his blinding.

The destruction itself (verses 8-21) is carried out by Nebuzaradan, chief of the guards, on the seventh of the fifth month (Av) — the burning that the rabbinic tradition associates with the Ninth of Av. He burns the House of God, the royal palace, and all the great houses of Jerusalem, and the Chaldean army tears down the city walls. The remaining population is exiled, only the poorest left as vinedressers and field hands. The historian lingers over the dismantling of the Temple’s bronze — the great pillars Yachin and Boaz, the lavers and stands, and above all the bronze Sea that Solomon had made — broken up and carried to Babylon, the sacred vessels of gold and silver plundered. The chapter records the execution at Riblah of the chief priest Seraiah, the deputy priest Zephaniah, and other officials, and concludes this movement with the stark, summarizing line: “Thus Judah was exiled from its land” (verse 21).

The Gedaliah episode (verses 22-26) is a grim epilogue. Nebuchadnezzar appoints Gedaliah son of Ahikam — a descendant of the Shaphan family that had served Josiah — as governor over the remnant. Gedaliah urges the scattered officers and people to stay in the land and serve Babylon peaceably. But Ishmael son of Nethaniah, of royal descent, assassinates Gedaliah at Mizpah along with the Judeans and Chaldeans with him; the murder is commemorated in the Fast of Gedaliah (the third of Tishrei), for with it the last shred of Jewish self-governance and the hope of a remnant in the land collapsed. The terrified survivors flee to Egypt, completing the reversal of the Exodus — the people who were brought out of Egypt now return to it in fear. Yet the book does not end in unrelieved darkness. The closing coda (verses 27-30) reports that in the thirty-seventh year of his exile, Jehoiachin is released from prison by Evil-merodach, spoken to kindly, given a throne above the other captive kings, and provided a royal allowance for the rest of his life. This final flicker of favor toward the Davidic line — the surviving king lifted up in exile — leaves a thread of hope: the dynasty is humbled but not extinguished, and the promise to David, though deferred, endures beyond the ruins of Jerusalem.

פרק כ״ה · Chapter 25

פסוק א׳ · Verse 1

Hebrew:

וַיְהִי֩ בִשְׁנַ֨ת הַתְּשִׁיעִ֜ית לְמׇלְכ֗וֹ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָעֲשִׂירִי֮ בֶּעָשׂ֣וֹר לַחֹ֒דֶשׁ֒ בָּ֠א נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֨ר מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֜ל ה֧וּא וְכׇל־חֵיל֛וֹ עַל־יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם וַיִּ֣חַן עָלֶ֑יהָ וַיִּבְנ֥וּ עָלֶ֛יהָ דָּיֵ֖ק סָבִֽיב׃

English:

And in the ninth year of hisahis I.e., Zedekiah’s. reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar moved against Jerusalem with his whole army. He besieged it; and they built towers against it all around.

In Zedekiah's ninth year, on the tenth of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar lays siege to Jerusalem with his whole army, building siege-works around it. Rashi, Metzudat David, and Radak explain the precise dating of the siege's onset, the day enshrined in the fast of the Tenth of Tevet.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
בִשְׁנַת הַתְּשִׁיעִית לְמָלְכוֹ. שֶל צִדְקִיָּהוּ. דָּיֵק. תִּרְגֵּם יוֹנָתָן: כַּרְקוּם.
In the ninth year of his reign. Of Tzidkiyohu.1Which corresponds to Nevuchadnetzar's seventeenth year.—Radak Siege towers. [Targum Yonoson] rendered כרקום [=works of siege].

פסוק ב׳ · Verse 2

Hebrew:

וַתָּבֹ֥א הָעִ֖יר בַּמָּצ֑וֹר עַ֚ד עַשְׁתֵּ֣י עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ צִדְקִיָּֽהוּ׃

English:

The city continued in a state of siege until the eleventh year of King Zedekiah.

The city remains under siege until the eleventh year of Zedekiah. Metzudat David explains that the siege dragged on for some two years before the wall was finally breached, the population slowly worn down by famine.

פסוק ג׳ · Verse 3

Hebrew:

בְּתִשְׁעָ֣ה לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ וַיֶּחֱזַ֥ק הָרָעָ֖ב בָּעִ֑יר וְלֹא־הָ֥יָה לֶ֖חֶם לְעַ֥ם הָאָֽרֶץ׃

English:

By the ninth day [of the fourth month]b[of the fourth month] Cf. Jer. 52.6. the famine had become acute in the city; there was no food left for the common people.

