Jeremiah 38:7

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;

Now when Ebedmelech {H5663} the Ethiopian {H3569}, one {H376} of the eunuchs {H5631} which was in the king's {H4428} house {H1004}, heard {H8085} that they had put {H5414} Jeremiah {H3414} in the dungeon {H953}; the king {H4428} then sitting {H3427} in the gate {H8179} of Benjamin {H1144};

'Eved-Melekh the Ethiopian, an officer in the king's house, heard that they had put Yirmeyahu in the cistern. When the king was sitting at the gate leading toward Binyamin,

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,

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),

Jeremiah 38:7 introduces a pivotal character in the unfolding drama of Jerusalem's final days before its fall to Babylon: Ebedmelech the Ethiopian. This verse highlights the dire situation of the prophet Jeremiah and the unexpected source of his deliverance.

Context of Jeremiah 38:7

At this point in the Book of Jeremiah, Jerusalem is under siege by the Babylonian army. The prophet Jeremiah has consistently delivered an unpopular message from God, urging King Zedekiah and the people to surrender to Babylon, promising that resistance would only lead to destruction. This message was seen as treasonous by the city's princes and officials, who accused Jeremiah of weakening the morale of the soldiers and the populace. Consequently, they had recently thrown Jeremiah into a deep, muddy cistern or dungeon, where he was sinking and likely to die (Jeremiah 38:6). King Zedekiah, a weak and indecisive ruler, had effectively handed Jeremiah over to the princes, saying, "Behold, he is in your hand: for the king is not he that can do any thing against you" (Jeremiah 38:5). It is against this backdrop of political intrigue, divine judgment, and human cruelty that Ebedmelech steps forward.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Providence Through Unexpected Instruments: Ebedmelech, a foreign eunuch within the king's household, emerges as Jeremiah's unlikely savior. This demonstrates God's sovereignty and His ability to raise up deliverers from the most unexpected places and backgrounds, even those outside the covenant community of Israel. His actions stand in stark contrast to the apathy and malice of Judah's own leaders.
  • Courage and Compassion: Ebedmelech displays remarkable courage. To speak against the powerful princes who had imprisoned Jeremiah, and to appeal directly to the king, was a risky act that could have cost him his own life or position. His motivation was clearly compassion for Jeremiah's suffering and a sense of justice. This act of bravery is later commended by God Himself (Jeremiah 39:18).
  • King Zedekiah's Indecision: The verse notes the king "sitting in the gate of Benjamin." The city gate was traditionally a place of public assembly, legal judgments, and official business. Yet, despite being in a position of authority and public view, Zedekiah's previous actions show his inability to stand firm against his officials or to protect the prophet of God. His presence at the gate underscores his public responsibility, yet his private weakness.

Linguistic Insights

  • The name Ebedmelech (Hebrew: עֶבֶד-מֶלֶךְ, ‘Eved-melekh) literally means "servant of the king." While it could be a proper name, it's also possible it functioned as a title, indicating his high-ranking position within the royal court.
  • He is identified as an "Ethiopian" (Hebrew: כּוּשִׁי, Kushi), indicating his origin from Cush, a region south of Egypt, often associated with modern-day Sudan. His foreign background makes his righteous intervention even more striking, as it contrasts with the lack of righteousness among many native Judeans.
  • "Eunuchs" (Hebrew: סָרִיס, saris) in ancient Near Eastern courts were often trusted officials, not necessarily castrated, but high-ranking administrators or chamberlains in the king's service. This position would have given Ebedmelech access to the king and knowledge of court affairs.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 38:7 offers several timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Stand for Justice: We are called to have compassion for the suffering and to speak up against injustice, even when it is unpopular or risky. Ebedmelech's example encourages us to act on our convictions rather than remain silent in the face of wrong.
  • God Uses All People: This story reminds us that God is not limited by human conventions, status, or background. He can use anyone, from any nation or walk of life, to accomplish His purposes and to bring deliverance. We should never underestimate where God's instruments of grace might come from.
  • Faithfulness in Adversity: Jeremiah's suffering highlights the reality that faithfulness to God's word can lead to persecution. Yet, God always provides a way, often through unexpected means, for His servants to endure and for His truth to prevail.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • 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 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;

  • Amos 5:10

    They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.

  • Luke 10:30

    And Jesus answering said, A certain [man] went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded [him], and departed, leaving [him] half dead.

  • Luke 10:36

    Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

  • Job 29:7

    ¶ When I went out to the gate through the city, [when] I prepared my seat in the street!

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