Sarsechim. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "Sar-sechim". It is the plural of the Akkadian Sar-sak = king ' s son. R ab-saris = chief of the chamberlains. Compare 2 Kings 18:17 . Daniel 1:3 , Daniel 1:7 . Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag = Nergal-sharezer, chief of the physicians (or magi). Only four names of persons in this verse, not six. read more
Jeremiah 39:3. The princes—came in, and sat in the middle gate— The gate between the wall which encompassed the city, and that which inclosed the temple. It was customary among the Chaldeans to give the names of their idols, as an additional title or mark of honour to persons of distinction. We may render the names thus: Nergal-Sharezer, keeper of the temple of Nebo; Sarsechim, prince of the eunuchs; Nergal-Sharezer, prince of the Magi, &c. read more
3. sat—expressing military occupation or encampment. middle gate—the gate from the upper city (comprehending Mount Zion) to the lower city (north of the former and much lower); it was into the latter (the north side) that the Chaldeans forced an entry and took up their position opposite the gate of the "middle" wall, between the lower and upper city. Zedekiah fled in the opposite, that is, the south direction (Jeremiah 39:4). Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo—proper names formed from those of the... read more
The fall of Jerusalem 39:1-10What Jeremiah had predicted for so long finally became a reality for Judah. There are four chapters in the Bible that record the fall of Jerusalem, reflecting the importance of this event (39; 52; 2 Kings 25; 2 Chronicles 36). read more
All the officials of the Babylonian army entered the city and eventually took their places at a gate in the middle of the city, in fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy in Jeremiah 21:4. This Middle Gate was evidently an opening in a wall that separated two parts of Jerusalem. This is the only reference to this gate in the Bible.The writer mentioned two, three, or four of the Babylonian officials by name: Nergal-sar-ezer, Samgar-nebu, Sar-sekim the Rab-saris or chief official, and perhaps another... read more
Jeremiah’s History from the Fall of Jerusalem till he goes down to Egypt. See Introduction read more
The Capture of Jerusalem (11th year of Zedekiah)The narrative in this c., with some varieties in detail, coincides with that of Jeremiah 52 and with 2 Kings 25.1-7. The city taken. Zedekiah’s fate.3. From the Eng. it would appear that there are six persons named. But Rab-saris (chief of the eunuchs) and Rab-mag (chief of the sorcerers) are only the titles of those whose names they follow. 4. The way of the plain] so as to escape to the eastern bank of Jordan. 5. Riblah] on the high road between... read more
(3) In the middle gate.—The term indicates a position in the line of walls between the citadel of Zion—the “upper city” of Josephus (Ant. v. 20. 2), which as yet was not surrendered (Jeremiah 39:4)—and the lower city, in the walls of which a breach had been effected. Here an open space, originally used as a forum, or place of judgment, now gave the Chaldæan generals a central encampment, from which they could command both quarters of the city, and by taking their place in the heart of its life,... read more
CHAPTER XIIIGEDALIAHJeremiah 39:1-18; Jeremiah 40:1-16; Jeremiah 41:1-18; Jeremiah 52:1-34"Then arose Ishmael ben Nethaniah, and the ten men that were with him, and smote with the sword and slewGedaliah ben Ahikam ben Shaphan, whom the king of Babylon had made king over the land." Jeremiah 41:2WE now pass to the concluding period of Jeremiah’s ministry. His last interview with Zedekiah was speedily followed by the capture of Jerusalem. With that catastrophe the curtain falls upon another act in... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Jeremiah 39:1-18
The fall of Jerusalem (39:1-18)After eighteen months of siege, the Babylonian armies finally broke through the walls of Jerusalem (39:1-2). Zedekiah tried to escape by night, but was quickly captured and brought face to face with the king of Babylon, as Jeremiah foretold. Although he was not executed, Zedekiah suffered cruel treatment before being taken captive to Babylon (3-7; cf. 34:2-3). The Babylonians then burnt Jerusalem, destroyed the city walls and took the citizens into captivity. They... read more