King James Version

What Does Jeremiah 52:25 Mean?

Jeremiah 52:25 in the King James Version says “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... — study this verse from Jeremiah chapter 52 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. were near: Heb. saw the face of the king principal: or, scribe of the captain of the host

Jeremiah 52:25 · KJV


Context

23

And there were ninety and six pomegranates on a side; and all the pomegranates upon the network were an hundred round about.

24

And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest, and Zephaniah the second priest, and the three keepers of the door: door: Heb. threshold

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. were near: Heb. saw the face of the king principal: or, scribe of the captain of the host

26

So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them, and brought them to the king of Babylon to Riblah.

27

And the king of Babylon smote them, and put them to death in Riblah in the land of Hamath. Thus Judah was carried away captive out of his own land.


Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the comprehensive judgment of all leadership levels warn against collective responsibility for national sin?
  2. What does the capture of those who 'saw the king's face' teach about the danger of influencing leaders toward disobedience?
  3. In what ways are you accountable for your influence in civic, professional, or spiritual leadership?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 34 words
וּמִן1 of 34
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הָעִֽיר׃2 of 34

also out of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

לָקַח֩3 of 34

He took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

סָרִ֨יס4 of 34

eunuch

H5631

a eunuch; by implication, valet (especially of the female apartments), and thus, a minister of state

אֶחָ֜ד5 of 34

an

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

אֲֽשֶׁר6 of 34
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָיָ֥ה7 of 34
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

פָקִ֣יד׀8 of 34

which had the charge

H6496

a superintendent (civil, military or religious)

עַל9 of 34
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲנָשִׁ֜ים10 of 34

men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

הַמִּלְחָמָ֗ה11 of 34

of war

H4421

a battle (i.e., the engagement); generally, war (i.e., war-fare)

וְשִׁבְעָ֨ה12 of 34

and seven

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

אֲנָשִׁ֜ים13 of 34

men

H582

properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)

מֵרֹאֵ֤י14 of 34

of them that were near

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

פְנֵי15 of 34

person

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙16 of 34

the king's

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁ֣ר17 of 34
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֖ים18 of 34

that were found

H4672

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׃19 of 34

also out of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

וְאֵ֗ת20 of 34
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

סֹפֵר֙21 of 34

scribe

H5608

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

שַׂ֣ר22 of 34

and the principal

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

הַצָּבָ֔א23 of 34

of the host

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

הַמַּצְבִּ֖א24 of 34

who mustered

H6633

to mass (an army or servants)

אֶת25 of 34
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מֵעַ֣ם26 of 34

of the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֔רֶץ27 of 34

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְשִׁשִּׁ֥ים28 of 34

and threescore

H8346

sixty

אִישׁ֙29 of 34

men

H376

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)

מֵעַ֣ם30 of 34

of the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

הָאָ֔רֶץ31 of 34

of the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַֽנִּמְצְאִ֖ים32 of 34

that were found

H4672

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

בְּת֥וֹךְ33 of 34

in the midst

H8432

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

הָעִֽיר׃34 of 34

also out of the city

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)


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 52:25 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 52:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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