Jeremiah 39:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Go {H1980} and speak {H559} to Ebedmelech {H5663} the Ethiopian {H3569}, saying {H559}, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, the God {H430} of Israel {H3478}; Behold, I will bring {H935} my words {H1697} upon this city {H5892} for evil {H7451}, and not for good {H2896}; and they shall be accomplished in that day {H3117} before {H6440} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Go and tell 'Eved-Melekh the Ethiopian that ADONAI-Tzva'ot, the God of Isra'el, says: '"I am about to fulfill my words about this city for disaster, not for good; when the day arrives, they will come true before your eyes.

Berean Standard Bible

“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.

American Standard Version

Go, and speak to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, saying, Thus saith Jehovah 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 before thee in that day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Jeremiah 39:16 presents a solemn divine oracle delivered by the LORD through Jeremiah to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, amidst the climactic siege of Jerusalem. This message unequivocally declares God's unwavering resolve to execute His long-prophesied judgments upon the city, bringing about calamity rather than prosperity. Simultaneously, it subtly sets the stage for a personal promise of deliverance for Ebed-melech, a direct consequence of his courageous and compassionate act of faith in rescuing Jeremiah. The verse powerfully underscores God's absolute sovereignty over historical events, affirming that His declared will, whether for judgment or salvation, will be infallibly brought to pass.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed within the dramatic culmination of the book of Jeremiah, specifically detailing the final, devastating moments of Jerusalem's siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, which is recounted in [Jeremiah 39:1-10](/jeremiah/39-1-10 "Jeremiah 39:1-10 - The Fall of Jerusalem"). Chapter 39 marks the undeniable fulfillment of Jeremiah's decades-long prophecies of doom against Judah and Jerusalem, vividly describing the city's fall, the capture and blinding of King Zedekiah, and the destruction of the temple. Immediately preceding this specific oracle, Jeremiah himself has been delivered from his confinement in the court of the guard. The narrative then shifts to focus on the individual fates of key figures amidst the widespread catastrophe, with [Jeremiah 39:15-18](/jeremiah/39-15-18 "Jeremiah 39:15-18 - God's Promise of Deliverance to Ebed-melech") serving as a distinct and poignant oracle of salvation specifically for Ebed-melech, directly following the general account of Jerusalem's destruction. This juxtaposition highlights God's meticulous attention to the righteous even in the midst of widespread judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the climactic Babylonian siege of Jerusalem, which concluded with the city's fall in 586 BC. This period represented an unparalleled national crisis for the Kingdom of Judah, signifying the end of its independent monarchy and the commencement of the Babylonian exile. Ebed-melech, identified as a "eunuch" and an "Ethiopian" (Cushite), occupied a position of considerable influence within King Zedekiah's royal court. Eunuchs frequently served as trusted, high-ranking officials in ancient Near Eastern palaces, often overseeing royal harems or treasuries. His Ethiopian (Cushite) origin indicates he was a non-Israelite who had, nonetheless, come to revere and respect the God of Israel. His courageous act of rescuing Jeremiah from the miry pit where he had been left to die (as detailed in [Jeremiah 38:7-13](/jeremiah/38-7-13 "Jeremiah 38:7-13 - Ebed-melech Rescues Jeremiah")) was fraught with extreme personal danger, given Jeremiah's unpopular prophetic message and the king's initial indifference or even hostility towards the prophet. This context illuminates Ebed-melech's moral integrity and the profound personal risk he willingly undertook for the sake of God's prophet.
