Jeremiah 38:9

My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die for hunger in the place where he is: for [there is] no more bread in the city.

My lord {H113} the king {H4428}, these men {H582} have done evil {H7489} in all that they have done {H6213} to Jeremiah {H3414} the prophet {H5030}, whom they have cast {H7993} into the dungeon {H953}; and he is like to die {H4191} for {H6440} hunger {H7458} in the place {H8478} where he is: for there is no more bread {H3899} in the city {H5892}.

"My lord, king! What these men have done to Yirmeyahu the prophet is evil. They have thrown him into the cistern; and he is likely to die there where he is, because of the famine; for there is no more food in the city."

β€œMy 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.”

My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon; and he is like to die in the place where he is, because of the famine; for there is no more bread in the city.

Commentary

Jeremiah 38:9 presents a pivotal moment during Jerusalem's dire siege by the Babylonians, highlighting the courageous intercession of an unlikely figure, Ebed-melech, on behalf of the prophet Jeremiah.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is set against the backdrop of Jerusalem's final days before its destruction, as described extensively in the book of Jeremiah. The city is under a brutal siege by Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army, leading to widespread famine and desperation. King Zedekiah, a weak and indecisive ruler, is caught between various factions in his court. Jeremiah, God's prophet, had consistently delivered unpopular messages of impending judgment and urged surrender to Babylon, which was often perceived as treason. Just prior to this verse, hostile officials, seeing Jeremiah as undermining the city's morale, had thrown him into a deep, muddy cistern or "dungeon" (Jeremiah 38:6), intending for him to die there. It is in this desperate situation that Ebed-melech, a Cushite (Ethiopian) eunuch and court official, steps forward.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Courageous Intercession: Ebed-melech's act is one of remarkable bravery. As a foreigner and a eunuch, he held a potentially precarious position in the king's court. Yet, he boldly confronts the king, accusing influential men of "evil" in their treatment of Jeremiah. His compassion and willingness to speak truth to power stand in stark contrast to the fear and self-preservation of many others.
  • Persecution of the Righteous: Jeremiah's suffering throughout his ministry is a prominent theme. Here, he faces a near-fatal ordeal simply for delivering God's message, underscoring the spiritual blindness and hostility of those who rejected divine truth. This foreshadows the persecution faced by those who faithfully proclaim God's word (e.g., Matthew 5:10).
  • Humanity Amidst Cruelty: It is an outsider, Ebed-melech, who demonstrates profound humanity and a sense of justice, while many of Judah's own leaders are consumed by political maneuvering and cruelty. This highlights that compassion and righteousness are not exclusive to any one group.
  • The Severity of the Siege: The chilling detail, "for there is no more bread in the city," vividly portrays the extreme famine gripping Jerusalem. This was a direct consequence of the siege, a form of divine judgment on Judah for its prolonged disobedience (Lamentations 4:9).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "dungeon" is bor (Χ‘Χ•Χ¨), which literally means "pit" or "cistern." These were typically large, deep, bottle-shaped excavations, often used for water storage. When dry or partially filled with mud, they made for a terrible prison, dark, damp, and inescapable without assistance. Ebed-melech's accusation that "these men have done evil" uses the Hebrew word ra (Χ¨Χ’), signifying not just a bad deed, but a morally corrupt and wicked act in God's eyes, emphasizing the severity of the injustice against Jeremiah.

Practical Application

Jeremiah 38:9 challenges believers today to cultivate a similar courage to Ebed-melech. It reminds us of the importance of:

  1. Speaking Up for Justice: Even when it is unpopular or risky, there is a call to advocate for those who are wronged or suffering, especially when injustice is perpetrated by those in power.
  2. Compassion in Crisis: In times of societal distress or personal hardship, the verse encourages us to look beyond self-preservation and extend compassion to those in need, regardless of their background.
  3. Faithfulness Under Pressure: Jeremiah's unwavering commitment to God's word, despite immense suffering, serves as an enduring example of faithfulness.

Ebed-melech's actions did not go unnoticed by God; he was promised deliverance for his faithfulness (Jeremiah 39:18), demonstrating that God honors those who stand for righteousness.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 37:21 (4 votes)

    Then Zedekiah the king commanded that they should commit Jeremiah into the court of the prison, and that they should give him daily a piece of bread out of the bakers' street, until all the bread in the city were spent. Thus Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.

  • Jeremiah 38:6 (4 votes)

    Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that [was] in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon [there was] no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

  • Job 31:34 (2 votes)

    Did I fear a great multitude, or did the contempt of families terrify me, that I kept silence, [and] went not out of the door?

  • Esther 7:4 (2 votes)

    For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the king's damage.

  • Esther 7:6 (2 votes)

    And Esther said, The adversary and enemy [is] this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the king and the queen.

  • Proverbs 24:11 (2 votes)

    ΒΆ If thou forbear to deliver [them that are] drawn unto death, and [those that are] ready to be slain;

  • Proverbs 24:12 (2 votes)

    If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider [it]? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth [not] he know [it]? and shall [not] he render to [every] man according to his works?