Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version But Ebed-Melek, a Cushite, an official in the royal palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. While the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, New Living Translation But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an important court official, heard that Jeremiah was in the cistern. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate, English Standard Version When Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern—the king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate— Berean Standard Bible Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Berean Literal Bible And Ebed-melech the Cushite, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern—and the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin— King James Bible Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; New King James Version Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon. When the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, New American Standard Bible But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king’s palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the cistern. Now the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin; NASB 1995 But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king’s palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin; NASB 1977 But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king’s palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin; Legacy Standard Bible But Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, while he was in the king’s palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. Now the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin; Amplified Bible Now Ebed-melech the Ethiopian (Cushite), one of the eunuchs who was in the king’s palace, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the cistern, and while the king was sitting in the Gate of Benjamin, Berean Annotated Bible Now Ebed-melech (servant of the king) the Cushite, a court official (eunuch) in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah (whom YHWH has appointed) had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin (son of the right hand), Christian Standard Bible But Ebed-melech, a Cushite court official in the king’s palace, heard Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate, Holman Christian Standard Bible But Ebed-melech, a Cushite court official employed in the king’s palace, heard Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Benjamin Gate, American Standard Version Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin), English Revised Version Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an eunuch, which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; GOD'S WORD® Translation But an official in the royal palace, Ebed Melech from Sudan, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the cistern. The king happened to be sitting at Benjamin Gate. Good News Translation However, Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who worked in the royal palace, heard that they had put me in the well. At that time the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate. International Standard Version Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the king's house, heard that Jeremiah had been put in the cistern. The king was sitting in the Benjamin Gate, NET Bible An Ethiopian, Ebed Melech, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put in the cistern. While the king was holding court at the Benjamin Gate, New Heart English Bible Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king then sitting in the Benjamin Gate), Webster's Bible Translation Now when Ebed-melech the Cushite, one of the eunuchs who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleNow Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, World English Bible Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, a eunuch, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon (the king was then sitting in Benjamin’s gate), Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Ebed-Melech the Cushite, a eunuch who [is] in the king’s house, hears that they have put Jeremiah into the pit; and the king is sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Berean Literal Bible And Ebed-melech the Cushite, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern—and the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin— Young's Literal Translation And Ebed-Melech the Cushite, a eunuch who is in the king's house, heareth that they have put Jeremiah into the pit; and the king is sitting at the gate of Benjamin, Smith's Literal Translation And the king's servant, the Cushite, a man, an eunuch, will hear, and he in the house of the king, that they gave Jeremiah to the pit; and the king sitting in the gate of Benjamin. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleNow Abdemelech the Ethiopian, an eunuch that was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremias in the dungeon: but the king was sitting in the gate of Benjamin. Catholic Public Domain Version Now Ebedmelech, an Ethiopian man, a eunuch who was in the king’s house, heard that they had sent Jeremiah into the pit, and also that the king was sitting at the gate of Benjamin. New American Bible Now Ebed-melech, an Ethiopian, a court official in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the cistern. The king happened to be sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, New Revised Standard Version Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah into the cistern. The king happened to be sitting at the Benjamin Gate, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleNow when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, a eunuch who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the well, the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And Ebed Melek, an Ethiopian Eunuch man, was in the house of the King, and had heard that they had cast Jeremiah into the well, and the King was sitting in the gate of Benyamin OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Now when Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, an officer, who was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the pit; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Brenton Septuagint Translation And Abdemelech the Ethiopian heard, (now he was in the king's household,) that they had put Jeremias into the dungeon; and the king was in the gate of Benjamin: Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah Rescued7 Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, a court official in the royal palace, heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, 8Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king,… Cross References Now Ebed-melech the Cushite, Jeremiah 39:16-18 “Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes. / But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear. / For I will surely rescue you so that you do not fall by the sword. Because you have trusted in Me, you will escape with your life like a spoil of war, declares the LORD.’” Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Neither are you able to do good—you who are accustomed to doing evil. Acts 8:27-39 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official in charge of the entire treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He had gone to Jerusalem to worship, / and on his return was sitting in his chariot reading Isaiah the prophet. / The Spirit said to Philip, “Go over to that chariot and stay by it.” … a court official in the royal palace, Nehemiah 1:11 O Lord, may Your ear be attentive to my prayer and to the prayers of Your servants who delight to revere Your name. Give Your servant success this day, I pray, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man.” (At that time I was the cupbearer to the king.) Esther 2:3-4 and let the king appoint commissioners in each province of his kingdom to assemble all the beautiful young women into the harem at the citadel of Susa. Let them be placed under the care of Hegai, the king’s eunuch in charge of the women, and let them be given beauty treatments. / Then let the young woman who pleases the king become queen in place of Vashti.” This suggestion pleased the king, and he acted accordingly. Daniel 1:3-7 Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, the chief of his court officials, to bring in some Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— / young men without blemish, handsome, gifted in all wisdom, knowledgeable, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace—and to teach them the language and literature of the Chaldeans. / The king assigned them daily provisions of the royal food and wine. They were to be trained for three years, after which they were to enter the king’s service. … heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern. Genesis 37:20-24 “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” / When Reuben heard this, he tried to rescue Joseph from their hands. “Let us not take his life,” he said. / “Do not shed his blood. Throw him into this pit in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him.” Reuben said this so that he could rescue Joseph from their hands and return him to his father. … Zechariah 9:11 As for you, because of the blood of My covenant, I will release your prisoners from the waterless pit. Lamentations 3:53-55 They dropped me alive into a pit and cast stones upon me. / The waters flowed over my head, and I thought I was going to die. / I called on Your name, O LORD, out of the depths of the Pit. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Jeremiah 37:13-14 But when he reached the Gate of Benjamin, the captain of the guard, whose name was Irijah son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah, seized him and said, “You are deserting to the Chaldeans!” / “That is a lie,” Jeremiah replied. “I am not deserting to the Chaldeans!” But Irijah would not listen to him; instead, he arrested Jeremiah and took him to the officials. Jeremiah 20:2 he had Jeremiah the prophet beaten and put in the stocks at the Upper Gate of Benjamin, which was by the house of the LORD. 2 Samuel 19:8 So the king got up and sat in the gate, and all the people were told: “Behold, the king is sitting in the gate.” So they all came before the king. Meanwhile, the Israelites had fled, each man to his home. Jeremiah 37:16-21 So Jeremiah went into a cell in the dungeon and remained there a long time. / Later, King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah and received him in his palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there a word from the LORD?” “There is,” Jeremiah replied. “You will be delivered into the hand of the king of Babylon.” / Then Jeremiah asked King Zedekiah, “How have I sinned against you or your servants or these people, that you have put me in prison? … Jeremiah 39:15-18 And while Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the LORD had come to him: / “Go and tell Ebed-melech the Cushite that this is what the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: ‘I am about to fulfill My words against this city for harm and not for good, and on that day they will be fulfilled before your eyes. / But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you will not be delivered into the hands of the men whom you fear. … Jeremiah 26:24 Nevertheless, Ahikam son of Shaphan supported Jeremiah, so he was not handed over to the people to be put to death. Jeremiah 29:26 ‘The LORD has appointed you priest in place of Jehoiada, to be the chief officer in the house of the LORD, responsible for any madman who acts like a prophet—you must put him in stocks and neck irons. Treasury of Scripture Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs which was in the king's house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon; the king then sitting in the gate of Benjamin; Ebed-melech. Jeremiah 39:16-18 Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good; and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee… Ethiopian. Jeremiah 13:23 Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. Psalm 68:31 Princes shall come out of Egypt; Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands unto God. Matthew 8:11,12 