The term "Rab-mag" appears in the Bible as a title rather than a personal name. It is found in the context of the Babylonian military hierarchy during the time of the prophet Jeremiah. The title "Rab-mag" is generally understood to mean "chief magus" or "chief of the magi," indicating a high-ranking official or advisor within the Babylonian empire. This position likely involved significant influence and responsibility, particularly in matters of statecraft and possibly religious or mystical practices.

Biblical References:

The primary reference to Rab-mag is found in the Book of Jeremiah, specifically in Jeremiah 39:3 and 39:13. These passages describe the events surrounding the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians in 586 B.C.

· Jeremiah 39:3 : "Then all the officials of the king of Babylon came and sat in the Middle Gate: Nergal-sharezer of Samgar, Nebo-sarsekim the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon."

· Jeremiah 39:13 : "So Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard, Nebushazban the Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon."

In these passages, Nergal-sharezer is identified as the Rab-mag, indicating his prominent role among the Babylonian officials present during the siege and subsequent capture of Jerusalem. The presence of such high-ranking officials underscores the importance of the event and the strategic significance of Jerusalem to the Babylonian empire.

Historical and Cultural Context:

The Babylonian empire, under the rule of King Nebuchadnezzar II, was a dominant force in the ancient Near East during the 6th century B.C. The Babylonians were known for their advanced knowledge in various fields, including astronomy, mathematics, and religious practices. The title "Rab-mag" suggests a connection to the magi, who were often associated with wisdom, divination, and the interpretation of dreams and omens.

The role of the Rab-mag would have been crucial in advising the king and other high-ranking officials on matters of state and possibly in conducting religious or ceremonial duties. The presence of the Rab-mag during the siege of Jerusalem indicates the importance of this position in both military and administrative capacities.

Theological Significance:

From a theological perspective, the mention of the Rab-mag in the context of Jerusalem's fall serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings. The prophet Jeremiah had long foretold the destruction of Jerusalem due to the people's disobedience and idolatry (Jeremiah 25:8-11). The involvement of Babylonian officials, including the Rab-mag, in the city's downfall highlights the instruments through which God's judgments were executed.

The account of the Rab-mag and other Babylonian officials also serves to illustrate the broader theme of God's control over nations and rulers. Despite the apparent power and influence of the Babylonian empire, the biblical narrative consistently affirms that all earthly authorities are ultimately subject to God's divine plan and purposes.Rab-Mag

A general officer of Nebuchadnezzar's army, at the taking of Jerusalem, Jeremiah 39:3. He was, as his name signifies, a chief of the magi; a dignitary who had accompanied the king of Babylon in his campaign. See MAGI.

RAB-MAG

rab'-mag (rabh-magh;. Septuagint has it as a proper noun, Rhabamath): The name of one of the Babylonian princes who were present at the destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, during the reign of Zedekiah, king of Judah (Jeremiah 39:3, 13). The word is a compound, the two parts seemingly being in apposition and signifying tautologically the same thing. The last syllable or section of the word, magh, was the designation among the Medes, Persians and Babylonians for priests and wise men. Its original significance was "great" or "powerful"; Greek megas, Latin magis, magnus. The first syllable, rabh, expresses practically the same idea, that of greatness, or abundance in size, quantity, or power. Thus it might be interpreted the "allwise" or "all-powerful" prince, the chief magician or physician. It is, therefore, a title and not a name, and is accordingly put in appositive relations to the proper name just preceding, as "Nergal-sharezer, the Rab-mag," translated fully, "Nergal-sharezer the chief prince or magician."

See NERGAL-SHAREZER.

In harmony with the commonly accepted view, the proper rendering of the text should be, "All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit, Nergal-sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, (the) Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, (the) Rab-mag" (Jeremiah 39:3); and "so Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard sent, and Nebushazban, (the) Rab-saris, and Nergal-sharezer, (the) Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon" (Jeremiah 39:13).

