Nergal-Sharezer was a high-ranking Babylonian officer who took part in the siege and conquest of Jerusalem in 586 BC under King Nebuchadnezzar. He is mentioned in the book of Jeremiah as one of the Babylonian officials who stationed themselves at the city gate after it fell. He is often identified with Neriglissar, who later became king of Babylon (560–556 BC).
Key events
The Siege of Jerusalem
Nergal-Sharezer was among the Babylonian officers who participated in the long siege of Jerusalem, which led to the city's fall in 586 BC.
1In the ninth year of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the tenth month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with his entire army against Jerusalem and laid siege to it.
After the city walls were breached, the Babylonian commanders entered the city. Nergal-Sharezer was among those who stationed themselves at the Middle Gate as a sign of conquest and takeover.
3Then all the officers of the king of Babylon came in and took their seats in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim the chief officer, Nergal-sharezer the chief adviser, and all the rest of the officers of the king of Babylon.
When the Babylonian officers, including Nergal-Sharezer, entered Jerusalem, King Zedekiah fled during the night but was captured on the plains of Jericho and taken to Nebuchadnezzar.
4When Zedekiah king of Judah and all the soldiers saw them, they fled, slipping out of the city by night through the king's garden, by the gate between the two walls, and headed toward the Arabah.
5But the Chaldean army pursued them and overtook Zedekiah in the plains of Jericho. They seized him and brought him up to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon at Riblah in the land of Hamath, where he passed sentence on him.
Nebuchadnezzar ordered that the prophet Jeremiah be treated well. Nergal-Sharezer was among the Babylonian officers involved in the process of bringing Jeremiah out of the guardhouse and ensuring his safety.
13So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the chief officer, Nergal-sharezer the chief adviser, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon sent word,
14and they had Jeremiah brought from the courtyard of the guard and handed him over to Gedaliah son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, to take him home. So he lived among the people.
As part of the Babylonian military leadership, Nergal-Sharezer contributed to the total destruction of Jerusalem, including the temple and city walls, which marked the beginning of the exile.
12In the fifth month, on the tenth day of the month—that is, the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem.