Jeremiah 52:24
And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:
Original Language Analysis
רַב
And the captain
H7227
רַב
And the captain
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
2 of 15
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
טַבָּחִ֗ים
of the guard
H2876
טַבָּחִ֗ים
of the guard
Strong's:
H2876
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, a butcher; hence, a lifeguardsman (because he was acting as an executioner); also a cook (usually slaughtering the animal for food)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
H3548
כֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
6 of 15
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הָרֹ֔אשׁ
the chief
H7218
הָרֹ֔אשׁ
the chief
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
7 of 15
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
H3548
כֹּהֵ֣ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
10 of 15
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַמִּשְׁנֶ֑ה
the second
H4932
הַמִּשְׁנֶ֑ה
the second
Strong's:
H4932
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, a repetition, i.e., a duplicate (copy of a document), or a double (in amount); by implication, a second (in order, rank, age, quality or loc
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת
and the three
H7969
שְׁלֹ֖שֶׁת
and the three
Strong's:
H7969
Word #:
13 of 15
three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice
Cross References
2 Kings 25:18And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door:Jeremiah 37:3And Zedekiah the king sent Jehucal the son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest to the prophet Jeremiah, saying, Pray now unto the LORD our God for us.Jeremiah 35:4And I brought them into the house of the LORD, into the chamber of the sons of Hanan, the son of Igdaliah, a man of God, which was by the chamber of the princes, which was above the chamber of Maaseiah the son of Shallum, the keeper of the door:Jeremiah 21:1The word which came unto Jeremiah from the LORD, when king Zedekiah sent unto him Pashur the son of Melchiah, and Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, saying,Jeremiah 29:25Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying, Because thou hast sent letters in thy name unto all the people that are at Jerusalem, and to Zephaniah the son of Maaseiah the priest, and to all the priests, saying,1 Chronicles 6:14And Azariah begat Seraiah, and Seraiah begat Jehozadak,Jeremiah 52:15Then Nebuzar-adan the captain of the guard carried away captive certain of the poor of the people, and the residue of the people that remained in the city, and those that fell away, that fell to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the multitude.Jeremiah 29:29And Zephaniah the priest read this letter in the ears of Jeremiah the prophet.Ezra 7:1Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,
Historical Context
Seraiah's execution (v. 27) created a high priestly succession crisis. His son Jehozadak went into exile (1 Chronicles 6:15), and the line continued through Ezra the scribe, showing God's preservation of the priesthood despite judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the targeting of religious leaders first emphasize the greater accountability of those who teach God's Word?
- What does Seraiah's lineage (from Hilkiah to Ezra) teach about God's faithfulness to preserve a remnant even through judgment?
- In what ways are you called to 'keep the threshold' of spiritual truth in your sphere of influence?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest (שְׂרָיָה כֹּהֵן הָרֹאשׁ)—Seraiah, great-grandson of Hilkiah who found the Law under Josiah (2 Kings 22:8), now captured. His lineage continued through Ezra (Ezra 7:1). Zephaniah the second priest (צְפַנְיָה כֹּהֵן הַמִּשְׁנֶה) served as deputy high priest.
The three keepers of the door (שֹׁמְרֵי הַסַּף) guarded the Temple threshold—sacred guardians now prisoners. The religious leadership, who should have led covenant faithfulness, are taken first for judgment. Leadership bears greater accountability (James 3:1).