סַמְגַּר נְבוֹ (sam.gar ne.vo)
sam.gar ne.vo
Samgar, Nebu-sar-sekim
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Samgar-nebo appears only once in the Hebrew Bible, at Jeremiah 39:3. It identifies a high-ranking official or general serving under King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon during the fall of Jerusalem. The title marks him as one of the key military leaders responsible for the siege and subsequent destruction of the city.
Etymologically, the name combines two distinct elements. "Samgar" likely derives from a root meaning "sword" or "protector," while "nebo" refers to the Mesopotamian deity Nabu. Together, they translate roughly to "Sword of Nebo." This compound name reflects the cultural and religious context of the Babylonian court, where military authority was often linked to divine patronage.
His singular mention underscores the historical reality of Judah’s defeat. By listing him among the princes who stood at the middle gate, the biblical text highlights the organized nature of the Babylonian conquest. The name itself serves as a stark reminder of the power that overthrew the kingdom, preserved in scripture not for personal biography, but as a marker of a pivotal moment in ancient history.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Samgar-nebo appears in Jeremiah 39:3 as one of the high-ranking officials present at Jerusalem’s fall. His title, likely meaning “Sword of Nebo,” reflects the military power of Babylon that overwhelmed Judah. This single mention reminds us that human strength, no matter how formidable, stands under God’s sovereign oversight.
When history seems chaotic or overwhelming, this verse offers a quiet anchor. The biblical record preserves these names not to glorify conquerors, but to show that even in judgment, God remains present. We can trust that He walks through our darkest seasons with us, just as He walked through Jerusalem’s destruction.
This passage invites us to look beyond the immediate pain of loss. It points to a faith that endures when earthly structures crumble. In times of uncertainty, we find peace not in our own power, but in the One who holds history in His hands.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Samgar1×
- Nebu1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- סַֽמְגַּר\־1×
- נְב֞וּ1×
Key Verses
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Jeremiah 39:3
All the princes of the king of Babylon came in, and sat in the middle gate: Nergal Sharezer, Samgarnebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal Sharezer the Rabmag, with all the rest of the princes of the king of Babylon.
This verse lists Samgar-nebo among the Babylonian princes at the middle gate, marking him as a key military leader during Jerusalem's siege.