So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushasban, Rabsaris, and Nergalsharezer, Rabmag, and all the king of Babylon's princes;

JEREMIAH 39:13KJV
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Jeremiah 39:13 (KJV)

What does Jeremiah 39:13 mean?

Jeremiah 39:13 lists several high-ranking Babylonian officials, including Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, who are involved in carrying out orders after the fall of Jerusalem. The verse highlights that these leaders, acting under the king of Babylon, are taking charge of the situation and directing what happens next.

In this setting, Jerusalem has just been conquered by Babylon, and the Babylonian officials are organizing the aftermath. The verse specifically names Nebuzaradan and other officials, showing the structured and official nature of Babylon’s control. This detail sets up the following verses, where these leaders decide the fate of people like Jeremiah.

Why Jeremiah 39:13 matters

  • Jeremiah 39:13 shows that the Babylonians were organized and had a clear chain of command, which helps explain how they managed the conquered city and its people.
  • By listing the names and titles of Babylonian officials, the verse emphasizes the authority and seriousness with which the Babylonians handled Jerusalem’s fall.
  • This verse prepares the reader for what happens to Jeremiah and others, making it clear that their fate is in the hands of these powerful foreign leaders.

Where else these words appear

“Nergalsharezer” Hebrew H5371 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 39:3 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.

“Rabmag” Hebrew H7248 · used in 2 verses

  • Jeremiah 39:3 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.

“Rabsaris” Hebrew H7249 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:17 And the king of Assyria sent Tartan and Rabsaris and Rabshakeh from Lachish to king Hezekiah with a great host against Jerusalem. And they went up and came to Jerusalem. And when they were come up, they came and stood by the conduit of the upper pool, which is in the highway of the fuller's field.
  • Jeremiah 39:3 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.

“Nebuzaradan” Hebrew H5018 · used in 15 verses

  • 2 Kings 25:8 And in the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month, which is the nineteenth year of king Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, a servant of the king of Babylon, unto Jerusalem:
  • Jeremiah 39:10 But Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard left of the poor of the people, which had nothing, in the land of Judah, and gave them vineyards and fields at the same time.
  • Jeremiah 52:12 Now in the fifth month, in the tenth day of the month, which was the nineteenth year of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, came Nebuzaradan, captain of the guard, which served the king of Babylon, into Jerusalem,