An eunuch, which had the charge of the men of war. — Omit the article before “charge.” The Hebrew term (Pakid) conveys the meaning of “deputy,” a superintendent under a chief commander. The officer in question had probably, together with the persons named in Jeremiah 52:24, been more conspicuous than his fellows in resisting the Chaldæans.
Seven men. — 2 Kings 25:19 gives “five” as the number. Here also we have to think of the exile as the punishment of prominence in the defence of the city. The chief scribe of the army, the “secretary of war,” would naturally occupy such a position. The description of the men as those “that were near the king’s person” (literally, saw the king’s face) implies a high official rank.