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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width; initial-scale=1.0;"/><title>Topical Bible: The Siege of Jerusalem</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/topical/t/the_siege_of_jerusalem.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/newtopical.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/topical/vmenus/2_kings/25.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="//biblehu.com/bmcde/s/siege.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/topical/">Topical</a> > The Siege of Jerusalem</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/topical/t/the_siege_of_jericho_commanded.htm" title="The Siege of Jericho Commanded">◄</a> The Siege of Jerusalem <a href="/topical/t/the_siege_of_jerusalem_foretold.htm" title="The Siege of Jerusalem Foretold">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse">Jump to: <a href="#sub" title="Subtopics">Subtopics</a> • <a href="#rel" title="Related Terms">Terms</a></div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><a name="te" id="te"></a><div class="vheading2">Topical Encyclopedia</div>The Siege of Jerusalem is a significant event in biblical history, marked by divine judgment, prophetic fulfillment, and profound theological implications. This event is primarily recorded in the Old Testament, with notable accounts in the books of 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, and the prophetic writings of Jeremiah and Ezekiel.<br><br><b>Historical Context</b><br><br>The Siege of Jerusalem occurred in 586 BC when the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar II besieged the city, leading to its eventual destruction. This event marked the culmination of a series of invasions by Babylon, which began in 605 BC. The siege was a direct consequence of the persistent idolatry and disobedience of the people of Judah, despite numerous warnings from prophets sent by God.<br><br><b>Biblical Account</b><br><br>The biblical narrative of the siege is detailed in <a href="/2_kings/25.htm">2 Kings 25:1-4</a> : "So in the ninth year of Zedekiah’s reign, on the tenth day of the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon marched against Jerusalem with his entire army. They encamped outside the city and built siege works all around it. And the city was kept under siege until King Zedekiah’s eleventh year."<br><br>The siege lasted approximately eighteen months, resulting in severe famine within the city. The dire conditions are vividly described in <a href="/lamentations/4-9.htm">Lamentations 4:9-10</a> : "Those slain by the sword are better off than those who die of hunger, who waste away, pierced with pain because the fields lack produce. The hands of compassionate women have cooked their own children, who became their food in the destruction of the daughter of my people."<br><br><b>Prophetic Fulfillment</b><br><br>The siege and subsequent destruction of Jerusalem were prophesied by several prophets, including Jeremiah and Ezekiel. <a href="/jeremiah/25-9.htm">Jeremiah 25:9</a> declares, "behold, I will send for all the families of the north,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I will send for My servant Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, whom I will bring against this land and against its residents and against all the surrounding nations. I will devote them to destruction and make them an object of horror and scorn, an everlasting desolation."<br><br>Ezekiel also prophesied the fall of Jerusalem, symbolically enacting the siege in <a href="/ezekiel/4.htm">Ezekiel 4:1-3</a> : "Now you, son of man, take a brick, place it before you, and draw on it the city of Jerusalem. Then lay siege against it: build a siege wall, erect a ramp, set up camps, and place battering rams all around it. Then take an iron pan and set it up as an iron wall between you and the city. Turn your face toward it; it will be under siege, and you shall besiege it. This will be a sign to the house of Israel."<br><br><b>Theological Significance</b><br><br>The Siege of Jerusalem serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of sin and the faithfulness of God to His word. Despite the destruction, God’s covenant promises remained intact, as He preserved a remnant and promised restoration. This is seen in <a href="/jeremiah/29-10.htm">Jeremiah 29:10-11</a> : "For this is what the LORD says: 'When seventy years for Babylon are complete, I will attend to you and confirm My promise to restore you to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.'"<br><br><b>Aftermath and Legacy</b><br><br>The fall of Jerusalem led to the Babylonian Exile, a period of profound transformation for the Jewish people. The destruction of the Temple and the city marked a pivotal moment in Jewish history, leading to a renewed focus on the Law and the writings of the prophets. The exile also set the stage for the eventual return and rebuilding of Jerusalem under leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah, fulfilling God’s promise of restoration.</div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="sub" id="sub"></a><div class="vheading2">Subtopics</div><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/s/siege.htm">Siege</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege_by_david.htm">Siege by David</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege_by_nebuchadnezzar.htm">Siege by Nebuchadnezzar</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege_by_rezin,_king_of_syria,_and_pekah,_son_of_remaliah,_king_of_israel.htm">Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege_by_sennacherib.htm">Siege by Sennacherib</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege_by_the_sons_of_judah.htm">Siege by the Sons of Judah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--abel.htm">Siege: Abel</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--an_offer_of_peace_must_be_made_to_the_city_before_beginning_a.htm">Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--cannibalism_during_a.htm">Siege: Cannibalism During A</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--conducted_by_erecting_embankments_parallel_to_the_walls_of_the_besieged_city.htm">Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--distress_of_the_inhabitants_during_a.htm">Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--gibbethon.htm">Siege: Gibbethon</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--jericho.htm">Siege: Jericho</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--rabbah.htm">Siege: Rabbah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--samaria.htm">Siege: Samaria</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/naves/s/siege--tirzah.htm">Siege: Tirzah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--ai.htm">Sieges: Ai</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--being_against_round_about.htm">Sieges: Being Against Round About</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_frequently_helped_by_allies.