Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Ebed-Melek went out of the palace and said to him, New Living Translation so Ebed-melech rushed from the palace to speak with him. English Standard Version Ebed-melech went from the king’s house and said to the king, Berean Standard Bible Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king, Berean Literal Bible and Ebed-melech went forth from the house of the king, and he spoke to the king, saying: King James Bible Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying, New King James Version Ebed-Melech went out of the king’s house and spoke to the king, saying: New American Standard Bible and Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and spoke to the king, saying, NASB 1995 and Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and spoke to the king, saying, NASB 1977 and Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and spoke to the king, saying, Legacy Standard Bible and Ebed-melech went out from the king’s house and spoke to the king, saying, Amplified Bible Ebed-melech went out of the king’s palace and spoke to the king, saying, Berean Annotated Bible Ebed-melech (servant of the king) went out from the king’s palace and said to the king, Christian Standard Bible Ebed-melech went from the king’s palace and spoke to the king: Holman Christian Standard Bible Ebed-melech went from the king’s palace and spoke to the king: American Standard Version Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying, English Revised Version Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spake to the king, saying, GOD'S WORD® Translation Ebed Melech left the royal palace and spoke to the king at Benjamin Gate. Good News Translation So Ebedmelech went there and said to the king, International Standard Version so Ebed-melech went out of the palace and spoke to the king: NET Bible Ebed Melech departed the palace and went to speak to the king. He said to him, New Heart English Bible Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spoke to the king, saying, Webster's Bible Translation Ebed-melech went out of the king's house, and spoke to the king, saying, Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleEbed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king, World English Bible Ebedmelech went out of the king’s house, and spoke to the king, saying, Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Ebed-Melech goes forth from the king’s house, and speaks to the king, saying, Berean Literal Bible and Ebed-melech went forth from the house of the king, and he spoke to the king, saying: Young's Literal Translation and Ebed-Melech goeth forth from the king's house, and speaketh unto the king, saying, Smith's Literal Translation And the king's servant went forth from the house of the king, and he will speak to the king, saying, Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd Abdemelech went out of the king's house, and spoke to the king, saying: Catholic Public Domain Version And so Ebedmelech departed from the king’s house, and he spoke to the king, saying: New American Bible and Ebed-melech went there from the house of the king and said to him, New Revised Standard Version So Ebed-melech left the king’s house and spoke to the king, Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleSo Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house and spoke to the king, saying, Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And EbedMelek went out from the house of the King and said to the King OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Ebed-melech went forth out of the king's house, and spoke to the king, saying: Brenton Septuagint Translation and he went forth to him, and spoke to the king and said, Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jeremiah Rescued7Now 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, 8 Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king, 9“My lord the king, these men have acted wickedly in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet. They have dropped him into the cistern, where he will starve to death, for there is no more bread in the city.”… Cross References Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace Esther 5:1-2 On the third day, Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace across from the king’s quarters. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the royal courtroom, facing the entrance. / As soon as the king saw Queen Esther standing in the court, she found favor in his sight. The king extended the gold scepter in his hand toward Esther, and she approached and touched the tip of the scepter. Esther 4:16 “Go and assemble all the Jews who can be found in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day, and I and my maidens will fast as you do. After that, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish!” Nehemiah 2:1-5 Now in the month of Nisan, in the twentieth year of King Artaxerxes, when wine was set before him, I took the wine and gave it to the king. I had never been sad in his presence, / so the king said to me, “Why is your face sad, though you are not ill? This could only be sadness of the heart.” I was overwhelmed with fear / and replied to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should I not be sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” … and said to the king, 2 Samuel 14:4-5 When the woman from Tekoa went to the king, she