The Use of Construct Chains in Jeremiah 39:3

Jeremiah 39:3 in Hebrew

וַיָּבֹ֗אוּ כֹּ֚ל שָׂרֵ֣י מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֔ל וַיֵּשְׁב֖וּ בְּשַׁ֣עַר הַתָּ֑וֶךְ נֵרְגַ֣ל שַׂר־֠אֶצֶר סַֽמְגַּר־נְב֞וּ שַׂר־סְכִ֣ים רַב־סָרִ֗יס נֵרְגַ֤ל שַׂר־אֶ֨צֶר֙ רַב־מָ֔ג וְכָל־שְׁאֵרִ֔ית שָׂרֵ֖י מֶ֥לֶךְ בָּבֶֽל׃

Introduction to the Verse

Jeremiah 39:3 describes the arrival of Babylonian officials in Jerusalem after its conquest. The verse uses multiple construct chains to indicate hierarchical positions and relationships among the officials. Construct chains in Biblical Hebrew are important for expressing possession, titles, and rank.

Understanding the Construct Chain Structure

1. שָׂרֵ֣י מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֔ל (Sarei Melekh-Bavel) – “Officials of the king of Babylon”
   • שָׂרֵ֣י (Sarei) is the construct plural form of שַׂר (Sar, “prince, official, commander”).
   • מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֔ל (Melekh-Bavel) is a construct chain meaning “King of Babylon.”
   • The phrase שָׂרֵ֣י מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֔ל literally translates to “the officials of the king of Babylon.”
2. רַב־סָרִ֗יס (Rav-Saris) – “Chief Eunuch”
   • רַב (Rav) means “chief” or “great” and appears in construct form.
   • סָרִ֗יס (Saris) means “eunuch” or “court official.”
   • Together, רַב־סָרִ֗יס means “chief eunuch,” referring to a high-ranking official.
3. רַב־מָ֔ג (Rav-Mag) – “Chief Magician” or “Chief Soothsayer”
   • רַב (Rav) = “chief,” indicating a high rank.
   • מָ֔ג (Mag) is understood as “magician” or “priestly official.”
   • This construct chain likely refers to a high-ranking religious or governmental advisor in Babylonian administration.

The Function of Construct Chains in This Verse

1. Expressing Hierarchical Titles
   • The construct form links titles to their specific roles:
     • רַב־סָרִ֗יס (Chief Eunuch)
     • רַב־מָ֔ג (Chief Magician)
   • This ensures clear differentiation of each Babylonian official’s function.
2. Indicating Possession and Authority
   • The construct phrase שָׂרֵ֣י מֶֽלֶךְ־בָּבֶ֔ל shows the subordination of the officials under the King of Babylon.
   • The hierarchical system mirrors Babylonian administrative structures, where officials held ranked positions under royal authority.

The Role of Construct Chains in Jeremiah 39:3

Jeremiah 39:3 demonstrates the grammatical precision of construct chains in Biblical Hebrew:

• They indicate rank and authority, especially in political and military contexts.
• They ensure clarity in identifying officials’ titles and roles.
• They establish hierarchical relationships, showing who serves under whom.

This verse provides a clear linguistic example of how Biblical Hebrew expresses structured governance using construct chains.