Nergal-Sharezer

Nergal-sharezer is one of the senior Babylonian officers present at the fall of Jerusalem under Nebuchadnezzar. He appears only in Jeremiah 39 — first among the princes who occupy the city's middle gate, then among the officers who carry out the king of Babylon's instructions concerning Jeremiah.

At the Middle Gate

When the city is breached, the Babylonian high command takes its seat in the middle gate, and Nergal-sharezer is named twice in the roll: "And all the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, [to wit,] Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sar-sechim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon" (Jer 39:3). The second mention attaches the title "Rabmag" to one Nergal-sharezer, distinguishing him within the list.

Carrying Out the King's Order

A few verses later he reappears in the group acting under Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, when the order comes to look after Jeremiah: "So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban, Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon;" (Jer 39:13). The "Rab-mag" title carries over from v.3, identifying the same officer as one of the chief officers executing the king's order.