By the ninth of the month the famine in the city is acute, with no food left for the common people. Metzudat David and Radak explain the desperate hunger that broke the city's resistance; the parallel in Jeremiah identifies the fourth month, leading toward the breach.

פסוק ד׳ · Verse 4

Hebrew:

וַתִּבָּקַ֣ע הָעִ֗יר וְכׇל־אַנְשֵׁ֨י הַמִּלְחָמָ֤ה ׀ הַלַּ֙יְלָה֙ דֶּ֜רֶךְ שַׁ֣עַר ׀ בֵּ֣ין הַחֹמֹתַ֗יִם אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־גַּ֣ן הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וְכַשְׂדִּ֥ים עַל־הָעִ֖יר סָבִ֑יב וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ דֶּ֥רֶךְ הָעֲרָבָֽה׃

English:

Then [the wall of] the city was breached. All the soldiers [left the city] by night through the gate between the double walls, which is near the king’s garden—the Chaldeans were all around the city; and [the king] set out for the Arabah.cArabah Hoping to escape across the Jordan.

The wall is breached, and the soldiers flee by night through the gate by the king's garden as the Chaldeans encircle the city; the king sets out for the Arabah. Rashi, Metzudat David, and Radak explain the nighttime flight and Zedekiah's attempt to escape across the Jordan toward the Arabah.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
דֶּרֶךְ שַׁעַר בֵּין הַחֹמֹתַיִם. מְעָרָה הוֹלֶכֶת מִבֵּיתוֹ עַד עַרְבוֹת יְרִיחוֹ, וּבָרַח לוֹ דֶּרֶךְ הַמְּעָרָה, וְהַקָּבָּ"ה זִמֵּן צְבִי הוֹלֵךְ עַל גַּג הַמְּעָרָה חוּץ לָעִיר, וְרָדְפוּ כַּשְׂדִּים אַחֲרֵי הַצְּבִי, וּכְשֶׁהִגִּיעוּ לְפֶתַח הַמְּעָרָה בְּעַרְבוֹת יְרִיחוֹ רָאוּהוּ וּלְכָדוּהוּ, הוּא שֶׁאָמַר: וּפָרַשְׂתִּי רִשְׁתִּי עָלָיו וְנִתְפַּשׂ בִּמְצוּדָתִי.
By way of the gate between the two walls. A cave went from his house until the Plains of Yericho, and he fled through the cave. The Holy One, Blessed Is He, ordained a deer walking on the roof of the cave. and the Kasdim pursued the deer, and when they reached the cave's entrance in the Plains of Yericho, they saw him and captured him. This is what [Scripture] states, "And I will spread My net over him, and he shall be caught in My snare."2Yechezkeil 12:13.

פסוק ה׳ · Verse 5

Hebrew:

וַיִּרְדְּפ֤וּ חֵיל־כַּשְׂדִּים֙ אַחַ֣ר הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ וַיַּשִּׂ֥גוּ אֹת֖וֹ בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת יְרֵח֑וֹ וְכׇ֨ל־חֵיל֔וֹ נָפֹ֖צוּ מֵעָלָֽיו׃

English:

But the Chaldean troops pursued the king, and they overtook him in the steppes of Jericho as his entire force left him and scattered.

The Chaldean troops pursue and overtake Zedekiah in the steppes of Jericho as his army scatters and abandons him. Metzudat David explains the capture of the fleeing king, deserted by his forces and seized in the Jordan plain near Jericho.

פסוק ו׳ · Verse 6

Hebrew:

וַֽיִּתְפְּשׂוּ֙ אֶת־הַמֶּ֔ל��ךְ וַיַּעֲל֥וּ אֹת֛וֹ אֶל־מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶ֖ל רִבְלָ֑תָה וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ אִתּ֖וֹ מִשְׁפָּֽט׃

English:

They captured the king and brought him before the king of Babylon at Riblah; and they put him on trial.