fell facedown in homage and said, “Help me, O king!” / “What troubles you?” the king asked her. “Indeed,” she said, “I am a widow, for my husband is dead. Esther 7:3-4 Queen Esther replied, “If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, grant me my life as my petition, and the lives of my people as my request. / For my people and I have been sold out to destruction, death, and annihilation. If we had merely been sold as menservants and maidservants, I would have remained silent, because no such distress would justify burdening the king.” 1 Kings 1:15-17 So Bathsheba went to see the king in his bedroom. Since the king was very old, Abishag the Shunammite was serving him. / And Bathsheba bowed down in homage to the king, who asked, “What is your desire?” / “My lord,” she replied, “you yourself swore to your maidservant by the LORD your God: ‘Surely your son Solomon will reign after me, and he will sit on my throne.’ Jeremiah 37:3 Yet King Zedekiah sent Jehucal son of Shelemiah and Zephaniah the priest, the son of Maaseiah, to Jeremiah the prophet with the message, “Please pray to the LORD our God for us!” 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.’” 2 Kings 25:27-30 On the twenty-seventh day of the twelfth month of the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Judah’s King Jehoiachin, in the year Evil-merodach became king of Babylon, he released King Jehoiachin of Judah from prison. / And he spoke kindly to Jehoiachin and set his throne above the thrones of the other kings who were with him in Babylon. / So Jehoiachin changed out of his prison clothes, and he dined regularly at the king’s table for the rest of his life. … 2 Kings 24:17-20 Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place and changed his name to Zedekiah. / Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. / And Zedekiah did evil in the sight of the LORD, just as Jehoiakim had done. … 2 Chronicles 36:11-13 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. / And he did evil in the sight of the LORD his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke for the LORD. / He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God. But Zedekiah stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the LORD, the God of Israel. Ezekiel 17:15-21 But this king rebelled against Babylon by sending his envoys to Egypt to ask for horses and a large army. Will he flourish? Will the one who does such things escape? Can he break a covenant and yet escape?’ / ‘As surely as I live,’ declares the Lord GOD, ‘he will die in Babylon, in the land of the king who enthroned him, whose oath he despised and whose covenant he broke. / Pharaoh with his mighty army and vast horde will not help him in battle, when ramps are built and siege walls constructed to destroy many lives. … Lamentations 4:20 The LORD’s anointed, the breath of our life, was captured in their pits. We had said of him, “Under his shadow we will live among the nations.” Isaiah 36:6 Look now, you are trusting in Egypt, that splintered reed of a staff that will pierce the hand of anyone who leans on it. Such is Pharaoh king of Egypt to all who trust in him. Isaiah 30:1-5 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin. / They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace. … Daniel 1:1-2 In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. / And the Lord delivered into his hand Jehoiakim king of Judah, along with some of the articles from the house of God. He carried these off to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, where he put them in the treasury of his god. Treasury of Scripture Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's house, and spoke to the king saying, No references for this verse Jump to Previous Ebedmelech Ebed-Melech E'bed-Mel'ech Forth House King's Palace SpeakethJump to Next Ebedmelech Ebed-Melech E'bed-Mel'ech Forth House King's Palace SpeakethJeremiah 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. Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace Ebed-melech, whose name means "servant of the king," was an Ethiopian eunuch serving in the court of King Zedekiah of Judah. His position as a eunuch suggests he held a significant and trusted role, as eunuchs often served in royal households due to their perceived loyalty and inability to establish a competing dynasty. The mention of the king's palace indicates the setting is in Jerusalem, during a time of great turmoil as the city was under threat from Babylonian forces. This context highlights the courage of Ebed-melech, as he steps out from the safety of the palace to intervene on behalf of Jeremiah, who was imprisoned for his prophecies against the city. His actions reflect a deep sense of justice and compassion, qualities that are commended in other parts of Scripture, such as in Proverbs 31:8-9, which calls for speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves. and said to the king Persons / Places / Events 1. Ebed-melechA Cushite servant in the king's palace who showed courage and compassion by advocating for Jeremiah's release from the cistern. 2. King Zedekiah The last king of Judah, who was indecisive and often swayed by his officials, yet allowed Ebed-melech to rescue Jeremiah. 3. Jeremiah The prophet of God who was imprisoned for delivering God's message, demonstrating faithfulness amidst persecution. 