* **Key Themes:** Jeremiah 39:16 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes woven throughout the book of Jeremiah. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Prophetic Fulfillment**. The emphatic declaration, "I will bring my words upon this city... and they shall be accomplished," underscores God's absolute control over historical events and the infallible certainty of His prophetic pronouncements. The fall of Jerusalem was not a random geopolitical misfortune but the direct, divinely ordained consequence of Judah's prolonged rebellion and idolatry, as repeatedly and consistently warned by Jeremiah (e.g., [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity")). Secondly, the verse highlights the theme of **Justice and Judgment**, revealing God's righteous wrath against persistent sin and covenant infidelity. The "evil" (calamity) brought upon the city is a just recompense for generations of disobedience to God's covenant commands. Finally, and perhaps most poignantly, the verse introduces the theme of **God's Remembrance and Protection of the Righteous**. Although the primary focus of this specific clause is the city's impending doom, its direct address to Ebed-melech immediately sets the stage for the subsequent promise of his personal deliverance (see [Jeremiah 39:18](/jeremiah/39-18 "Jeremiah 39:18 - God's Promise of Safety to Ebed-melech")). This demonstrates God's meticulous and compassionate care for those who demonstrate genuine faith and courageous compassion, even amidst widespread devastation and national judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **words (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** (H1697) This term is far more expansive than a simple utterance; it encompasses a "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," "deed," or "purpose." In this context, "my words" refers to God's long-standing prophecies and divine decrees of judgment against Jerusalem, which were pronounced due to its persistent sin and rebellion. It signifies not merely spoken declarations but the active divine will and unwavering intention to bring about a specific, predetermined outcome.
* **evil (Hebrew, _raʻ'_):** (H7451) While `raʻ` can denote "moral evil," in this specific phrase, "for evil, and not for good," it unequivocally refers to "calamity," "disaster," "misfortune," or "affliction." It describes the devastating consequences of God's judgment upon the city, including siege, famine, the sword, and forced exile, standing in direct and stark contrast to "good" (`ṭôwb`).
* **good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** (H2896) This word signifies "welfare," "prosperity," "well-being," "favor," or "blessing." Its deliberate inclusion here, in direct antithesis to "evil" (`raʻ`), powerfully emphasizes that God's actions toward Jerusalem at this specific time are solely for judgment and destruction, not for restoration, peace, or blessing, due to their profound and persistent sin.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go and speak to Ebedmelech the Ethiopian, saying,"**: This opening command highlights the direct, personal, and urgent nature of this divine message. Jeremiah, despite his own suffering and the city's chaotic state, is specifically tasked with delivering a precise word to an individual, Ebed-melech, underscoring God's particular attention to him. The designation "the Ethiopian" (Cushite) emphasizes his foreign origin, making his faithfulness and God's subsequent favor towards him even more remarkable and a testament to God's impartial justice.
* **"Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel;"**: This is a powerful and authoritative divine formula, serving to authenticate the message as a direct revelation from God Himself. "The LORD of hosts" (YHWH Sabaoth - H3068, H6635) emphasizes God's supreme power, sovereignty, and omnipotence as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation, thereby ensuring the absolute infallibility and certainty of His decree. "The God of Israel" reaffirms His enduring covenant relationship with His people, even as He brings severe judgment upon them for their infidelity.
* **"Behold, I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good;"**: This clause forms the core of the message concerning Jerusalem's fate. "Behold" serves as an immediate attention-grabber, drawing focus to the certainty of what is about to be declared. "I will bring my words" signifies the active, decisive, and imminent execution of God's prophetic declarations. The phrase "for evil, and not for good" unequivocally states that the outcome for Jerusalem will be utter calamity, destruction, and devastation, not peace, prosperity, or restoration, representing the direct and complete fulfillment of Jeremiah's long-standing prophecies of judgment against the rebellious city.
* **"and they shall be accomplished in that day before thee."**: This final clause underscores both the immediacy and the absolute certainty of the prophecy's fulfillment. "They shall be accomplished" emphasizes the divine resolve and the unstoppable, irresistible nature of God's word and decrees. "In that day" points to the imminent fall of Jerusalem, indicating that the judgment is at hand. "Before thee" is a crucial, deeply personal detail for Ebed-melech, signifying that he will be a direct, living witness to this cataclysmic event, thereby setting the stage for the subsequent, explicit promise of his personal deliverance and preservation.