They capture Zedekiah and bring him before Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah, where he is put on trial. Rashi, Metzudat David, and Radak explain that the king was brought to the Babylonian headquarters and judged for his rebellion.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וַיְדַבְּרוּ אִתּוֹ מִשְׁפָּט. נִתְוַכַּח עִמּוֹ עַל הַשְּׁבוּעָה.
And called him to account. He debated with him concerning the oath.3Tzidkiyohu violated his oath of allegiance to Nevuchadnetzar.—Radak 4The Gemara in Maseches Nedarim 65a states that Tzidkiyohu had discovered Nevuchadnetzar eating a live, or according to other opinions, an uncooked rabbit. He had him swear that he would never reveal what he had seen. However, Tzidkiyohu had his oath nullified and revealed Nevuchadnetzar's uncivilized behavior. When Nevuchadnetzar found out that people were making fun of him, he realized that Tzidkiyohu had broken his promise.

פסוק ז׳ · Verse 7

Hebrew:

וְאֶת־בְּנֵי֙ צִדְקִיָּ֔הוּ שָׁחֲט֖וּ לְעֵינָ֑יו וְאֶת־עֵינֵ֤י צִדְקִיָּ֙הוּ֙ עִוֵּ֔ר וַיַּאַסְרֵ֙הוּ֙ בַּֽנְחֻשְׁתַּ֔יִם וַיְבִאֵ֖הוּ בָּבֶֽל׃ {ס}        

English:

They slaughtered Zedekiah’s sons before his eyes; then Zedekiah’s eyes were put out. He was chained in bronze fetters and he was brought to Babylon.

פסוק ח׳ · Verse 8

Hebrew:

וּבַחֹ֤דֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁי֙ בְּשִׁבְעָ֣ה לַחֹ֔דֶשׁ הִ֗יא שְׁנַת֙ תְּשַֽׁע־עֶשְׂרֵ֣ה שָׁנָ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ נְבֻכַדְנֶאצַּ֣ר מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֑ל בָּ֞א נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֧ן רַב־טַבָּחִ֛ים עֶ֥בֶד מֶלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֖ל יְרוּשָׁלָֽ͏ִם׃

English:

On the seventh day of the fifth month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the chief of the guards, an officer of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.

On the seventh of the fifth month, in Nebuchadnezzar's nineteenth year, Nebuzaradan, chief of the guards, comes to Jerusalem. Metzudat David and Radak explain the arrival of the Babylonian commander charged with the destruction, dating the events to the month of Av.

פסוק ט׳ · Verse 9

Hebrew:

וַיִּשְׂרֹ֥ף אֶת־בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֖ה וְאֶת־בֵּ֣ית הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־בָּתֵּ֧י יְרוּשָׁלַ֛͏ִם וְאֶת־כׇּל־בֵּ֥ית גָּד֖וֹל שָׂרַ֥ף בָּאֵֽשׁ׃

English:

He burned the House of GOD, the king’s palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem; he burned down the house of every notable person.dthe house of every notable person Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

Nebuzaradan burns the House of God, the royal palace, and all the great houses of Jerusalem. Rashi, Metzudat David, and Radak explain the burning of the Temple and the city, the catastrophe associated by tradition with the Ninth of Av, and address the phrase describing the houses of the notables.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וְאֶת כָּל בֵּית גָּדוֹל. בָּתֵּי כְּנֵסִיּוֹת שֶׁמְּגַדְּלִין בָּהֶן תּוֹרָה וּתְפִלָּה וּבָתֵּי הַשָּׂרִים.
And all the houses of the dignitaries. [This includes] synagogues wherein Torah and prayer are aggrandized, and the houses of the princes.5See Maseches Megillah 27a.

פסוק י׳ · Verse 10

Hebrew:

וְאֶת־חוֹמֹ֥ת יְרוּשָׁלַ֖͏ִם סָבִ֑יב נָֽתְצוּ֙ כׇּל־חֵ֣יל כַּשְׂדִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר רַ��־טַבָּחִֽים׃

English:

The entire Chaldean force that was with the chief of the guard tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side.

The Chaldean army tears down the walls of Jerusalem on every side. Metzudat David and Radak explain the demolition of the city's defenses, leaving Jerusalem entirely exposed and ruined.

פסוק י״א · Verse 11

Hebrew:

וְאֵת֩ יֶ֨תֶר הָעָ֜ם הַנִּשְׁאָרִ֣ים בָּעִ֗יר וְאֶת־הַנֹּֽפְלִים֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָֽפְלוּ֙ עַל־הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֔ל וְאֵ֖ת יֶ֣תֶר הֶהָמ֑וֹן הֶגְלָ֕ה נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֖ן רַב־טַבָּחִֽים׃

English:

The remnant of the people that was left in the city, the defectors who had gone over to the king of Babylon—and the remnant of the population—were taken into exile by Nebuzaradan, the chief of the guards.