4. The King’s Palace The location from which Ebed-melech approached King Zedekiah, symbolizing a place of authority and decision-making. 5. The Cistern A pit where Jeremiah was held, representing the trials and tribulations faced by those who stand for God's truth. Teaching Points Courage in AdvocacyEbed-melech's actions teach us the importance of standing up for justice and righteousness, even when it involves personal risk. Faithfulness in Adversity Jeremiah's situation reminds us to remain faithful to God's calling, trusting Him through trials and persecution. The Power of Influence Ebed-melech used his position to influence the king for good, demonstrating how God can use us in our spheres of influence. God's Providence The account illustrates God's providence in providing help and deliverance through unexpected means and people. Compassionate Action Ebed-melech's compassion for Jeremiah challenges us to act with empathy and kindness towards those in distress. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Jeremiah 38:8?2. How does Ebed-melech's action in Jeremiah 38:8 demonstrate courage and faith? 3. What can we learn from Ebed-melech about advocating for justice today? 4. How does Jeremiah 38:8 connect to God's protection of His prophets? 5. In what ways can we seek God's guidance when facing difficult decisions? 6. How can we apply Ebed-melech's example of boldness in our daily lives? 7. Why did Ebed-melech risk his life to help Jeremiah in Jeremiah 38:8? 8. What does Ebed-melech's intervention reveal about God's providence in Jeremiah 38:8? 9. How does Jeremiah 38:8 illustrate the theme of courage in the face of injustice? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Jeremiah 38? 11. Who are the Cushites mentioned in the Bible? 12. How does the promise of safety in Isaiah 33:16 align with observable instances of righteous people facing disaster historically? 13. In 2 Kings 25:8, the city falls on the seventh day of the fifth month, while Jeremiah 52:12 reports the tenth day--how can these differing dates be reconciled? 14. In Jeremiah 22:5, how can one verify historically or archaeologically that God's promised judgment on the house of David came to pass exactly as stated? What Does Jeremiah 38:8 Mean Ebed-melech went out• Ebed-melech (“servant of the king”), a Cushite eunuch, hears that Jeremiah has been thrown into a muddy cistern (Jeremiah 38:7). Rather than remain silent, he “went out,” an intentional step of action. • His movement signifies personal responsibility; he refuses to be a passive observer while a prophet of God suffers. Compare Proverbs 31:8-9, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves… defend the rights of the poor and needy”. • James 4:17 echoes the same principle: “Whoever knows the right thing to do yet fails to do it is guilty of sin”. Ebed-melech embodies this by leaving his post to intervene. from the king’s palace • The palace represents safety, privilege, and prestige. Leaving it shows that true obedience to God may require stepping away from comfort. • Esther took a similar risk when she approached her king, “For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place… and who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14). • Hebrews 13:13 calls believers to “go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace He bore”. Ebed-melech models this by exiting a secure environment to identify with God’s persecuted servant. and said to the king • The verse highlights not only action but also speech. Ebed-melech risks his position by confronting Zedekiah, a monarch often swayed by powerful advisors (Jeremiah 38:5). • Bold speech to authority aligns with Nathan’s confrontation of David in 2 Samuel 12:1–7 and with the apostles’ resolve: “We cannot stop speaking about what we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). • His words (v.9) charge the officials with evil and plead for Jeremiah’s life—truth spoken with respect but without compromise. Proverbs 25:15 notes, “Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone”. summary Jeremiah 38:8 showcases courageous faith in action. Ebed-melech: • Discerns injustice, leaves comfort, and personally intervenes. • Demonstrates that godly compassion is never silent or stationary. • Affirms that respectful but fearless speech to those in power is a vital part of righteousness. The verse invites believers to follow his example—stepping out of ease, confronting wrong, and advocating for God’s servants, trusting the Lord to honor such obedience. Hebrew Ebed-melechמֶ֖לֶךְ (me·leḵ) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 5663: Ebed-melech -- 'servant of a king', an official under King Zedekiah went out וַיֵּצֵ֥א (way·yê·ṣê) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim from the king’s הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king palace מִבֵּ֣ית (mib·bêṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1004: A house and said וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר (way·ḏab·bêr) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to the king, הַמֶּ֖לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4428: A king Links Jeremiah 38:8 NIVJeremiah 38:8 NLT Jeremiah 38:8 ESV Jeremiah 38:8 NASB Jeremiah 38:8 KJV Jeremiah 38:8 BibleApps.com Jeremiah 38:8 Biblia Paralela Jeremiah 38:8 Chinese Bible Jeremiah 38:8 French Bible Jeremiah 38:8 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Jeremiah 38:8 Ebedmelech went forth out of the king's (Jer.) |



