Topical Encyclopedia Nergalsharezer, also known as Neriglissar, is a historical figure mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the context of the Babylonian Empire. He is identified as a high-ranking official and later as a king of Babylon. His name is derived from the Babylonian god Nergal, combined with the Akkadian word "shar-uṣur," meaning "O Nergal, protect the king."Biblical References: Nergalsharezer is mentioned in the Book of Jeremiah, which provides insight into his role during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. In Jeremiah 39:3 , he is listed among the officials of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar who entered Jerusalem after its capture: "Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon." In Jeremiah 39:13 , Nergalsharezer is again mentioned as one of the Babylonian officials who were involved in the aftermath of the city's fall: "So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon." Historical Context: Nergalsharezer's historical identity is often associated with Neriglissar, who reigned as king of Babylon from 560 to 556 BC. He was the son-in-law of Nebuchadnezzar II, having married Nebuchadnezzar's daughter. His rise to power is believed to have been facilitated by his marriage into the royal family and his position within the Babylonian military and administrative hierarchy. As king, Neriglissar is known for his building projects and efforts to maintain the stability of the Babylonian Empire. His reign, although relatively short, was marked by attempts to consolidate power and secure the empire's borders. Role and Significance: Nergalsharezer's presence in the biblical narrative underscores the complex political and military dynamics of the time. His involvement in the siege and subsequent capture of Jerusalem highlights the Babylonian Empire's dominance and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings given to the people of Judah regarding their impending judgment due to their disobedience to God. The mention of Nergalsharezer in the Bible serves as a historical anchor, providing a glimpse into the interactions between the Babylonian officials and the people of Judah during a pivotal moment in biblical history. His role as a military leader and later as a king reflects the broader themes of divine sovereignty and the unfolding of God's plan through the rise and fall of empires. Smith's Bible Dictionary Nergalsharezer(prince of fire) occurs only in (Jeremiah 39:3) and Jere 39:13 There appear to have been two persons in the name among the "princes of the king of Babylon" who accompanied Nebuchadnezzar on his last expedition against Jerusalem. One of these is not marked by any additional title; but the other has the honorable distinction of Rab-mag, probably meaning chief of the Magi [see RAB-MAG], and it is to him alone that any particular interest attaches. In sacred Scripture he appears among the persons who, by command of Nebuchadnezzar, released Jeremiah from prison. Profane history gives us reason to believe that he was a personage of great importance, who not long afterward mounted the Babylonian throne. He is the same as the monarch called Neriglissar or Neriglissor, who murdered Evil-merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar and succeeded him upon the throne. His reign lasted from B.C. 559, to B.C. 556. Easton's Bible Dictionary Nergal, protect the king! (1.) One of the "princes of the king of Babylon who accompanied him in his last expedition against Jerusalem" (Jeremiah 39:3, 13). (2.) Another of the "princes," who bore the title of "Rabmag." He was one of those who were sent to release Jeremiah from prison (Jeremiah 39:13) by "the captain of the guard." He was a Babylonian grandee of high rank. From profane history and the inscriptions, we are led to conclude that he was the Neriglissar who murdered Evil-merodach, the son of Nebuchadnezzar, and succeeded him on the throne of Babylon (B.C. 559-556). He was married to a daughter of Nebuchadnezzar. The ruins of a palace, the only one on the right bank of the Euphrates, bear inscriptions denoting that it was built by this king. He was succeeded by his son, a mere boy, who was murdered after a reign of some nine months by a conspiracy of the nobles, one of whom, Nabonadius, ascended the vacant throne, and reigned for a period of seventeen years (B.C. 555-538), at the close of which period Babylon was taken by Cyrus. Belshazzar, who comes into notice in connection with the taking of Babylon, was by some supposed to have been the same as Nabonadius, who was called Nebuchadnezzar's son (Dan. 5:11, 18, 22), because he had married his daughter. But it is known from the inscriptions that Nabonadius had a son called Belshazzar, who may have been his father's associate on the throne at the time of the fall of Babylon, and who therefore would be the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. The Jews had only one word, usually rendered "father," to represent also such a relationship as that of "grandfather" or "great-grandfather." International Standard Bible Encyclopedia NERGAL-SHAREZERnur-gal-sha-re'-zar (nereghal-shar'etser, Hebrew form of Assyrian Nergal-sar-usur, "O Nergal, defend the prince"): A Babylonian officer, the "Rab-mag," associated with Nebushazban in the care of Jeremiah after the fall of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:3, 13). According to Hommel (article "Babylon," Hastings, Dictionary of the Bible (five volumes)) and Sayce (Hastings Dictionary of the Bible, under the word), Nergal-sharezer is to be identified with Neriglissar who succeeded Evil-merodach on the throne of Babylon (compare Cheyne and Johns, Encyclopedia Biblica, under the word). Thesaurus Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)... the word). Multi-Version Concordance Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences). Jeremiah 39:3 And all the princes of the king of Babylon came ... /n/nergalsharezer.htm - 9k Residue (47 Occurrences) Nergal-sharezer (2 Occurrences) Nergal-sar-ezer (2 Occurrences) Nebushasban (1 Occurrence) Babylon's (11 Occurrences) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)Jeremiah 39:3 Jeremiah 39:13 Subtopics Related Terms Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences) Nergal-sar-ezer (2 Occurrences) Ner'gal-share'zer (2 Occurrences) Nergal-sarezer (2 Occurrences) |
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