Lexical Summary Sarsekim: Sarsekim Original Word: שַׂרְסְכִים Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Sarsechim Of foreign derivation; Sarsekim, a Babylonian general -- Sarsechim. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof foreign origin Definition one of Nebuchadnezzar's princes NASB Translation Sar-sekim (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs שַׂרְסְכִים proper name, masculine a prince of Nebuchadnezzar Jeremiah 39:3, but read probably (נְבוֺ) שַׁזְבָּן, see Gie Du, compare p. 613:a above; ᵐ5 Ναβουσαχαρ, etc. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence The name שַׂרְסְכִים appears once in Scripture, in Jeremiah 39:3, within the report of Babylon’s capture of Jerusalem in 586 BC. Listed among the high officials who “entered the city and took their seats at the Middle Gate” (Berean Standard Bible), Sarsechim is grouped with Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, and other commanders of King Nebuchadnezzar. Historical Setting in Jeremiah 39 Jeremiah had long warned Judah that unrepentant sin would bring Babylonian judgment (Jeremiah 25:3-11; Jeremiah 32:28-29). Chapter 39 records that fulfillment. The Babylonian leaders’ deliberate seating at the Middle Gate—an administrative center between the royal and common quarters—symbolized total political and judicial takeover. Sarsechim’s presence therefore marks the moment when Judah’s throne was supplanted by foreign rule, vindicating the prophet’s words (Jeremiah 39:5-8). Identity and Extra-Biblical Corroboration A Babylonian cuneiform tablet in the British Museum (BM 114789) names a “Nabu-sharrussu-ukin, chief eunuch,” who donated gold to Marduk’s temple in Nebuchadnezzar’s tenth year. Most scholars identify this official with the Sarsechim of Jeremiah 39:3. The tablet, dated to 595 BC, independently confirms the existence of a high-ranking Babylonian officer with virtually the same name and title during the correct reign, reinforcing the accuracy of Jeremiah’s narrative. Role in the Siege and Fall of Jerusalem As one of the senior commanders, Sarsechim would have directed military operations, managed the occupation bureaucracy, and overseen the deportation policies later described in 2 Kings 25:8-12. His title, often rendered “chief of the eunuchs,” implies responsibility for court administration and for the custody of captives—roles echoed by Daniel 1:3, where a similar Babylonian official supervises Judean exiles in an earlier wave. Prophetic and Theological Significance 1. Validation of Prophecy: The named officials supply concrete historical anchors that demonstrate God “watches over His word to accomplish it” (Jeremiah 1:12). Ministry Lessons and Applications • The Specificity of Scripture: God names real people and places, inviting readers to test the biblical record against history. Such confirmations encourage confidence in all Scripture, including its moral and redemptive claims. Summary Although mentioned only once, Sarsechim stands at a pivotal juncture in salvation history, embodying the execution of divine judgment upon Jerusalem and underscoring the reliability of Jeremiah’s prophecy. The convergence of biblical narrative and archaeological evidence surrounding this Babylonian official strengthens confidence in Scripture’s historical and theological integrity, encourages repentance, and assures the faithful of God’s sovereign control over human events. Forms and Transliterations סְכִ֣ים סכים sə·ḵîm seChim səḵîmLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Jeremiah 39:3 HEB: נְב֞וּ שַׂר־ סְכִ֣ים רַב־ סָרִ֗יס NAS: Samgar-nebu, Sar-sekim the Rab-saris, KJV: Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, INT: Nergal-sar-ezer Samgar-nebu Sar-sekim the Rab-saris Nergal-sar-ezer |
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