Walter G. Clippinger

3097. magos -- a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. a ...
... Word Origin of Pers. origin, cf. Rab-mag Definition a Magian, ie an (Oriental)
astrologer, by impl. ... see HEBREW Rab-Mag. (magoi) -- 1 Occurrence. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3097.htm - 7k7248. Rab-mag -- perhaps "chief soothsayer," an official of the ...
Rab-mag. 7247, 7248. Rab-mag. 7249 . perhaps "chief soothsayer," an
official of the Bab. king. Transliteration: Rab-mag Phonetic ...
/hebrew/7248.htm - 6k

4018b. mag -- mag
... 4018a, 4018b. mag. 4019 . mag. Transliteration: mag Short Definition: a. Word
Origin see Rab-mag. 4018a, 4018b. mag. 4019 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/4018b.htm - 5k

The Last Agony
... of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, even Nergal-sharezer,
Samgar-nebo, Sarse-chim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture h/the last agony.htm

Eastern Wise-Men, or Magi, visit Jesus, the New-Born King.
... We first find the word in Scripture at Jeremiah 39:13, in the name
rab-mag, which signifies chief magi. This class is frequently ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiii eastern wise-men or magi.htm

How the King of Babylon Took Jerusalem and Burnt the Temple and ...
... of these generals who ravaged and subdued Jerusalem, if any one desire to know them,
were these: Nergal Sharezer, Samgar Nebo, Rabsaris, Sorsechim, and Rabmag. ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 8 how the king.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... him, was the head of the civil officials; besides him we hear of the Rab-sa-resi
or Rabsaris, "the chief of the princes," the Rab-mugi or Rab-Mag, "the court ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Rabmag (2 Occurrences)
... the) Rab-mag, and all the chief officers of the king of Babylon" (Jeremiah 39:13).
Walter G. Clippinger. Multi-Version Concordance Rabmag (2 Occurrences). ...
/r/rabmag.htm - 9k

Rab-mag (2 Occurrences)
Rab-mag. Rabmag, Rab-mag. Rabsaris . Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia RAB-MAG.
rab'-mag (rabh-magh;. ... Rabmag, Rab-mag. Rabsaris . Reference Bible.
/r/rab-mag.htm - 8k

Rabsaris (3 Occurrences)
... descriptive title for the person whose name precedes it (see RAB-MAG). ... wit, Nergal
Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, with all ...
/r/rabsaris.htm - 10k

Nergalsharezer (2 Occurrences)
... 2.) Another of the "princes," who bore the title of "Rabmag." He was ... usur, "O Nergal,
defend the prince"): A Babylonian officer, the "Rab-mag," associated with ...
/n/nergalsharezer.htm - 9k

Nergal-sharezer (2 Occurrences)
... 2.) Another of the "princes," who bore the title of "Rabmag." He was ... usur, "O Nergal,
defend the prince"): A Babylonian officer, the "Rab-mag," associated with ...
/n/nergal-sharezer.htm - 9k

Rab-saris (3 Occurrences)
... rab'-sa-ris (rabh-caric): As with Rab-mag, which is not regarded as a name, but
a title, so this is to be regarded as a descriptive title for the person whose ...
/r/rab-saris.htm - 9k

Samgar-nebo (1 Occurrence)
... Sumgirnabu ("be gracious, Nebo"), but Giesebrecht (Comm., 211) conjectures for Samgar
a corruption of Sar-mag (Sar-magh), equivalent to Rab-mag (rab-magh ...
/s/samgar-nebo.htm - 8k

Samgarnebo (1 Occurrence)
... See RAB-MAG; RAB-SARIS ... Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit, Nergal
Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim, Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer, Rabmag, with all ...
/s/samgarnebo.htm - 8k

Nergal-sarezer (2 Occurrences)
... of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate, to wit , Nergal-sharezer,
Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim, Rab-saris, Nergal-sharezer, Rab-mag, with all the ...
/n/nergal-sarezer.htm - 7k

Nergal-shar-ezer (2 Occurrences)
... of the king of Babylon came in and took their places in the middle doorway of the
town, Nergal-shar-ezer, ruler of Sin-magir, the Rabmag, and Nebushazban, the ...
/n/nergal-shar-ezer.htm - 7k

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