Jeremiah 39:3
And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
came in
H935
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ
came in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
כֹּ֚ל
H3605
כֹּ֚ל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
2 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
בָּבֶֽל׃
of Babylon
H894
בָּבֶֽל׃
of Babylon
Strong's:
H894
Word #:
5 of 25
babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire
וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ
and sat
H3427
וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ
and sat
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
6 of 25
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
הַתָּ֑וֶךְ
in the middle
H8432
הַתָּ֑וֶךְ
in the middle
Strong's:
H8432
Word #:
8 of 25
a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center
שַׂרְאֶ֨צֶר֙
Nergalsharezer
H5371
שַׂרְאֶ֨צֶר֙
Nergalsharezer
Strong's:
H5371
Word #:
10 of 25
nergal-sharetser, the name of two babylonians
שַׂרְאֶ֨צֶר֙
Nergalsharezer
H5371
שַׂרְאֶ֨צֶר֙
Nergalsharezer
Strong's:
H5371
Word #:
18 of 25
nergal-sharetser, the name of two babylonians
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
21 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שְׁאֵרִ֔ית
with all the residue
H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֔ית
with all the residue
Strong's:
H7611
Word #:
22 of 25
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
Cross References
Jeremiah 21:4Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that are in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and against the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.Jeremiah 38:17Then said Jeremiah unto Zedekiah, Thus saith the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel; If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned with fire; and thou shalt live, and thine house:Jeremiah 1:15For, lo, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north, saith the LORD; and they shall come, and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all the walls thereof round about, and against all the cities of Judah.Jeremiah 39:13So Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;
Historical Context
Nergal-sharezer (Nergal-sar-usur) later became king of Babylon (560-556 BC), confirming the historical accuracy of this account. The Babylonian administrative system placed multiple officials over conquered territories. Archaeological evidence from Babylonian records confirms these administrative titles and the structure of Nebuchadnezzar's government.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean when ungodly authorities 'sit in the gates' of areas God intended for His people to govern?
- How does seeing pagan officials ruling Jerusalem help you understand the consequences of spiritual compromise?
- In what ways does Christ reverse this scene by triumphing over all principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate (שַׁעַר הַתָּוֶךְ, sha'ar hatavekh)—The 'middle gate' (likely between the upper and lower city) became the seat of Babylonian judgment, symbolizing foreign dominion in the holy city. The act of 'sitting' (יָשַׁב, yashav) denotes taking authority—these conquerors held court where David's throne once reigned.
The naming of specific officials—Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Rab-mag—demonstrates historical precision. 'Rab-saris' (רַב־סָרִיס) means 'chief eunuch'; 'Rab-mag' (רַב־מָג) means 'chief magician.' These pagan titles sitting in Zion's gates fulfill the warning that covenant-breakers would be ruled by uncircumcised foreigners (Leviticus 26:17, Deuteronomy 28:43-44).