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_frequently_taken_by_ambush.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_frequently_taken_by_assault.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_inhabitants_of,_exhorted_to_be_courageous.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_often_demanded_terms_of_peace.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_often_suffered_from_famine.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_often_suffered_from_pestilence.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_repaired_and_newly_fortified_beforehand.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_sometimes_used_ambushes_or_sorties.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_supplied_with_water_beforehand.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_the_inhabitants_of,_cut_off_beforehand_supplies_of_water.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_walls_of,_defended_by_the_inhabitants.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_invested_by_were_strictly_shut_up.htm">Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_of_israel_in_galilee.htm">Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_of_judah.htm">Sieges: Cities of Judah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_taken_by_frequently_broken_down.htm">Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_taken_by_frequently_destroyed_by_fire.htm">Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_taken_by_given_up_to_pillage.htm">Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_taken_by_inhabitants_of,_often_put_to_the_sword.htm">Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_taken_by_sometimes_called_after_the_name_of_the_captor.htm">Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--cities_taken_by_sometimes_sown_with_salt.htm">Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--compassing_about_with_armies.htm">Sieges: Compassing About With Armies</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--debir.htm">Sieges: Debir</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--eglon.htm">Sieges: Eglon</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--encamping_against.htm">Sieges: Encamping Against</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--extreme_difficulty_of_taking_cities_by,_alluded_to.htm">Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--fenced_cities_invested_by.htm">Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--gibbethon.htm">Sieges: Gibbethon</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--great_noise_and_tumult_of,_alluded_to.htm">Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--hebron.htm">Sieges: Hebron</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--jabesh-gilead.htm">Sieges: Jabesh-Gilead</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--jericho.htm">Sieges: Jericho</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--jerusalem.htm">Sieges: Jerusalem</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--keilah.htm">Sieges: Keilah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--lachish.htm">Sieges: Lachish</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--libnah.htm">Sieges: Libnah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--makkedah.htm">Sieges: Makkedah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--often_lasted_for_a_long_time.htm">Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--pitching_against.htm">Sieges: Pitching Against</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--rabbah.htm">Sieges: Rabbah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--ramoth-gilead.htm">Sieges: Ramoth-Gilead</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--samaria.htm">Sieges: Samaria</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--setting_in_array_against.htm">Sieges: Setting in Array Against</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--shechem.htm">Sieges: Shechem</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--the_jews_forbidden_to_cut_down_fruit_trees_for_the_purpose_of.htm">Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--the_judgments_of_god.htm">Sieges: The Judgments of God</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--the_omnipresence_of_god.htm">Sieges: The Omnipresence of God</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--thebez.htm">Sieges: Thebez</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_built_forts_and_mounts.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_called_upon_the_city_to_surrender.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_cast_arrows_and_other_missiles_into_the_city.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_cut_off_all_supplies.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_dug_a_trench_round_the_city.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_employed_battering_rams_against_the_walls.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_frequently_laid_ambushes.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_invested_the_city_on_every_side.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--those_engaged_in_often_suffered_much_during.htm">Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--threatened_as_a_punishment.htm">Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--tirzah.htm">Sieges: Tirzah</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--ziklag.htm">Sieges: Ziklag</a></p><p class="pspc"><a href="/topical/ttt/s/sieges--zion_in_her_affliction.htm">Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction</a></p><a name="rel" id="rel"></a><div class="vheading2">Related Terms</div><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/siege-towers.htm">Siege-towers (1 Occurrence)</a></p><p class="pspc2"><a href="/topical/s/siege.htm">Siege (63 Occurrences)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/topical/t/the_siege_of_jericho_commanded.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="The Siege of Jericho Commanded"><img 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