Overview
Rab-Mag (also transliterated as Rabmag) was an official Babylonian title meaning "chief of the magi" or "chief magician." Nergal-sharezer held this position during Nebuchadnezzar's siege of Jerusalem in 586 BC, serving as a high-ranking military and administrative officer in the Babylonian conquest of Judah.
Key Scriptures
"When Jerusalem was taken... Nergal-sharezer, Samgar-nebo, Sarsechim the Rabsaris, Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag, and all the rest of the officials of the king of Babylon" (Jeremiah 39:3, ESV).
"Nergal-sharezer the Rab-mag took Jeremiah and committed him to Gedaliah" (Jeremiah 39:13, ESV).
Application
Even in judgment, God's sovereignty over earthly rulers is evident—Jeremiah's preservation by a Babylonian official fulfilled God's promise to protect His prophet during Jerusalem's fall.