King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 39:3 Mean?

Jeremiah 39:3 in the King James Version says “And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsech...” — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 39 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.”

Jeremiah 39:3 · KJV

Context

1

In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, came Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon and all his army against Jerusalem, and they besieged it.

2

And in the eleventh year of Zedekiah, in the fourth month, the ninth day of the month, the city was broken up.

3

And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergalsharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, with all the residue of the princes of the king of Babylon.

4

And it came to pass, that when Zedekiah the king of Judah saw them, and all the men of war, then they fled, and went forth out of the city by night, by the way of the king's garden, by the gate betwixt the two walls: and he went out the way of the plain.

5

But the Chaldeans' army pursued after them, and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho: and when they had taken him, they brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon to Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he gave judgment upon him. gave: Heb. spake with him judgments

Read Jeremiah 39 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean when ungodly authorities 'sit in the gates' of areas God intended for His people to govern?
  2. How does seeing pagan officials ruling Jerusalem help you understand the consequences of spiritual compromise?
  3. In what ways does Christ reverse this scene by triumphing over all principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ1 of 25

“came in”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

כֹּ֚ל2 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שָׂרֵ֖י3 of 25

“And all the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מֶ֥לֶךְ4 of 25

“of the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶֽל׃5 of 25

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ6 of 25

“and sat”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בְּשַׁ֣עַר7 of 25

“gate”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

הַתָּ֑וֶךְ8 of 25

“in the middle”

H8432

a bisection, i.e., (by implication) the center

נֵרְגַ֣ל9 of 25
H0
שַׂרְאֶ֨צֶר֙10 of 25

“Nergalsharezer”

H5371

nergal-sharetser, the name of two babylonians

סַֽמְגַּר11 of 25
H0
נְב֞וּ12 of 25

“Samgarnebo”

H5562

samgar-nebo, a babylonian general

שַׂר13 of 25
H0
סְכִ֣ים14 of 25

“Sarsechim”

H8310

sarsekim, a babylonian general

רַב15 of 25
H0
סָרִ֗יס16 of 25

“Rabsaris”

H7249

rab-saris, a babylonian official

נֵרְגַ֤ל17 of 25
H0
שַׂרְאֶ֨צֶר֙18 of 25

“Nergalsharezer”

H5371

nergal-sharetser, the name of two babylonians

רַב19 of 25
H0
מָ֔ג20 of 25

“Rabmag”

H7248

rab-mag, a babylonian official

וְכָל21 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שְׁאֵרִ֔ית22 of 25

“with all the residue”

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

שָׂרֵ֖י23 of 25

“And all the princes”

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מֶ֥לֶךְ24 of 25

“of the king”

H4428

a king

בָּבֶֽל׃25 of 25

“of Babylon”

H894

babel (i.e., babylon), including babylonia and the babylonian empire

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Jeremiah. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Jeremiah 39:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Jeremiah 39:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 21:4Jeremiah 38:17Jeremiah 1:15Jeremiah 39:132 Kings 17:30

Places in This Verse

Babylon 1Settlement · Modern: Babylon · 32.54°N, 44.42°E296 verses across 15 books
JerusalemSettlement · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E955 verses across 37 books
Middle GateGate · Modern: Jerusalem · 31.78°N, 35.23°E1 verse across 1 book
View all places in Jeremiah 39 →

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