Jeremiah 51:59

Son of Neriah. Evidently Seraiah was a brother of Baruch, the scribe and helper of Jeremiah (see ch. 32:12). In placing his message in the hands of Seraiah, Jeremiah was doubtless committing it to a trusted and sympathetic friend.

Went with Zedekiah. In view of the unrest in the Westland which had threatened to break into active revolt against Babylon, it is not unreasonable to believe that Nebuchadnezzar had summoned his vassal to the capital to renew his oath of allegiance (see PK 447).

An intriguing possibility, though utterly without evidence, is that this visit to Babylon by the king of Judah may have been for the purpose of attending the dedication of Nebuchadnezzar’s great image on the plain of Dura (see on Dan. 3:1). Such a suggestion, however, must remain in the realm of speculation only.

Fourth year. Namely, 594/593 B.C. This prophecy was given in the year of Jeremiah’s controversy with the false prophet Hananiah (see ch. 28).

Quiet prince. Heb. sar menuchah, “prince of a resting place,” possibly designating the quartermaster, the official in charge of arranging quarters for the king on his journey. Another suggestion, based on the idea that menuchah at times denotes the opposite of war (1 Kings 8:56; 1 Chron. 22:9), is that Seraiah may have been a leader of the peace party in Judah, and thus, in a sense favorable to the Babylonians.