Nebuzaradan exiles the remnant of the people, the defectors who had surrendered, and the rest of the population. Rashi, Metzudat David, and Radak explain the second great deportation, the carrying off of the surviving inhabitants to Babylon.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וְאֶת הַנֹּפְלִים. שֶׁשָּׁמְעוּ לְקוֹל נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר וְיָצְאוּ אֵלָיו מִן הָעִיר, כְּמוֹ: בְּלֶכְתּוֹ אֶל צִקְלָג נָפְלוּ עָלָיו מִמְּנַשֶּׁה וְגוֹ'.
And the defectors. [Those] who obeyed Nevuchadnetzar and went out to him from the city, as in, "When he went to Tziklag, [members] of Menashe defected to him, etc."6I Divrei Hayomim 12:21.

פסוק י״ב · Verse 12

Hebrew:

וּמִדַּלַּ֣ת הָאָ֔רֶץ הִשְׁאִ֖יר רַב־טַבָּחִ֑ים לְכֹרְמִ֖ים וּלְיֹגְבִֽים׃

English:

But some of the poorest in the land were left by the chief of the guards, to be vinedressers and field hands.

Only some of the poorest of the land are left, to serve as vinedressers and field hands. Rashi and Radak explain that the Babylonians left behind a remnant of the destitute to work the land, while the leadership and population were exiled.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וּלְיוֹגְבִים. חוֹפְרֵי הָאָרֶץ, לְשׁוֹן יְקָבִים, שֶׁהֵם חֲפִירוֹת בַּקַּרְקַע.
And farmers. Diggers of the earth, an expression of wine vats [=יקבים]7The 'ג' of 'יגבים' and the 'ק' of 'יקבים' are interchangeable. which are diggings in the ground.8Alternatively, יקבים are wine pressers.—Metzudas Tzion Or יקבים refer to fishermen who catch the חלזון which was pressed to extract its blood from which the blue dye [for תכלת] is obtained. Nevuchadnetzar used the dye for his robes and therefore allowed these people to remain.

פסוק י״ג · Verse 13

Hebrew:

וְאֶת־עַמּוּדֵ֨י הַנְּחֹ֜שֶׁת אֲשֶׁ֣ר בֵּית־יְהֹוָ֗ה וְֽאֶת־הַמְּכֹנ֞וֹת וְאֶת־יָ֧ם הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת אֲשֶׁ֥ר בְּבֵית־יְהֹוָ֖ה שִׁבְּר֣וּ כַשְׂדִּ֑ים וַיִּשְׂא֥וּ אֶת־נְחֻשְׁתָּ֖ם בָּבֶֽלָה׃

English:

The Chaldeans broke up the bronze columns of the House of GOD, the stands, and the bronze tank that was in the House of GOD; and they carried the bronze away to Babylon.

פסוק י״ד · Verse 14

Hebrew:

וְאֶת־הַסִּירֹ֨ת וְאֶת־הַיָּעִ֜ים וְאֶת־הַֽמְזַמְּר֣וֹת וְאֶת־הַכַּפּ֗וֹת וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־כְּלֵ֧י הַנְּחֹ֛שֶׁת אֲשֶׁ֥ר יְשָֽׁרְתוּ־בָ֖ם לָקָֽחוּ׃

English:

They also took all the pails, scrapers, snuffers, ladles, and all the other bronze vessels used in the service.

They take the pails, scrapers, snuffers, ladles, and all the bronze service vessels of the Temple. Metzudat David identifies the various bronze implements of the Temple service that were carried off as plunder.

פסוק ט״ו · Verse 15

Hebrew:

וְאֶת־הַמַּחְתּוֹת֙ וְאֶת־הַמִּזְרָק֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֤ר זָהָב֙ זָהָ֔ב וַאֲשֶׁר־כֶּ֖סֶף כָּ֑סֶף לָקַ֖ח רַב־טַבָּחִֽים׃

English:

The chief of the guards took whatever was of gold and whatever was of silver: firepans and sprinkling bowls.

