| II Kings 25:18
| And the general of the army took Saraias, the chief priest, and Sophonias, the second priest, and three door-keepers.
| Saraias, father of Esdras, and of Josedeck, who succeeded in the Pontificate, 1 Esdras 7:1., and 1 Paralipomenon 6:14. (Tirinus) --- Sophonias. He was perhaps chief of the fourth band of door-keepers, mentioned [in] 1 Paralipomenon 9:17, 24., and vice-gerent of the High-priest, to supply his place, in case of any accident. We find no mention of such a priest in the law, but Eleazar possessed a similar power, Numbers 3:32. (Calmet) --- Keepers. These seem to have concealed themselves in the temple. (Menochius) --- They were punished, as the counsellors of Sedecias, by being beheaded or crucified, Lamentations 5:12. (Tirinus)
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