Samgar סַמְגַּר נְבוֹ
Babylonian official present at the fall of Jerusalem
Who is Samgar in the Bible?
Samgar was a Babylonian official present at the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BC, as mentioned in Jeremiah 39:3. He is listed among the Babylonian commanders who entered the city after its walls were breached during King Zedekiah's reign, taking positions at the Middle Gate. While the text does not specify his exact role or rank within the Babylonian hierarchy, his inclusion among the conquering officials indicates he held a position of significance. Samgar's appearance in this passage underscores the historical reality of Jerusalem's conquest and the involvement of Babylon's leadership in one of ancient Judah's most devastating events.
Biography
Samgar is mentioned in Jer.39.3 as one of the Babylonian officials who were present at the fall of Jerusalem during the reign of King Zedekiah of Judah. The context of this passage describes the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem, which occurred after a prolonged siege (Jer.39.1-2). When the city wall was breached, the Babylonian officials entered the city and took up positions at the Middle Gate (Jer.39.3). Samgar is listed among these officials, along with Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and other officials of the king of Babylon. The exact role or position of Samgar within the Babylonian hierarchy is not specified in the text. However, his presence among the officials at the fall of Jerusalem indicates that he was a person of some importance in the Babylonian administration. The fall of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile of the Judahites to Babylon was a significant event in the history of Israel, marking the end of the Davidic monarchy and the beginning of the Babylonian captivity, which lasted for 70 years (Jer.25.11-12).
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 1 verse
- Jeremiah 39:3
"Then all the officials of the king of Babylon entered and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rabmag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon."
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Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | סַמְגַּר נְבוֹ |