The chief of the guards takes whatever was of gold and silver — the firepans and sprinkling bowls. Metzudat David explains that the precious-metal vessels were seized separately by the commander, distinguishing them from the bronze taken by weight.

פסוק ט״ז · Verse 16

Hebrew:

הָעַמּוּדִ֣ים ׀ שְׁנַ֗יִם הַיָּ֤ם הָֽאֶחָד֙ וְהַמְּכֹנ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה שְׁלֹמֹ֖ה לְבֵ֣ית יְהֹוָ֑ה לֹא־הָיָ֣ה מִשְׁקָ֔ל לִנְחֹ֖שֶׁת כׇּל־הַכֵּלִ֥ים הָאֵֽלֶּה׃

English:

The two columns, the one tank, and the stands that Solomon provided for the House of GOD—all these objects contained bronze beyond weighing.

פסוק י״ז · Verse 17

Hebrew:

שְׁמֹנֶה֩ עֶשְׂרֵ֨ה אַמָּ֜ה קוֹמַ֣ת ׀ הָעַמּ֣וּד הָאֶחָ֗ד וְכֹתֶ֨רֶת עָלָ֥יו ׀ נְחֹ֘שֶׁת֮ וְקוֹמַ֣ת הַכֹּתֶ֘רֶת֮ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ (אמה) [אַמּוֹת֒] וּשְׂבָכָ֨ה וְרִמֹּנִ֧ים עַֽל־הַכֹּתֶ֛רֶת סָבִ֖יב הַכֹּ֣ל נְחֹ֑שֶׁת וְכָאֵ֛לֶּה לַעַמּ֥וּד הַשֵּׁנִ֖י עַל־הַשְּׂבָכָֽה׃

English:

The one column was eighteen cubits high. It had a bronze capital above it; the height of the capital was three cubits, and there was a meshwork [decorated] with pomegranates about the capital, all made of bronze. And the like was true of the other column with its meshwork.

The verse describes the dimensions of the bronze columns — eighteen cubits high, with three-cubit capitals adorned with pomegranate meshwork. Rashi and Metzudat David explain the measurements and ornamentation of the great pillars Solomon had made, now broken up for their bronze.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וְקוֹמַת הַכֹּתֶרֶת שָׁלשׁ אַמּוֹת. וּבִתְחִלַּת הַסֵּפֶר הוּא אוֹמֵר: חָמֵשׁ אַמּוֹת. וְשָׁם יִשַּׁבְתִּי אֶת הַמִּקְרָאוֹת. וּשְׂבָכָה. קופיי"א בְּלַעַ"ז, כְּמִין כּוֹבַע. וְכָאֵלֶּה. רִמּוֹנִים.
The height of the crown was three amohs. And in the beginning of the Book [of Melochim] it states, "five amohs [high]."9Melochim 7:16. I reconciled the verses there.10Rashi reconciled the difference as follows: The crown was actually five amohs high but its two lower amohs are not counted because the column was inserted into the crown two amohs deep and it served as a base for the crown. And a netting. (Coife, in O.F.) a type of hat. Had the same. Pomegranates.

פסוק י״ח · Verse 18

Hebrew:

וַיִּקַּ֣ח רַב־טַבָּחִ֗ים אֶת־שְׂרָיָה֙ כֹּהֵ֣ן הָרֹ֔אשׁ וְאֶת־צְפַנְיָ֖הוּ כֹּהֵ֣ן מִשְׁנֶ֑ה וְאֶת־שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת שֹׁמְרֵ֥י הַסַּֽף׃

English:

The chief of the guards also took Seraiah, the chief priest, Zephaniah, the deputy priest, and the three guardians of the threshold.

Nebuzaradan takes the chief priest Seraiah, the deputy priest Zephaniah, and the three guardians of the threshold. Radak identifies the senior Temple officials seized for execution, the leadership of the priesthood carried off to Riblah.

פסוק י״ט · Verse 19

Hebrew:

וּמִן־הָעִ֡יר לָקַח֩ סָרִ֨יס אֶחָ֜ד אֲֽשֶׁר־ה֥וּא פָקִ֣יד ׀ עַל־אַנְשֵׁ֣י הַמִּלְחָ��ָ֗ה וַחֲמִשָּׁ֨ה אֲנָשִׁ֜ים מֵרֹאֵ֤י פְנֵֽי־הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נִמְצְא֣וּ בָעִ֔יר וְאֵ֗ת הַסֹּפֵר֙ שַׂ֣ר הַצָּבָ֔א הַמַּצְבִּ֖א אֶת־עַ֣ם הָאָ֑רֶץ וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים אִישׁ֙ מֵעַ֣ם הָאָ֔רֶץ הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֖ים בָּעִֽיר׃

English:

And from the city he took a eunuch who was in command of the soldiers; five of the royal privy councillors who were present in the city; the scribe of the army commander, who was in charge of mustering the people of the land; and sixty of the common people who were inside the city.

