שַׂרְסְכִים

Sarsekim, a Babylonian general

Definition

Sarsekim is the name of a Babylonian military official mentioned in the Old Testament. The name appears only in Jeremiah 39:3, where he is listed among the Babylonian officials who entered Jerusalem after its fall in 586 BC. He is specifically identified as a 'rab-saris' (רַב־סָרִיס), a title often translated as 'chief officer' or 'chief eunuch,' indicating a high-ranking position in the royal court or military administration. As a proper noun, it refers solely to this individual and carries no other semantic senses or meanings in biblical Hebrew.

Biblical Usage

This word is used only once in the entire Old Testament, in Jeremiah 39:3. It functions strictly as a personal name within a historical narrative context. The verse lists the names of Babylonian officials who sat in the Middle Gate of Jerusalem following the city's capture, placing Sarsekim within a specific historical event—the fall of Judah. There are no patterns of usage, as it is a hapax legomenon (a word occurring only once).

Etymology

The name Sarsekim (שַׂרְסְכִים) is of foreign, likely Akkadian, derivation, as indicated by the biblical notation 'of foreign origin.' It is not derived from a native Hebrew root. The name's components may relate to Akkadian titles or theophoric elements, but its precise etymology and meaning in the original language remain uncertain. It was transliterated into Hebrew to represent the name of a foreign official.

Semantic Range

While the name itself is not theologically loaded, its appearance in Jeremiah 39:3 serves a significant theological purpose. It provides specific, historical validation of the prophetic judgment Jeremiah pronounced against Judah. The listing of real Babylonian officials, like Sarsekim, underscores the fulfillment of God's word through the prophet and affirms the biblical narrative's historical reliability. Understanding this name enriches reading by connecting prophecy to tangible history.

Sarsekim held the title 'rab-saris,' a high court position in the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This title often denoted a chief official or commander, sometimes a eunuch, who served closely with the king. His presence at Jerusalem's fall highlights the direct involvement of the Babylonian imperial administration in this pivotal event. The cultural understanding of such a title differs from modern military ranks, as it blended political, administrative, and military authority within a royal household context.

Nergal-sharezer (נֵרְגַל שַׂרְאֶצֶר, H5371) — Another Babylonian official named in the same verse (Jeremiah 39:3), holding the title 'rab-mag,' a different high office. Nebushazban (נְבוּשַׁזְבָּן, H5021) — A third official in Jeremiah 39:13, also a 'rab-saris' like Sarsekim, showing multiple holders of this title were present.

Word Details

Scripture References