#### Literary Devices
Jeremiah 39:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. **Direct Address** is central, as God speaks personally to Ebed-melech through Jeremiah, thereby individualizing the message of judgment and salvation amidst the general devastation. The phrase "Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel" functions as a quintessential **Prophetic Formula**, imbuing the pronouncement with absolute divine authority, certainty, and solemnity. The stark use of **Contrast** is evident in the phrase "for evil, and not for good," which powerfully highlights the complete absence of blessing, welfare, or prosperity for the city, emphasizing the severity, totality, and punitive nature of the impending judgment. Furthermore, the declaration "my words... shall be accomplished" serves as a form of **Divine Affirmation**, asserting the unwavering power, reliability, and inevitable fulfillment of God's decrees. Finally, the inclusion of "before thee" is a subtle yet significant instance of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at Ebed-melech's unique position as a survivor and direct witness to the unfolding judgment, a promise that is explicitly elaborated and fulfilled in the subsequent verses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Jeremiah 39:16 powerfully illustrates the unyielding nature of God's word and His sovereign control over the unfolding of history. It demonstrates unequivocally that divine judgment, though severe and devastating, is always righteous, just, and a direct consequence of prolonged covenant infidelity and rebellion. The particular address to Ebed-melech, a faithful foreigner, also highlights God's impartial justice and His meticulous, compassionate care for those who honor Him and act righteously, regardless of their ethnic or social background. This profound truth resonates consistently across the entirety of Scripture, affirming that God's promises—whether of judgment for sin or salvation for the faithful—are utterly reliable and will infallibly come to pass.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Will Not Return Empty")
* [Numbers 23:19](/numbers/23-19 "Numbers 23:19 - God is Not a Man That He Should Lie")
* [Psalm 1:6](/psalm/1-6 "Psalm 1:6 - The LORD Knows the Way of the Righteous")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Jeremiah 39:16 offers profound and enduring lessons for believers today, challenging us to live in light of God's unchanging character. Firstly, it underscores the absolute trustworthiness and efficacy of God's Word. What God declares, whether in solemn warning, gracious promise, or righteous judgment, will inevitably come to pass. This truth should instill in us both a healthy, reverent fear of God's holiness and a deep, unwavering confidence in His faithfulness. We are therefore called to take His warnings seriously, to repent where necessary, and to rest securely in the certainty of His promises. Secondly, Ebed-melech's remarkable story serves as a powerful reminder that God sees, remembers, and honors acts of faithful obedience and courageous compassion, even those performed by seemingly insignificant individuals or in the face of immense personal risk. His miraculous deliverance was not a random stroke of luck but a direct consequence of his courageous kindness and faith demonstrated towards Jeremiah. This profoundly encourages us to live righteously, to act with integrity, and to extend compassion to others, even when it is unpopular, costly, or dangerous. Our faithfulness, however small or unnoticed it may seem to human eyes, is never overlooked by the sovereign and just God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the certainty of God's "words" being "accomplished" in Jeremiah 39:16 impact your personal trust in His promises and warnings for your life today?**
* **In what specific ways might God be calling you to act with courage and compassion, mirroring Ebed-melech's example, even when such actions are unpopular or involve personal risk?**
* **How does the stark contrast between "evil" (calamity) for the city and "good" (deliverance) for Ebed-melech deepen your understanding of God's multifaceted justice and profound mercy?**