He also takes a military eunuch, five royal councillors, the army scribe in charge of mustering, and sixty common men found in the city. Rashi, Metzudat David, and Radak identify the officials and citizens rounded up, the surviving leadership of the city's administration and defense.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
הַסֹּפֵר שַׂר הַצָּבָא. שֶׁהָיָה יוֹדֵעַ מִנְיַן כָּל עִיר וָעִיר, כַּמָּה אֲנָשִׁים מוֹצִיאָה לַצָּבָא.
The scribe of the general of the army. Who knew the number of each city, how many men it enlists into the army.

פסוק כ׳ · Verse 20

Hebrew:

וַיִּקַּ֣ח אֹתָ֔ם נְבוּזַרְאֲדָ֖ן רַב־טַבָּחִ֑ים וַיֹּ֧לֶךְ אֹתָ֛ם עַל־מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶ֖ל רִבְלָֽתָה׃

English:

Nebuzaradan, the chief of the guards, took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah.

פסוק כ״א · Verse 21

Hebrew:

וַיַּ֣ךְ אֹתָם֩ מֶ֨לֶךְ בָּבֶ֧ל וַיְמִיתֵ֛ם בְּרִבְלָ֖ה בְּאֶ֣רֶץ חֲמָ֑ת וַיִּ֥גֶל יְהוּדָ֖ה מֵעַ֥ל אַדְמָתֽוֹ׃

English:

The king of Babylon had them struck down and put to death at Riblah, in the region of Hamath.Thus Judah was exiled from its land.

פסוק כ״ב · Verse 22

Hebrew:

וְהָעָ֗ם הַנִּשְׁאָר֙ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ יְהוּדָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר הִשְׁאִ֔יר נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּ֖ר מֶ֣לֶךְ בָּבֶ֑ל וַיַּפְקֵ֣ד עֲלֵיהֶ֔ם אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ בֶּן־אֲחִיקָ֥ם בֶּן־שָׁפָֽן׃

English:

King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon put Gedaliah son of Ahikam son of Shaphan in charge of the people whom he left in the land of Judah.

פסוק כ״ג · Verse 23

Hebrew:

וַיִּשְׁמְעוּ֩ כׇל־שָׂרֵ֨י הַחֲיָלִ֜ים הֵ֣מָּה וְהָאֲנָשִׁ֗ים כִּֽי־הִפְקִ֤יד מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶל֙ אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֔הוּ וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶ��־גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ הַמִּצְפָּ֑ה וְיִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־נְתַנְיָ֡ה וְיוֹחָנָ֣ן בֶּן־קָ֠רֵ֠חַ וּשְׂרָיָ֨ה בֶן־תַּנְחֻ֜מֶת הַנְּטֹפָתִ֗י וְיַאֲזַנְיָ֙הוּ֙ בֶּן־הַמַּ֣עֲכָתִ֔י הֵ֖מָּה וְאַנְשֵׁיהֶֽם׃

English:

When the officers of the troops and their men heard that the king of Babylon had put Gedaliah in charge, they came to Gedaliah at Mizpah with Ishmael son of Nethaniah, Johanan son of Kareah, Seraiah son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah son of the Maachite, together with their men.

Hearing that Babylon appointed Gedaliah, the scattered officers — Ishmael, Johanan, Seraiah, and Jaazaniah — come to him at Mizpah with their men. Rashi and Metzudat David identify the captains who gathered to Gedaliah, including Ishmael, who would soon assassinate him.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
כָּל שָׂרֵי הַחֲיָלִים. שֶׁיָּצְאוּ מִן הָעִיר לְהֵחָבֵא בַּמְּצוּדוֹת וּבַטִּינָרִים וּבַצּוּרִים וּבַיְּעָרִים.
All the officers of the armies. Who had left the city to hide in the strongholds, boulders, rocks and forests.

