Seraiah (VII)

VII. SERAIAH, Son of Neriah, and Baruch i. 1. Jerem. xxxii. 12. Jerem. li. 59, 60. שר המנוחהBrother of Baruch, the Companion and Secretary of Jeremiah. Seraiah was sent to Nebuchadnezzar at Babylon, in the fourth Year of the Reign of Zedekiah, and of the World 3409, before Christ 591, before the vulgar Era 595. Seraiah was Head of the Prophecy. Princeps Prophetiæ, or Chief of the Embassy, appointed to carry the Word, or the Denunciations against Babylon. The Hebrew reads, he was Prince of Menucha; which may be translated by Prince of Menucha, a City or Canton of the Tribe of Benjamin; (see 1 Chron. ii. 52, 54. viii. 6.) or Prince of Rest, Guard of the King’s Chamber or Bed; or Prince of the Presents, Distributer of the King’s Liberalities, his Almoner, or Intendant of the Offerings the King made to the Temple; or rather, in this Deputation Seraiah was charged with the Tributes or Presents that Zedekiah sent to Nebuchadnezzar; and this Acceptation of the Words returns to that of the Vulgate, Princeps Prophetiæ, Head of the Embassy or Deputation.

When therefore Seraiah was sent to Babylon by King Zedekiah,¹ Jeremiah sent a Letter by him, which was to be read to the Captives there. This Letter contain’d a Prophecy of the Fall of Babylon; and after it was read, Seraiah was order’d to tie it to a Stone, and to throw it into the² Euphrates, and to say; Thus shall Babylon sink, and shall not rise from the Evil that I will bring upon her. Baruch went with his Brother Seraiah upon this Commission. See Baruch, l. 1.

Read this article in its place on the printed pages