Jeremiah 39:3 kjv
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 nkjv
Then all the princes of the king of Babylon came in and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer, Samgar-Nebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal-Sarezer, Rabmag, with the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
Jeremiah 39:3 niv
Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and took seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-Sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-Sarsekim a chief officer, Nergal-Sharezer a high official and all the other officials of the king of Babylon.
Jeremiah 39:3 esv
Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the middle gate: Nergal-sar-ezer of Samgar, Nebu-sar-sekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sar-ezer the Rab-mag, with all the rest of the officers of the king of Babylon.
Jeremiah 39:3 nlt
All the officers of the Babylonian army came in and sat in triumph at the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, and Nebo-sarsekim, a chief officer, and Nergal-sharezer, the king's adviser, and all the other officers of the king of Babylon.
Jeremiah 39 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Jer 39:3 | "...all the princes of the king of Babylon came, and sat in the middle gate..." | Jer 39:3 |
| Jer 52:7 | "Then the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the copper vessels that were in the house of the LORD were carried away to Babylon by the Chaldeans." | Jer 52:7 (describes aftermath) |
| 2 Kin 25:7 | "And they killed the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and they blinded Zedekiah's eyes, and bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him to Babylon." | 2 Kin 25:7 (describes aftermath) |
| Ezek 44:3 | "It is for the prince to eat bread there; the prince shall sit there to eat bread before the LORD. He shall go out by the vestibule of the gate and come out by the gate." | Ezek 44:3 (parallels leadership roles) |
| Isa 44:28 | "Who says of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, And he shall perform all my pleasure,’ Saying to Jerusalem, ‘You shall be inhabited,’ And to the temple, ‘Your foundation shall be laid.’" | Isa 44:28 (prophecy of Cyrus's decree) |
| Isa 45:1 | "Thus says the LORD to His anointed, To Cyrus whose right hand I hold, To subdue nations before him And to turn the strength of kings behind him, To open before him the two-leaved gates, And that the gates shall not be shut." | Isa 45:1 (prophecy of Cyrus's role) |
| Jer 33:7 | "'And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, And I will build them as at the first.'" | Jer 33:7 (promise of restoration) |
| Jer 30:18 | "'Behold, I will bring back the captivity of Jacob’s tents, And have mercy on his dwelling places; The city shall be rebuilt on its own mound, And the palace shall stand in its proper place.'" | Jer 30:18 (promise of rebuilding) |
| Jer 30:10 | "'Therefore do not fear, O My servant Jacob,' says the LORD, 'Nor be dismayed, O Israel; For behold, I will bring you back from the country of the north, And gather them from the far corners of the earth, Including those from the blind at the end of the earth.'" | Jer 30:10 (promise of return) |
| Ps 107:23-32 | Accounts of God's deliverance from various perils. | Ps 107 (themes of deliverance) |
| Ps 122:6 | "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: 'May they prosper who love you.'" | Ps 122:6 (exhortation for Jerusalem) |
| 2 Chron 36:22 | "Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and also put it in writing..." | 2 Chron 36:22 (fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy) |
| Zech 1:17 | "“Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Turn back to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will turn back to you,” says the LORD of hosts.”" | Zech 1:17 (call to return) |
| Matt 16:18 | "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." | Matt 16:18 (Christ's church enduring) |
| Acts 17:24-25 | "The God who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands." | Acts 17:24-25 (God's omnipresence) |
| Rom 11:25-26 | "...and so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: 'The deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob.'" | Rom 11:25-26 (salvation for Israel) |
| Rev 21:2-4 | "Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.'" | Rev 21:2-4 (ultimate restoration and God's dwelling) |
| Ezek 36:33-36 | "‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the ruins to be rebuilt." | Ezek 36:33-36 (promise of cleansing and rebuilding) |
| Jer 29:10 | "'For thus says the LORD: After seventy years are completed at Babylon I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.'" | Jer 29:10 (promise of return after 70 years) |
| Ps 137:8 | "'O daughter of Babylon, miserable shall she be; happy shall he be who repays you as you have served us!'" | Ps 137:8 (imprecation against Babylon) |
Jeremiah 39 verses
Jeremiah 39 3 Meaning
This verse records an affirmation of divine presence and future restoration for Jerusalem, specifically mentioning the individuals who will participate in rebuilding the city after its destruction. It emphasizes God's commitment to His people and His plans for them, even in the midst of judgment and exile.
Jeremiah 39 3 Context
Jeremiah chapter 39 recounts the final fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonian army under King Nebuchadnezzar. The preceding verses describe the siege and the breaching of the city walls. Jeremiah himself had prophesied this destruction due to the persistent disobedience and idolatry of Judah. This verse specifically highlights the entry of Babylonian officials into the city through a specific gate. The overall context is one of divine judgment and the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic military defeat. This event marks a significant turning point, leading to the exile of many Judeans and the desolation of the land and city.
Jeremiah 39 3 Word Analysis
and sat (Hebrew: way-ye-shav - yashav - to sit, remain, dwell) - Indicates establishment and official presence, not merely passing through. It suggests they took their place of authority.
in the middle gate (Hebrew: sha’ar hab-be-nayim)
- gate (Hebrew: sha'ar) - A significant place of public assembly, commerce, and justice in ancient cities.
- middle (Hebrew: bene) - Denotes centrality and importance. This specific gate likely held administrative or strategic significance.
- The "middle gate" might refer to a gate in the inner wall or a gate of particular governmental importance, distinguishing it from outer city gates. Scholars debate its exact location, but its mention underscores the royal authority now established within the very heart of Jerusalem.
all (Hebrew: kol) - Emphasizes the complete presence of the Babylonian leadership.
the princes (Hebrew: saris-ey) - Refers to high-ranking officials, officers, or eunuchs in the Babylonian court, holding positions of authority and power.
of the king (Hebrew: melech) - Designates allegiance and origin; these are the king's direct representatives.
of Babylon (Hebrew: Babel) - The victorious empire that conquered Judah.
Jeremiah 39 3 Bonus Section
The act of conquerors establishing themselves in a city's gates was a common symbolic gesture of taking possession and control. Gates were vital points for both access and defense, as well as centers of public life. Their occupation by the enemy signified a total loss of sovereignty and security. This specific mention of the "middle gate" suggests a strategically important point within the city, possibly close to governmental or royal buildings, amplifying the impact of its occupation. This verse serves as a somber prelude to the subsequent destruction and the carrying away of the people and sacred objects into exile, as detailed in subsequent verses and other historical accounts within Scripture.
Jeremiah 39 3 Commentary
Jeremiah 39:3 underscores the stark reality of Jerusalem’s fall. The arrival of the "princes of the king of Babylon" and their taking up residence "in the middle gate" signifies the complete subjugation of the city. This action demonstrates that Babylonian authority was not merely external but had penetrated the very core of Jerusalem's civic and potentially religious life. The mention of a specific gate, "the middle gate," highlights a place of former significance, now occupied by conquerors, symbolizing the reversal of fortunes. This event fulfills long-standing prophetic warnings and ushers in a period of exile, but it also foreshadows a future where God’s people will be restored. The presence of the conquerors in the city's gate signifies the end of self-governance and the beginning of foreign rule. This immediate physical occupation serves as a visible manifestation of God’s judgment against His people’s unfaithfulness.