פסוק כ״ד · Verse 24

Hebrew:

וַיִּשָּׁבַ֨ע לָהֶ֤ם גְּדַלְיָ֙הוּ֙ וּלְאַנְשֵׁי��ֶ֔ם וַיֹּ֣אמֶר לָהֶ֔ם אַל־תִּֽירְא֖וּ מֵעַבְדֵ֣י הַכַּשְׂדִּ֑ים שְׁב֣וּ בָאָ֗רֶץ וְעִבְד֛וּ אֶת־מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶ֖ל וְיִטַ֥ב לָכֶֽם׃ {פ}

English:

Gedaliah reassured themereassured them Lit. “took an oath to them.” and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid of the servants of the Chaldeans.fof the servants of the Chaldeans Cf. Jer. 40.9 “to serve the Chaldeans.” Stay in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it will go well with you.”

Gedaliah reassures them, urging them not to fear but to stay in the land and serve Babylon, and it will go well. Metzudat David explains Gedaliah's counsel of peaceful submission, the policy that offered the remnant a chance to remain in the land.

פסוק כ״ה · Verse 25

Hebrew:

וַיְהִ֣י ׀ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֗י בָּ֣א יִשְׁמָעֵ֣אל בֶּן־נְ֠תַנְיָ֠ה בֶּן־אֱלִ֨ישָׁמָ֜ע מִזֶּ֣רַע הַמְּלוּכָ֗ה וַעֲשָׂרָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ אִתּ֔וֹ וַיַּכּ֥וּ אֶת־גְּדַלְיָ֖הוּ וַיָּמֹ֑ת וְאֶת־הַיְּהוּדִים֙ וְאֶת־הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁר־הָי֥וּ אִתּ֖וֹ בַּמִּצְפָּֽה׃

English:

In the seventh month, Ishmael son of Nethaniah son of Elishama, who was of royal descent, came with ten men, and they struck down Gedaliah and he died; [they also killed] the Judeans and the Chaldeans who were present with him at Mizpah.

In the seventh month Ishmael, of royal descent, comes with ten men and strikes down Gedaliah along with the Judeans and Chaldeans with him at Mizpah. Metzudat David explains the assassination of Gedaliah, commemorated by the Fast of Gedaliah, which destroyed the last vestige of self-rule in the land.

פסוק כ״ו · Verse 26

Hebrew:

וַיָּקֻ֨מוּ כׇל־הָעָ֜ם מִקָּטֹ֤ן וְעַד־גָּדוֹל֙ וְשָׂרֵ֣י הַחֲיָלִ֔ים וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ מִצְרָ֑יִם כִּ֥י יָֽרְא֖וּ מִפְּנֵ֥י כַשְׂדִּֽים׃ {ס}        

English:

And all the people, young and old, and the officers of the troops set out and went to Egypt because they were afraid of the Chaldeans.

All the people, young and old, and the officers flee to Egypt out of fear of the Chaldeans. Metzudat David explains that the terrified remnant abandoned the land for Egypt, a tragic reversal of the Exodus as the people returned to the land of their former bondage.

פסוק כ״ז · Verse 27

Hebrew:

וַיְהִי֩ בִשְׁלֹשִׁ֨ים וָשֶׁ֜בַע שָׁנָ֗ה לְגָלוּת֙ יְהוֹיָכִ֣ין מֶֽלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֔ה בִּשְׁנֵ֤ים עָשָׂר֙ חֹ֔דֶשׁ בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְשִׁבְעָ֖ה לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ נָשָׂ֡א אֱוִ֣יל מְרֹדַךְ֩ מֶ֨לֶךְ בָּבֶ֜ל בִּשְׁנַ֣ת מׇלְכ֗וֹ אֶת־רֹ֛אשׁ יְהוֹיָכִ֥ין מֶלֶךְ־יְהוּדָ֖ה מִבֵּ֥ית כֶּֽלֶא׃

English:

In the thirty-seventh year of the exile of King Jehoiachin of Judah, on the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month, King Evil-merodach of Babylon, in the year he became king, took note ofgtook note of Lit. “raised the head of.” King Jehoiachin of Judah and released him from prison.

