Ebed-melech עֶ֫בֶד מֶ֫לֶךְ
Ethiopian eunuch who rescued Jeremiah from a cistern
Who is Ebed-melech in the Bible?
Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian eunuch who served in the court of King Zedekiah during the final siege of Jerusalem and played a crucial role in rescuing the prophet Jeremiah from a cistern. When officials opposed to Jeremiah's message threw the prophet into a muddy pit to silence him, Ebed-melech learned of the situation and courageously petitioned the king for permission to save Jeremiah's life (Jer. 38:7-9). Taking thirty men with him, Ebed-melech descended into the cistern and carefully lifted Jeremiah out using ropes and old cloth as padding (Jer. 38:10-12). In response to his faith and compassion, God promised Ebed-melech that he would be protected and spared when Babylon conquered Jerusalem (Jer. 39:16). His story demonstrates the importance of individual courage and mercy in standing against injustice, even in the face of political opposition.
Biography
Ebed-melech was an Ethiopian eunuch who served in the court of King Zedekiah during the final days of the kingdom of Judah. He played a significant role in rescuing the prophet Jeremiah from a life-threatening situation.
When Jeremiah was thrown into a cistern by the officials who opposed his prophetic message, Ebed-melech learned of the prophet's plight (Jer.38.7). Recognizing the injustice of the situation, Ebed-melech courageously went to King Zedekiah and interceded on Jeremiah's behalf (Jer.38.8-9).
The king granted Ebed-melech permission to rescue Jeremiah, and the Ethiopian eunuch took thirty men with him to the cistern (Jer.38.10). Ebed-melech showed compassion and resourcefulness by lowering old rags and worn-out clothes for Jeremiah to use as padding under the ropes.
In Scripture
1 biblical book ; 1 with study contentJeremiah 5 verses
- Jeremiah 38:7
"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,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:8
"Ebed-melech went out from the king’s palace and said to the king,"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:10
"So the king commanded Ebed-melech the Cushite, “Take thirty men from here with you and pull Jeremiah the prophet out of the cistern before he dies.”"
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:11
"Then Ebed-melech took the men with him and went to the king’s palace, to a place below the storehouse. From there he took old rags and worn-out clothes and lowered them with ropes to Jeremiah in the cistern."
Study Jeremiah → - Jeremiah 38:12
"Ebed-melech the Cushite cried out to Jeremiah, “Put these worn-out rags and clothes under your arms to pad the ropes.” Jeremiah did so,"
Study Jeremiah →
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script |
|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | עֶ֫בֶד מֶ֫לֶךְ |
Ebed-melech
d him from the dungeon into which he had been cast to die (Jer 38:7-13). For this, the word of Yahweh through Jeremiah promised Ebed-meleeh that his life should be spared in the fall of Jerusalem (Jer 39:15-18).
See BOHAN.
See EZEL.
eb-en-e'-zer ('ebhen ha-`ezer, "stone of