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven… eunuchs. Jeremiah 29:2 (After that Jeconiah the king, and the queen, and the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, and the carpenters, and the smiths, were departed from Jerusalem;) Jeremiah 34:19 The princes of Judah, and the princes of Jerusalem, the eunuchs, and the priests, and all the people of the land, which passed between the parts of the calf; 2 Kings 24:15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon, and the king's mother, and the king's wives, and his officers, and the mighty of the land, those carried he into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. the king. Jeremiah 37:13 And when he was in the gate of Benjamin, a captain of the ward was there, whose name was Irijah, the son of Shelemiah, the son of Hananiah; and he took Jeremiah the prophet, saying, Thou fallest away to the Chaldeans. Deuteronomy 21:19 Then shall his father and his mother lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city, and unto the gate of his place; Job 29:7-17 When I went out to the gate through the city, when I prepared my seat in the street! … Jump to Previous Benjamin Cistern Cushite Dungeon Ears Ebedmelech Ebed-Melech E'bed-Mel'ech Ethiopian Eunuch Eunuchs Gate Heard Heareth House Jeremiah King's Officer Official Palace Pit Royal Seated Servant Sitting Time Unsexed Water-HoleJump to Next Benjamin Cistern Cushite Dungeon Ears Ebedmelech Ebed-Melech E'bed-Mel'ech Ethiopian Eunuch Eunuchs Gate Heard Heareth House Jeremiah King's Officer Official Palace Pit Royal Seated Servant Sitting Time Unsexed Water-HoleJeremiah 38 1. Jeremiah, by a false suggestion, is put into the dungeon of Malchiah.7. Ebed-Melech, by suit, gets him some enlargement. 14. Upon secret conference, he counsels the king by yielding to save his life. 24. By the king's instructions he conceals the conference from the princes. Now Ebed-melech the Cushite Ebed-melech, whose name means "servant of the king," is identified as a Cushite, indicating he was from the region of Cush, often associated with modern-day Sudan or Ethiopia. This highlights the diversity within the royal court of Judah and suggests that foreigners held positions of influence. His presence in the narrative underscores the theme of God using unexpected individuals to fulfill His purposes, similar to other non-Israelites in the Bible who play pivotal roles, such as Rahab and Ruth. a court official in the royal palace heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin Persons / Places / Events 1. Ebed-melechA Cushite (Ethiopian) court official who served in the palace of King Zedekiah. His name means "servant of the king," and he plays a crucial role in advocating for Jeremiah's release from the cistern. 2. Jeremiah A prophet of God who was imprisoned in a cistern for speaking God's truth to the people of Judah. His life and ministry were marked by persecution and suffering. 3. The Cistern A pit or well where Jeremiah was thrown, likely to die from starvation or exposure. It symbolizes the rejection and suffering of God's prophets. 4. King Zedekiah The last king of Judah before the Babylonian exile. His reign was characterized by political instability and spiritual decline. 5. The Gate of Benjamin A location in Jerusalem where King Zedekiah was sitting, possibly a place of judgment or public gathering. Teaching Points Courage in AdvocacyEbed-melech's actions demonstrate the importance of standing up for justice, even when it involves personal risk. Christians are called to advocate for the oppressed and speak truth to power. Faith Beyond Borders Ebed-melech, a foreigner, shows that God's work transcends ethnic and national boundaries. Believers should embrace the global nature of God's kingdom. The Cost of Prophetic Ministry Jeremiah's suffering reminds us that following God's call can lead to persecution. Christians should be prepared to endure hardship for the sake of the Gospel. Divine Providence God's provision for Jeremiah through Ebed-melech illustrates His sovereignty and care for His servants. Trust in God's timing and provision is essential. The Role of the Righteous in Society Ebed-melech's intervention highlights the impact one righteous person can have in a corrupt society. Believers are called to be salt and light in the world. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 38:7?2. How does Ebed-melech's courage in Jeremiah 38:7 inspire us to act today? 3. What does Jeremiah 38:7 teach about God's provision through unexpected people? 4. How can we identify and support modern-day "Ebed-melechs" in our community? 5. What scriptural connections exist between Jeremiah 38:7 and God's protection of His prophets? 6. How can we apply Ebed-melech's example of bravery in our daily lives? 7. Who was Ebed-melech and what role did he play in Jeremiah 38:7? 8. How does Jeremiah 38:7 reflect God's use of unexpected individuals to fulfill His plans? 9. What does Jeremiah 38:7 reveal about the social and political dynamics in Jerusalem at the time? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 38? 11. Isaiah 18:7: Why would the prophecy single out gifts from Ethiopia if there’s no clear historical account of such tribute being delivered to Mount Zion? 12. Who are the Cushites mentioned in the Bible? 13. In Jeremiah 38:15-16, how reliable is the account of a secret meeting between Jeremiah and King Zedekiah when both sides had clear motives to document or distort events? 