Nergal-sar-ezer

English

A man from Babylon, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, only mentioned at Jer.39.3a.

Nergal-sar-ezer , the Rag-mag (a title for an officer) is named among the Babylonian officials who entered Jerusalem after the Babylonians breached the city walls in 587 BC (Jeremiah 39:3). The name Nergal-sar-ezer means "Nergal, protect the king!" Nergal was the Babylonian god of war and pestilence. No title or specific role is given for this official. He may have been a military officer or government representative sent by King Nebuchadnezzar. This Nergal-sar-ezer is likely the same individual mentioned later in the same chapter (Jeremiah 39:13), who also has the title Rab-mag.