Jeremiah 52:25
He took also out of the city an eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war; and seven men of them that were near the king's person, which were found in the city; and the principal scribe of the host, who mustered the people of the land; and threescore men of the people of the land, that were found in the midst of the city.
Original Language Analysis
וּמִן
H4480
וּמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
1 of 34
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הָעִֽיר׃
also out of the city
H5892
הָעִֽיר׃
also out of the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
2 of 34
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
סָרִ֨יס
eunuch
H5631
סָרִ֨יס
eunuch
Strong's:
H5631
Word #:
4 of 34
a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state
אֲֽשֶׁר
H834
אֲֽשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הָיָ֥ה
H1961
הָיָ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
7 of 34
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
פָקִ֣יד׀
which had the charge
H6496
פָקִ֣יד׀
which had the charge
Strong's:
H6496
Word #:
8 of 34
a superintendent (civil, military or religious)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
9 of 34
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
men
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
10 of 34
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
of war
H4421
הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה
of war
Strong's:
H4421
Word #:
11 of 34
a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)
וְשִׁבְעָ֨ה
and seven
H7651
וְשִׁבְעָ֨ה
and seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
12 of 34
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
men
H582
אֲנָשִׁ֜ים
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
13 of 34
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
מֵרֹאֵ֤י
of them that were near
H7200
מֵרֹאֵ֤י
of them that were near
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 34
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
פְנֵי
person
H6440
פְנֵי
person
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
15 of 34
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
17 of 34
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֖ים
that were found
H4672
הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֖ים
that were found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
18 of 34
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
הָעִֽיר׃
also out of the city
H5892
הָעִֽיר׃
also out of the city
Strong's:
H5892
Word #:
19 of 34
a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)
וְאֵ֗ת
H853
וְאֵ֗ת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
סֹפֵר֙
scribe
H5608
סֹפֵר֙
scribe
Strong's:
H5608
Word #:
21 of 34
properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e., (by implication) to inscribe, and also to enumerate; intensively, to recount, i.e., celebra
הַצָּבָ֔א
of the host
H6635
הַצָּבָ֔א
of the host
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
23 of 34
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
25 of 34
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵעַ֣ם
of the people
H5971
מֵעַ֣ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
26 of 34
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אִישׁ֙
men
H376
אִישׁ֙
men
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
29 of 34
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
מֵעַ֣ם
of the people
H5971
מֵעַ֣ם
of the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
30 of 34
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֖ים
that were found
H4672
הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֖ים
that were found
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
32 of 34
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
Cross References
2 Kings 25:19And out of the city he took an officer that was set over the men of war, and five men of them that were in the king's presence, which were found in the city, and the principal scribe of the host, which mustered the people of the land, and threescore men of the people of the land that were found in the city:Esther 1:14And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the king's face, and which sat the first in the kingdom;)
Historical Context
The phrase 'seers of the king's face' reflects ancient Near Eastern court protocol where only high-ranking officials could enter the king's presence. These men shaped Zedekiah's disastrous policy of rebellion against Babylon, rejecting Jeremiah's counsel to submit.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the comprehensive judgment of all leadership levels warn against collective responsibility for national sin?
- What does the capture of those who 'saw the king's face' teach about the danger of influencing leaders toward disobedience?
- In what ways are you accountable for your influence in civic, professional, or spiritual leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
An eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war (סָרִיס)—a court official commanding military forces. Seven men...near the king's person (רֹאֵי פְנֵי־הַמֶּלֶךְ, literally 'seers of the king's face') were royal counselors with direct access to Zedekiah. The principal scribe (סֹפֵר שַׂר־הַצָּבָא) mustered troops—the secretary of defense.
Threescore men of the people—60 community leaders. The totality: religious leaders (v. 24), military commanders, royal advisors, administrative officials, and civic leaders—all held accountable for leading Judah into covenant rebellion.