14. Jeremiah 19:7 -- How can a loving or just deity sanction such extreme disasters upon an entire city, including the innocent, as portrayed here? What Does Jeremiah 38:7 Mean Ebed-melech the Cushite- “Now Ebed-melech the Cushite…” (Jeremiah 38:7) introduces a man whose very name means “servant of the king,” yet he proves to be first a servant of God (compare Jeremiah 39:15-18). - His Cushite origin places him outside Israel’s ethnic line, echoing accounts like Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 1:4; 4:13-17) and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-39). Scripture records such people to remind us that faithfulness, not ancestry, marks true allegiance to the Lord (Galatians 3:28-29). A court official in the royal palace - Ebed-melech holds a position of influence. God often stations His people in strategic places—think of Joseph in Pharaoh’s court (Genesis 41:39-41) or Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 2:48). - Though surrounded by leaders who despise Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:4), Ebed-melech resists peer pressure. His example encourages believers today to stand for truth even when isolated (1 Kings 19:18; Philippians 2:15). Heard that Jeremiah had been put into the cistern - The prophet had been lowered into a muddy pit to die (Jeremiah 38:6). Ebed-melech’s first response is not apathy but action—an echo of the Good Samaritan who “saw him and had compassion” (Luke 10:33). - Scripture shows again that God notices and honors those who defend the defenseless (Proverbs 24:11-12; Matthew 25:40). - His hearing is paired with faith-filled courage; Romans 10:17 reminds us that hearing God’s word births action. While the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin - The city gate served as the place of judgment and royal audience (2 Samuel 15:2; Ruth 4:1-2). Zedekiah sits there, yet hesitates to judge righteously. - The contrast is stark: a foreign servant moves decisively, while Israel’s king remains passive (Jeremiah 38:5). It recalls James 4:17—“If anyone knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” - Ebed-melech approaches the king openly (Jeremiah 38:8-9), embodying Proverbs 28:1, “The righteous are as bold as a lion.” summary Jeremiah 38:7 spotlights one faithful individual—Ebed-melech—who rises above ethnic barriers, leverages his royal post, and acts with courageous compassion while Israel’s king hesitates. God records his deed to assure readers that He sees, values, and rewards every courageous stand for His truth (Hebrews 6:10). (7) Bbed-melech the Ethiopian.--The name signifies "servant of the king," but the absence of the article in the Hebrew makes it probable that it had come to be used as a proper name, and so both the LXX. and Vulgate take it. The use of Ethiopian or Cushite slaves in the king's household, probably as keeping guard over the harem, had been of some standing; perhaps even as early as the time of David, as in the case of Cushr (or the Cushite), in 2Samuel 18:21. Then, as in other countries and times (Terent., Eunuch, i. 2), there was a fashion which led princes and men of wealth to think that eunuchs were part of their magnificence. The law of Moses, it may be noted, forbade such mutilation in the case of Israelites (Deuteronomy 23:1). In Psalm 87:4, we find probably a record of the admission of such persons on the register of the citizens of Zion. Of the previous history of the Eunuch thus named we know nothing but he appears here as the favourite of the king, using his influence to protect the prophet. The Ethiopian descent of Jehudi (Jeremiah 36:21) may probably have brought him into contact with an officer of the king's household of the same race, and Ebed-melech's feelings may have been drawn to the prophet by what he thus heard.In the gate of Benjamin.--This was on the northern wall of the city, the most exposed to the attack of the invading army, and the king apparently had gone there either to direct the operations of the defence, or, perhaps, to prevent others from following, as they might think, Jeremiah's example, and either deserting to the enemy or abandoning the defence of the city (Jeremiah 37:13). Ebed-melech had accordingly to leave the palace, and went to seek the king at his post, in order to obtain an order of release in time to save the prophet's life. He alone, as if inheriting the blessing of Isaiah 56:3-6, has the courage to appear as the friend of the persecuted. . . . Verse 7. - Ebed-melech the Ethiopian. The name means "the king's slave." Ebers remarks that the eunuchs employed are those on whom the shameful operation has been performed by Copts in Upper Egypt. Zedekiah's harem is referred to in vers. 22, 23.Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Now Ebed-melechמֶ֨לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5663: Ebed-melech -- 'servant of a king', an official under King Zedekiah the Cushite, הַכּוּשִׁ֜י (hak·kū·šî) Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3569: Cushite -- descendant of Cush a court official סָרִ֗יס (sā·rîs) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5631: A eunuch, valet, a minister of state in the royal הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king palace, בְּבֵ֣ית (bə·ḇêṯ) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house heard וַיִּשְׁמַ֡ע (way·yiš·ma‘) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently that Jeremiah יִרְמְיָ֖הוּ (yir·mə·yā·hū) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3414: Jeremiah -- 'Yah loosens', the name of a number of Israelites had been put נָתְנ֥וּ (nā·ṯə·nū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural Strong's 5414: To give, put, set into אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the cistern. הַבּ֑וֹר (hab·bō·wr) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 953: A pit, cistern, well While the king וְהַמֶּ֥לֶךְ (wə·ham·me·leḵ) Conjunctive waw, Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king was sitting יוֹשֵׁ֖ב (yō·wō·šêḇ) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 3427: To sit down, to dwell, to remain, to settle, to marry at the Gate בְּשַׁ֥עַר (bə·ša·‘ar) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 8179: An opening, door, gate of Benjamin, בִּנְיָמִֽן׃ (bin·yā·min) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 1144: Benjamin -- 'son of the right hand', youngest son of Jacob, also the name of two other Israelites Links Jeremiah 38:7 NIVJeremiah 38:7 NLT Jeremiah 38:7 ESV Jeremiah 38:7 NASB Jeremiah 38:7 KJV Jeremiah 38:7 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 38:7 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 38:7 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 38:7 French Bible Jeremiah 38:7 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:7 Now when Ebedmelech the Ethiopian a eunuch (Jer.) |
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