In the thirty-seventh year of Jehoiachin's exile, Evil-merodach of Babylon, in his accession year, takes note of Jehoiachin and releases him from prison. Rashi, Metzudat David, and Radak explain the unexpected turn of favor toward the exiled Davidic king, the book's closing note of hope after the destruction.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
נָשָׂא אֱוִיל מְרֹדַךְ. שֶׁמֵּת נְבוּכַדְנֶצַּר, וּמָלַךְ אֱוִיל מְרוֹדַךְ תַּחְתָּיו. בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְשִׁבְעָה לַחֹדֶשׁ. וּבְיִרְמְיָהוּ הוּא אוֹמֵר: בְּעֶשְׂרִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה, אֶלָּא בְּעֶשְׂרִים וַחֲמִשָּׁה מֵת נְבוּכַדְנֶאצַּר, וְנִקְבַּר בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְשִׁשָּׁה, בְּעֶשְׂרִים וְשִׁבְעָה הוֹצִיאוֹ אֱוִיל מְרוֹדַךְ מִקִּבְרוֹ וּגְרָרוּהוּ, בִּשְׁבִיל לְבַטֵּל גְּזֵרוֹתָיו, כְּמוֹ שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר בִּישַׁעְיָהוּ: וְאַתָּה הָשְׁלַכְתָּ מִקִּבְרְךָ כְּנֵצֶר נִתְעָב וְגוֹ'.
Evil Merodach … elevated. For Nevuchadnetzar died, and Evil Merodach reigned in his place. On the twenty-seventh day of the month. But in Yirmiyohu it states, "On the twenty-fifth."11Yirmiyahu 52:31. Rather, on the twenty-fifth Nevuchadnetzar died and he was buried on the twenty-sixth. On the twenty-seventh, Evil Merodach removed him from his grave and dragged him about,12Evil Merodach was afraid that his father was not really dead and would return to claim his throne. This happened before when Nevuchadnetzar became insane. He left his throne and lived as a wild beast for seven years. See Daniel 4:29-34. In the interim one of his sons was appointed in his place. When Nevuchadnetzar came back he imprisoned his son. Evil Merodach wanted to make sure that would not happen again, and he therefore had Nevuchadnetzar's body removed from his grave and dragged along the ground, thus fulfilling Yeshayohu's prophecy.—Radak in order to nullify his decrees, as it is stated in Yeshayohu, "and you have been cast out of your grave like a despised sapling, etc."13Yeshayohu 14:19.

פסוק כ״ח · Verse 28

Hebrew:

וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ טֹב֑וֹת וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־כִּסְא֔וֹ מֵעַ֗ל כִּסֵּ֧א הַמְּלָכִ֛ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר אִתּ֖וֹ בְּבָבֶֽל׃

English:

He spoke kindly to him, and gave him a throne above those of other kings who were with him in Babylon.

He speaks kindly to Jehoiachin and sets his throne above those of the other kings held with him in Babylon. Rashi and Metzudat David explain the honor granted to Jehoiachin, elevated above the other captive kings in the Babylonian court.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וַיְדַבֵּר אִתּוֹ טֹבוֹת. דִּבְרֵי נִחוּמִים.
He spoke kindly with him. Words of consolation.

פסוק כ״ט · Verse 29

Hebrew:

וְשִׁנָּ֕א אֵ֖ת בִּגְדֵ֣י כִלְא֑וֹ וְאָכַ֨ל לֶ֧חֶם תָּמִ֛יד לְפָנָ֖יו כׇּל־יְמֵ֥י חַיָּֽיו׃

English:

His prison garments were removed, and [Jehoiachin] received regular rations by his favor for the rest of his life.

Jehoiachin's prison garments are removed, and he dines regularly before the king for the rest of his life. Metzudat David and Radak explain the restoration of the king's dignity, exchanging prison clothes for a place at the royal table.

פסוק ל׳ · Verse 30

Hebrew:

וַאֲרֻחָת֗וֹ אֲרֻחַ֨ת תָּמִ֧יד נִתְּנָה־לּ֛וֹ מֵאֵ֥ת הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ דְּבַר־י֣וֹם בְּיוֹמ֑וֹ כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֥י חַיָּֽו׃

English:

A regular allotment of food was given him at the king’s behest—an allotment for each day—all the days of his life.

A regular daily allotment of food is given him at the king's behest for all the days of his life. Metzudat David and Radak explain that the book closes with this enduring provision for Jehoiachin, a final flicker of mercy toward the house of David that leaves the dynasty humbled but not extinguished.

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