The walls gave the inhabitants of Jerusalem a sense of safety, because it seemed that they were invincible (see also (2 Kings 25:10; Jeremiah 52:14). By God’s intention, however, the walls were penetrated and demolished (2 Chronicles 36:19), leaving the city vulnerable to attack. Furthermore, the destruction of the gates meant that all security is gone. The walls would not be repaired until the arrival of Nehemiah - approximately 150 years later (Nehemiah 1:1–6:19).
8 The LORD determined to lay in ruins the wall of the daughter of Zion; he stretched out the measuring line; he did not restrain his hand from destroying; he caused rampart and wall to lament; they languished together.