### FAQ

**What was Ebed-melech's significance in the book of Jeremiah?**

Answer: Ebed-melech was a Cushite (Ethiopian) eunuch and a high-ranking official within King Zedekiah's royal court. His profound significance in the book of Jeremiah lies in his courageous and compassionate act of rescuing the prophet Jeremiah from a miry cistern where he had been left to die by hostile officials of the court (as vividly detailed in [Jeremiah 38:7-13](/jeremiah/38-7-13 "Jeremiah 38:7-13 - Ebed-melech Rescues Jeremiah from the Pit")). This act of faith, kindness, and moral courage, performed at great personal risk during a time of intense political turmoil and persecution of Jeremiah, earned him a direct, personal divine promise of deliverance and safety from the impending destruction of Jerusalem, as explicitly stated in [Jeremiah 39:15-18](/jeremiah/39-15-18 "Jeremiah 39:15-18 - God's Promise to Ebed-melech"). He stands as a remarkable example of a righteous individual, a non-Israelite, who was honored and protected by God amidst widespread apostasy and national judgment, demonstrating God's impartiality and care for those who fear Him.

**What does "I will bring my words upon this city for evil, and not for good" mean?**

Answer: This powerful phrase signifies God's absolute and unalterable determination to execute His long-prophesied judgment upon the city of Jerusalem. "My words" refers to the numerous pronouncements of divine judgment that Jeremiah had been faithfully delivering for decades, warning of the city's impending destruction and the Babylonian exile due to its persistent idolatry, covenant breaking, and rebellion against God. "For evil" (Hebrew: `raʻ`) in this specific context means "for calamity," "disaster," "misfortune," or "destruction," referring to the devastating consequences of the Babylonian siege: famine, the sword, pestilence, and the eventual razing of the city and its sacred temple. The explicit phrase "and not for good" (Hebrew: `ṭôwb`) serves as a stark contrast, unequivocally stating that there would be no peace, prosperity, welfare, or blessing for Jerusalem in this impending event, only severe judgment. It profoundly underscores the certainty, severity, and punitive nature of God's righteous wrath against sin.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Jeremiah 39:16 speaks directly to the precise fulfillment of God's judgment upon Jerusalem and His specific promise of deliverance to Ebed-melech, it points to Christ in profound and multifaceted ways. The unwavering certainty that God's "words... shall be accomplished" finds its ultimate, most glorious, and comprehensive fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Every prophecy concerning the Messiah, from His miraculous virgin birth (e.g., [Isaiah 7:14](/isaiah/7-14 "Isaiah 7:14 - The Sign of Immanuel")) to His atoning death on the cross (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5 - He Was Pierced for Our Transgressions")) and His triumphant resurrection (e.g., [Psalm 16:10](/psalm/16-10 "Psalm 16:10 - You Will Not Abandon My Soul to Sheol")), was meticulously and perfectly brought to pass. Jesus Himself emphatically declared that He came not to abolish the Law or the Prophets but to fulfill them (e.g., [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law and the Prophets")). Just as God's word brought "evil" (calamity and judgment) upon Jerusalem for its sin and rebellion, so too did God's righteous word bring the ultimate judgment for humanity's sin upon Christ on the cross. Through His vicarious suffering and death, Jesus bore the "evil" that was due to us, allowing those who believe in Him to receive "good" (salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life) instead. Ebed-melech's specific deliverance, based on his faith and compassionate action, serves as a powerful foreshadowing of the comprehensive salvation offered to all, both Jew and Gentile alike, who place their faith in the ultimate Deliverer, Jesus Christ, the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). His rescue from the miry pit can thus be seen as a beautiful type of the spiritual salvation from the pit of sin and death that Christ accomplished for all who trust in Him (e.g., [Psalm 40:2](/psalm/40-2 "Psalm 40:2 - He Drew Me Up from the Pit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Daniel 9:12

And he hath confirmed his words, which he spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.

Zechariah 1:6

But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.

Psalms 91:8

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Psalms 91:9

¶ Because thou hast made the LORD, [which is] my refuge, [even] the most High, thy habitation;

Jeremiah 36:31

And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them; but they hearkened not.

Jeremiah 21:7

And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

Jeremiah 21:10

For I have set my face against this city for evil, and not for good, saith the LORD: it shall be given into the hand of the king of Babylon, and he shall burn it with fire.